Thursday, January 31, 2008
January and February is always a tricky time for movies. It is the awards season and the British cinemas are full of the potential Golden Globe/Oscar winners. Why tricky, I hear you ask? Well, basically because yer Pynchon is forced to decide which movies have legs and will stay in the Cineworld on Broad Street (I am brassic at the moment, as always after Christmas, so my monthly Unlimited card is mighty useful) for more than one week, so that he can see the movies that do not have legs, first.
Last weekend I counted 5 movies I would have liked to have seen. Damnation!
For precisely the reason illustrated above I chose to see "The Savages" and "In The Valley Of Elah". Pretty good call by me, I say, modestly. "The Savages" has gone and "In The Valley Of Elah" is down to two showings a day.
"The Savages".
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney play Brother and Sister Jon and Wendy Savage. Jon is laidback, pragmatic and a realist. Wendy is neurotic, brittle and dissatisifed. When, for various reasons, Jon and Wendy's estranged Father loses his home, the Brother and Sister are forced to face the realities of dealing with an ailing parent that they barely know.
I think that "The Savages" is a great movie. A brilliant little gem. How far can you go wrong with great performers like Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and a really black, pointed, funny and incisive script by writer/director Tamara Jenkins. Admit it. Not very far wrong. "The Savages" says important things about family, responsibility, self sacrifice, dreams and aspirations. The only movies that really matter are movies about people and "The Savages" is definitely about people.
Philip Seymour Hoffman has got his Oscar, but I feel kind of sorry for Laura Linney. She is one of the best actresses in the world, with three Oscar nominations in eight years ("You Can Count On Me", "Kinsey" and this one) and three strikeouts. (I know it isn't really over until the fat lady sings, and I would love to dream it might happen, but does anybody really believe that Laura Linney is going to win this year for "The Savages"? No, I didn't think so.) I know awards shouldn't really matter, but they do, and something for Laura Linney is well overdue. She does not do flash. What she does is quality and quality should count.
"In The Valley Of Elah".
"In The Valley Of Elah", Paul Haggis' worthy directorial follow up to his Oscar winning movie "Crash", is only a reasonably good thriller, but hits it's stride in much the same way as "Crash", as an exploration of the current state of the American psyche. The Iraq war itself is a character in this movie and casts a giant emotional shadow over everything that happens.
What has the Iraq war done to America? How has the conflict affected the emotional state of the young men and women involved in the war? What will be the final cost, to a generation of Americans, of Iraq?
Top notch performances from Tommy Lee Jones as a serious, grave and dignified ex-soldier trying to find out what happened to his son, and also by a glammed down Charlize Theron as a single mother and detective, sidelined and dismissed by her male colleagues. In fact, not a bad performance by anybody in the cast, even if Susan Sarandon as Tommy Lee Jones' wife is a little underused.
"In The Valley Of Elah" is haunting and powerful and has a stark final image that speaks volumes.
Last weekend I counted 5 movies I would have liked to have seen. Damnation!
For precisely the reason illustrated above I chose to see "The Savages" and "In The Valley Of Elah". Pretty good call by me, I say, modestly. "The Savages" has gone and "In The Valley Of Elah" is down to two showings a day.
"The Savages".
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney play Brother and Sister Jon and Wendy Savage. Jon is laidback, pragmatic and a realist. Wendy is neurotic, brittle and dissatisifed. When, for various reasons, Jon and Wendy's estranged Father loses his home, the Brother and Sister are forced to face the realities of dealing with an ailing parent that they barely know.
I think that "The Savages" is a great movie. A brilliant little gem. How far can you go wrong with great performers like Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and a really black, pointed, funny and incisive script by writer/director Tamara Jenkins. Admit it. Not very far wrong. "The Savages" says important things about family, responsibility, self sacrifice, dreams and aspirations. The only movies that really matter are movies about people and "The Savages" is definitely about people.
Philip Seymour Hoffman has got his Oscar, but I feel kind of sorry for Laura Linney. She is one of the best actresses in the world, with three Oscar nominations in eight years ("You Can Count On Me", "Kinsey" and this one) and three strikeouts. (I know it isn't really over until the fat lady sings, and I would love to dream it might happen, but does anybody really believe that Laura Linney is going to win this year for "The Savages"? No, I didn't think so.) I know awards shouldn't really matter, but they do, and something for Laura Linney is well overdue. She does not do flash. What she does is quality and quality should count.
"In The Valley Of Elah".
"In The Valley Of Elah", Paul Haggis' worthy directorial follow up to his Oscar winning movie "Crash", is only a reasonably good thriller, but hits it's stride in much the same way as "Crash", as an exploration of the current state of the American psyche. The Iraq war itself is a character in this movie and casts a giant emotional shadow over everything that happens.
What has the Iraq war done to America? How has the conflict affected the emotional state of the young men and women involved in the war? What will be the final cost, to a generation of Americans, of Iraq?
Top notch performances from Tommy Lee Jones as a serious, grave and dignified ex-soldier trying to find out what happened to his son, and also by a glammed down Charlize Theron as a single mother and detective, sidelined and dismissed by her male colleagues. In fact, not a bad performance by anybody in the cast, even if Susan Sarandon as Tommy Lee Jones' wife is a little underused.
"In The Valley Of Elah" is haunting and powerful and has a stark final image that speaks volumes.
Labels: Movies
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday through Wednesday, there just didn't seem to be enough time.
Monday - Got up, washed, went to work, came home, chores, watched "Bobby", blogged, went to bed.
Tuesday - Got up, washed, went to work, came home, chores, watched "C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation", listened to music, went to bed.
Wednesday - Got up, washed, went to work, came home, chores, watched "Torchwood", blogging now, will soon go to bed.
I have two reviews that I want to write ("The Savages" and "In The Valley Of Elah"). I want to write them, but am finding it difficult to collect my thoughts sufficiently so that I can write something more than incisive than "they are fucking great films!". It will come, eventually. It always does.
Oh, yes... On Friday evening I did a single line post here. (Thank you Rod Serling.) Have a go, if you like. It is a good exercise in brevity.
Should be time tomorrow.
Monday - Got up, washed, went to work, came home, chores, watched "Bobby", blogged, went to bed.
Tuesday - Got up, washed, went to work, came home, chores, watched "C.S.I. Crime Scene Investigation", listened to music, went to bed.
Wednesday - Got up, washed, went to work, came home, chores, watched "Torchwood", blogging now, will soon go to bed.
I have two reviews that I want to write ("The Savages" and "In The Valley Of Elah"). I want to write them, but am finding it difficult to collect my thoughts sufficiently so that I can write something more than incisive than "they are fucking great films!". It will come, eventually. It always does.
Oh, yes... On Friday evening I did a single line post here. (Thank you Rod Serling.) Have a go, if you like. It is a good exercise in brevity.
Should be time tomorrow.
Labels: Time
Monday, January 28, 2008
On Thursday evening I outlined roughly to Lorraine what had happened at lunchtime that day. Lorraine likes injustice even less than I do and basically said that she would now have to do something because otherwise nobody else would.
Obviously the rest of this is second hand because I was not party to everything that happened re. John after Thursday night.
On Friday Lorraine talked (informally) with everybody who was at the table including Phil. Phil said that sometimes the Rodent (I like that nickname) could be "A little strong", but that he (Phil) did not want to complain because he didn't want to get anybody into trouble. Another guy said that he was sure that the Rodent "Didn't mean anything" and that I was making too much of what he said. A couple of other people said that the Rodent was "Out of order" and that he "Doesn't speak to anybody else like that."
It was enough for Lorraine.
After talking to Phil's manager, who admitted that Phil was not the kind of guy who would stand up for himself and would let himself be walked all over for the sake of a quiet life, Lorraine went and talked to the Rodent's manager. Guess what the Rodent's manager's reaction was?
"We've had other complaints. He's got an attitude problem. I'll talk to him."
And so today, other than the odd grunt, not a word was spoken by the Rodent. I am surprised he didn't choose to sit at another table. There was the odd hateful glance in my direction, but I can live with that. He knows that I was the one who got this started. I am now waiting for him to get me on my own and to try to give me some lip. I hope he does. I will invite him to attempt sexual congress with himself.
Like John I also do not like making enemies, but if the Rodent wants a war, he will get one. Anyway, what can he do to me? The beauty of living with the Boss (Lorraine) is that I can, mostly, say what I like and, maybe, care a little less about the consequences.
I hate fucking bullies. Pathetic asswipe.
Obviously the rest of this is second hand because I was not party to everything that happened re. John after Thursday night.
On Friday Lorraine talked (informally) with everybody who was at the table including Phil. Phil said that sometimes the Rodent (I like that nickname) could be "A little strong", but that he (Phil) did not want to complain because he didn't want to get anybody into trouble. Another guy said that he was sure that the Rodent "Didn't mean anything" and that I was making too much of what he said. A couple of other people said that the Rodent was "Out of order" and that he "Doesn't speak to anybody else like that."
It was enough for Lorraine.
After talking to Phil's manager, who admitted that Phil was not the kind of guy who would stand up for himself and would let himself be walked all over for the sake of a quiet life, Lorraine went and talked to the Rodent's manager. Guess what the Rodent's manager's reaction was?
"We've had other complaints. He's got an attitude problem. I'll talk to him."
And so today, other than the odd grunt, not a word was spoken by the Rodent. I am surprised he didn't choose to sit at another table. There was the odd hateful glance in my direction, but I can live with that. He knows that I was the one who got this started. I am now waiting for him to get me on my own and to try to give me some lip. I hope he does. I will invite him to attempt sexual congress with himself.
Like John I also do not like making enemies, but if the Rodent wants a war, he will get one. Anyway, what can he do to me? The beauty of living with the Boss (Lorraine) is that I can, mostly, say what I like and, maybe, care a little less about the consequences.
I hate fucking bullies. Pathetic asswipe.
Labels: Work
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sometimes you just have to get on with living a life rather than writing about living a life.
So...
The situation with John Rodent has progressed, somewhat. It is all down to Lorraine and the steps she took on Friday. I will write about that next time.
I am tired.
So...
- Shopping.
- Cleaning.
- Feeding the birds in my back garden.
- Spending money that I do not have. (Tickets for The Pigeon Detectives at the Carling Academy, Portishead at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Goldfrapp at the Symphony Hall, Boston's first album, Portishead's live album, newspapers and magazines).
- Movies. ("The Savages", "In The Valley Of Elah" and loads and loads of movies on the TV. I will write a couple of little reviews of "The Savages" and "In The Valley Of Elah", probably tomorrow.)
- Fighting with Lorraine.
- Making up with Lorraine. (Not a code for having sex with Lorraine, because I do not bother to ask anymore. Why bother when I know what the answer is going to be?)
- Complaining about the heat.
- Complaining about the cold.
- Dozing off.
- Waking up again.
- Getting drunk.
- Regretting getting drunk.
The situation with John Rodent has progressed, somewhat. It is all down to Lorraine and the steps she took on Friday. I will write about that next time.
I am tired.
Labels: Arguments, Drinking, Lorraine, Movies
Thursday, January 24, 2008
No death talk this evening. Instead I want to write about a bully, the disgusting thing he said at lunch today, and the fact that I shamefully said nothing when I definitely should have said something.
There are two guys in my office. Their names are John Rodent and Phil Dodd. Phill Dodd is being bullied by John Rodent.
Phil Dodd is an amiable guy. Big, overweight, clumsy and kind of naive. He is that that legendary thing: An innocent man. He likes to laugh, has a childlike sense of humour, takes joy in his life and is easy to wind up, if you are that way inclined. I like Phil a lot. I certainly don't think he is the sharpest tool in the box, but he is a genuinely nice and kind man. Nothing hidden or deceitful about him at all. It would be very easy to laugh at him. I try to take great care to laugh with him.
John Rodent is a very clever man. Kind of... er... rodent like. Stick thin, moneyed, sharp, a go-getter with the kind of arrogance that sometimes goes with that. Somebody told John a long time ago that he was funny and I think that he feels to need to prove his funniness with every-single-fucking-word that comes out of his mouth. It's a bit much when everything you say to John is used a material for some oh-so-clever bit of word play or a witty quip. It's so tiresome to constantly have to watch everything that you say. (Of course I am a sarcastic fucker when I want to be, and if John says something to me, then yer Pynchon is going to say something back.)
John Rodent looks at Phil Dodd like he is subhuman and treats him as such. He takes the piss out of him. He berates him in front of everybody, and gives full flow to some really offensive comments.
Phil is going to be a Father. He announced it last week. Of course there was fun to be had. ("Who's the father, Phil?" and "Your girlfriend didn't tell me she was pregnant the last time I was in bed with her".)
Phil is made up about the prospect about being a Father. I have never seen a man as happy. The only sad thing, that we found out today in fact, is that Phil's Girlfriend's Mother has recently died. It happened so recently, in fact, that the funeral still has not taken place. I think it is next week.
And upon hearing this, John said, "Did she die because the sign painter in your little town didn't want to change the population number sign?"
You what?
Silence.
Phil looked at John and said, "That's not funny", gathered up his sandwich and left.
Silence.
The guy sitting next to me looked at John, looked at me, got up and left. The girl sitting next to John frowned and carried on eating. Slowly. Somebody else shook their head and looked at nothing.
I looked at John, said, "I have to go" and I went.
I caught up with Phil on the stairs.
"He's a twat. Fuck him."
"Thanks, but don't worry about it", said Phil.
But I do, because I should have said something at the table where everybody could have heard me.
Indecent, disgusting and callous man. I hope John never loses anybody.
Fucking bully.
There are two guys in my office. Their names are John Rodent and Phil Dodd. Phill Dodd is being bullied by John Rodent.
Phil Dodd is an amiable guy. Big, overweight, clumsy and kind of naive. He is that that legendary thing: An innocent man. He likes to laugh, has a childlike sense of humour, takes joy in his life and is easy to wind up, if you are that way inclined. I like Phil a lot. I certainly don't think he is the sharpest tool in the box, but he is a genuinely nice and kind man. Nothing hidden or deceitful about him at all. It would be very easy to laugh at him. I try to take great care to laugh with him.
John Rodent is a very clever man. Kind of... er... rodent like. Stick thin, moneyed, sharp, a go-getter with the kind of arrogance that sometimes goes with that. Somebody told John a long time ago that he was funny and I think that he feels to need to prove his funniness with every-single-fucking-word that comes out of his mouth. It's a bit much when everything you say to John is used a material for some oh-so-clever bit of word play or a witty quip. It's so tiresome to constantly have to watch everything that you say. (Of course I am a sarcastic fucker when I want to be, and if John says something to me, then yer Pynchon is going to say something back.)
John Rodent looks at Phil Dodd like he is subhuman and treats him as such. He takes the piss out of him. He berates him in front of everybody, and gives full flow to some really offensive comments.
Phil is going to be a Father. He announced it last week. Of course there was fun to be had. ("Who's the father, Phil?" and "Your girlfriend didn't tell me she was pregnant the last time I was in bed with her".)
Phil is made up about the prospect about being a Father. I have never seen a man as happy. The only sad thing, that we found out today in fact, is that Phil's Girlfriend's Mother has recently died. It happened so recently, in fact, that the funeral still has not taken place. I think it is next week.
And upon hearing this, John said, "Did she die because the sign painter in your little town didn't want to change the population number sign?"
You what?
Silence.
Phil looked at John and said, "That's not funny", gathered up his sandwich and left.
Silence.
The guy sitting next to me looked at John, looked at me, got up and left. The girl sitting next to John frowned and carried on eating. Slowly. Somebody else shook their head and looked at nothing.
I looked at John, said, "I have to go" and I went.
I caught up with Phil on the stairs.
"He's a twat. Fuck him."
"Thanks, but don't worry about it", said Phil.
But I do, because I should have said something at the table where everybody could have heard me.
Indecent, disgusting and callous man. I hope John never loses anybody.
Fucking bully.
Labels: Sad
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
John Stewart died on the 19th January 2008.
Who is John Stewart, I hear you ask? Well, amongst other things he wrote one of the greatest pop songs of all time. And here it is.
I think that will do for this evening. I am off to watch "Ronin" on Channel 5. Never seen it. Not really sure why.
Who is John Stewart, I hear you ask? Well, amongst other things he wrote one of the greatest pop songs of all time. And here it is.
I think that will do for this evening. I am off to watch "Ronin" on Channel 5. Never seen it. Not really sure why.
Labels: Music
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Today's cinematic choices were either monsters and mayhem ("AVP: Alien Vs. Predator - Requiem") or rib tickling silliness ("Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story"). I chose rib tickling silliness.
Hmm... I must admit, I am a bit torn with regard to "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story".
The idea of this movie was fine. A parody biopic covering the career of singer Dewey Cox and detailing his struggles with fame, family and 'interesting substances'. As the film progresses you see his career develop through rock 'n' roll (psycho Elvis!), rockabilly, folk protest (a brilliant and incomprehensible Dylan impersonation), psychedelic pop (the best Brian Wilson/Beach Boys/"Smile" piss take of all time), cheesy family entertainment and the final unveiling of his musical masterpiece.
I liked the spot on musical parodies. I liked the surprising cameos from some very known faces playing musical icons (Elvis, Buddy Holly and the totally priceless meditating with the Beatles section). I liked the extremely game cast - Jenna Fishcher (Where has she been all my life? I don't suppose anybody has got her phone number, have they?), Tim Meadows ("You don't want to try this shit!") and the grave and brilliant Raymond J. Barry ("The wrong son died!") All good.
But, and it's a big but...
"Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" just wasn't funny enough. Maybe if a more scatter shot approach had been applied a la "Airplane", "Top Secret!" or "The Naked Gun" (throw a hundred jokes at the screen and some of them will stick), the film might have been funnier? I don't know. As it was I would have to say that I came out thinking that "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" was entertaining enough, but was nothing I would be inclined to stay in to watch on TV again.
I got to thinking about John C. Reilly in the lead. He is a fine supporting actor, and a fine character actor, and he certainly tried hard, but he is not a leading man and especially not in a comedy. I came out of the cinema wondering what somebody like Will Ferrell might have done with the role and this is from not the greatest Will Ferrell fan in the world.
No fears, "This Is Spinal Tap". The greatest parody music flick of all time award still belongs to you.
Hmm... I must admit, I am a bit torn with regard to "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story".
The idea of this movie was fine. A parody biopic covering the career of singer Dewey Cox and detailing his struggles with fame, family and 'interesting substances'. As the film progresses you see his career develop through rock 'n' roll (psycho Elvis!), rockabilly, folk protest (a brilliant and incomprehensible Dylan impersonation), psychedelic pop (the best Brian Wilson/Beach Boys/"Smile" piss take of all time), cheesy family entertainment and the final unveiling of his musical masterpiece.
I liked the spot on musical parodies. I liked the surprising cameos from some very known faces playing musical icons (Elvis, Buddy Holly and the totally priceless meditating with the Beatles section). I liked the extremely game cast - Jenna Fishcher (Where has she been all my life? I don't suppose anybody has got her phone number, have they?), Tim Meadows ("You don't want to try this shit!") and the grave and brilliant Raymond J. Barry ("The wrong son died!") All good.
But, and it's a big but...
"Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" just wasn't funny enough. Maybe if a more scatter shot approach had been applied a la "Airplane", "Top Secret!" or "The Naked Gun" (throw a hundred jokes at the screen and some of them will stick), the film might have been funnier? I don't know. As it was I would have to say that I came out thinking that "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" was entertaining enough, but was nothing I would be inclined to stay in to watch on TV again.
I got to thinking about John C. Reilly in the lead. He is a fine supporting actor, and a fine character actor, and he certainly tried hard, but he is not a leading man and especially not in a comedy. I came out of the cinema wondering what somebody like Will Ferrell might have done with the role and this is from not the greatest Will Ferrell fan in the world.
No fears, "This Is Spinal Tap". The greatest parody music flick of all time award still belongs to you.
Labels: Movies
Saturday, January 19, 2008
After the shittiest of shit days at work yesterday, I got home and found that I was too tired to be bothered to do anything. So I vegetated in front of the TV to the following.
The repeat of the last episode of "Doctor Who" season 3.
A documentary on Marc Bolan.
Another documentary, which was a potted history of British pop music taking in Punk Rock, New Wave, New Romantics, late 80's production line pop (PWL and Stock Aitken Waterman), Britpop, the rise of boy band svengalis and their bands (Nigel Martin Smith - Take That, Tom Watkins - East 17 and Louis Walsh - Boyzone) and then the rise of Simon Cowell and his stable of popstars chosen by the public through the likes of "Popstars", "Popstars - The Rivals", "Pop Idol" and "The X-Factor".
Very interesting documentary, that second one, but the rather snobby attitude that anything produced off a pop production line was crap really pissed me off. Just because a tune is written and performed by a tortured artist in a squat, does not make it a better or more valid tune than one written by a multi-millionaire professional songwriter at their house in L.A. and sung by a white teethed popstrell. A good tune and a good record can come out of any set of circumstances. I can and I will defend "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife, "Back For Good" by Take That and "Stay Another Day" by East 17 as being superior pop records and as good as anything produced by a serious artist.
Phew! Credibility blown. Finally. Thank God for that.
I went to the MAC today to see "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford".
Simply put, I thought that "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" was a cracking piece of work. Serious, poetic and a beautifully shot western, built on excellent central performances by Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford respectively.
Brad Pitt's Jesse James is hardly an American folk hero. He is a nasty piece of work. Unstable, unpredictable, tormented and ruthless. A dominant personality. People are afraid of Jesse James and rightly so. It is one of the best performances of Pitt's career. Forget Pitt as A-lister and tabloid fodder and think about Pitt as the great character actor that he undoubtedly is.
As good as Pitt is, the true revelation here is the performance of Casey Affleck. I have only ever been aware of Affleck as Ben's brother and as the comic relief in "Ocean's Eleven", "Ocean's Twelve" and "Ocean's Thirteen". There is nothing in those films that could prepare you for his work in "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford". Just outstanding. If he does not get a Supporting Actor nod at the Oscars next month, I will be very much surprised.
Casey Affleck's Robert Ford is a slightly creepy, slightly dislikeable man who is trying way too hard. He is very much a small man trying to be a big man and in the process manages to get in way over his head. His initial hero worship of Jesse James turns into something disappointing, destructive and tragic.
"The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" is a great film. Quite a long film, but engrossing throughout. The hours just shot by. It is early days yet, but I think it is my film of the year so far.
The repeat of the last episode of "Doctor Who" season 3.
A documentary on Marc Bolan.
Another documentary, which was a potted history of British pop music taking in Punk Rock, New Wave, New Romantics, late 80's production line pop (PWL and Stock Aitken Waterman), Britpop, the rise of boy band svengalis and their bands (Nigel Martin Smith - Take That, Tom Watkins - East 17 and Louis Walsh - Boyzone) and then the rise of Simon Cowell and his stable of popstars chosen by the public through the likes of "Popstars", "Popstars - The Rivals", "Pop Idol" and "The X-Factor".
Very interesting documentary, that second one, but the rather snobby attitude that anything produced off a pop production line was crap really pissed me off. Just because a tune is written and performed by a tortured artist in a squat, does not make it a better or more valid tune than one written by a multi-millionaire professional songwriter at their house in L.A. and sung by a white teethed popstrell. A good tune and a good record can come out of any set of circumstances. I can and I will defend "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife, "Back For Good" by Take That and "Stay Another Day" by East 17 as being superior pop records and as good as anything produced by a serious artist.
Phew! Credibility blown. Finally. Thank God for that.
I went to the MAC today to see "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford".
Simply put, I thought that "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" was a cracking piece of work. Serious, poetic and a beautifully shot western, built on excellent central performances by Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford respectively.
Brad Pitt's Jesse James is hardly an American folk hero. He is a nasty piece of work. Unstable, unpredictable, tormented and ruthless. A dominant personality. People are afraid of Jesse James and rightly so. It is one of the best performances of Pitt's career. Forget Pitt as A-lister and tabloid fodder and think about Pitt as the great character actor that he undoubtedly is.
As good as Pitt is, the true revelation here is the performance of Casey Affleck. I have only ever been aware of Affleck as Ben's brother and as the comic relief in "Ocean's Eleven", "Ocean's Twelve" and "Ocean's Thirteen". There is nothing in those films that could prepare you for his work in "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford". Just outstanding. If he does not get a Supporting Actor nod at the Oscars next month, I will be very much surprised.
Casey Affleck's Robert Ford is a slightly creepy, slightly dislikeable man who is trying way too hard. He is very much a small man trying to be a big man and in the process manages to get in way over his head. His initial hero worship of Jesse James turns into something disappointing, destructive and tragic.
"The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" is a great film. Quite a long film, but engrossing throughout. The hours just shot by. It is early days yet, but I think it is my film of the year so far.
Labels: Movies, Music, Television
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I rock!
For the first time ever I have purchased and downloaded music from the Internet. I have not developed a migraine, broken out in spots, vomited or fainted.
No stopping me now. Next step, world domination!
For the first time ever I have purchased and downloaded music from the Internet. I have not developed a migraine, broken out in spots, vomited or fainted.
No stopping me now. Next step, world domination!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A primary school teacher secures a job at a school on Merseyside.
On her first day, hoping to make a good impression, she announces that she is a Liverpool supporter.
"How many of you are Liverpool fans?" she asks.
All of the children raise their hands, with the exception of one little girl called Mary.
"I suppose you are an Everton fan, Mary", says teacher.
"No Miss", says Mary. "I support Manchester United."
"Why on earth do you support them?"
"Well Miss, my Mom and Dad are both from Manchester, and they are very keen United fans, so I am too."
"You know, Mary, you don't always have to copy what your parents do. What if your mother was a prostitute, and your father was a drug dealer, then what would you be?"
"A Liverpool supporter, Miss", said Mary.
(Sent to me by a Liverpool Football Club supporter. Take any complaints up with him. I love Scousers. The Beatles were Scousers!)
********
"Dan In Real Life".
Steve Carell plays Dan Burns, newspaper agony uncle and dedicated single father to three girls. At a large family homecoming Dan meets his perfect woman, only to find out that she is in a relationship with his brother.
What's a man to do?
I rather liked "Dan In Real Life", but I would imagine the success or otherwise of this flick is going to be down to whether you are willing to accept Steve Carell playing a part relatively straight and restrained, rather than going through the broad comedy moves that have made him so successful. If you cannot accept it, fear not, "Get Smart" will be along later in the year, but for the record I thought he was very good.
"Dan In Real Life" starts off like your typical, incidentally amusing, family drama, but it gets funnier and funnier as it goes along and Carell's frustration with his situation grows. It's not massively original (but if you only saw movies with original ideas, cinematic pickings would be very scarce indeed, wouldn't they?), but "Dan In Real Life" is entertaining, and a good cast (who wouldn't fall in love at first sight with the luminous Juliette Binoche?) make the most of an insightful enough script that contains many a ponder on the meaning and passion of love.
I hope that Steve Carell pushes himself and does something as interesting again.
On her first day, hoping to make a good impression, she announces that she is a Liverpool supporter.
"How many of you are Liverpool fans?" she asks.
All of the children raise their hands, with the exception of one little girl called Mary.
"I suppose you are an Everton fan, Mary", says teacher.
"No Miss", says Mary. "I support Manchester United."
"Why on earth do you support them?"
"Well Miss, my Mom and Dad are both from Manchester, and they are very keen United fans, so I am too."
"You know, Mary, you don't always have to copy what your parents do. What if your mother was a prostitute, and your father was a drug dealer, then what would you be?"
"A Liverpool supporter, Miss", said Mary.
(Sent to me by a Liverpool Football Club supporter. Take any complaints up with him. I love Scousers. The Beatles were Scousers!)
********
"Dan In Real Life".
Steve Carell plays Dan Burns, newspaper agony uncle and dedicated single father to three girls. At a large family homecoming Dan meets his perfect woman, only to find out that she is in a relationship with his brother.
What's a man to do?
I rather liked "Dan In Real Life", but I would imagine the success or otherwise of this flick is going to be down to whether you are willing to accept Steve Carell playing a part relatively straight and restrained, rather than going through the broad comedy moves that have made him so successful. If you cannot accept it, fear not, "Get Smart" will be along later in the year, but for the record I thought he was very good.
"Dan In Real Life" starts off like your typical, incidentally amusing, family drama, but it gets funnier and funnier as it goes along and Carell's frustration with his situation grows. It's not massively original (but if you only saw movies with original ideas, cinematic pickings would be very scarce indeed, wouldn't they?), but "Dan In Real Life" is entertaining, and a good cast (who wouldn't fall in love at first sight with the luminous Juliette Binoche?) make the most of an insightful enough script that contains many a ponder on the meaning and passion of love.
I hope that Steve Carell pushes himself and does something as interesting again.
Monday, January 14, 2008
"Lust, Caution" or "Se, Jie".
It's January. About time for another WWII drama about a plucky, female resistance fighter going undercover and getting too involved with her 'target'.
Actually that sounds pretty sarcastic. I do not mean it to be. Just about a year ago I saw Paul Verhoeven's movie "Zwartboek". It was a great film and made my top 10 for 2007. The similar themed "Se, Jie" is also a great film.
"Se, Jie" covers the same emotional ground as "Zwartboek", only from a Chinese/Japanese rather than a Dutch/German perspective. Also, the execution of the material could not have been more different. Whereas "Zwartboek" was informed by the chutzpah of it's director (big, colourful, loud, energetic and brightly lit), "Se, Jie" is dark, menacing, withdrawn and grey. And it is a bleak movie. Oh, so bleak. No winners in this film, no matter what way you look at it.
As for the controversial sex scenes, yes there is sex in this movie, but probably not as much as you might think. The sex scenes are uncomfortable, grave, intense and sometimes disturbing. Very brave and uncompromising performances from Tony Leung and Wei Teng. If you are expecting titillation, forget it. Go and see something else.
I thought that "Se, Jie" was an excellent piece of work.
********
It has taken me over an hour to write the above. Not good enough.
It's January. About time for another WWII drama about a plucky, female resistance fighter going undercover and getting too involved with her 'target'.
Actually that sounds pretty sarcastic. I do not mean it to be. Just about a year ago I saw Paul Verhoeven's movie "Zwartboek". It was a great film and made my top 10 for 2007. The similar themed "Se, Jie" is also a great film.
"Se, Jie" covers the same emotional ground as "Zwartboek", only from a Chinese/Japanese rather than a Dutch/German perspective. Also, the execution of the material could not have been more different. Whereas "Zwartboek" was informed by the chutzpah of it's director (big, colourful, loud, energetic and brightly lit), "Se, Jie" is dark, menacing, withdrawn and grey. And it is a bleak movie. Oh, so bleak. No winners in this film, no matter what way you look at it.
As for the controversial sex scenes, yes there is sex in this movie, but probably not as much as you might think. The sex scenes are uncomfortable, grave, intense and sometimes disturbing. Very brave and uncompromising performances from Tony Leung and Wei Teng. If you are expecting titillation, forget it. Go and see something else.
I thought that "Se, Jie" was an excellent piece of work.
********
It has taken me over an hour to write the above. Not good enough.
Labels: Movies
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Hello.
I am not even going to pretend that I can be arsed to write anything much just now. I am suffering from a migraine/hangover/headache. Not exactly sure which. Alcohol rich mince pies, just past their sell by date and cider do not mix. All my own fault. In big letters, I REALLY NEED TO STOP DRINKING AND EATING STUFF THAT MAKES ME FEEL ILL.
That aside it has been a nice enough weekend. I saw two movies ("Lust, Caution" or "Se, Jie" and "Dan In Real Life") that I enjoyed for completely different reasons and will write about shortly. I hung out with Lorraine. I went to see Sister 3, who told me that I am going to be an Uncle again, sometime around my birthday. I have read some more of "The Insider". (I really must write about that soon.) I saw my Brother, who wants me to go with him to see The Pigeon Detectives at the Carling Academy. (Are they good? I know nothing whatsoever about that band.)
Yes. I know that the blog is drifting. I will knuckle down tomorrow.
I am not even going to pretend that I can be arsed to write anything much just now. I am suffering from a migraine/hangover/headache. Not exactly sure which. Alcohol rich mince pies, just past their sell by date and cider do not mix. All my own fault. In big letters, I REALLY NEED TO STOP DRINKING AND EATING STUFF THAT MAKES ME FEEL ILL.
That aside it has been a nice enough weekend. I saw two movies ("Lust, Caution" or "Se, Jie" and "Dan In Real Life") that I enjoyed for completely different reasons and will write about shortly. I hung out with Lorraine. I went to see Sister 3, who told me that I am going to be an Uncle again, sometime around my birthday. I have read some more of "The Insider". (I really must write about that soon.) I saw my Brother, who wants me to go with him to see The Pigeon Detectives at the Carling Academy. (Are they good? I know nothing whatsoever about that band.)
Yes. I know that the blog is drifting. I will knuckle down tomorrow.
Labels: Family, Gigs, Illness, Movies, Thoughts
Thursday, January 10, 2008
I am home today. Engineer Guy has visited and replaced the fan in the boiler. It cost three hundred plus quid, but I am happy enough with that. When I asked Engineer Guy how long he thought this fan would last he said, "It's going to outlast the boiler, mate!"
Okey, dokey. Lorraine and I had better start saving our pennies then. A new boiler (and solar panels on the roof?) before the end of the year.
I thought about going to the cinema, but decided against it. Instead I have got on with much delayed chores like hoovering and cleaning. I have also put seeds, peanuts and fat balls out for the poor, starving little birdies. They were desperate. As I look out of my window there is a peanut standoff going on involving magpies and squirrels.
I suppose I had better have something to eat myself.
I wonder what's on the TV this afternoon? Or maybe I will read a bit more of "The Insider" by Piers Morgan. (I haven't forgotten to write about it. Next time.) It's all go around here.
Okey, dokey. Lorraine and I had better start saving our pennies then. A new boiler (and solar panels on the roof?) before the end of the year.
I thought about going to the cinema, but decided against it. Instead I have got on with much delayed chores like hoovering and cleaning. I have also put seeds, peanuts and fat balls out for the poor, starving little birdies. They were desperate. As I look out of my window there is a peanut standoff going on involving magpies and squirrels.
I suppose I had better have something to eat myself.
I wonder what's on the TV this afternoon? Or maybe I will read a bit more of "The Insider" by Piers Morgan. (I haven't forgotten to write about it. Next time.) It's all go around here.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
I did start to write this last night, but the call of bed proved to be stronger than the call of the blog.
Anyway, "Aladdin".
First a question.
Have you ever been to a gig where you were really looking forward to the main attraction, only to come away raving about the support act?
I must admit that it hasn't happened to me very often. In fact, at this moment in time, I can only think of two examples.
Anyway, "Aladdin".
First a question.
Have you ever been to a gig where you were really looking forward to the main attraction, only to come away raving about the support act?
I must admit that it hasn't happened to me very often. In fact, at this moment in time, I can only think of two examples.
- Ellis, Beggs & Howard supporting T'Pau at the NEC in 1988. Frankly, Ellis, Beggs & Howard blew T'Pau off the stage. The band were formed by Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo fame; Kajagoogoo being huge in the UK for about 10 minutes back in 1983. I thought that Ellis, Beggs & Howard were just a fantastic live band. Great songs. Great lead singer. They should have been huge. T'Pau were as dull as dishwater.
- Ian McNabb supporting Aztec Camera at the Symphony Hall in 1992. Ian McNabb used to be in the Icicle Works. I saw the Icicle Works way back in, I think, 1988 when Zak Starkey was occupying the drum kit and the guy who played bass in Black was on... er... bass. Great gig. Great band. Much missed, by me at least. Supporting Aztec Camera on that night in 1992, Ian McNabb grabbed the chance with both hands and entranced the audience with a mix of Icicle Works classics and his (at the time) new solo material. He joked with the audience. He led singalongs. He invited requests and played them. Simply fantastic and he got a standing ovation. Roddy Frame (who is Aztec Camera), on the other hand, performed like a dead man. I'm surprised that Roddy Frame didn't take to the stage with a white flag. All over bar the shouting.
For the past couple of years Lorraine and I have taken my Niece and Nephew to a show around Christmas. Normally it wouldn't matter if it was something we wanted to see, because it was the kids choice, but this year, as soon as we heard that John Barrowman was going to be heading the panto "Aladdin", it became the only choice for all of us. Lorraine and I are both big fans of Mr. Barrowman and the kids of Captain Jack Harkness.
Ah... John Barrowman. Actor ("Doctor Who" and "Torchwood"), singer (he has worked in West End musicals for years and has released a couple of albums), reality TV judge ("How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria", "Any Dream Will Do"), writer (his autobiography is hitting the stores anytime soon) and Gay icon. At the moment he is a ubiquitous presence on British TV. Lorraine has said that he is making the most of his 5 minutes of fame, but I hope he will last a big longer than that. At least I hope he will last until April, when we are due to see him in concert.
We were really looking forward to seeing John Barrowman in "Aladdin" and... Hmm.. he was OK. No. Wrong word. He was good. Energetic, warm and funny. Engaged the audience. Couldn't dance for shit, but a great performer and singer. The perfect lead for a pantomime.
Except...
Gulp! I can hardly believe I am saying it.
The Grumbleweeds were better. They were a revelation. Absolutely brilliant. Genius. The funniest thing I have seen live in years. They perfectly pitched their performance for adults and kids, which I would imagine is a very difficult thing to do. The Grumbleweeds have been around for years. I remember them on a Seaside Special in the 70's doing a wicked takeoff of Gary Numan. Old troupers. Started as a pop group in the sixties. Became a comedy pop group. TV, panto, cabaret, cruise ships. Now down to the original members - Robin Colvill and Graham Walker. You can read all about The Grumbleweeds here. If you get the chance, go and see them. I thought they were great.
The rest of the panto? Pretty good, actually. You either like panto or you don't and I love it. A 3-D genie. ("Put your glasses on to protect your eyes from the Genie!") Patrick Stewart's uncredited voice cameo. It was definitely him. The Daleks. Ultimate evil and great fun. Don Maclean, the best dame in the business. Peter Gallagher's hissable villain. Terrible jokes, slapstick, comedy and audience participation. Couldn't be better. My Niece and Nephew really enjoyed it. So did I.
"Robin Hood" next year. I want to book now, but Lorraine said to wait to see who is headlining first. Probably sensible.
Labels: Gigs
Monday, January 07, 2008
I have decided to not feel guilty about promising to blog on a subject and then not bothering. It's my blog, so there! (Yer Pynchon blows a raspberry to the Universe.)
Thoughts on the "Aladdin" pantomime will arrive shortly, probably tomorrow, along with some thoughts on the book "The Insider" by Piers Morgan, that I have been reading since January 1st.
Actually, this evening I was quite tired. Tired enough to abandon any thoughts of doing anything creative and instead deciding to vegetate in front of the TV for 3 hours watching the pilot episode of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman" (Living TV are showing the entire series from scratch - frankly I found it mind numbingly tedious but Lorraine, who was a big fan, said that it gets better) and then "Stranger Than Fiction" (kind of brilliant and a good pointer to where Will Ferrell's career might go when the broad comedies stop being successful, which they undoubtedly will).
Nice, relaxing evening. No pressure. Sometimes you need one of those evenings, don't you?
Thoughts on the "Aladdin" pantomime will arrive shortly, probably tomorrow, along with some thoughts on the book "The Insider" by Piers Morgan, that I have been reading since January 1st.
Actually, this evening I was quite tired. Tired enough to abandon any thoughts of doing anything creative and instead deciding to vegetate in front of the TV for 3 hours watching the pilot episode of "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman" (Living TV are showing the entire series from scratch - frankly I found it mind numbingly tedious but Lorraine, who was a big fan, said that it gets better) and then "Stranger Than Fiction" (kind of brilliant and a good pointer to where Will Ferrell's career might go when the broad comedies stop being successful, which they undoubtedly will).
Nice, relaxing evening. No pressure. Sometimes you need one of those evenings, don't you?
Labels: Knackered, Movies, Television
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Boiler crisis averted. Temporarily.
The problem was with the fan, which had seized up. A couple of squirts of miracle product WD-40, and a flick of the finger, and the fan sprang into life. Hot water ahoy! Eighty quid, thank you Sir. (Not that I begrudge Engineer Guy his call out fee. If I had had the wherewithal to fix it myself, I would have done so, wouldn't I?)
Unfortunately, we still need to do something about a new boiler, sooner rather later. At present we have a Glow Worm Space Saver F, which is 15 years old which is, apparently, an eternity in the lifetime of boiler technology. Engineer Guy said the problem would occur again, possibly within weeks or months, and that the the best thing to do would be to replace the fan completely or get a new boiler installed. When he checked with regard to obtaining a new fan, he found that the exact part was coming up as 'obsolete'. Not good. However, there is a possibility that another part for the later generation of Glow Worm boilers could be found that would work just as well. He is going check when the manufacturers open and will ring us tomorrow.
Pain in the arse!
Still, it has concentrated the mind. Lorraine is now full of lofty ideas of getting solar panels put on the roof and getting the whole of our central heating system changed to utilise them. The blurb on one website we looked at says that we could "reduce your heating bills by 50% to 70%".
Great! I am all for utilising renewable energy sources. Bring it on, big time. My problem is with the fact that at the moment we have NO FUCKING MONEY! (It's all relative, of course. We are not broke. There are a lot of people worse off than us, and if we were forced to find the money, we certainly could. It's just that I don't want to go spending a lot of money at the moment. Have I mentioned that the credit card bill including the cost of the new TV has just arrived? Eeek!)
Life. It's great, isn't it?
Last night we took my Niece and Nephew to see the pantomime "Aladdin" at the Birmingham Hippodrome, starring John Barrowman. I will write about that tomorrow.
The problem was with the fan, which had seized up. A couple of squirts of miracle product WD-40, and a flick of the finger, and the fan sprang into life. Hot water ahoy! Eighty quid, thank you Sir. (Not that I begrudge Engineer Guy his call out fee. If I had had the wherewithal to fix it myself, I would have done so, wouldn't I?)
Unfortunately, we still need to do something about a new boiler, sooner rather later. At present we have a Glow Worm Space Saver F, which is 15 years old which is, apparently, an eternity in the lifetime of boiler technology. Engineer Guy said the problem would occur again, possibly within weeks or months, and that the the best thing to do would be to replace the fan completely or get a new boiler installed. When he checked with regard to obtaining a new fan, he found that the exact part was coming up as 'obsolete'. Not good. However, there is a possibility that another part for the later generation of Glow Worm boilers could be found that would work just as well. He is going check when the manufacturers open and will ring us tomorrow.
Pain in the arse!
Still, it has concentrated the mind. Lorraine is now full of lofty ideas of getting solar panels put on the roof and getting the whole of our central heating system changed to utilise them. The blurb on one website we looked at says that we could "reduce your heating bills by 50% to 70%".
Great! I am all for utilising renewable energy sources. Bring it on, big time. My problem is with the fact that at the moment we have NO FUCKING MONEY! (It's all relative, of course. We are not broke. There are a lot of people worse off than us, and if we were forced to find the money, we certainly could. It's just that I don't want to go spending a lot of money at the moment. Have I mentioned that the credit card bill including the cost of the new TV has just arrived? Eeek!)
Life. It's great, isn't it?
Last night we took my Niece and Nephew to see the pantomime "Aladdin" at the Birmingham Hippodrome, starring John Barrowman. I will write about that tomorrow.
Labels: House
Saturday, January 05, 2008
The fucking boiler has broken down!
Yes, really. Now, I thought that the TV breaking down was stressful, but that was nothing.
Lorraine said to me gravely that, "These things come in threes, you know..."
Vile, horrible cow!
An engineer is on his way. I have my chequebook ready. I might have to arrange a loan.
Yes, really. Now, I thought that the TV breaking down was stressful, but that was nothing.
Lorraine said to me gravely that, "These things come in threes, you know..."
Vile, horrible cow!
An engineer is on his way. I have my chequebook ready. I might have to arrange a loan.
Labels: Bad Day, House, Stress
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Yesterday, I changed the world. Did you notice?
You didn't notice?!?
How rude. I wish I hadn't bothered. So disappointing...
Anyway, I have a joke.
A man is dining in a fancy restaurant. A gorgeous redhead enters the restaurant alone and sits at the next table. The man considers engaging the redhead in conversation, but as he is a little bit shy, he decides against it.
Suddenly, the redhead sneezes and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket towards the man. Instinctively he reaches, grabs the eye out of the air and coolly hands it back to the redhead.
"Oh my, I am so sorry" the woman says, mortified, as she pops the eye back into
place. "May I buy you dinner to make it up to you?"
The man and the redhead enjoy a wonderful dinner. Afterwards they go to the theatre, followed by drinks. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams and he shares his. She listens carefully to everything he has to say. She smiles a lot.
After paying for everything, the redhead asks the man if he would like to come to her place for a night cap and, possibly, stay for breakfast. He says yes.
Of course, they have a wonderful time.
The next morning, the redhead cooks a gourmet meal with all of the trimmings. The man is amazed. Everything had been SO incredible and SO amazing!
"You know", says the man. "You really are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy that you meet?"
"No", she replies. "You just happened to catch my eye."
(At this point in the proceedings Yer Pynchon would like to apologize to any one eyed ladies who might be reading. I am sure that you are all very lovely indeed.)
Re. New Year resolutions. I try not to get involved in such nonsense, but despite my better judgement, I did make a small resolution to myself on New Years Eve. That is, illness and holiday permitting, to try to post to the blog everyday. Hah! That resolution didn't last very long, did it? One post. Pathetic.
I do have an excuse. I was tired. For the first time whilst working at The Corporation I allowed myself to be put onto the early morning rota. Lorraine said that I would like enjoy the new experience.
So it was that I found myself staggering, shell shocked, from my bed at 4:50am, at the bus stop at 6:05am, at work at 6:40am and pretending to do some work at 7:00am. True, I was gone from the office by 3:30pm, and with a convenient lift home organised with somebody leaving the office at the same time as me, was in my house and drinking a nice cup of Kenya at 4:05pm. But by 8pm... Oh, dear, I did feel tired, which is why I got this post started nice and early.
No complaints, though. I only have to do this for a couple of days and my next set of early hours is months away. There are people who have to do these kind of hours all of the time and get home late. Respect to them. My Dad was a Dustman for more than 25 years and he used to go to get to the depot for 6am every day using public transport. I do not remember ever seeing him in the mornings, except at weekends. I have no idea how he managed without the sleep. He used to go out every night. To the pub. To the cinema with me. A force of nature. That was my Dad. Massive energy. Amazing man.
You didn't notice?!?
How rude. I wish I hadn't bothered. So disappointing...
Anyway, I have a joke.
A man is dining in a fancy restaurant. A gorgeous redhead enters the restaurant alone and sits at the next table. The man considers engaging the redhead in conversation, but as he is a little bit shy, he decides against it.
Suddenly, the redhead sneezes and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket towards the man. Instinctively he reaches, grabs the eye out of the air and coolly hands it back to the redhead.
"Oh my, I am so sorry" the woman says, mortified, as she pops the eye back into
place. "May I buy you dinner to make it up to you?"
The man and the redhead enjoy a wonderful dinner. Afterwards they go to the theatre, followed by drinks. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams and he shares his. She listens carefully to everything he has to say. She smiles a lot.
After paying for everything, the redhead asks the man if he would like to come to her place for a night cap and, possibly, stay for breakfast. He says yes.
Of course, they have a wonderful time.
The next morning, the redhead cooks a gourmet meal with all of the trimmings. The man is amazed. Everything had been SO incredible and SO amazing!
"You know", says the man. "You really are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy that you meet?"
"No", she replies. "You just happened to catch my eye."
(At this point in the proceedings Yer Pynchon would like to apologize to any one eyed ladies who might be reading. I am sure that you are all very lovely indeed.)
Re. New Year resolutions. I try not to get involved in such nonsense, but despite my better judgement, I did make a small resolution to myself on New Years Eve. That is, illness and holiday permitting, to try to post to the blog everyday. Hah! That resolution didn't last very long, did it? One post. Pathetic.
I do have an excuse. I was tired. For the first time whilst working at The Corporation I allowed myself to be put onto the early morning rota. Lorraine said that I would like enjoy the new experience.
So it was that I found myself staggering, shell shocked, from my bed at 4:50am, at the bus stop at 6:05am, at work at 6:40am and pretending to do some work at 7:00am. True, I was gone from the office by 3:30pm, and with a convenient lift home organised with somebody leaving the office at the same time as me, was in my house and drinking a nice cup of Kenya at 4:05pm. But by 8pm... Oh, dear, I did feel tired, which is why I got this post started nice and early.
No complaints, though. I only have to do this for a couple of days and my next set of early hours is months away. There are people who have to do these kind of hours all of the time and get home late. Respect to them. My Dad was a Dustman for more than 25 years and he used to go to get to the depot for 6am every day using public transport. I do not remember ever seeing him in the mornings, except at weekends. I have no idea how he managed without the sleep. He used to go out every night. To the pub. To the cinema with me. A force of nature. That was my Dad. Massive energy. Amazing man.
Labels: Humour, Knackered, New Year, The Corporation
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
I think that I have mostly been able to avoid the comedown. You know the comedown.
It is New Year's Day. It is a time for a new start and a new beginning. Everything is crisp and bright and shiny. What do you do on the first day?
Knock off that potentially million selling song before breakfast? Overhaul your CV? Write down that idea for a story/novel/movie/play and have a good think about it? Go for a jog? Eat a banana? Eat some muesli? Throw out all of those clothes that have been cluttering up your closet for the last 5 years?
Do you try to do something... and then find that you still feel like a failure? New year, same as the old year?
The comedown.
Only, I have fought it. I decided not to try to change the world today.
So, today I rose late, because I watched the Jools Holland annual Hootenanny until the early hours, after deciding that life was too short to suffer through any more of the tedium that was Take That at the O2 Arena. Even the Sugababes, who I love and were supporting, were dreadful and completely out of tune. I was surprised by that. They were magnificent when I saw them at the NEC early last year.
Lorraine and I watched the Christmas edition of "Extras" on Teleport. It was barely a comedy at all. An excellent piece of work, and a particularly pointed comment on fame and the pitfalls of fame, especially the 21st century fame of reality shows and tabloid notoriety. Of course it is ironic that "Extras" is co-written and directed by a successful man who at the moment never has a problem getting a table at the Ivy or getting his agent to return his calls. Maybe that moment is in his future and he knows it.
We then watched "The Rocketeer" (pulp brilliance and a clear reminder of what a knockout Jennifer Connelly was at 21, not that she is too bad at 38) and "Das Leben der Anderen Das" (a masterpiece - it made my top 10 films of last year).
I have washed up. I have done some ironing. Just need to ask Lorraine what she wants to do for the rest of the evening.
It has been an OK day and that is good. Starting tomorrow I will change the world.
It is New Year's Day. It is a time for a new start and a new beginning. Everything is crisp and bright and shiny. What do you do on the first day?
Knock off that potentially million selling song before breakfast? Overhaul your CV? Write down that idea for a story/novel/movie/play and have a good think about it? Go for a jog? Eat a banana? Eat some muesli? Throw out all of those clothes that have been cluttering up your closet for the last 5 years?
Do you try to do something... and then find that you still feel like a failure? New year, same as the old year?
The comedown.
Only, I have fought it. I decided not to try to change the world today.
So, today I rose late, because I watched the Jools Holland annual Hootenanny until the early hours, after deciding that life was too short to suffer through any more of the tedium that was Take That at the O2 Arena. Even the Sugababes, who I love and were supporting, were dreadful and completely out of tune. I was surprised by that. They were magnificent when I saw them at the NEC early last year.
Lorraine and I watched the Christmas edition of "Extras" on Teleport. It was barely a comedy at all. An excellent piece of work, and a particularly pointed comment on fame and the pitfalls of fame, especially the 21st century fame of reality shows and tabloid notoriety. Of course it is ironic that "Extras" is co-written and directed by a successful man who at the moment never has a problem getting a table at the Ivy or getting his agent to return his calls. Maybe that moment is in his future and he knows it.
We then watched "The Rocketeer" (pulp brilliance and a clear reminder of what a knockout Jennifer Connelly was at 21, not that she is too bad at 38) and "Das Leben der Anderen Das" (a masterpiece - it made my top 10 films of last year).
I have washed up. I have done some ironing. Just need to ask Lorraine what she wants to do for the rest of the evening.
It has been an OK day and that is good. Starting tomorrow I will change the world.
Labels: New Year
