Was back in Ireland for the weekend again. There are a few films on that I'd like to see.. now, when I first looked, Elvis was as yet unrated on IMDB. Directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann and with Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker and Austin Butler in the title role, it subsequently debuted with a high rating of 8.1. But in the meantime, I'd become enthused at the next highest rated film - The Black Phone, currently at 7.4, a very high rating for a horror film, is the story of a 13-year-old boy who is kidnapped by a serial kidnapper and killer of children (Ethan Hawke). Trapped in a soundproof basement, when the disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, he answers it - and finds himself talking to the killer's previous victims. So, you know, I thought I might go see that - Elvis has fallen a bit in ratings in the meantime anyway. Both showing in Ennis, and at roughly the same time.
And so I did, in lashing rain. Ran to the toilet first - someone was washing their hands as I entered a cubicle, and while I was in there, their phone rang. I could hear the person on the other end - and gee, whatever it was about the acoustics, it sounded really weird! Appropriate for the film I was about to see, I guess. And wouldn't you know it, when I eventually made it in, I was the only one at the screening! Years since that last happened to me. I have a friend who would walk out if that happened to her - nuts, as far as I'm concerned, it just makes me feel as though I'm watching it at home. As it happened, I was late enough that I missed most of the advertising - I didn't even have my phone turned off when the lights dimmed and the opening credits started.
Good start - this is a Blumhouse production, and I've heard them described as being at the forefront of horror film-making. Given the list of films they've been involved with, I'm inclined to agree. Anyway, right from the start, with unusual opening credits, this is different - very understated, little build-up. No horrific soundtrack, no constant sense of dread - not from the "grabber", anyway; much more so, the dread in our protagonist's life comes from the bullies at school, who constantly pick on this nerdy guy, and from his and his sister's alcoholic father, constantly looking for solace for his wife's death at the bottom of a bottle, and venting his frustrations on his terrified kids.
Similarly, our villain is very softly spoken, (mostly) gentle - you begin to wonder whether he'll do anything. Until he does. And when horrific things do happen - or horrific images present themselves - they're all the more effective for having had no build-up. For a story that could be very cliched, this doesn't present itself that way at all - non-typical direction, editing, soundtrack, acting.. our protagonist isn't a snivelling, terrified kid. Yes, he's scared - but he's also determined. And in the end, the story isn't about the "grabber" at all - but about this kid learning to stand up for himself in a violent world. How you feel about the message is another story - but it works really well as a horror film.
And as for being on my own in the cinema - as I left, there was a huge queue of adults and children - for Lightyear, I think. With the voices of Chris Evans (in the title role) and James Brolin (as a bad guy), this is the spin-off story of the astronaut doll in the Toy Story films, in which a bunch of toys, led by Tom Hanks, have various adventures. Now, I like the Toy Story films, but this one isn't supposed to be great - and with that queue, I am so glad. Can you imagine the chaos..?
And so to Jade Cottage again, where I found myself in a queue of people collecting takeaways! Not only that, but several tables were occupied in the restaurant - it's great to see them doing so well. I took my turn, and asked for a table when I got the chance - no problem. I decided to revert to the General Tso's chicken - and was sorry I did. It really is stodgy, and I felt so bloated all night as a result.. I dunno whether I'll come back here, to be honest. Athough the chocolate chocolate chip ice cream was delish..
The film on TV that night was Battle of the Sexes, which I had been interested in but never got to see. This is the true story of an exhibition tennis match, organised in 1972 by men's champion Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) against women's champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) - he was the one who gave it its title, and marketed himself as a "male chauvinist pig" to garner interest. Honestly though, he fully expected to win - it's amazing to see on screen how sexist society was in those days, in comparison with now. And for some years after - I remember! The story is a good one, and it's lovely to see him get his comeuppance (although he's quite sympathetic, as played by Steve Carell). Mind you, I had to run the gamut of my mother, who (a) isn't interested in films in general, and (b) remembered Billie Jean King in real life, and disapproved of her "mannishness" - indeed, she did have a female lover (depicted in the film, although in real life she was her secretary, not her hairdresser), and she ultimately married a woman.
Back in London now, following an entertaining flight where one of the attendants was trying to persuade us to buy cigarettes ("if you don't smoke, this is your chance to start!") and alcohol ("any alcoholics on the plane will be interested in this"). Was hungry when I arrived, and looking around for Italian restaurants, was surprised to see one at the end of my road! Casa Tua is a nondescript little place - I wasn't aware that it was a proper restaurant, which it is! So I moseyed over to have a look. I was put off by the queue at the door, as it was also packed inside - was going to head elsewhere until I overheard the owner tell someone in the queue that it was all right, they have a downstairs room as well! So I decided to wait - and it wasn't too long before we were all seated. They really hate to turn anyone away.
So - it's crowded, the tables are close together: but that's a function of its popularity. Having said that, my meal wasn't terrific - the service took a while, naturally, as it was so busy, but I never really felt forgotten about. But the (toasted) garlic bread I had, while very garlicky, was a bit weird - would have been helped by cutting off the crusts, which were very tough. And the carbonara was fine - but honestly, there was too much parmesan on it, which just looked like sick in the bowl after. Still, it was edible. The wine was lovely - but wow, pricey! Still, I was glad to see carafes on offer. The owner is amazingly friendly - but if I go back, I'll have something different..
It ran too late to blog, the last two nights, what with redoing the film list, last-minute. Tonight, I've booked with TAC to hear an interview with Chris Patten, the last UK governor of Hong Kong before it was handed back to China. Happening at Conway Hall.
Tomorrow, I booked again with Free Stuff and Free Events, for their Free Tuesday Sing-a-Long for Health and Pleasure. Online, and one where you're muted, so you don't even have anyone hear you sing! Great for the shy. But of course, I wasn't too pushed - hence the redoing of the film list. Now top is Emuthi Puthi, an Indian (of course!) comedy about a teenage girl who decides to run away from home, and is accompanied by her grandmother, who has this obsession with finding the fish of life (or something). Anyway, looks ok - showing at the Ciné Lumiere. Years since I was last there, of course..
On Wednesday, I'm finally succumbing to Anything Goes, at the Barbican. Now, I got my ticket for this from Time Out, which is the first place I saw the offer - but it turns out that any number of outlets have £25 tickets! If they're all for the same seats as Time Out, then I'd have to feel sorry for people that bought tickets for £38, which is cheaper than the original price of £45 for the seats on offer! Assuming anyone did. Anyway, with no bad seats here, you'd have to be crazy to pay more.
On Thursday, back with Bucket List London (BLL) - who obligingly is doing something midweek! I'll have to skip off work early - this is for vespers in Westminster Cathedral, and starts at 4.30. He is actually in Westminster all day, attending Ministerial Question Time earlier - but not only do I have a job to go to, but jeez, I do believe this would just infuriate me! So that, I'm not attending..
On Friday, back with Civilised London (CL) for dinner at Caravel. Terrific reviews..
At the weekend, I'm back with the man with the famous name - Dr. Stephen King (not the writer) is guiding a couple of walks for London Guided Walks (courtesy of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts). Both topics / areas I've covered many times before, but gee, he's such a great guide! So I hope I make these - early. On Saturday, it's his Southwark Walk. Sadly, although it's now advertised on TAC, I booked it through the official site (discount of £3 with the code MEETUP3, as usual).
On Sunday, it's his Royal Coronation Walk - not advertised on TAC yet. I just bet he comes up with something I didn't already know..
Next Monday, I'm headed to A Doll's House Part 2, at Donmar Warehouse - sequel to the famous original, where the wife leaves an unhappy marriage; this sequel examines what happens when she returns.
On the 5th - well, I finally saw Up In The Cheap Seats (UITCS)' ad for Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch, at the Underbelly Festival! A parody musical, right up my street - I hate how Meetup so often doesn't show me the events I really would enjoy! Just as well I saw this in time, before I booked anything else. So it'll be a hectic evening, with an interview scheduled for 5.30! I'd better quit work early I think, and head home for that - I can't guarantee quiet in the office.
On the 6th, back with CT for a concert by the Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble, at the college on Shelton Street.
On the 7th, back with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex, for The London Necropolis Virtual Tour. I pointed out to him that the registration link had the wrong date, and he said it was outdated, and he'd replace it and send me the new link - well, he's removed it, but no new link yet. And then - you guessed it, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again!
On the 11th, I'm going to Favour, at the Bush Theatre - after much effort, as their website wasn't working for days! In fact, it seems to go down sporadically. I chose an unreserved seat, will be allocated one on the day. Anyway, I see TAC has now started selling tickets for this - gee, might be not only the cheapest, but the easiest way to book! Wow, was only there once before, 3.5 years ago..
On the 12th, I'm going to The Southbury Child, at the Bridge Theatre. And now CT is selling cheap tickets for that too, bah. I also noticed that UITCS is going, later in the week - ah well.
On the 13th, back with CL for dinner - this time at The Crown itself, where we usually meet for drinks before heading somewhere else for dinner. Excellent choice. Which marks the beginning of a whole spate of Meetups in a row! When's the last time that happened..?
On the 14th, back with The Garden Talks - this online talk is How Do Languages Evolve?
On the 15th, back with the Classical Music and Theatre Group for the opera Otello, at the Royal Opera House.
On the 16th, which is a Saturday, I had booked with Discover London for a trip to see a cart making ceremony - and then Eleanor, organiser of TunedIn London, advertised a concert through the World Music Meetup, for that evening, at City Hope Church. So now I'm going to both.
On Sunday the 17th, back with BLL - this time, it's a trip to Sandown Antiques Market. Well, I've never been to Sandown, so this could be interesting.
On the 18th, back with North London Friends! for the first time since before lockdown. This is for an Edinburgh Comedy Festival preview, at the King's Head in Crouch End, featuring Lucy Porter and Rachel Fairburn.
On the 19th.. I'm taking a punt that I won't actually be employed that day, and have signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I can't actually make it - although, even if I have started work by then (which would be surprising), perhaps I could take a day off.
On the 20th, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with UITCS to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show.
On the 21st, I'm thinking of heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 25th, I'm headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out has an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%!
On the 26th - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.
And on the 27th of next month, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!
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