Tonight, I went to see 12 Years a Slave in my local cinema. At least I already had my ticket, so no dramas tonight! (See last night's post.)
I arrived two minutes before the scheduled showing time, and joined a steady stream of people coming to see the same film. I wouldn't have liked to be much later - the cinema was already mostly full. So, for the sake of getting a good seat, I advise early arrival - until the fuss dies down, at least. Of course, the large crowd meant some annoyances - a steady thump-thump of people plodding out to the toilet (and in again), and a couple of mobiles that weren't turned off. I saw one across the cinema from where I was, just as someone behind me called to them to please turn it off. Mind you, the couple right in front of me seemed to have their Blackberry on for the whole film. Honestly, if you're that uninterested, stay home and play with your Blackberry, and stop distracting the rest of us! Hate that.
Ah yes, the film. By this stage, everyone knows the story - it's based on the true story of a black violinist from New York state, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. And in slavery he languished, for 12 years, until he chanced across someone who agreed to help him, and he was saved. And duly wrote a book about it, which is now a film. There are a few famous faces in this - Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender as a violent drunk, married to an embittered Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, whom I thought I knew from somewhere and it turns out to be True Blood - but the film belongs to the lead actor, who plays the unfortunate, wrongly enslaved man Solomon Northup.
At the start of the film, I wondered at the lack of emotion. By the end, I realised why they'd underplayed it - any more emotion would have been overload. And anyway, this was just matter-of-fact to the whites in the business of trading in, or owning, slaves. It reminded me of the tv series Roots, in content and in intensity. The slave traders are as callous as you would expect, the slave owners can be kind or cruel, but ultimately are in the business of maintaining their own interests. Aren't we all, really? Personally, I found the plantation owners' wives interesting. They came across as kind, compassionate - but show them a slave that is considered wayward, and you will quickly see whose side they support.
All the scenes you would expect are here - the beatings, the running away, the rape. Two scenes merit mention. In one, the plantation owner is flaunting one of the slaves, with whom he is having an affair, in front of his wife, who demands he get rid of the slave or she will leave him. Whereupon she discovers just how little power she has, as he tells her that he would rather be rid of her than of the slave.
Another scene has our hero, before his kidnapping, out shopping with his family. A white man is passing the shop where they are. His slave is astonished to see these black people, unaccompanied by white masters, chatting to the shopkeeper. The slave enters the shop, as if in a trance. The shopkeeper thinks he is another customer, until his master misses him and comes to get him, apologising for the intrusion. Solomon tells him that's quite all right. The slave owner, unsettled by this black man speaking to him as an equal, ignores him, bids farewell to the shopkeeper, and leaves with his slave.
Telling, indeed. A very good film, particularly moving when he regains his freedom.
A break from films for the weekend - tomorrow, I'm heading to the National Theatre to see From Morning to Midnight, and on Sunday I plan to head to the London Ice Sculpting Festival, at Canary Wharf. Should be lovely, especially with the buildings of the financial district as a backdrop. And once the sun goes down, that's a lovely part of town, with the lights.. I see the Jubilee Line is partly closed on Sunday, for engineering works. I'd normally go that way, and Google Maps, for once, doesn't seem to know about the closure! but TFL is always reliable, and I like their suggestion to take the DLR. That'll be a first for me..
Friday, 10 January 2014
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Film: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Well, I finally got to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty! If you recall, I was supposed to see it last month, but they gave away too many tickets, refunded me, and I went to Anchorman 2 instead, for free. And then we were to see it over Christmas, but the weather intervened. It was with some sense of relief, therefore, that I booked it for tonight (it being in Cineworld, who give booking discounts).
I saw it in my local, Cineworld Fulham. With the problem I had before with them scanning the printed ticket, I again decided to try the ATM. Well, this time, the one that worked before wouldn't take the card - probably because I had two bookings (I'm going there again tomorrow night to see 12 Years a Slave). The machine said I should go to the ticket desk. Problem was, all the desks were unoccupied. And the two staff members standing in the lobby just continued to stand there, looking at me, until I asked whether one of them could get me my ticket. In the end, I did get both.
And so to the film. Frankly, I didn't expect a Ben Stiller film to be this good. I like him, but his films are generally not what you'd call classics. Now, we all know the story. Walter, played by Ben (who also directs and co-produces), is a dreamer. Always going off into a daydream, then waking to find himself the butt of a joke, with people standing around staring at him, bemused. And there's this girl he fancies (Kristen Wiig), but whom he never has the courage to ask out. Shirley MacLaine plays his mother, Sean Penn the elusive photographer whom he must track down - Walter works for Life magazine, and an important photo taken by this photographer has gone missing. Oh, and Gore Verbinski is one of the executive producers.
The first thing that struck me was - this was made by people with impeccable comic timing. It's laugh-out-loud funny. In an understated way. Most of the comedies out there could learn a lot from this. We can all recognise Walter's humdrum everyday life - no wonder he daydreams! The daydreams themselves hold nothing back - they're completely audacious. Personally, I cracked up every time he woke from one of them to find everyone peering at him. And when he finally starts to live his dreams.. o my. Suffice to say one of the filming locations is Iceland. And does it look good.. Recommended, for those of us who love to dream.
Back outside, and in the ladies' toilets, the cubicle door on the left doesn't lock, and there was no soap in the dispenser. Bah humbug.
Anyway, as I say, 12 Years a Slave there tomorrow night. On Saturday, I'm taking a break from films and heading to the National Theatre for the first time in an age, for the matinee of From Morning to Midnight.
I saw it in my local, Cineworld Fulham. With the problem I had before with them scanning the printed ticket, I again decided to try the ATM. Well, this time, the one that worked before wouldn't take the card - probably because I had two bookings (I'm going there again tomorrow night to see 12 Years a Slave). The machine said I should go to the ticket desk. Problem was, all the desks were unoccupied. And the two staff members standing in the lobby just continued to stand there, looking at me, until I asked whether one of them could get me my ticket. In the end, I did get both.
And so to the film. Frankly, I didn't expect a Ben Stiller film to be this good. I like him, but his films are generally not what you'd call classics. Now, we all know the story. Walter, played by Ben (who also directs and co-produces), is a dreamer. Always going off into a daydream, then waking to find himself the butt of a joke, with people standing around staring at him, bemused. And there's this girl he fancies (Kristen Wiig), but whom he never has the courage to ask out. Shirley MacLaine plays his mother, Sean Penn the elusive photographer whom he must track down - Walter works for Life magazine, and an important photo taken by this photographer has gone missing. Oh, and Gore Verbinski is one of the executive producers.
The first thing that struck me was - this was made by people with impeccable comic timing. It's laugh-out-loud funny. In an understated way. Most of the comedies out there could learn a lot from this. We can all recognise Walter's humdrum everyday life - no wonder he daydreams! The daydreams themselves hold nothing back - they're completely audacious. Personally, I cracked up every time he woke from one of them to find everyone peering at him. And when he finally starts to live his dreams.. o my. Suffice to say one of the filming locations is Iceland. And does it look good.. Recommended, for those of us who love to dream.
Back outside, and in the ladies' toilets, the cubicle door on the left doesn't lock, and there was no soap in the dispenser. Bah humbug.
Anyway, as I say, 12 Years a Slave there tomorrow night. On Saturday, I'm taking a break from films and heading to the National Theatre for the first time in an age, for the matinee of From Morning to Midnight.
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Film: Solaris (1972)
Tonight, I went to see the 1972, Russian, film version of Solaris, showing tonight only, in the Prince Charles Cinema. The lobby was crowded, as was the screen, but it's a large one, and I got a decent seat.
Well now. This was remade in 2002, by Steven Soderbergh, and starred George Clooney and Natascha McElhone. Indeed, someone remarked, as we were coming out, that he would never have understood this except for the Steven Soderbergh version. Truly, it does help to have an idea of the story when you go in.
Basically, the crew of a space station seem to have gone ga-ga, and someone is sent to investigate. When he gets there, however, he is plunged into a strange world of visitations by beings that shouldn't be there - such as his dead wife. It turns out that the planet has some sort of intelligence, and is creating these beings from the thought patterns of the scientists onboard the ship.
Ooh, freaky!
It's deeply cerebral, dealing, as it does, with the scientists' lack of connection with their inner selves, if you will, or with their humanity. Apparently, the original book also dealt with the idea of lack of communication between human and non-human species, but the filmmakers obviously decided that was a step too far for audiences and left it at the aforementioned, concentrating on the relationship between this freaked-out scientist and the recreation of his dead wife, who doesn't know who or what she really is.
It is fascinating, although I nearly fell asleep during the long exposition at the start. Too many late nights blogging! Things picked up once the dead woman appeared.
Films in my local cinema again for the next two nights - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tomorrow, and 12 Years a Slave on Friday, which is the earliest I could get to it. This is a terrific time to go to the cinema, with awards season upon us and all the good ones released. So you should find that the quality of films in your local mainstream cinema greatly increases for the moment. On Saturday though, I'm taking a break from films for the day and heading to the matinee of From Morning to Midnight, showing at the National Theatre. It's quite a while since I've been there. Plenty of ticket agents are carrying tickets for this, but if you're not fussy where you sit, you're better off booking through the venue direct - that's where I found the cheapest tickets. Possibly other vendors offer good deals for top-price seats.
Well now. This was remade in 2002, by Steven Soderbergh, and starred George Clooney and Natascha McElhone. Indeed, someone remarked, as we were coming out, that he would never have understood this except for the Steven Soderbergh version. Truly, it does help to have an idea of the story when you go in.
Basically, the crew of a space station seem to have gone ga-ga, and someone is sent to investigate. When he gets there, however, he is plunged into a strange world of visitations by beings that shouldn't be there - such as his dead wife. It turns out that the planet has some sort of intelligence, and is creating these beings from the thought patterns of the scientists onboard the ship.
Ooh, freaky!
It's deeply cerebral, dealing, as it does, with the scientists' lack of connection with their inner selves, if you will, or with their humanity. Apparently, the original book also dealt with the idea of lack of communication between human and non-human species, but the filmmakers obviously decided that was a step too far for audiences and left it at the aforementioned, concentrating on the relationship between this freaked-out scientist and the recreation of his dead wife, who doesn't know who or what she really is.
It is fascinating, although I nearly fell asleep during the long exposition at the start. Too many late nights blogging! Things picked up once the dead woman appeared.
Films in my local cinema again for the next two nights - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tomorrow, and 12 Years a Slave on Friday, which is the earliest I could get to it. This is a terrific time to go to the cinema, with awards season upon us and all the good ones released. So you should find that the quality of films in your local mainstream cinema greatly increases for the moment. On Saturday though, I'm taking a break from films for the day and heading to the matinee of From Morning to Midnight, showing at the National Theatre. It's quite a while since I've been there. Plenty of ticket agents are carrying tickets for this, but if you're not fussy where you sit, you're better off booking through the venue direct - that's where I found the cheapest tickets. Possibly other vendors offer good deals for top-price seats.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Film: American Hustle
Ahh.. finally got to see American Hustle tonight! In my local cinema, so I walked. Note to self: those shoes are not made for walking.. when I got there, decided to try the ATM, since I had some trouble handing them my scannable ticket last time. Well, they were the ones with the problem, trying to hold the scanner the correct distance away. Anyway, note to anyone using the ATMs in Cineworld Fulham - the one on the left doesn't read cards. The next one does, though.
And so, straight to the film.
What can I say? It's a classic. I currently have Donna Summer on loop, have been singing that song all the way home.. one reviewer described this as Scorsese, without the violence! I don't know what to praise most. The direction is terrific. David O. Russell strikes again. There are times when the framing is breathtaking. The acting.. o my. It's been a while since I longed for characters to come back on screen, just to see what they'd do next.
As the opening screen states - "Some of this actually happened". It's based on the Abscam sting operation of the late 70s, where the FBI tricked public representatives into taking bribes, believing they were doing business with a sheikh. To do this, they enlisted the services of a conman. The rules surrounding undercover operations were later tightened up, as a result of the events depicted here. In the film, Bradley Cooper is the rogue FBI agent with the crazy idea, pushing the stakes higher and higher. And my, but he can do crazy, with those big baby blues..
Our conman is a practically unrecognisable Christian Bale, with a paunch and a very complicated combover. He's married to Jennifer Lawrence, who doesn't really get much screen time, but does her part when she appears, as the dissatisfied, boozy wife. Instead, he's fallen for Amy Adams, who becomes his partner in crime - and what he lacks in sexiness, she more than makes up for. Her outfits were cut so low, I was sure the poor girl would get a chest infection. Let's just say she always had to be careful how she moved.. but I must give her credit, not many women can pull off a sexy scene with their hair full of rollers. (Oh, and she does a damn good English accent.)
Yep, that was just one surprising element of a film that was full of them. Robert de Niro showed up as the mob boss, uncredited. Amy Adams wasn't the only one with her hair full of rollers - Bradley Cooper was made to wear even more of them. There were laugh-out-loud moments, there's a terrific story twist. And throughout, the attention to period detail is phenomenal. Costumes, décor, electrical equipment. Took me right back. And the soundtrack.. that song I have on loop? Donna Summer - I feel love. In fact, I just bought that mp3 with the last of my Amazon Local voucher. Particularly in the second half of the film, the music just takes off!
Classic. Go see. And watch out for it at the Oscars..
To round off the evening, spotted our local fox again on the way home.
Don't have anything booked for tomorrow, but am thinking of another film - an oldie this time, the 1972, Russian, version of Solaris, the sci-fi film about the investigator sent to see why the spacecraft crew all seem to have gone insane. Supposed to be v good, and showing tomorrow only at the Prince Charles cinema in Leicester Square.
And so, straight to the film.
What can I say? It's a classic. I currently have Donna Summer on loop, have been singing that song all the way home.. one reviewer described this as Scorsese, without the violence! I don't know what to praise most. The direction is terrific. David O. Russell strikes again. There are times when the framing is breathtaking. The acting.. o my. It's been a while since I longed for characters to come back on screen, just to see what they'd do next.
As the opening screen states - "Some of this actually happened". It's based on the Abscam sting operation of the late 70s, where the FBI tricked public representatives into taking bribes, believing they were doing business with a sheikh. To do this, they enlisted the services of a conman. The rules surrounding undercover operations were later tightened up, as a result of the events depicted here. In the film, Bradley Cooper is the rogue FBI agent with the crazy idea, pushing the stakes higher and higher. And my, but he can do crazy, with those big baby blues..
Our conman is a practically unrecognisable Christian Bale, with a paunch and a very complicated combover. He's married to Jennifer Lawrence, who doesn't really get much screen time, but does her part when she appears, as the dissatisfied, boozy wife. Instead, he's fallen for Amy Adams, who becomes his partner in crime - and what he lacks in sexiness, she more than makes up for. Her outfits were cut so low, I was sure the poor girl would get a chest infection. Let's just say she always had to be careful how she moved.. but I must give her credit, not many women can pull off a sexy scene with their hair full of rollers. (Oh, and she does a damn good English accent.)
Yep, that was just one surprising element of a film that was full of them. Robert de Niro showed up as the mob boss, uncredited. Amy Adams wasn't the only one with her hair full of rollers - Bradley Cooper was made to wear even more of them. There were laugh-out-loud moments, there's a terrific story twist. And throughout, the attention to period detail is phenomenal. Costumes, décor, electrical equipment. Took me right back. And the soundtrack.. that song I have on loop? Donna Summer - I feel love. In fact, I just bought that mp3 with the last of my Amazon Local voucher. Particularly in the second half of the film, the music just takes off!
Classic. Go see. And watch out for it at the Oscars..
To round off the evening, spotted our local fox again on the way home.
Don't have anything booked for tomorrow, but am thinking of another film - an oldie this time, the 1972, Russian, version of Solaris, the sci-fi film about the investigator sent to see why the spacecraft crew all seem to have gone insane. Supposed to be v good, and showing tomorrow only at the Prince Charles cinema in Leicester Square.
Monday, 6 January 2014
Play: Fortune's Fool
Went to Fortune's Fool in the Old Vic tonight. (Goodee, a chance to dress up ever so slightly on my first night back!) I have been there before - once, I think - but it was ages ago, so I made sure to look up directions first. Google Maps as usual - Tube to Waterloo and a short walk to the right. Actually, Google's first suggestion was to take a train from Clapham Junction to Waterloo, but honestly, it seemed too much trouble and the Tube is more frequent - handily, as I left early for once! Also, it's probably easier to change at Westminster Station, as I had to, than Clapham Junction.. and it took no longer.
At West Brompton station, as I was descending the stairs to the platform, an announcement came on. I didn't need to hear it to know what they wanted us to hear. Yes, yet again, the indicator on Platform 2 might be displaying incorrect information and we should check the front of the train to be sure. As proved to be the case. Now, that's all well and good, but they have had this problem for literally months. If they know it's not working, surely they can get around to fixing it..? Until that blessed day, be warned, if taking a Tube from Platform 2 at West Brompton. Do not believe the electronic indicator.
Once on the Tube, I picked up a copy of the Evening Standard, and in due course found myself seated beside a chap who was so enthused by whatever he was listening to on his headphones that he was punching the air. Big happy grin on him. And I changed at Westminster, where I was pleased to see that they finally have the escalator from the District Line platform working again. Out at Waterloo, and turning right, you can literally see the Old Vic, just at the crossroads. Actually, it looked quite nice, lit up and with the play's name emblazoned on the front, and I thought to take a picture - but all I had was my phone camera, and the focus wasn't good enough, so I skipped it.
It's quite hard to cross the road just in front of the theatre, if the crossing light isn't green - it's kind of hard to tell where exactly the traffic is coming from. But I survived (both ways). The theatre has three levels, and of course I was in the top one - the Lilian Baylis level. You climb a rather nice old staircase to get to the upper levels, and each level has its own bar and toilets. Which is an excellent idea. I hadn't had time to eat beforehand, so bought a packet of crisps at the bar. Might have been my imagination, but I thought I heard the barman say something about them not being very good.. anyway, he was right. Fairfield Farms "turkey with sage & onion stuffing" flavour. B****y tasteless. Really, is it me? Why have I never had a packet of UK crisps that I liked?! Anyway, they were so bad that I felt compelled to let the company know. Really, they shouldn't be allowed to sell produce like that. But I was hungry, so I finished them.
Back to the show. I didn't discover until the interval that I was actually sitting in the wrong row - I should have been in the row in front of that! (Confusing row lettering on the way up.) But I stayed where I was, which had just as good a view and more space, the row being half empty. I must give a nod to the set designers - the play is set in 19th-century Russia, in a grand old country house, and the décor is just gorgeous. Straight out of Hello! magazine. The stage is also very deep, and you get a real sense of space, of a grand old mansion.
I really don't know why this is described as a comedy. Yes, there are some funny bits - but it's actually a drama, and strongest in the second act, when the drama is most forceful. Maybe that's what traditionally passes for comedy in Russia, I don't know. As usual with Russian plays, the dialogue is somewhat stilted by everyone commonly addressing each other by their patronymics. So it takes longer, sometimes, to say the person's name than it does to give them the information. But stick with it - it becomes less obtrusive after everyone has been introduced, and this is a great story. And a very good play. Recommended. Runs until Feb 22.
On my way out, I happened to notice the fascinating b&w photos lining the walls, of famous actors performing in the Old Vic. Sir Laurence Olivier as Henry V in 1937, Richard Burton as Hamlet in 1953, Kevin Spacey (currently an artistic director of the Old Vic) in The Iceman Cometh in 1998. Quite a history! Finally, on the way home, I was so engrossed in my paper that I very nearly forgot to get off. A good night, all told.
Tomorrow's entertainment has been planned for a long time to be a film, but I hadn't had a chance until today to go through what was actually on. The highest-rated (according to IMDB) film in town, by a country mile (as they say), is 12 Years a Slave - but it's in preview this week, mainly in Cineworld, where it's only available to Cineworld Unlimited cardholders. Which I'm not, because there's a monthly fee, with a 12-month minimum subscription. Now, it's a great deal if you go to Cineworld all the time, and I certainly go to the cinema enough, but not usually to Cineworld. Even though it's my closest cinema now, still, most of the films I see are not on there. Predictably, the only other preview in town is sold out already. So that brings me to the film I've been dying to see - the trailers look great, the reviews are great, and I've booked to see it in my local Cineworld (ironically) tomorrow. (Even without an Unlimited card, you still get 10% off if you register with the website and book in advance.)
Oh yes! The film, BTW, is American Hustle. Apparently based on a true story, it stars Christian Bale as a conman. Married to Jennifer Lawrence, he's having an affair with Amy Adams. He's then drawn into the world of the mob by corrupt FBI agent, Bradley Cooper. And the whole is directed (and co-written) by David O. Russell, who also directed Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook. Oh, and I see he also directed Three Kings! Hmm, this guy is good. Set in the 70s, American Hustle has 70s costumes and a terrific 70s soundtrack. And the dialogue - such as I've heard - sparkles. Looking forward to this one.
At West Brompton station, as I was descending the stairs to the platform, an announcement came on. I didn't need to hear it to know what they wanted us to hear. Yes, yet again, the indicator on Platform 2 might be displaying incorrect information and we should check the front of the train to be sure. As proved to be the case. Now, that's all well and good, but they have had this problem for literally months. If they know it's not working, surely they can get around to fixing it..? Until that blessed day, be warned, if taking a Tube from Platform 2 at West Brompton. Do not believe the electronic indicator.
Once on the Tube, I picked up a copy of the Evening Standard, and in due course found myself seated beside a chap who was so enthused by whatever he was listening to on his headphones that he was punching the air. Big happy grin on him. And I changed at Westminster, where I was pleased to see that they finally have the escalator from the District Line platform working again. Out at Waterloo, and turning right, you can literally see the Old Vic, just at the crossroads. Actually, it looked quite nice, lit up and with the play's name emblazoned on the front, and I thought to take a picture - but all I had was my phone camera, and the focus wasn't good enough, so I skipped it.
It's quite hard to cross the road just in front of the theatre, if the crossing light isn't green - it's kind of hard to tell where exactly the traffic is coming from. But I survived (both ways). The theatre has three levels, and of course I was in the top one - the Lilian Baylis level. You climb a rather nice old staircase to get to the upper levels, and each level has its own bar and toilets. Which is an excellent idea. I hadn't had time to eat beforehand, so bought a packet of crisps at the bar. Might have been my imagination, but I thought I heard the barman say something about them not being very good.. anyway, he was right. Fairfield Farms "turkey with sage & onion stuffing" flavour. B****y tasteless. Really, is it me? Why have I never had a packet of UK crisps that I liked?! Anyway, they were so bad that I felt compelled to let the company know. Really, they shouldn't be allowed to sell produce like that. But I was hungry, so I finished them.
Back to the show. I didn't discover until the interval that I was actually sitting in the wrong row - I should have been in the row in front of that! (Confusing row lettering on the way up.) But I stayed where I was, which had just as good a view and more space, the row being half empty. I must give a nod to the set designers - the play is set in 19th-century Russia, in a grand old country house, and the décor is just gorgeous. Straight out of Hello! magazine. The stage is also very deep, and you get a real sense of space, of a grand old mansion.
I really don't know why this is described as a comedy. Yes, there are some funny bits - but it's actually a drama, and strongest in the second act, when the drama is most forceful. Maybe that's what traditionally passes for comedy in Russia, I don't know. As usual with Russian plays, the dialogue is somewhat stilted by everyone commonly addressing each other by their patronymics. So it takes longer, sometimes, to say the person's name than it does to give them the information. But stick with it - it becomes less obtrusive after everyone has been introduced, and this is a great story. And a very good play. Recommended. Runs until Feb 22.
On my way out, I happened to notice the fascinating b&w photos lining the walls, of famous actors performing in the Old Vic. Sir Laurence Olivier as Henry V in 1937, Richard Burton as Hamlet in 1953, Kevin Spacey (currently an artistic director of the Old Vic) in The Iceman Cometh in 1998. Quite a history! Finally, on the way home, I was so engrossed in my paper that I very nearly forgot to get off. A good night, all told.
Tomorrow's entertainment has been planned for a long time to be a film, but I hadn't had a chance until today to go through what was actually on. The highest-rated (according to IMDB) film in town, by a country mile (as they say), is 12 Years a Slave - but it's in preview this week, mainly in Cineworld, where it's only available to Cineworld Unlimited cardholders. Which I'm not, because there's a monthly fee, with a 12-month minimum subscription. Now, it's a great deal if you go to Cineworld all the time, and I certainly go to the cinema enough, but not usually to Cineworld. Even though it's my closest cinema now, still, most of the films I see are not on there. Predictably, the only other preview in town is sold out already. So that brings me to the film I've been dying to see - the trailers look great, the reviews are great, and I've booked to see it in my local Cineworld (ironically) tomorrow. (Even without an Unlimited card, you still get 10% off if you register with the website and book in advance.)
Oh yes! The film, BTW, is American Hustle. Apparently based on a true story, it stars Christian Bale as a conman. Married to Jennifer Lawrence, he's having an affair with Amy Adams. He's then drawn into the world of the mob by corrupt FBI agent, Bradley Cooper. And the whole is directed (and co-written) by David O. Russell, who also directed Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook. Oh, and I see he also directed Three Kings! Hmm, this guy is good. Set in the 70s, American Hustle has 70s costumes and a terrific 70s soundtrack. And the dialogue - such as I've heard - sparkles. Looking forward to this one.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Restaurant: The Grove
My mother and I were keen to eat out this evening, as I'll be flying back to London tomorrow, but my, did we have trouble finding a place! We had errands to run in the Tesco shopping centre in Ennis, so first thought we'd eat there, but the queue at the Sherwood Inn was out the door. So we then thought we'd try the Poet's Corner at the Old Ground hotel, but that was so crowded that we couldn't find a table. We notified the guy assigning tables - who was very harassed - but when we were left waiting without any indication of how long it might be, we gave up and left. We decided to try The Grove for the first time in years, it being on the road home.
We used to go there a lot, years ago, but stopped because the service was so poor. But it's been long enough that it was worth a shot. At least it's easy to park - there are a few businesses around there and they have a large car park, at the edge of town. And in we went. I have to compliment them on the decor, which was still Christmassy. Lots of garlands, red and gold baubles, fairy lights. There are now two doors - one each for the restaurant and bar - and we entered the restaurant. Most of the seating at this part is in booths, but the tables were a bit high and I suggested we carry on towards the back, where there was a cosy section with lower tables. And there we sat.
The major change implemented since I was here last is the addition of several partition walls to what used to be a large, open room with a bar in the middle. The bar is in the same place, but now the space is partitioned - to the left of the entrance is the bar section, where we ate is part of the restaurant but can be closed off for functions, and to the right is the main restaurant section. It was immediately obvious that service had improved, as it was attentive throughout. They had salmon for my mother, and I made a snap decision to have curry, which I haven't had in a while. We normally have garlic bread for starter in Quin, and it's offered here too (as a side), but they said they'd give it to us as a starter. And we drank pinot grigio.
Their brand of pinot grigio was a bit nondescript, and the garlic bread wasn't really a hit - tasty enough, but made from crusty rolls that I don't think really suited toasting. But it was ok. The curry, on the other hand, was delicious - the standard sort they do in takeaways, and it's a long time since I had one of those. My mother also declared the salmon excellent. For dessert, I had the brownie, she had the (Bailey's) cheesecake. And it was an excellent brownie, I can testify! with some very tasty ice cream. Yes, I'd be happy to eat there again, although it was slightly more expensive than Quin.
And on Monday, as I say, I'm going to Fortune's Fool at the Old Vic. Must get on to see what I'm doing for the rest of the week..
We used to go there a lot, years ago, but stopped because the service was so poor. But it's been long enough that it was worth a shot. At least it's easy to park - there are a few businesses around there and they have a large car park, at the edge of town. And in we went. I have to compliment them on the decor, which was still Christmassy. Lots of garlands, red and gold baubles, fairy lights. There are now two doors - one each for the restaurant and bar - and we entered the restaurant. Most of the seating at this part is in booths, but the tables were a bit high and I suggested we carry on towards the back, where there was a cosy section with lower tables. And there we sat.
The major change implemented since I was here last is the addition of several partition walls to what used to be a large, open room with a bar in the middle. The bar is in the same place, but now the space is partitioned - to the left of the entrance is the bar section, where we ate is part of the restaurant but can be closed off for functions, and to the right is the main restaurant section. It was immediately obvious that service had improved, as it was attentive throughout. They had salmon for my mother, and I made a snap decision to have curry, which I haven't had in a while. We normally have garlic bread for starter in Quin, and it's offered here too (as a side), but they said they'd give it to us as a starter. And we drank pinot grigio.
Their brand of pinot grigio was a bit nondescript, and the garlic bread wasn't really a hit - tasty enough, but made from crusty rolls that I don't think really suited toasting. But it was ok. The curry, on the other hand, was delicious - the standard sort they do in takeaways, and it's a long time since I had one of those. My mother also declared the salmon excellent. For dessert, I had the brownie, she had the (Bailey's) cheesecake. And it was an excellent brownie, I can testify! with some very tasty ice cream. Yes, I'd be happy to eat there again, although it was slightly more expensive than Quin.
And on Monday, as I say, I'm going to Fortune's Fool at the Old Vic. Must get on to see what I'm doing for the rest of the week..
Friday, 3 January 2014
Restaurant: Jim Edwards
Well, my mother and I never did get to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and probably won't now, since I fly back the day after tomorrow. The weather hasn't been conducive to travel. No big deal, it keeps rising in ratings on IMDB, so I have no doubt it won't be long before I see it in London.
Meantime, I spent last night in Garretstown, at my friends' house. We really don't get to see each other often enough, but it's about a three-hour drive from my mother's place. Which was just terrific, considering the orange storm warning issued by the weather service! and the fact that it's right on the wind- and rain-battered south coast. Hey-ho, wouldn't be the first time.
So, I headed out yesterday afternoon. The weather was fine until I passed Limerick city, when I did run into some rain - but I made it safely to the Bull McCabe's pub on the outskirts of Cork city, where I was due to meet an ex-colleague of mine from IBM, who lives nearby. And it's on my road to Garretstown, via Kinsale - there is a quicker way, but it's one with many winding country roads and unmarked turns, and this way is just easier.
Unfortunately, the timing didn't work for me to get something to eat at the pub, as I did last time we met there. I was peckish after the long drive so far, and my friend in Garretstown had made a dinner reservation for us - but that was in another four hours. I satisfied myself with a packet of crisps. And met my ex-colleague - we exchanged gossip, and I assured her that I am still much happier where I am now. After an hour of convivial chat, we parted ways and I continued on my way.
Boy, had the weather deteriorated! Driving rain soaked the car park. And considering where I was headed, I was getting nervous. Anyway, I joined the line of traffic heading out of town - it was about rush hour. It's usually nice to have someone ahead of you when you're driving in bad weather - somewhat reassuring. And, despite a couple of wobbles in the wind and with the surface water on the road, I made it safely to Kinsale. Which was where the trouble started, with my road blocked by a Garda car. I couldn't see any obvious flooding, but the Garda directed me quite forcefully to the right, which was not the direction I wanted to go in. Especially when I saw that that street was quite badly flooded. O well, off I went - came through that and was completely lost, of course. As usual, in Kinsale. Really, you'd be well advised to take a map if you have to go through here at all - with all the narrow streets, some one-way, it can be a nightmare if you don't know it well.
I had the vague idea of following the car in front of me. Amazingly, it turned out to be exactly the right thing to do, and I came out on the road I had wanted to travel in the first place - further along. Great, I thought - and proceeded along it. Only to find another Garda setting up "Road Flooded" signs. And so it seemed that the road I needed to travel on to the bridge was flooded and impassable. I parked near something I could describe, and rang my friends for directions. Thank goodness for mobiles.. Anyway, the directions to get to the road to the bridge from the other side were a bit involved, and I needed to ring twice more before I was sure of my road. But I did finally make it! having added about 45 minutes to my journey. Of course, it turned out that the dinner reservation was in Jim Edwards. Which is in Kinsale.
And, naturally enough - but thankfully - the roads were open when we went back that way. And, I might add, dry as a cork. Ironic. There's not much parking right by the restaurant (where they also have a bar and guesthouse), but there is a large car park not far away, which is free in the evenings, so we parked there and walked. Down that street that had been so flooded before! and was now also as dry as a cork. Don't know how they manage that, but it's a neat trick. Anyway, we were a little early, but were seated immediately. The restaurant wasn't full anyway and we probably didn't need to book, but it had been full the last time we wanted to eat there, so my friend thought it was safer.
The decor is nautical, and service was generally very good. Handily, the set menu - available from 2.30pm for the rest of the day - suited us both fine. I had mushrooms to start, which, interestingly, were battered instead of the more usual breadcrumb coating. They were nice, but I wasn't massively impressed with the sauce that came with them, which added nothing. My companion had said that she should go for the fish cakes, which she loves, but ended up choosing the goat's cheese, which she always ends up having! We both had steak with pepper sauce. Mine was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was good. Ironically - considering my last steak meal, when I was unhappy with potato gratin being included - it was provided as a side here. And I even had some! but it does make a difference when you can decide how much to have. Mind you, there was far too much food, and I left quite a lot. For dessert, I ordered chocolate fudge cake (of course!) and my companion ordered the banoffi pie. Mind you, despite the excellent service for the rest of the meal, we really thought we weren't going to get desserts, they took so long to arrive.. but they eventually did. My cake had been heated, which I hate, just because it always means that my precious chocolate fudge melts off the cake and I end up having to chase it around the plate - but it was still good. This time, it was my companion's turn not to be able to finish her food - the banoffi defeated her. Both were served with a scoop of ice cream. Overall, not a spectacular meal, but I would be ok with eating there again. Interestingly, although we had wine, you could have a cocktail with the meal.. which we did consider.
I made it back safely to Clare today, despite being strongly buffeted by the wind in Garretstown, and considered myself lucky to have escaped the worst when I heard how badly Lahinch and Galway city had been affected by the storm.
In other news, I'm already thinking ahead to next week, when I'll be back in London - and for Monday night, I've booked Fortune's Fool, at the Old Vic.
Meantime, I spent last night in Garretstown, at my friends' house. We really don't get to see each other often enough, but it's about a three-hour drive from my mother's place. Which was just terrific, considering the orange storm warning issued by the weather service! and the fact that it's right on the wind- and rain-battered south coast. Hey-ho, wouldn't be the first time.
So, I headed out yesterday afternoon. The weather was fine until I passed Limerick city, when I did run into some rain - but I made it safely to the Bull McCabe's pub on the outskirts of Cork city, where I was due to meet an ex-colleague of mine from IBM, who lives nearby. And it's on my road to Garretstown, via Kinsale - there is a quicker way, but it's one with many winding country roads and unmarked turns, and this way is just easier.
Unfortunately, the timing didn't work for me to get something to eat at the pub, as I did last time we met there. I was peckish after the long drive so far, and my friend in Garretstown had made a dinner reservation for us - but that was in another four hours. I satisfied myself with a packet of crisps. And met my ex-colleague - we exchanged gossip, and I assured her that I am still much happier where I am now. After an hour of convivial chat, we parted ways and I continued on my way.
Boy, had the weather deteriorated! Driving rain soaked the car park. And considering where I was headed, I was getting nervous. Anyway, I joined the line of traffic heading out of town - it was about rush hour. It's usually nice to have someone ahead of you when you're driving in bad weather - somewhat reassuring. And, despite a couple of wobbles in the wind and with the surface water on the road, I made it safely to Kinsale. Which was where the trouble started, with my road blocked by a Garda car. I couldn't see any obvious flooding, but the Garda directed me quite forcefully to the right, which was not the direction I wanted to go in. Especially when I saw that that street was quite badly flooded. O well, off I went - came through that and was completely lost, of course. As usual, in Kinsale. Really, you'd be well advised to take a map if you have to go through here at all - with all the narrow streets, some one-way, it can be a nightmare if you don't know it well.
I had the vague idea of following the car in front of me. Amazingly, it turned out to be exactly the right thing to do, and I came out on the road I had wanted to travel in the first place - further along. Great, I thought - and proceeded along it. Only to find another Garda setting up "Road Flooded" signs. And so it seemed that the road I needed to travel on to the bridge was flooded and impassable. I parked near something I could describe, and rang my friends for directions. Thank goodness for mobiles.. Anyway, the directions to get to the road to the bridge from the other side were a bit involved, and I needed to ring twice more before I was sure of my road. But I did finally make it! having added about 45 minutes to my journey. Of course, it turned out that the dinner reservation was in Jim Edwards. Which is in Kinsale.
And, naturally enough - but thankfully - the roads were open when we went back that way. And, I might add, dry as a cork. Ironic. There's not much parking right by the restaurant (where they also have a bar and guesthouse), but there is a large car park not far away, which is free in the evenings, so we parked there and walked. Down that street that had been so flooded before! and was now also as dry as a cork. Don't know how they manage that, but it's a neat trick. Anyway, we were a little early, but were seated immediately. The restaurant wasn't full anyway and we probably didn't need to book, but it had been full the last time we wanted to eat there, so my friend thought it was safer.
The decor is nautical, and service was generally very good. Handily, the set menu - available from 2.30pm for the rest of the day - suited us both fine. I had mushrooms to start, which, interestingly, were battered instead of the more usual breadcrumb coating. They were nice, but I wasn't massively impressed with the sauce that came with them, which added nothing. My companion had said that she should go for the fish cakes, which she loves, but ended up choosing the goat's cheese, which she always ends up having! We both had steak with pepper sauce. Mine was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was good. Ironically - considering my last steak meal, when I was unhappy with potato gratin being included - it was provided as a side here. And I even had some! but it does make a difference when you can decide how much to have. Mind you, there was far too much food, and I left quite a lot. For dessert, I ordered chocolate fudge cake (of course!) and my companion ordered the banoffi pie. Mind you, despite the excellent service for the rest of the meal, we really thought we weren't going to get desserts, they took so long to arrive.. but they eventually did. My cake had been heated, which I hate, just because it always means that my precious chocolate fudge melts off the cake and I end up having to chase it around the plate - but it was still good. This time, it was my companion's turn not to be able to finish her food - the banoffi defeated her. Both were served with a scoop of ice cream. Overall, not a spectacular meal, but I would be ok with eating there again. Interestingly, although we had wine, you could have a cocktail with the meal.. which we did consider.
I made it back safely to Clare today, despite being strongly buffeted by the wind in Garretstown, and considered myself lucky to have escaped the worst when I heard how badly Lahinch and Galway city had been affected by the storm.
In other news, I'm already thinking ahead to next week, when I'll be back in London - and for Monday night, I've booked Fortune's Fool, at the Old Vic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)