the washingline

"Put the bunny back in the box..."

2006-04-21T19:32:00.000+01:00

I am so far behind in updating this.

Don't think for a second I have been doing anything exciting like travelling the world, or rediscovering myself at a retreat in Thailand. I have been watching films. Many of them. And I don't know where to begin...

Mullholland Drive

2006-02-13T23:21:00.000Z

...anyone got any idea what that was about?

Answers on a postcard please.

Un Coeur En Hiver (A Heart In Winter)

2006-02-11T18:42:00.000Z

I am not sure if the cold heart in this film was a reflection of myself.

For that reason, I am not entirely sure I can say I liked or enjoyed it.

2006-01-31T21:23:00.000Z

The Gay theme of films continued with Wilde and a trip to the local big screen to see the much talked about Brokeback Mountain. Putting “Bareback Mounting” and other potential porn remakes aside, I enjoyed this film - but I didn't think it the much talk about "epic". Maybe my view had been persuaded by the run of films I have watched of late with a homosexual underlying theme, or maybe it was the fact that I didn't really want to watch two fine men getting it on with anyone other than me - let alone each other. But, I thought the story had been told just as well (and in some cases better) in many world cinema films of the same vein; who have received little of the attention received from the big buck Hollywood blockbuster. Don't get me wrong, it was beautiful in its subtly, it simplicity and its retelling of a moving short story - and even made my male friend cry - but I guess I'd hyped it up to expect so much more.

My film subscription finally running out of gay flicks, next was a top ten twister Arlington Road to get my plot guessing mind racing. A well paced thriller, with creepy performances from lsb-respected Tim Robbins (who in my view leans towards the sinister in all his roles) and the comical Joan Cussack. I guessed the twist, but then I knew it was coming, and it did managed to throw me off a little with some confusing loose ends.

A lazy and dreamy evening in was complimented by the poignant Être et avoir . I admit I watched the interview with the director to try to understand where this documentary was taking me but at the same time it didn't matter. I instantly bonded with the subjects, admired the workings off a faulted teacher, laughed and sighed at the tribulations of the children. However, that said, the language of French is always pure beauty to my ears and even if this documentary was comprised entirely of someone reading out the menu of a little French bistro I still probably would have found it sublime. Pure escapism for 2 hours - but the observing documentary plot less style may not be for everyone’s tastes.

Wilde *****_____
Brokeback Mountain *******___
Arlington Road *******___
Être et avoir ********__

(* Thank you to Kazz for helping me with some words in this)
(** He asked me to say that)

wine, transexuals and flying feet

2006-01-18T20:58:00.000Z

With the novelty of my C64 wearing off a little, the films have started back up in droves. Minus the repeated films on tv I have been viewing here is a selction of my past week in film:

Sideways
This film can be summed up simply through a quoteby my flatmate: "its a bit like a wine tasters Lord of the Rings".

Lsb Stars; ****______
Middle-Aged-Divorcee-Professors-wanting-to-be-writers-winetasters - of which I am none: *******___ (It has a clear genre).

Six Feet Under. Season 3 disc 1: It begins

Bad Education (aka La Mala Educacion)
Seriously. Will the only filmstars I find myself somewhat attracted to stop dressing up as transexuals and fucking men on screen. Please. Is it too much to ask?

Lsb Stars: ******____

GGB appearance stars: *_________

Hero - Ying xiong
Not as visually pleasing as House of Flying Daggers. Do not watch it with English dubbing. Again I turn to the ramblings of my flatmate of whose film companionship I have had all this week: "Ah, you know, I'm not sure I can take anymore of people running up walls again right now"

Lsb stars: *****_____

My Life Without me

2006-01-08T17:43:00.000Z

I got up this morning after a very heavy weekend of Dim Sum & Cocktails and so wallowing in half-slumber I got myself a coffee and a danish and I put on this film.

It wasn't as despressing as I thought. I mean it was sad. It was sad as hell. But at the same time it made you go all appreciative. Like, "Man, this danish tastes so good. Man its a good danish. Its so sweet and nutty. Its good danish. I've never eaten a danish like this before.." I mean I felt that way for like, I don't know, it must have been 2 minutes or something. Then I switched off the DVD when the credits stoppped rolling and Celebrity Big Brother's Little Brother was on the TV, and I forgot all about appreciating stuff. But one things for sure about my life without me: if I wasn't here, I'd have missed out on the best Danish ever made.

He loves me, he loves me not...

2005-12-27T22:38:00.000Z

So I was all ready to come on here and slate a film for its plot twists. Then I read a review on another film. And now I don't want to. I embrace the twists and have found a rekindled passion for turns.

Two such twisty films viewed in the run up to the feastive season:
À la folie... pas du tout and Dot the I

Both refreshing takes on a romance genre. The former made all the more exciting by the fact that I remembered ten seconds into the opening credits that I had seen it, and I knew what was coming.

Is it listed amongst the top ten twists of all time you ask? No. But amongst this list is the likes of Fight Club, Shawshank Redemption, Usual Suspects, Unbreakable .. all of which you'll find feature heavily in the top 100 films of all time.

Twists - where we we be without them. And that right there, is they're very point.

Virgin Mary

2005-12-18T23:02:00.000Z

The 40 Year Old Virgin. Surprisingly funny. But I may have been in good humor, full up from my pre-xmas xmas-training roast.

******____

I can fly.. oh so high.. in the sky...

2005-12-13T21:29:00.000Z

Somewhere over the rainbow does not lie The Aviator but it was better than I thought it was going to be and I got more used to Dicaprio as the film went on. However, the thing that stood out the most for me was that the dude was odd...

*****_____

Somersault

I also did some hand stands, star jumps and went up on my shoulders with my feet in the air for a bit. Did not catch my attention was the result of this film. However I did find the stereotypical Aussie male oddly attractive which entertained me for about 3 minutes 24 seconds until I started to contemplate if I could live with his mullet...

TV movie Crimes

2005-12-03T23:36:00.000Z

Often the free view television channels disappoint me in the films on offer...

.. but sometimes they make me want to jump up and kiss the screen.

Who needs a reason to stay in on a Saturday other than to study The Crime of Father Amaro . Who needs a reason to study El Crimen deal padre Amaro other than Gael García Bernal. If that is a Sin...

I hate it when people say read the book...

2005-11-29T23:06:00.000Z

.. but in this instance I think it is good to read the book.

Although Angela's Ashes is a good film I felt it was just as good in my head when I read it with less stuff missed out.

Trouble is I am starting to think this may be the case with lots of books as I don't tend to read things, just watch the films. I have therefore decided from this point on that I will never ever read a book that has been (or has potential to be) made into a film. I'm sure this is a very educated decision.

Earlier this evening..

2005-11-20T00:54:00.000Z

..due to the resulting tantrum of my friend from being subjected to sitting through the CMAs I agreed to go and watch The Libertine.

Knowing very little about this film - other than vaguely noting it was on Jonathan Ross this morning and deciding it must be okay - my evening took an interesting change of direction.

Of note, JohnnyD with pox: not attractive. But then could that statement go any other way when pox is involved.

LSB Stars: ******____

Dark and Scary Pottery

2005-11-18T23:08:00.000Z

Harry Potter goes dark.

Ok, so I hate it when people go on and on about a film I haven't seen yet so I'm not going to.

Suffice to say it is amazing and granted, its the best yet.

The only downside was I had to sit next to two mates who had unfortunately just finished re-reading the book in anticipation of the release - aided by the fact that they read like Johnny 5 - and so felt obliged to indulge in me with the usual complaints of cutting out sections of a HUGE BOOK THAT WOULD MAKE THE FILM ABOUT 700 HOURS LONG!

There was talk of doing two films. Although that would have been superb I am also glad they didn't as I feel they are appropriately delivered in terms of book a school year/films a school year. I was satifisfied with what they left out and what they put in and I won't say much more in case of spoilers.

Mike Newell's direction is superb and has finally, for me at least, presented Harry Potter in the way that I imagined it myself in my mind. Please note it is necessary to read those last few words in a particular way... in.. my ... miiiiind. I think some person used to say it as a catchphrase or something. Explaining this is where my writing skills fail me.. i think .. somewhat.. I diverge...

So anyway , yes, amazing. Will be seeing it again next Wednesday so I can ponder on it somemore.

Note to self: Don't take any related little people to see it as it is scary and you know how he coped with the spiders. Any unrelated little people are fine. They will also be disturbed but hey, you can't protect everybody... and if you are having to take some unrelated little brat in the first place then they deserve it.

Note to the three girls behind me: You are annoying. Go see a Disney film next time.

LSB Stars: **********

I have something important to remember

2005-11-14T22:11:00.000Z

I have a rendevous at 7:20pm on friday with a few highschool kids at a Tounament with a big tub of popcorn.

DO .. NOT ... FORGET!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

* so near (4 sleeps) to the tournament I can taste the fire on my lips...

'tis the book I want

2005-11-13T20:14:00.000Z

Will you not read Angela's Ashes. It was a very good read considering I had grabbed The First Book off a Shelf at My Parent's House That I Could Find (aka: Angela's Ashes) to occupy my train journey back home and my then imminent journeys around the country.

I am annoying everyone now by wanting to be Irish and inserting "Will you not" at the start of all my sentences. This is not unlike the time I ran out of films and watched all the Father Ted's and started saying "Ah you will".

The thing I found most odd about the book was that in the voices in my head I have when I read (as I am simple) the Grandma had the voice of Yoda?

I am now trying to invent ways to get hold of a copy of 'Tis without buying or stealing one.

Perhaps YOU could get me it. Ah you will.

LSB Book Stars: ********__

are you ready to get your groove on?

2005-11-12T12:55:00.000Z

I am still currently getting through the six feet under second series. My DVD line rental service is being nice to me for once and actually sending the discs out in the right order. But it means I am not getting films to watch.

I would like to write a review on the Machnist but I found it a tense film. It was good but I don't really wish to consider it further. Being an insomniac myself I found it disturbing on a whole second level.

On to more pressing matters. This is a very important website for me to learn my moves once I have perfected the okgo dance routine...

... get your groove on ...

Excellent stuff to impress on the Friday night dancefloor.

Ashes to ashes

2005-11-06T20:43:00.000Z

I have noticed recently a huge slump in my film watching. This has been mainly due to a lack of film access and an absorbment into the book Angela's Ashes. I fear not however as Angela's Ashes the film is queued up to be with me any day now.

Also, I am currently waiting for The Machinist to load up on my xbox for some much needed film time.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

* 12 more sleeps until the Tournament

The list.

2005-11-03T20:19:00.000Z

I came back home today - soaking wet from the storm.

I watched Schindler's list.

LSB Stars: *******___

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

* 15 more sleeps until the Tournament

two penny crisis

2005-11-01T17:07:00.000Z

I haven't watched many films over the past week as I am on holiday in a little seaside town. Due to this town being in wintertime shutdown I have spent most my time in this fine establishment (pictured) playing Time Crisis III and losing pounds in two penny machines. I had the pleasure of the fine company of my old univeristy friends however, and we did talk about films a little - namely Napolean Dynamite and The Anchorman.

I am off to the big smoke soon and I doubt I shall watch many films there either. I will however have the company of another fine old university friend. Oh, and my brother - the pleasure of company mostly being his. This means I will spend most of my time in soho with the former and taking property with the later.

Your whole life is leading up to this...

2005-10-27T22:32:00.000+01:00

I have another week off work and I have the whole second series of Six Feet Under.

life? what life?

Tell me what you have been doing.. busy..little..bee

2005-10-27T20:14:00.000+01:00

I also wasted away some time with the old folks watching Gladiator. This film is not really a film to watch on the small screen. However the one thing that makes it worthwhile is Joaquin's bad guy.

Not only is the quote in this title more amusing then I think it is intended.. but hearing a baddie say the word Nibble* always makes me laugh.

The name is Bond. Maximus Decimus Meridias Bond.

LSB Stars: *****____ (at home) *******___ (in cinena)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

* Falco: I have been told of a certain sea snake which has a very unusual method of attracting its prey. It will lie at the bottom of the ocean as if wounded. Then its enemies will approach, and yet it will lie quite still. And then its enemies will take little bites of it, and yet it remains still.
Commodus: So, we will lie still, and let our enemies come to us and nibble.

Stay Quiet American

2005-10-26T21:00:00.000+01:00

So whilst on a little break to the old folks I only got around to watching the one film. The Quiet American.

The good thing about this film is my father watched it. Which, trust me, is an achievement.

My father does not have the same attitude to films as me. In fact he has the complete opposite. Whereas I am stuck watching any film all the way to the end, my Father can happily swan out of the room never to return. He can sleep like a baby, never caring to know who did it or whether they ever found each other again. I, on the otherhand, only have to walk into a room, catch one line of the film and there I am, standing with a mug in my hand in the middle of the door until I finally give in to the fate of things and settle myself on a chair for the long haul.

Anyway, the long and short of all this is that my Father watched the whole thing and even asked me to pause for the tea break. I was correct in my assumption that you can't go far wrong with a Father and a Graeme Greene.

I on the other hand didn't get it. I think its a Dad thing.

LSB Stars: *****_____ DADDY Stars: ********__

A Million Ways

2005-10-19T21:53:00.000+01:00

I am currently watching The Negotiator - which I know I have seen before - but that is neither here nor there, as tonight has no room for film notes and reviews. Tonight is all about the music video for "A Million Ways" by OkGo which has had me laughing all night.

Not only am I impressed they learnt the whole routine (and that the routine it is infact very very good) but I am in awe of the only too brief "Matrix" dance step. (I have named it that myself). Hilarious.

Oh, we now have the break in the film for the news. I hate that. Its worse than advert break. Or when the really tall clumsy guy gets up in the row in front of you, and shimmies past 16 people, as he has just downed a bucket of coke, which he didn't need but was only 10p more than the already amply size cup, who doesn't cause half as much distraction and his embarrassed girlfriend who is hitting him and mumbling loudly to hurry up and questioning why he didn't go before they came in.

You can't photograph white

2005-10-18T22:20:00.000+01:00

Yesterday watched Three Colours White.

As a point of interest here the Kieslowskil triology is based on the colours that symbolise liberty, equality and fraternity. (This film is founded on the inequality that exists within, and destroys, a marriage between a French woman and her Polish husband).

There is a dark humor to the film - which I am not sure was supposed to be there or was just my disturbed mind finding pleasure in another's misfortune. I'm hoping for the former. However, I did get kind of all confused at the ending. I feel as though Kieslowskil has a great deal of faith in his audience being far more intelligent filmie types then myself and I am sure his films work on level far more complex then I can ever understand. It was good though. I would however be keen to get the films explained to me... I may make it a new interview question at work for anyone who lists "watching films" under their hobbies and interests: that would put them on the spot!!

LSB Stars: ******____

Oceans are blue

2005-10-09T14:27:00.000+01:00

Aside from watching the whole 1st series of Six Feet Under, I finally for round to watching the first in Krzysztof Kieslowski trilogy: Three Colours Blue. | (******____)

Also watched Oceans 12. No idea why. Desperate times. Good too see Brad Pitt satisfying his appetite throughout this one too. (*****_____)

Tom Vek

2005-10-08T12:41:00.000+01:00

Thursday 6th October 2005
Tom Vek - The Fleece, Bristol

Was a little apprehensive, yet intrigued to see how Tom Vek's album We Have Sound would translate into a live band: but he pulled it off. Some excellent performances of the album tracks - in some cases even creating an improvement - plus some new b-sides.

Only one flaw, which sounded not that unlike a 2-unlimited cover! But I couldn't help thinking Mr Vek was fooling around on this one. Infact Tom Vek's stage presence oozes an "I'm having a lot of fun even if your not" attitude that you can't help but smile to.

Me and Withnail

2005-10-04T23:54:00.000+01:00

I: What about whatshisname?
Withnail: What about him?
I: Why don't you give him a call?
Withnail: What for?
I: Ask him about his house.
Withnail: You want me to call whatshisname and ask him about his house?
I: Why not?
Withnail: Alright. What's his number?
I: I've no idea. I've never met him.
Withnail: Well neither have I. What the fuck are you talking about?

Withnail & I

Love.. love will tear us apart...

2005-10-01T18:01:00.000+01:00

Amazing, beautiful, powerful, graceful, tearful, colourful.... welcome to The House of Flying Daggers.

Currently...

2005-09-24T18:25:00.000+01:00

Currently listening to:

Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll

Arcade Fire - Funeral

Tom Vek - We Have Sound

not so congenial...

2005-09-23T12:36:00.000+01:00

I also watched Miss Congeniality 2. I forgot that one. Can't think why...

Tonsillitis Telly Time

2005-09-22T21:19:00.000+01:00

This week I have been mostly home sick from work with tonsillitis, a chest infection and some kind of sinus issue.

Being stuck in my apartment (and a film person) it resulted in three days of this:

The Beach (now it has been so long since I read the book I gave it a go)
Before Night Falls
Garden State (second viewing)
War of the Worlds
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Maria Full of Grace

.. and lots of Columbo.

Currently...

2005-09-16T20:29:00.000+01:00

Currently reading:

the guardian magazine

the expanase of comments of Zach Braff's Garden State blog

muffin recipes

Donnie Brasco

2005-09-11T21:19:00.000+01:00

Finally, after very long time, I got to watch the other half ... having watched only the first half due to a tragic disaster of having half a film missing. Its a long story; Forget about it.

funny ghosts

2005-09-11T21:17:00.000+01:00

I watched Ghost World today.

As with Sin City it was interesting to see the translation of comic to screen. However, it also hightlights the fact that as much as I like comics, they never have much non-graphical content. The acting however was good and the characters exactly as expected. Only Peanuts does it better :)

Close my eyes - 1991

2005-09-10T16:00:00.000+01:00

... they're closed

Turn to page 294

2005-09-06T15:32:00.000+01:00

I seem so far to have not watched many films.

Be assured I am making full use of my membership.

I am just not reviewing all films, as some I know I will have watched and therefore don't need a record for. Such as the Harry Potter series. Which I have taken the liberty of ordering again (as well as all the extra discs).

And if you haven't been to see the 4th film trailer.. you must. Its a trailer fit for an epic - it seems to belong to Gladiator or Troy. But not in a bad way.

And if you've read The book I urge you to become a fellow SSSS member. I feel not all is as it seems.

* Severus Snape Suppporters Socitey

"half" a film - The Station Agent

2005-09-01T22:33:00.000+01:00

This films teases but fails to deliver.

A beautifully shot and emotion laden atmosphere fails to contain within it a substational enough plot to leave the viewer satisfied. The characters are developed through subtle details and the tension between the two main male characters is at times hilarious and endearing; however often this comes from unspoken gestures, which raises doubts concerning the strength of the written screenplay.

This film attempts to question the bigger picture - but results in merely sticking in its little toe. Beautiful, and at times funny and warming, but be prepared to be left with your own questions; namely “and?”

i love films - explanation for the site

2005-08-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

Well, here I am once again with an online journal.

But this time the purpose is soley for me at it's core.

THE MOTIVATION. I love films. I really enjoy watching them and talking about them to friends and acquaintances. Only trouble is that ever since I can remember I have suffered from an brain defect which results in my brain automatically erasing all memory of films I have seen about 6 months after I last saw them.

THE BACKGROUND. Some people think this is a useful thing; but I will prove with two reasons it is not:

1. before you say it, no it does not mean I can watch films over and over. Once I start to watch a film I have seen for a second time I am about 30 seconds behind the film every step of the way. I find this very frustrating. Essentially, I hate to watch the same film twice.

2. I can't talk to anyone I know about films as in general the conversation mostly goes along the lines of
"Hey Laura, you seen *insert film title*?"
"Oh yeah, sure its one of my favourites/one of my all time worst films/ i'm fairly indifferent/ I think so? "
"Isn't it amazing when *that guy does that thing with the thingy*?"
"No idea, Is it?"

THE DRIVE. Recently, for my 24 birthday, my housemate bought for me one of the best presents ever. Subscription to a monthly line rental service (*A). I am subsequently embarking on a mission to see many of the many films I have yet to see (*B). No doubt along the way I will pick p a few I forgot I have seen - but that's part of the thrill.

THE PURPOSE. So the purpose of this journal is for me to write down what I watch. I'll also make a note of what I think about it for added personal interest. Please feel free to comment or make your own points - but please remember I do not profess to be a critic and my opinions are simply the opinions of a simple little individual with no professional training.

I have listed my first twenty DVDs on the site and my post box awaits... (*C)

NOTES.
*A. This is an ingenious service that lets me rent three films at a time. These arrive on my doorstep and I return them by putting them in the post box outside my door once watched. When they get one back from me they send another one out. Post willing I reckon you can watch around 20 films a month.

*B. I am not going to reveal the name of the particular service until I have tried it out for some time as I do not wish it to yet be considered a recommendation.

*C. I might talk about some other stuff along the way.

Moi

2005-01-06T21:45:00.000Z

LSB