Film: A Quiet Place

Today, it was a film - would you believe it, with none of the films at the very top of the list showing over the weekend, A Quiet Place - which has held a high rating for ages now - finally came to the top! Awesome - I've been dying to see it. Stars Emily Blunt and her real-life husband, John Krasinski, who also directs - they're trying to keep their family safe in a dystopian future where creatures are stalking them that hunt by sound. Supposed to be terrifically suspenseful - the best kind. And it's showing near me, in the Vue Islington! which means I could walk again. Need the exercise. The only showing today was very late - but what the hey, it's Saturday! I booked it, as it's cheaper on the website - and it certainly is the least I've paid in years for a cinema ticket. I was looking forward to the lie-in, and the lazy day, almost as much as the film.

Wow, it was a lazy day - after staying up late to do the blog, I woke late, ate a bit, went back to sleep, went out to Tesco for supplies - God, it was hot! - came back, ate, slept.. that was basically it. Needed that. And finally, just as my noisy flatmates were turning in for the night, I set out - taking a coat over my arm, as I wouldn't be coming back till after midnight, and didn't trust the temperatures.

An uphill walk, but I managed it easily - for once, I felt it in my thighs rather than my chest or calf. An improvement. On the bus last night, I'd passed the cinema, so knew where it was - or the big sign for it, at least. So it didn't prove hard to find - interestingly, here, they just have up escalators, with stairs to come down.

I'd considered getting something at the concessions stand, but I was running slightly late and didn't really fancy anything by the time I got there, so just went straight in, having my ticket scanned from my phone. I do love the cinema - the seats are so comfy, always great legroom. Found myself sat beside three teenagers, who were unusually well-behaved (well, they sounded French, which might explain it), although the one beside me wriggled around as though she had ants. And, of course, felt obliged to check her phone at one point - I swear, someday humans are going to be genetically modified to have phones attached, they find them so essential.

Speaking of phones.. lovely touch, to have the instruction to turn off mobiles (which she didn't) couched in the setting of the film. The screen goes completely dark, and an ominous voice warns that we are about to enter a quiet place, and any noise is dangerous. Such as talking. Or mobiles. Or loud eating. Kudos to the audience, they were pretty quiet, in a screen that was mostly full, despite the film having been out so long - a testament to its popularity.

This is not one for those of a nervous disposition - I think nervous people already knew that, though. The warning from the censor is of "sustained threat" - at the start of the film, we're told that we're 89 days into.. something. Turns out that something is the invasion of a nasty bunch of creatures, some of the scarier-looking monsters I've seen, owing something to Alien, but improving on the appearance, I think. The things are completely blind, but have evolved terrific hearing, which they use to hunt. So - SHH! We follow the fortunes of one family, mainly - parents and three kids - society has pretty much broken down by now, and people live in isolated pockets, fending for themselves. Our family almost always speaks in sign language (captioned for our benefit); they have a head-start, what with the daughter being deaf.

Ooh yes, they manage the suspense beautifully. I'm not sure whether these creatures ever sleep, but you have to assume they're always alert, so the humans have to be, too - and the audience is always on edge. The amount of quietness in the film (yes, it is broken by the score, but not intrusively) adds to the suspense - we're not used to it. It becomes apparent that the slightest noise could prove fatal - these things are way faster than humans, so if they hear you they'll be on you in no time. And it's not enough to try to be quiet - what happens if you have an accident, hurt yourself for instance and cry out involuntarily? What if you drop something? How do you keep a baby quiet..?

Real hand-to-the-mouth film, for me. I was tense the entire way though, which was the only reason I was glad it was over. Terrific acting throughout, logical dilemmas and solutions. And I have to say, awesome ending for female empowerment! No pitiful, oh-please-rescue-me babes here. Really well-made, highly recommended for people who like a genuine scare.

And I was glad I had my coat on the way home. For tomorrow, a film called Raazi slipped into the top spot - it does actually look good, but the closest it's on is in Vue Westfield Stratford City, at 10pm. A bit far out, for one so late. Instead, I've decided to accompany Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group to the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Someone in the group last night was quite interested in my description of that - there's more than racing going on, with tai chi, food, music, dance.. hope we get the weather for it! It's promised good.

We've got a colleague visiting from abroad on Monday and Tuesday, so I'm leaving those days free, although I must keep an eye on what's on, in case she's interested. Then I'd booked with London Literary Walks on Wednesday, for another Sculpture in the City walk. But wouldn't you know it, today he realised that the display only starts later in the month! He's postponed it to next month. Which leaves me free to head back to Sands Films, where Eleanor, courtesy of TunedIn London, and advertised via the London European Club, is hosting a blues concert by Errol Linton. Lovely!

Thursday is the company's monthly social - this month, it's in Junkyard Golf Club. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for the first time in weeks! Another performance of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical - different every night. At the Lyric again.

On the 12th, another Funzing talk, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night - Inside North Korea. I see the code crazy_fun is still getting a 10% discount.

On the 13th, London Literary Walks is taking us to A Circus School and Shakespeare's Dark Lady.

On the 14th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - at the Bridge Theatre this time, for My Name is Lucy Barton, starring Laura Linney. I got the very last £15 seat!

And on the 15th, would you credit it, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts! to see Monogamy, at the Park Theatre. Well, it sounds interesting - and they've sold their allocation for this showing, so we're free to buy our own (gee). My good God, it's August since I was last with them..