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Apr. 22nd, 2022 06:50 pmLast night I was watching the first episode of The RKO Story: Tales from Hollywood which I thought was really interesting. Afterwards I saw the original 1933 film of King Kong which is still a great movie.
Today I have been at work and then went out to get some groceries.
Today I have been at work and then went out to get some groceries.
(no subject)
Apr. 21st, 2022 07:18 pmIt's been a really quiet few days. I was working at home and I went out yesterday and bought a birthday card for my brother.
I was watching a new show on TV on Tuesday called Life After Life, based on a novel by Kate Atkinson and starring Thomasin McKenzie as a woman who dies and is reborn to repeat her life time and time again. It was pretty good. I also watched a new episode of Derry Girls which is a really funny show. Yesterday I saw the first in a new series of Inside No. 9 about a group of former university friends who reunite for an afternoon on a lake, but the organiser of the reunion has secret motives for inviting them all.
I was watching a new show on TV on Tuesday called Life After Life, based on a novel by Kate Atkinson and starring Thomasin McKenzie as a woman who dies and is reborn to repeat her life time and time again. It was pretty good. I also watched a new episode of Derry Girls which is a really funny show. Yesterday I saw the first in a new series of Inside No. 9 about a group of former university friends who reunite for an afternoon on a lake, but the organiser of the reunion has secret motives for inviting them all.
(no subject)
Apr. 19th, 2022 07:14 pmI was back at work yesterday and it was really quiet. I watched the 1953 movie It Came from Outer Space, based on a story by Ray Bradbury. It is about a spaceship which crashes in the Arizona desert, and the shape shifting aliens duplicate and hypnotise local residents to help them repair their ship. It's a really good film, one of the best of the 1950s science-fiction films.
(no subject)
Apr. 16th, 2022 03:24 pmOn Thursday I went to the museum and saw an exhibition of prints from Audubon's Birds of America which were really beautiful. In the evening I saw the 193 movie The Remains of the Day, based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, and starring Anthony Hopkins as a repressed English butler, in love with the housekeeper (Emma Thompson) but unable to tell her.
Yesterday I went to the movies and saw The Northman, directed by Robert Eggers, which is a really fun, blood-and-thunder action film about Vikings.
Yesterday I went to the movies and saw The Northman, directed by Robert Eggers, which is a really fun, blood-and-thunder action film about Vikings.
(no subject)
Apr. 13th, 2022 01:49 pmI'm on my week off work. On Monday I went out and bought a new shirt. I watched the 1990 film Total Recall, directed by Paul Verhoeven, and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a construction worker, who visits a company that implants fake memories, which results in him learning that he has a suppressed identity as a secret agent on Mars. It's a fun, action-packed action movie, which was at the time was one of the most expensive films ever made.
Yesterday I went out to Van Gogh Alive exhibition with my parents. It's a multimedia exhibition, with moving projections of Van Gogh's paintings on the walls and floor, with quotations from Van Gogh and a classical music score, there was also some scent.
Afterwards we went on for some coffee, and I had some nachos. Afterwards I went to Waterstones and bought a couple of books: Dancing Ledge by Derek Jarman and The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister: I Know My Own Heart. Back home I saw the first of the new series of Derry Girls which is a really good show, very funny.
Yesterday I went out to Van Gogh Alive exhibition with my parents. It's a multimedia exhibition, with moving projections of Van Gogh's paintings on the walls and floor, with quotations from Van Gogh and a classical music score, there was also some scent.
Afterwards we went on for some coffee, and I had some nachos. Afterwards I went to Waterstones and bought a couple of books: Dancing Ledge by Derek Jarman and The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister: I Know My Own Heart. Back home I saw the first of the new series of Derry Girls which is a really good show, very funny.
(no subject)
Apr. 11th, 2022 12:58 pmI went out on Saturday and joined a reading group at a local book shop. The theme of this season is books dealing with climate change, and the first book being discussed is Weather by Jenny Offill. The first meeting is at the beginning of May.
I also finished reading Antigone, Oedipus the King and Electra by Sophcles, which were really good plays.
Yesterday I went to my parent's house for lunch. We had slow-roasted salmon with potatoes, tomatoes, and olives, followed by caramel cheesecake. In the evening I saw the film Arrival, which is really good. It stars Amy Adams as a linguistics professor who has to find a way to communicate with the occupants of these huge spacecraft that arrive on Earth.
I also finished reading Antigone, Oedipus the King and Electra by Sophcles, which were really good plays.
Yesterday I went to my parent's house for lunch. We had slow-roasted salmon with potatoes, tomatoes, and olives, followed by caramel cheesecake. In the evening I saw the film Arrival, which is really good. It stars Amy Adams as a linguistics professor who has to find a way to communicate with the occupants of these huge spacecraft that arrive on Earth.
The Saragossa Manuscript
Apr. 9th, 2022 01:58 pmThe other day I finished reading The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, It's about a charismatic con-man, Tom Ripley, who is hired by a wealthy New York shipping magnate to travel to Italy, where his dissolute son, Dickie, is living the high life, and bring him back to the US. however, when he arrives in Italy, Ripley becomes intoxicated with Dickie's wealthy lifestyle, and the two become friends. However, when the friendship becomes threatened, Ripley resorts to murderous extremes to preserve his high life. it was a good book. It was made into a film in 1999 with Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, which follows the book pretty closely.
Yesterday I saw the 1965 film The Saragossa Manuscript, directed by Wojciech Has and based on the book by Jan Potocki. It opens during the Napoleonic Wars, where two soldiers find a large book in an abandoned inn. The book, written by the grandfather of one of the soldiers, turns out to contain stories within stories about foolish nobles, charming rogues, evil spirits, demons and mystics. It's stories branch off from each other, and interconnect in various surprising ways. It's three hours long and very complex, but it is a wonderful, charming film, full of entertainment.
I am off work for the next week, which should be really nice
Yesterday I saw the 1965 film The Saragossa Manuscript, directed by Wojciech Has and based on the book by Jan Potocki. It opens during the Napoleonic Wars, where two soldiers find a large book in an abandoned inn. The book, written by the grandfather of one of the soldiers, turns out to contain stories within stories about foolish nobles, charming rogues, evil spirits, demons and mystics. It's stories branch off from each other, and interconnect in various surprising ways. It's three hours long and very complex, but it is a wonderful, charming film, full of entertainment.
I am off work for the next week, which should be really nice
(no subject)
Apr. 7th, 2022 07:14 pmYesterday I had a half day from work and went out to the book shop. I bought Chasing the Light by Oliver Stone and Antigone, Oedipus the King and Electra by Sophocles.
I was back at work today, but Wi-Fi at home kept cutting out this afternoon, which was really annoying.
I was back at work today, but Wi-Fi at home kept cutting out this afternoon, which was really annoying.
(no subject)
Apr. 6th, 2022 12:45 amI heard The Retrospectors, Something Rhymes with Purple about words connected with spirits (as in drink, not ghosts), You Must Remember This beginning a series looking at erotic films of the '80s and '90s with a discussion of the '70s films Deep Throat and Last Tango in Paris, Sinister Societies, The next Picture Show discussing the film X, Buzzn the Tower about fan theories surrounding '80s films and Stuff You Should Know about watermelons.
Today has been really quiet. I was working for most of the day, and in the evening I Skyped with my parents, wrote a couple of movie reviews, and watched some TV.
Today has been really quiet. I was working for most of the day, and in the evening I Skyped with my parents, wrote a couple of movie reviews, and watched some TV.
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Apr. 5th, 2022 12:44 amWhile I was listening I worked on The Retrospectors, Generation Why, Lore, Film Storiesdiscussing the production stories of the 2017 film of The Mummy and Notting Hill, How Did This Get Made? discussing The Color of Night, Backlisted discussing the book The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon and Relic Radio: Science Fiction presenting an episode of X Minus One about people waiting for the end of the world.
I had a pepperoni pizza, and later on I watched the 1949 film She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, directed by John Ford. It stars John Wayne as a US Cavalry officer on the brink of retirement, commanding an isolated outpost. It's not a bad film, but it's not great.
I had a pepperoni pizza, and later on I watched the 1949 film She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, directed by John Ford. It stars John Wayne as a US Cavalry officer on the brink of retirement, commanding an isolated outpost. It's not a bad film, but it's not great.
(no subject)
Apr. 4th, 2022 12:42 amI went to my parents house today for lunch, We had chicken, roast potatoes, stuffing and peas, followed by apple crumble and vanilla ice cream.
Back home, this evening, I saw the 1967 Italian film Oedipus Rex, written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, and based on the Ancient Greek play by Sophocles. It is a very faithful adaptation of the play, but filtered through Pasolini's own sensibilities. It opens with a sequence set in the 1920s and ends with an epilogue set in the 1960s, and the whole film has this strange timeless quality, shot in Morocco with a handheld camera, with costumes and architecture from different times in history.
Back home, this evening, I saw the 1967 Italian film Oedipus Rex, written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, and based on the Ancient Greek play by Sophocles. It is a very faithful adaptation of the play, but filtered through Pasolini's own sensibilities. It opens with a sequence set in the 1920s and ends with an epilogue set in the 1960s, and the whole film has this strange timeless quality, shot in Morocco with a handheld camera, with costumes and architecture from different times in history.
Strangers on a Train
Apr. 3rd, 2022 03:45 amI went out today and bought the Blu-ray of The Saragossa Manuscript and the book The Aleph by Jorge Luis Borges.
I finished reading the novel Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. It's about two men, architect Guy Haines and wealthy alcoholic playboy Charles Bruno, who meet by chance on a train. They fall into a casual conversation, with Haines complaining about his estranged wife, and Bruno complaining about his hated father. Bruno hits on the idea that they exchange murders: He will kill Haines' wife and Haines will kill Bruno's father. Haines laughs it off, until a short time later Bruno murders Haines' wife and begins to stalk Haines, determined to make him fulfil his part of the deal. It's a good novel, and very suspenseful, if very bleak. It was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock..
I finished reading the novel Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. It's about two men, architect Guy Haines and wealthy alcoholic playboy Charles Bruno, who meet by chance on a train. They fall into a casual conversation, with Haines complaining about his estranged wife, and Bruno complaining about his hated father. Bruno hits on the idea that they exchange murders: He will kill Haines' wife and Haines will kill Bruno's father. Haines laughs it off, until a short time later Bruno murders Haines' wife and begins to stalk Haines, determined to make him fulfil his part of the deal. It's a good novel, and very suspenseful, if very bleak. It was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock..
Drive My Car
Apr. 2nd, 2022 02:58 amWhile I was working I listened to The Retrospectors, IndieWire: Screen Talk about the Oscars, Filmspotting discussing the best moments from Richard Linklater movies, and Welcome to Night Vale.
I went out to buy groceries for the coming week. This evening I saw the 2021 film Drive My Car, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and based on the short story by Haruki Murakami. It is a really good film. It is three hours long, and pretty dark, about a theatre director preparing a production while dealing with the death of his wife. However I found it mesmerising. I really liked it.
I went out to buy groceries for the coming week. This evening I saw the 2021 film Drive My Car, directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and based on the short story by Haruki Murakami. It is a really good film. It is three hours long, and pretty dark, about a theatre director preparing a production while dealing with the death of his wife. However I found it mesmerising. I really liked it.
Today marks Trans Day of Visibility.
While I was working I listened to The Retrospectors, Unspooled discussing the film The Green Knight, Red Handed about the DC Snipers, Stuff You Should Know about NATO, Cabinet of Curiosities and Variety: Little Gold Men interviewing Adam Scott about the TV show Severance.
This evening I saw the 2011 film of Jane Eyre, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, and starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. It's a beautiful film, very well made and mostly fairly close to the novel. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books. I watched it to mark the anniversary of the death of Charlotte Brontë who died on this day in 1851.
I am a huge fan of the Brontë sisters. I have read all of their books and several biographies. Last year I went to visit the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth.
While I was working I listened to The Retrospectors, Unspooled discussing the film The Green Knight, Red Handed about the DC Snipers, Stuff You Should Know about NATO, Cabinet of Curiosities and Variety: Little Gold Men interviewing Adam Scott about the TV show Severance.
This evening I saw the 2011 film of Jane Eyre, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, and starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. It's a beautiful film, very well made and mostly fairly close to the novel. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books. I watched it to mark the anniversary of the death of Charlotte Brontë who died on this day in 1851.
I am a huge fan of the Brontë sisters. I have read all of their books and several biographies. Last year I went to visit the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth.
Oil on Water
Mar. 31st, 2022 12:45 amToday I was listening to The Retrospectors, British Scandal about the death of Robert Maxwell, Myths and Legends telling stories from Korean folklore, Variety Awards Circuit, Office Ladies and The Big Picture.
After work I went out and bought a book called Oil on Water by Helon Habila.
After work I went out and bought a book called Oil on Water by Helon Habila.
L'Atalante
Mar. 30th, 2022 12:27 amIt was a very busy day at work. I listened to The Retrospectors, Something Rhymes with Purple, Sinister Societies, The Something Scary Podcast, Cabinet of Curiosities, Mike, Mike and Oscar recapping the Oscars and This Paranormal Life about a poltergeist.
This evening I watched a film from 1934 called L'Atalante, directed by Jean Vigo, about a woman who marries the captain of a barge and quickly finds the cramped conditions on board the barge too much to bear. It's a very good movie, moving from grimy realism to poetic lyricism. Jean Vigo made several short films, but this was his only feature film and was released shortly before his death at the age of 29.
This evening I watched a film from 1934 called L'Atalante, directed by Jean Vigo, about a woman who marries the captain of a barge and quickly finds the cramped conditions on board the barge too much to bear. It's a very good movie, moving from grimy realism to poetic lyricism. Jean Vigo made several short films, but this was his only feature film and was released shortly before his death at the age of 29.
Ghost World
Mar. 29th, 2022 12:39 amToday at work I listened to The Retrospectors, Generation Why, Lore, Dystopian Simulation Radio and Devils in the Darkness.
This evening I watched the 2001 movie Ghost World, directed by Terry Zwigoff, and based on the comic book by Daniel Clowes. It's about two cynical teenage girls (played by Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson) whose friendship is threatened after they play a prank on a lonely, middle-aged record collector (played by Steve Buscemi). It's a good movie, offbeat and darkly funny.
I also watched the highlights of last night's Oscar ceremony. It was pretty interesting, some of the ceremony I really enjoyed.
This evening I watched the 2001 movie Ghost World, directed by Terry Zwigoff, and based on the comic book by Daniel Clowes. It's about two cynical teenage girls (played by Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson) whose friendship is threatened after they play a prank on a lonely, middle-aged record collector (played by Steve Buscemi). It's a good movie, offbeat and darkly funny.
I also watched the highlights of last night's Oscar ceremony. It was pretty interesting, some of the ceremony I really enjoyed.
(no subject)
Mar. 28th, 2022 12:35 amLast night I went out to have a few drinks with my friend Alan, and it was really nice.
Today was Mother's Day. My Dad came to collect me and we went to The Fishmarket to pick up some fish and chips for ourselves and my Mum. We then went to my parents house. It was really nice, and the weather was nice enough that we were able to sit outside in the garden.
Back home, this evening I saw the latest episode of The Ipcress File, which has been a really great show. It's a spy thriller set in the 1960s and based on the novel by Len Deighton.
Today was Mother's Day. My Dad came to collect me and we went to The Fishmarket to pick up some fish and chips for ourselves and my Mum. We then went to my parents house. It was really nice, and the weather was nice enough that we were able to sit outside in the garden.
Back home, this evening I saw the latest episode of The Ipcress File, which has been a really great show. It's a spy thriller set in the 1960s and based on the novel by Len Deighton.
