Film: May December

Today was film again.. Curzon Bloomsbury yet again, and I finally got to May December, in which Natalie Portman plays an actor portraying Julianne Moore, who got involved with an underage boy, and has now married him. Based on a true story, except they've changed her profession from being his teacher to being the owner of the pet store where he worked. Promised to be nice and disturbing.

Well, when I checked this afternoon, there was hardly anything left - so I needed to book, soon as! To be fair, this was the only showing there today, and it's not showing that widely - and wouldn't you know it, my bank has decided to throw a hissy fit over my online purchases! so my card wouldn't work, and I had to use an alternative. Which was NOT appreciated, with seats going fast - by the time I sorted it, I got the last seat. All's well that ends well..

Wow, I just made the bus - ran for it, and bless him, he waited for me. Walked the last bit in persistent drizzle - fielded a large queue at the cinema: have to say, I do like their policy of not checking whether I have membership, just believing me. Much easier. (I had my ticket - needed a drink, and some chocolate..) I was in the front row, which made it easier to get to my seat. Handily, although the showing was booked out, the seat beside me was never occupied - guess the person couldn't make it. Which made for a handy table for my stuff. Lovely and warm too, in the cinema..

So - this all starts out sweetness and light. Until it doesn't.. honestly, even before you know for sure something's wrong, everyone is walking on eggshells. Nobody in this is quite as they seem - there are some telling scenes with Julianne Moore interacting with her children, and, well, what do we think about the woman whose job is to impersonate her? And how far does that need to go? Plus, there are obvious questions to be asked about the man who was the boy who was seduced.. how has that affected his life?

What we have here is a deceptively simple power play - I love its subtlety, and am not surprised that, last I looked, its rating had risen. One of those films that, on reflection, you get much more from. Very, very interesting..

Afterwards, after a moment's deliberation, to GBK - for variety. For sure, I love their wine - and the food was fine. My tummy wasn't used to it though - I had the runs later.. Life is hard, eh?

The rest of the week is theatre - none of which was listed on the Meetup page when I did a search for each day! I had to look on the individual group pages to find these, knowing that these are busy groups. So, the next two days, I'm finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), and tomorrow it's for Backstairs Billy, a comedy set in 1979, based on a real character, a page to the late Queen Mother, played by Penelope Wilton. Playing in the Duke of York's Theatre. (Wonder whether they'll have real corgis..?)

On Wednesday, we're headed to a new production of Pinter's The Homecoming, at the Young Vic.

On Thursday, I'm with Over 40 Living the Life, for the first time in months. We're headed to a magic show - Influence: The Magician's Story, at the Collective Theatre, a new venue in London! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Next Monday, back with London Social Detours - let's see whether this one will be as much fun as my last outing with them! We're headed to a Christie's Late on Old Masters, pub after..

On the 5th, back for the first time in months with London Social & Cultural Meetups! This is for a talk entitled City of Angels - about the angels visible in the architecture of the City. My last chance for a daytime event before I restart work..

On the 6th (at the end of my first day at the office), there's a joint Christmas party, in the BFI bar, for the London Movie Club, the Hideout Horror SciFi Club, and London Hot 100 - all of which are run by the same people. I'm in all of them, so just RSVPed to the first to advertise it!

On the 7th, I'm squeezing in a pre-Christmas meeting with Ivan, at the Lamb & Flag - he can't do weekends before Christmas, they're all taken up either with trips to Scotland to see the family, or rehearsals with his band. He won't get there before the kitchen closes, knowing him, so I've told him to let me know what he wants, and I can order it. Long as it's ok cold..

On the 8th, I'm with CT - going to see The Dirty Thirty, Best of 2023, at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. Honestly, I didn't even know what it was when I booked it - turns out to be a potted version of the best 30 plays of the year! Crikey..

On the 9th, meeting James at The Anchor - probably with Martin joining us later..

On the 10th, back with The London Horror Film Group - for the Satanic Christmas Market! Yay, always wanted to go to this - and we're off to the Fox on the Green afterwards.

The next two days, I'm back with UITCS again - on the 11th, it's for Infinite Life, at the Dorfman Theatre.

On the 12th, it's for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Kiln.

On the 13th, I have the Christmas party with my new company - now, there's timing! It's at Haché, and I've already put in my food order!

On the 14th, got another CT ticket - this time, for the Backyard Comedy Club. Always good, Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 18th, making my annual pilgrimage to Winter Wonderland - as usual, seeing the Ice Palace (Norse mythology this year, it seems!) and Cirque Berserk. My goodness though, my bank isn't a fan - this booking seems to be what's caused problems with online payments with my card..

On the 19th, heading to a free carol concert at St. Stephen Walbrook. Free, and as advertised by Cultureseekers - who apparently have 74 signed up, as of my last peek. So they shouldn't miss me..

On the 20th, at yet another carol concert - this with Buddies on a Budget. And my last Meetup of the year! This is at the Actor's Church - St. Paul's, Covent Garden. Tickets from ShowFilmFirst.

On the 21st, back with CT to Backyard Comedy - then back to Ireland for Christmas on the 22nd. Happy Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year!

I fly back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd, well, there isn't a lot advertised on Meetup - at the moment, I'm thinking of heading to the Winter Light Festival at the Southbank Centre that day.

And on the 4th of January, I'm off to see The Time Traveller's Wife, at the Apollo. Handily enough, Seatplan was one of the sites with the cheapest tickets to this - and I was eligible for a Seatplan voucher. So I used it, and got my ticket for £5. Let's just hope, from that high up, I can see something..!