Film: Asteroid City

Today, was thinking film - and delighted to see that Asteroid City had risen in ratings, and was now top of my list! Ah well, that's a no-brainer - a Wes Anderson comedy, with an all-star cast, including Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Maya Hawke, Rupert Friend, Steve Park, Liev Schreiber, Matt Dillon, Steve Carell, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum (playing an alien, appropriately I guess..), Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie.. and probably some other people I recognise. Anyway, I love Wes Anderson's stuff - and it's on in my local cinema (for flat #1). And there were showings all today, so, given that I hadn't any other demands on my time, until I get another job, I could go to whatever suited!

5.30pm was what suited, and off I trotted, stopping at recycling on the way. And wouldn't you know it, I never before heard that they have cheap tickets on Wednesdays in Curzon! Obviously never been to the Curzon on a Wednesday before.. I was the first into the Plaza, one of the screens it's on in, which is a small one - I'd chosen an aisle seat near the front. Mine was a popular row - with another couple sat inside me, one seat away, when the lady who'd booked the seat beside me came and saw all my stuff on her seat, she volunteered to go into the (empty) front row. Quite sensible - who wants to have people on either side of them anyway, if not necessary?

Ah, Wes Anderson. Quite surreal. First, we meet Byran Cranston, who's hosting a tv show about the writer (Edward Norton) of this play called "Asteroid City". That bit's in black and white - then we're into the technicolour of the desert, where Jason Schwartzman is driving the kids to Asteroid City, where there's a science event for which his son, Jake Ryan, has qualified. His daughters are of similar age, if not actually triplets - and a right little coven they make. Also accompanying their children to this shindig are Scarlett Johansson, a famous actress, and Liev Schreiber. Maya Hawke is a teacher, accompanying a school group to observe. Jeffrey Wright plays the local military general. Rupert Friend is a local cowboy, who hangs out with a gang of cowboys, playin' music, mostly. Tom Hanks is Jason Schwartzmann's father-in-law, who drives to the rescue when his car conks out - Matt Dillon is the mechanic. Steve Carell runs the motel. Tilda Swinton is a local scientist involved with the event. Margot Robbie plays (spoiler) Jason Schwartzman's deceased wife.

And then it gets weird. So, Adrien Brody doesn't apparently exist in this version, he plays Jason Schwartman's character in - the stage version, I think? Lives on the set, gives advice to Jason Schwartzman at one point. Willem Dafoe shows up as a kind of talk-show host, interviewing Edward Norton. Really, some of them are only in it for one scene - you can imagine them joining for fun, then kind of hanging around the set chuckling at the rest of it, once they're finished and can relax. And fun it is - gloriously funny, in that weird, Wes Anderson way. Absolute star of the show, for me, however - is Jeff Goldblum, who plays an alien like nobody else can. Ah yes - won't be for everyone, but if you like Wes Anderson, you'll probably love this. Oh, and why not stay for the road runner's antics, over the closing credits..

Tomorrow, thinking of heading back to Watkin's Bookshop, for the first time in an age - they have an author talk called Holy Waters - Searching for the Sacred in a Glass. There's a new book about this, which considers the use of alcohol in religion - sounds interesting!

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. Was waiting to hear what rating the new Indiana Jones film would have - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny sees Harrison Ford, back again as the coolest archaeologist in the Western world. And yes, your eyes don't deceive you - that is Phoebe Waller-Bridge, tagging along as the female interest (his god-daughter). So, expect some good lines. And Antonio Banderas shows up as - someone scruffy-lookin'. And I'd be happy to see it - if only for the CGI that makes Harrison Ford look young and gorgeous again.. (there's some time travel, I believe).

However, now that its rating is out, the highest rated is Jesus Revolution, based on a real-life spiritual movement across America in the 70s. Stars Kelsey Grammer as the straight-laced pastor whose daughter convinces him to give these long-haired hippies a go.. Showing, as is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, in Limerick Omniplex. (Actually, it was also showing this evening in London, but I really wanted to see Asteroid City, so although it wasn't as highly rated, I executed an executive override..)

On Monday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for A Playlist for the Revolution, at the Bush Theatre.

On Tuesday, thinking film again - and it's looking like Hello, Bookstore, a documentary in the Curzon Bloomsbury again.

Then two more days with UITCS - well, they book so much stuff! Next Wednesday, it's Robin Hood: The Legend - Rewritten, at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

And on the 6th, it's School Girls: Or, the African Mean Girls Play, at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Film: War Pony

These two days, thinking film - and the top-rated films on my list are all showing at my local cinema. As usual, I had to check that website specifically. Today, it was looking like Pretty Red Dress, a comic drama about a red dress, and its effects on a family. However.. it's plummeted in ratings! and what was now on top was War Pony, the coming-of-age story of two young Native American boys.

It was on late enough, so the plan was - eat, shop, film. Didn't quite work out that way, as I left a bit later than intended. I headed to eat first, running into the tail-end of some kind of altercation, unusually for the Brunswick Centre! A couple were screaming at a man with two very small kids - now, I don't care what it was about, it's not right to get kids mixed up in that sort of thing. Anyway, security were escorting the couple out as I gingerly passed them to get to GBK. Which wasn't busy - I ordered straight away, and eventually got my food. Again, the chicken was too wide for the bun - again, they cut it in two, piling one bit on top of another, which makes it hard to eat. I ask you.. but anyway, it was tasty, and I was fed.

By the time I finished, it was time to go to the cinema - shopping would have to wait for tomorrow. I haven't renewed my membership - Curzon isn't the closest cinema to my new place, so I probably wouldn't get the value. (Sadly, there are no cinemas so close to my new place, although there are a few within walking distance..) I also got a sauvignon blanc, and some of their delectable chocolate honeycomb bites. Can't say I noticed a massive difference over the membership price. I arrived in the cinema while the ads were on, and settled into my lovely, comfortable pullman seat.

War Pony is an interesting film. We follow the stories of two boys - one late teens perhaps, one early teens - which intersect briefly, but otherwise follow different paths, if similar in ways. The elder lad already has two little boys (to separate women), and is into every wheeler-dealer, money-making scheme going. The younger lad is something of a wannabe version of the elder one, still in school - although gets suspended during the film - getting into alcohol and drugs, and trying to get into girls, although his baby-face is a hindrance.

It's not the most attractive look at Native American culture, although I'm not qualified to say how realistic it is. Plenty of alcohol and drugs, teenage pregnancies, prison.. casual racism, on the part of the guy the elder boy finds himself working for (also from his wife). There are a couple of snatches of Native American music throughout, at some kind of festival - honestly, with everything else that's going on, it's not really relevant to these boys' lives. I did like the running imagery of a bison, meandering down the road, which each of the boys sees at one point or another - spirit guide, perhaps? Not much guidance being provided, if so. Still, interesting for a glimpse into the lives of people from this part of the world. After, of course, it was too late to shop..

Tomorrow, what was coming up  was something not even advertised on my film list, tsk - dunno why I didn't notice it on the cinema website before, either. Seven Winters in Tehran tells the true story of a 19-year old girl in Tehran, who killed her would-be rapist, and was in turn sentenced to death herself, and imprisoned for seven years. However, checking over the weekend, it turned out not to be showing that evening - so that's not an option any more! And so I'm back to my original choice, another by Patricio Guzmán - My Imaginary Country describes the activism of women in Chile.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for We Will Rock You! at the Coliseum. Excellent - this didn't have tickets for the night I looked for before. Written by Queen with Ben Elton, should be a great night out.

On Thursday - heading out to Elstree, of all places, for Giffords Circus. Well, it was the best of what I saw advertised..

On Friday, my sometime-companion from UITCS suggested a murder mystery! The Murder Express: Jewel of the Empire.. set on a train, and includes dinner. Oh, lovely.. she got a Groupon deal, apparently..

On Saturday, delighted to be back with Expat Bucket List London! Well, back with the founder of both this and Bucket List London - I haven't actually been with the Expat group yet. Yippee, back to the Globe - for The Comedy of Errors. Unfortunately, while I'm in the Lower Gallery, as usual, the others are upstairs.. the organiser did offer to switch with me, so I'd have some company, but I wouldn't subject him to such a lower-priced seat! Anyway, I do like to be close. And as I've now booked a flat on that side of town, and can hopefully move in on Wednesday.. I might be walking to this!

On Sunday, back with Discover London - History Walks and Events to Discover the Secrets of the 19th Century London Docks. Always love this part of town - again, this will be walking distance from my new place.

Next Monday, got a cheap ticket with CT for From Swing to Soul, a concert series at Wonderville. I do wonder whether they fixed their tech issues from last time..

And on the 27th, back with UITCS again - this time, for A Strange Loop, at the Barbican. Multi-award-winning, it seems - cheaper tickets available from WhatsOnStage (WOS), fulfilled by London Theatre Direct. Interestingly though, to get the cheaper offer, buy through WOS..

Film: A Crack in the Mountain

Film tonight - and I thought I might finally get to see The Blue Caftan! It's Moroccan, and again showing at what is still, for now, my local cinema. Although, checking the listings again, I found a new one - A Crack in the Mountain is a documentary about Hang So'n Doong, the largest cave in the world, which is in Vietnam. Looked gorgeous - but it was only on in the Curzon Wimbledon, at 5.40, which I'd never have made in time if I stayed at work as long as I should! However, it is on their Home Cinema.. which would also save the fare..

So that's what I did. And it was so so good to have time to myself, for most of today, to do what I needed, or wanted! I wouldn't have been ready to head out to Wimbledon for 5.40, certainly - so, when I was good and ready, I took myself down to GBK, and was well fed. I needed shopping down that way, anyway, which I did on the way back. And I was happy, for once, just to settle down, in the comfort of my room, with my laptop and the curtains drawn. I hadn't tried Home Cinema before, but it was easy - although it took two goes to get it working. But tech can be temperamental that way.

It's a spectacular cave, for sure - one scene has the co-founder of the Save So'n Doong movement giving a Ted Talk, with slides. And we get plenty of opportunities to see inside. Apparently, they do let about 1,000 people in per year, on organised treks - what the government is proposing is to increase this, by means of a cable car, which would ferry people in at a much higher rate. The environmentalists are worried that this level of mass tourism will ruin the cave - which has happened in other areas of Vietnam, which is apparently riddled with spectacular caves.

Spectacular scenery, then - and the film also provides an interesting history of postwar Vietnam, describing how poor the area used to be before the advent of tourism. As they say, though, it's small-scale tourism that will really benefit the locals, not mass tourism, with corporate backing. Interestingly, they describe it as being like Kathmandu in the early days, naive and friendly.. Definitely, the film makes this sound like an interesting place to explore. Mind you, the narrator had a soft voice - predictably, I was asleep by the end. Well, it's been a helluva week!

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. Plenty of films on I'd like to see - and all in the evening, when I can't! Whoopee. Monday and Tuesday, I'm also thinking of film. The film listings weren't helping my decision much, though - so I consulted my local cinema, which was happy to tell me that it's showing Return to Seoul on Monday, which seemed the best of the fare that day; The Blue Caftan doesn't seem to be showing next week. It's the story of a young French girl, returning to seek her roots in Korea. Looks engaging. But the new listings are finally out! and now, it's Beau Is Afraid. Funnily enough, it comes under the headings of comedy, drama, and horror! The title role is taken by the ever-watchable Joaquin Phoenix, who plays an anxiety-ridden man who, following his mother's death, decides to travel back home. Now, the Hideout (Horror, SciFi, & Fantasy) group that I'm a member of went to see this recently, and raved about it - when pushed, someone said what he liked was the surreal settings, and very black comedy.. nearest showing to me is the Picturehouse Central. Definitely worth a look.

On Tuesday, my local cinema's excellent doc house is showing Tina, a documentary about the phenomenon that was the late Tina Turner! My membership will have lapsed by then - I let it lapse, because of the eviction, but might consider renewing it. After all, I'll probably not get another place that quickly!

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Bleak Expectations, a Dickens-based comedy, with a different star every week, showing at the Criterion. I think we're getting Julian Clary.. I ended up going up a price band here, the cheap tickets all seemed so restricted!

And next Thursday, back with North London Friends, for the first time in, oh, ages.. we're off to The Park, to see The Shape of Things. Different people from last time, these are some I knew before.

Play: Dixon and Daughters

Tonight, having tried several sold-out shows, I finally plumped for Dixon and Daughters, at the Dorfman. Got the last cheap, restricted-view ticket in the pit. Unfortunately, was up most of last night working, and grabbed whatever chance I could to sleep this afternoon - was a little groggy by the time I left.

Headed down via GBK, as usual for here, so decided to eat there. It was pretty empty - and a family was heading away as I arrived, the son upset because they weren't eating there, and as the mother said, he'd had his heart set on it.. the waiter then explained to me that the chef would be on break for 20 minutes. I'd set out early though, and wasn't in a rush - so I ordered straight away, and waited my turn. The chef actually returned early, and lo, ever so slightly after 20 minutes later, I was fed! Delicious as ever, too.

Google Maps mistook the bus stop, but I got a bus without problem - there are plenty heading that way. And I just made it to the theatre in good time both to go to the toilet and get a drink, which I took in with me. I was in one of the high seats at the back - "restricted" view meant, in my case, I was beside a pillar that restricted the view out of the corner of my eye, so if I wanted to see the whole stage, I had to lean forward. Hardly a problem. More of a problem were all the people squeezing past me, and me having to hop out of my seat every time..

This time, the trigger warnings were available by QR code! I suppose that avoids people being triggered by the trigger warnings.. so, the play concerns itself with a family of sisters, as we discover in due course. The eldest, who has a daughter of her own in college, is first seen collecting her elderly mother (Brid Brennan) and bringing her home after an extended absence. This is the only daughter she's happy to see - but another has pretty much moved in in the meantime, about whom she has nothing good to say. And there's another woman hanging around, whom the mother doesn't even want mentioned..

As with most family dramas, this has secrets just below the surface. And it isn't hard to put the pieces together when you find out the mother has been in prison, not in hospital, as you might have thought. Apparently, the father's grave has been vandalised. And what's the story of this other woman, that the mother can't even bear to have mentioned..? Oh yes, we have a lot of secrets to uncover. A powerhouse performance from all concerned, in a 90-minute straight-through show. Very well done. Runs till the 10th.

Climbed those stairs onto the bridge to catch the bus back - Lordy, if I had to do that more often, I'd be fitter than I am! As it was, I had to stop to admire the scenery for a moment, halfway.. at the top, had the phenomenon of yet another bus sailing past us, despite several of us having extended our arms, well in advance. I've complained, but this is a real problem here - they really don't seem to want to stop unless they have a passenger that wants to get out! Never mind, there's always another along in a minute, here - such a variety of buses I can catch.

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at last! Well, I couldn't resist a performance of Aspects of Love, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Michael Ball - I've never seen it. Showing at the Lyric - there have been cheap offers, but the best I could find were with the official website. Aisle seat, for the legroom - thanks for the advice, Seatplan!

Yes, film on Thursday - and I thought I might finally get to see The Blue Caftan! It's Moroccan, and again showing at what is still, for now, my local cinema. Although, checking the listings again, I found a new one - A Crack in the Mountain is a documentary about Hang So'n Doong, the largest cave in the world, which is in Vietnam. Looks gorgeous - but it's only on in the Curzon Wimbledon, at 5.40, which I'd never make in time if I stay at work as long as I should! However, it is on their Home Cinema.. which would also save the fare.. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Monday and next Tuesday, I'm also thinking of film. The film listings aren't helping my decision much, though - so I consulted my local cinema, which was happy to tell me that it's showing Return to Seoul on Monday, which seems the best of the fare that day - for now; The Blue Caftan doesn't seem to be showing next week. It's the story of a young French girl, returning to seek her roots in Korea. Looks engaging.

Next Tuesday, the same cinema's excellent doc house is showing Tina, a documentary about the phenomenon that was the late Tina Turner!

On the 7th, back with UITCS for Bleak Expectations, a Dickens-based comedy, with a different star every week, showing at the Criterion. I think we're getting Julian Clary.. I ended up going up a price band here, the cheap tickets all seemed so restricted!

And on the 8th, back with North London Friends, for the first time in, oh, ages.. we're off to The Park, to see The Shape of Things. Different people from last time, these are some I knew before.

Film: A Plein Temps (Full Time)

Tonight, film again - and I saw A Plein Temps (Full Time), at my local cinema. Certainly looked good, with a pacey trailer, focusing on real-life stresses of a single mother, working in Paris and battling train strikes! Well, we all know something about that, eh.. 

Started late, giving me time to get through some of the mountain of backlog of things I have to do myself. I moseyed off in due course, headed straight to GBK - where they sat me on that bench in the middle. Ugh, I hate sitting there - if anyone sits on the other side, it's like being on a bouncy castle! I ordered straight away, but it was a bit busy - it took them fully 20 minutes to bring my order, by which time I thought they'd forgotten. And when they did, the chef had been a bit inventive with the burger - I've complained before about the chicken escalope being too long for the bun. Well, this time, he'd cut it in half, and squashed the two halves together in the bun - completely unworkable, I had to take out one half and eat it with a knife and fork! which kind of defeated the purpose. Half the chips were cold, and he'd absolutely doused them in whatever they shake on them there - not the most successful of meals.

At the cinema, I had a much nicer wine - they didn't have the chocolate honeycomb bites I'm so fond of, so I settled for chocolate buttons instead, which turned out to be tiny! About 1/3 the size of those you can buy in the shops. I ate about half - but oh, it was so nice to settle back in my comfy, reclining seat, with my nice wine and some chocolate, at the start of a long weekend.. needed that! Could have done with another wine, actually. Also nice to go at my own pace; sometimes, you just don't want to have to work around other people!

Boy, this film is way too realistic. A kind of ticking clock soundtrack heightens the tension of a week in the life of this woman, in a menial job in Paris, trying to juggle interviews for a better one, trying to navigate strikes in a country that seems to do them so much better than the UK! Crikey, if you thought UK trains were bad - in this film, the trains, buses, taxis, and by the looks of it, bin collectors, are all out on strike together! This poor woman literally cannot get out of Paris on one night, and has to leave her children with the hapless old lady whose daughter is already complaining that she's being used.. She has to spend some of her dwindling funds on a hotel, and trek out early next morning to buy a suit for her interview that afternoon. And that's just the start of it..

This isn't another Clockwise - there's a little comedy, but it's all realistic, to the point where I was willing her on, wondering how I could have helped, had I been around. Completely engaging, as she deals with one person after another, giving her grief, and constantly takes phone calls on the run. She gets drenched in the rain, runs along in heels, hitchhikes along the road.. oh, what a relief when it all ends! which isn't to say I didn't enjoy it. I enjoyed it a lot! It was just almost as exhausting as living it..

Here's to a - hopefully - pretty relaxing long weekend. Tomorrow, back at last with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! It's been too long.. This walk is Highlights of Westminster. Now, I wonder whether there'll be any coronation-related material..

On Sunday, with CT at The Bedford, for Wicked Wonderland: Burlesque Cabaret.

On Monday - which is yet another bank holiday, but the last for a while - I'm with Discover London for a walk entitled The Great Plague 1665: The Full Story. Certainly makes a change from the Great Fire.. and another group I don't get to see often enough!

On Tuesday, having tried several sold-out shows, I finally plumped for Dixon and Daughters, at the Dorfman. Got the last cheap, restricted-view ticket in the pit..

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at last! Well, I couldn't resist a performance of Aspects of Love, with Michael Ball - I've never seen it. Showing at the Lyric - there have been cheap offers, but the best I could find were with the official website. Aisle seat, for the legroom - thanks for the advice, Seatplan!

And yes, film on Thursday - and for now, it's looking like I might finally get to see The Blue Caftan! It wasn't showing this evening - but it is coming up for that evening. It's Moroccan, and again showing at my local cinema. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Film: Shadow of a Doubt

Today, it was film again - and up to last week, it was still looking like The Blue Caftan, which was always near the top of the list. It's Moroccan, and showing at my local cinema - not that either of those film listings websites seemed to think so at the time, so I had to confirm on the cinema's own website! Grr.. But on later inspection, I discovered Shadow of a Doubt, a Hitchcock thriller showing at The Garden Cinema. Not advertised at all on my old cinema website.. had to go to the new one!

Of course, today was also the day of the late-running weekly work meeting - should have been over in time to get to the cinema, but it ran over. That's a very longwinded bloke that was speaking in it.. I eventually just signed off; it wasn't for my benefit anyway, it was mainly to tell the salespeople what idiots they are (that bloke is keen on telling people what idiots they are), and I left. Think I only missed about the last five minutes. And I would need to go to the toilet - so arrived a bit late. I couldn't even have chosen a faster public transport option - my quickest choice was by foot! The lady who sold me my ticket warned me that the film was about to start, so I'd better hurry.. I chose an aisle seat, to disturb people as little as possible.

Pity I didn't have more time to explore - this cinema, which I'd never been to before, apparently only opened last year, and seems to have an intriguing, art-deco design. The box office is at ground level, everything else in the basement (they have a lift). There are two screens, and a large bar, with what look like a lot of private alcoves. It was easy to find the screen, and my seat - and oh, what a plush, comfy seat! Reclines, too! And I arrived during the trailers - perfect.

So, this film was made in 1943 (although at one point, someone references 1888 as being 53 years ago, as I recall.. Perhaps I misheard). Anyway - Hitchcock is known as the Master of Suspense, but this film only shows early development of that, although there are definitely some tense scenes. The story concerns a young girl who's all excited when her uncle and namesake comes to visit, only to start to wonder whether he's the killer wanted by the police.. and actually, we're left in no doubt as to his nefarious connections, right from the start. He's carrying a large amount of cash, and seems to be avoiding two guys who are casing the house where he's staying.

So, the tension arises not from trying to figure out whether he's guilty - but rather, what she's going to do with her information, and how far he's willing to go to keep his secret. More appealing, actually - to me, at least - was the humour in the film, not all intentional, methinks! Now, some of it was - her father (the fugitive's brother-in-law) is a great comic character, a mild-mannered bank teller (and what a lovely house he has, for a mere teller), who in his spare time has a passion for dreaming up ways to murder his best friend. Who, to be fair, does the exact same! And our heroine's little sister has some great comic scenes.

But just as many laughs came from the audience at the depiction of women! Oh Lordy, I dunno how much of it was intentional, but what a different era.. the vicar at the party, refusing a drink, and remarking that he assumes his wife will do the same. The heroine herself, simpering at the arrival of her glamorous uncle. The schoolgirls, keeping an eye out for potential husbands. Oh, and the detective, who's barely spoken to our heroine before he decides he's "in love" with her. A different time indeed..

Definitely not up to the standard of some of his later work, but an interesting early example. On the way out, I could have done with the loo - but could I find it? The dim lighting didn't help, and I gave up. I'd be delighted to come back here though - especially with more time to explore! My route back took me past GBK, where - for only the second time - I used the toilet, and - for the second time - the main one was blocked! And so, for the second time, I used the disabled one. They took my order at the table tonight - it wasn't busy at that time. And it was delish - apart from the bit where I nearly choked on a breadcrumb. Hey-ho, I lived to tell the tale..

Tomorrow, I'm back with TAC for a play called The Last of the Pelican Daughters, at The Courtyard.

On Friday, film again - and such information as I have now suggests I'll be seeing A Plein Temps (Full Time), at my local cinema. Certainly looks good, with a pacey trailer, focusing on real-life stresses of a single mother, working in Paris and battling train strikes! Well, we all know something about that, eh.. 

On Saturday, back at last with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! It's been too long.. This walk is Highlights of Westminster. Now, I wonder whether there'll be any coronation-related material..

On Sunday, with CT at The Bedford, for Wicked Wonderland: Burlesque Cabaret.

On Monday - which is yet another bank holiday, but the last for a while - I'm with Discover London for a walk entitled The Great Plague 1665: The Full Story. Certainly makes a change from the Great Fire.. and another group I don't get to see often enough!

On Tuesday, having tried several sold-out shows, I finally plumped for Dixon and Daughters, at the Dorfman. Got the last cheap, restricted-view ticket in the pit..

Next Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at last! Well, I couldn't resist a performance of Aspects of Love, with Michael Ball - I've never seen it. Showing at the Lyric - there have been cheap offers, but the best I could find were with the official website. Aisle seat, for the legroom - thanks for the advice, Seatplan!

And yes, film on the 1st - and for now, it's looking like I might finally get to see The Blue Caftan! It's not showing on Friday evening, even in my local cinema - but it is showing there that evening. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Film: Le Otto Montagne (The Eight Mountains)

Tonight - tan-ta-ra, film again! The new listings site didn't change what came top, mind, which was Le Otto Montagne (The Eight Mountains), at my local cinema - as are most things, frankly! Set in the Italian Alps, this is the story of childhood friends who grow apart as they grow up. Continuing the Italian theme.. Certainly, the scenery promised to be lovely!

I dunno, as annoying as my flatmates are, and the landlord, and as imperfect as the flat is, I love the location, and frankly, the alternatives don't appeal. Plus, in the brief time I've been looking, I already came across one scammer - and much more expensive properties than what I'm paying. And there's the hassle of moving - yeah, I'll probably stay put. Anyway, after a distracting and irritating day, I left later than I'd have liked, given that I wanted to eat beforehand. And of course, 7.30 is the busy time at GBK - probably every day.

Well, I could see it as soon as I arrived - although I was seated pretty quickly, once they'd cleared off some tables. To be fair, they really don't have the staff to deal with this kind of business.. a lot of French in tonight, sounded like. It took them 20 long minutes to deliver my food, by which time I had 15 minutes left to eat it. My first bite of the burger reminded me why I continue to come here - despite everything, the food is still delicious! So I gobbled that, finished the wine, and about half the chips, which were lukewarm anyway - the chicken was piping hot, so it looked as though the chips had been left sitting around while the chicken cooked, and the chips went cold. Ah well - I legged it to the cinema.

Where, again, I got someone who didn't expect me to order anything but a ticket! but I got my wine - much tastier than GBK. And for once, the screen was on the next level down, rather than the basement. I got in while the ads were playing, and for convenience, had chosen a seat on the aisle - it wasn't crowded, though.

Real mountain porn, this! I spent most of the film gazing at mountain ranges.. I believe it was filmed mainly in the Val d' Aosta. Sod the characters! ;-) The whole film is about how these men's relationship forms because of the mountains: Pietro comes there on holidays with his mountain-mad father, and bonds with Bruno, the only child left in the village. Then they part ways, but the grown-up Pietro finds himself drawn back to the mountains after his father's death, and ultimately makes a life for himself in Nepal. Bruno, meanwhile, never leaves his mountain home, which ultimately defines him..

Whatever your take on mountains, this is a gorgeous film, and a great watch. I tell you something though, you wouldn't catch me trotting along ridges like these characters! Yikes, the drop..

Tomorrow, back with Over 40 Living the Life - I got the last ticket to this rescheduled dinner at Greenwich Yacht Club!

On Wednesday, back with Buddies on a Budget in London - she's introducing us to the Floating Pocket Park, in Paddington! where they have free things in summer - on Wednesday, it's a free concert.

On Thursday, another film - this, however, is a private screening, organised by The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group, in association with the Bethlehem Cultural Festival! Showing at the Prince Charles is Farha, the dramatisation of the life of a young Palestinian girl in 1948 - just at the start of the Nakba.. includes a Q+A afterwards with the director. Tickets from Eventbrite again. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend..

And next Monday, just advertised is An Evening Stroll in Fitzrovia, courtesy of a new group, Paul and Tim's Greater London Talks and Walks! So yes, I'll give it a go..

Film: Pamfir

Back in London again. On a Ryanair plane this time, damnit - the Lauda ones are so much more comfortable. It's not even so much the plastic seats over leather, it's the lack of air-conditioning.. Awkward flight time, I was too early to eat at my mother's, and too late to eat out in London. I compromised by eating from a food stall in Liverpool Street - the one with the steak slices. They've changed the name, but I can't remember to what, and can't seem to see it on the station directory - the guy behind the counter recognised me though, I think. And I was begged from as I ate - ah, the nostagia.. I also heard that famous TFL announcement voiced by the King and Queen - and on the way home, I caught a little bit of leftover celebratory decoration!

Anyway, today, I was - heh - thinking of film again. Now, that film listings site is, as established, a nightmare - but I had a choice of two; there was Pamfir, which is Ukrainian, and The Blue Caftan, which is Moroccan. Both showing in my local cinema (how else would I even know they existed..?). Anyway, both are rated the same, but straightaway, Pamfir looked more interesting to me, set in dense forests swirling with mist, and lying somewhere on the border between fact and fantasy.. 

So, off I trotted - a bit later than I'd have liked, but I had the chance to get ahead by doing a couple of easy work tasks before I left. And mercifully, GBK wasn't busy, and they served me quickly. And it was delish - although it continually bemuses me that the crumbed chicken burger consists of a massive chicken escalope, plonked between two halves of a bun, one third its length! Would it kill them to make the bun a little bigger? or to give slightly less chicken? It'd be so much easier to eat.. Anyway, I gobbled it down, and finished five minutes before the scheduled start time - the cinema, after all, is very close. My, I was stuffed though - didn't even manage to finish the chocolate honeycomb bites I always get, there!

Fairytales are mentioned in the trailer - if this is a fairytale, then the title character is a gentle giant. A legend back home for his strength, he used to be involved in smuggling, which is quite a way of life in this isolated community - actually reminded me somewhat of the black market around our part of rural Ireland, when I was growing up. However, we never had this level of corruption, with police and government officials on the take.. Dangerous, when grudges are involved.

And yes, there's a surreal air to this - Pamfir (a nickname that apparently refers to a kind of stone) seems to be the only saviour of the neighbourhood - not only the strongman, but the only one possessed of the wisdom to know which of these people are wolves: and they're not the ones in the masks, which seem to be a tradition around Christmas. Very like the wrenboys, in Ireland, the day after.. except, in this Ukrainian village, wrestling seems to be the thing.

So anyway, Pamfir's son is delighted to see him - but he's talking about going away again, so the daft teenager sets fire to the local church, where Pamfir's work permits are being kept, for some reason I forget - for the pastor to sign, or something. Anyway, the fire spreads rapidly, causing extensive damage - and so the lad's ambition is achieved, of keeping Pamfir there; he agrees to one final smuggling job, to pay for the repairs. And that's the start of all his woes..

It's visceral. It's violent in a couple of parts, there's also a lot of muck - these people live in a region without many paved roads, it seems, but with a lot of rain - so, there's a lot of mud. An easier watch than The Beasts, mind - our hero is always dependable, even if those around him aren't. I enjoyed this window into a part of Europe I haven't visited - yet.. apparently, when fighting broke out, the film editing wasn't quite finished, but they managed to send the materials abroad to finish. Kudos..

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for Retrograde, in the Kiln. Based on Sidney Poitier, and what he had to do to become a star, it seems.. Now, this is from the same writer as For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy. Which I hated. So I'm taking a risk.

On Thursday, I'm back with The Hideout: Horror Sci-Fi Club London, for wine tasting followed by comedy (hmm..) in La Pizzica restaurant. Could be interesting..

On Friday, I was thinking of film (which meant I had no idea) - but London Social & Cultural Meetups, whom I haven't been with in so long, are having a trip to the National Gallery, to see an exhibition of art related to St. Francis of Assisi! I wasn't going to go with them, given that the group was to include that mad lady that I've been avoiding - but when I looked today, she'd cancelled! for whatever reason. So I'm now free to go. They do advise booking a (free) ticket, and although we're supposed to meet in the Sainsbury Wing, it seems that's closed for renovations.. well, we'll figure it out.

And on Saturday, I'm busy.. First, I booked with UITCS for the matinée of Leaves of Glass, at the Park Theatre.

And then I have to dash across London.. you see, Mandy, who runs London Herstory Guided Walks, has now started a new Meetup group, Buddies on a Budget in London. And lo, if she isn't taking a group to an outdoor Eurovision party! First, she suggested Battersea - but (free) tickets for that went really fast, with only three of us having managed to book. So we've now switched venue, and are going to Between the Bridges, complete with drag acts! You don't have to pay, but if you buy a ticket, it comes with a free drink.. and this, apart from, as she says, being likely to be more fun, also has the advantage of starting an hour later. Which is handy for me, rushing across town as I'll be.. Both advertised by Eventbrite, and as of now, Between the Bridges still has tickets..

Street Party & Concert: La Chinganera

Coming out of the cinema last night, I had a closer look at the poster on that stage in the Brunswick Centre:

Now, for tonight I had booked a livestream from the Crick Crack Club, from the Story Museum Oxford. This is King Lear Retold. However, it'll be available for a week after - so I took the opportunity, also, to book another concert with the World Music Meetup! This was La Chinganera, in the Finnish Church - and the concerts organised by Eleanor Salter Thorn of TunedIn London are always good! But gee, this event in the Brunswick Centre had the Puppini Sisters.. and looked fun, being a real party! Was supposed to be decent weather, too. Maybe I could schlep along to this for a while first..? Ah, life is complicated..

So I decided to duck out of work early, and eat at GBK again. The soundproofing must be really effective in the Brunswick Centre, because I arrived at about the time it was due to start - and could hear nothing until I was right on top of it! En route to GBK, I passed a lot of interesting people. I've often wondered at the stamina of stiltwalkers - and this guy was guarding the crown jewels - also kept complaining about having to duck under the bunting:

There was a town crier, who was absolutely hilarious as he wandered through the centre, crying the ads in the shop windows! ("Oye, oye, 3 for 2 in Pelican..", or words to that effect):

There was, um, this guy:

People making balloon animals (or something):

Anyway, I took myself off to eat - I was hungry anyway - and man, was it gorgeous. I never tire of GBK! Anyway, when I came out, as there'd been as yet no sign of the Puppini Sisters, I decided I'd head off to my concert in an hour or so. And in the meantime, I saw much else that was interesting! The shops, for instance, got in on the coronation vibes:

I finally managed a decent snap of Henry VIII and his companions - couldn't figure out which of the many women in his life these were, though!

There were some pearly folk:

..specifically, the Pearly King and Pearly Prince of Finsbury, and the Pearly Queen of Fulham! I also finally tracked down the jester:

and this guy proved most versatile:

Now, I'm guessing this is the princess from Frozen - but I am prepared to be corrected! Anyway, that'll be her Prince Charming, or whatever:

Well, after doing several circuits of the centre - and buying chocolate, and eating some of it.. there was still no sign of the Puppini Sisters. Good soundtrack over the PA, though! I was just turning to leave when the call came through for people to gather at the stage, the Sisters' arrival was "imminent". Too late, guys - I was off! On a severely packed Tube, sadly - I was so glad to disgorge myself.

Ah yes, I had been here before - I remembered the door you can't open! I even remembered the guy who let me in - he'd let me in last time, as well - hadn't changed much.. Inside, I met Eleanor, and another member of the group, which was nice! With Eleanor tending to be busy at these events, it's nice to have someone to chat to.

So - the artist was performing partly solo, partly with her partner, and sometimes with another guy who, it seems, sponsored the event! Also on stage for part of the show was Silvia Balducci, whom I'd seen at another TunedIn London event.. she's big into Chilean protest songs. This was La Chinganera's UK premiere - and poor Eleanor, as well as having to MC and organise, ended up acting as translator for much of the show, as La Chinganera wanted to say something before every song!

I was in seventh heaven - I love guitar music, I love Spanish and Latin American music, I love protest songs. Particularly powerful was her acapella singing, beating time on her guitar, or on her chest, which was very moving. So, this was a perfect wind-down to a hectic week..

Will definitely try to get back to these events - very glad I made this one! Had a lovely pastry in the cafe afterwards, with my companion - and Eleanor roped in two other group members for a photo! Lordy.. I seem to end up in a lot of those, these days. So, a lovely evening - and then I damn near lost my Oyster card on the way home - it fell out of my pocket as I walked to the bus stop, which was the first time I missed it. I retraced my steps, missed it the first time, and found it on my second pass - how lucky was that! Honestly, it'd be a nuisance to replace.. And so, I got a comfy couple of buses home.

Tomorrow, back to Ireland for the coronation weekend. For Saturday (post-coronation), the film is looking like Missing - now, this does look interesting. Taking place almost entirely online, it concerns a teenage girl's efforts to find her mother, who's gone missing on holiday abroad. I do love techy films.. and this has one of the same writers as Searching, an excellent film on the same lines, about a father looking for his missing teenage daughter. In fact, apparently, this film starts with footage based on that film..

For Sunday (given that, with a coronation bank holiday, I have an extra day again), the film is like to be The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, one of those eccentric British comedies, in which Harold (Jim Broadbent) is distressed to hear that his good friend is dying. He's going to post her a letter - but instead, decides to hand deliver it. His wife (Penelope Wilton) is less than impressed, considering she's at the other end of the country.. based on a book. Anyway, both showing in Ennis.

On Tuesday, back in London, I'm - heh - thinking of film again. Now, that film listings site is, as established, a nightmare - but I have a choice of two; there's Pamfir, which is Ukrainian, and The Blue Caftan, which is Moroccan. Both showing in my local cinema (how else would I even know they existed..?). Anyway, we'll see - both rated the same at the moment, but straightaway, Pamfir looks more interesting to me, set in dense forests swirling with mist, and lying somewhere on the border between fact and fantasy.. With additional films announced, I see Little Richard: I Am Everything is rated the same - it's a documentary. But I have little interest in him, and frankly, I don't feel like going all the way to the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith to see it!

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Retrograde, in the Kiln. Based on Sidney Poitier, and what he had to do to become a star, it seems.. Now, this is from the same writer as For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy. Which I hated. So I'm taking a risk.

And next Thursday, I'm back with The Hideout: Horror Sci-Fi Club London, for wine tasting followed by comedy (hmm..) in La Pizzica restaurant. Could be interesting..