Film: My Best Fiend

Mercifully, I got a lie-in today.. today and tomorrow are film as well, making that film list good value. Today's was My Best Fiend - they seem to be doing a Werner Herzog season, and this is about his friendship with the - frankly, crazy-looking - Klaus Kinski. Showing at the BFI. Plenty of eateries around - I just had to settle on one!

Now, I was up so late blogging that I slept very late. So, by that stage, it wasn't so much a question of who had space, as whether I could get there in time.. I galloped in, making good time, and might have had time for a proper meal - except that it would have been pushing it. So I went for KFC Waterloo after all, to save hassle. You now order at electronic kiosks - they only have the option of "takeout", but there are plenty of tables around - only thing is, they don't have much seating; most of the tables are for standing at. Anyway, I had my usual Boneless Box, with beans and - this time - chili sauce. The chicken fillets, I have to say, were lovely, and I always love the beans - the popcorn chicken (nuggets) that come with it as standard are never much to write home about, and the rest was a bit meh. I ate the fillets and the beans, most of the popcorn chicken, and about half the fries, had the drink - dumped the rest. But hey, I got fed.

And I got to the cinema early enough to have a hot chocolate! They do it well, here - they didn't have spare seating, but I mooched around the lobby for a bit while drinking it, looking at their library. I see they now have a gift shop behind the box office - not sure whether that was here before, I feel sure I would have noticed it. Anyway, when it was announced that the house was open, I headed in - he had to remind me to pick up a copy of the program notes that they always provide - very handy for extra insight.

The screen was pretty crowded - as usual, here, which is why I booked. And I had a large head in front of me - terrible for reading subtitles, so I was happy that it was mostly dubbed, just the film clips subtitled. This, you see, is Herzog's take on his relationship with Klaus Kinski - and I have to say, it's hilarious! I said the man looks mad - by the sound of this, he was completely bonkers! He stayed with the Herzog family for a few months when Werner was younger - apparently, Kinski once locked himself in a bathroom for two days, and by the time he emerged, he'd literally reduced everything in it to smithereens..

What helps with the humour of this is how the entire thing is dubbed in such a matter-of-fact, deadpan way.. the descriptions of Kinski's frequent blow-ups on set are incredible. And one of my favourite bits is when Herzog has just been telling us about one of Kinski's rages, and how the natives they were working with came up to him afterwards and offered to kill Kinski for him if he wanted. Cut to a scene from what they were filming - Kinski sat at a table, all the natives standing behind him in a ring. One approaches him - at which point Herzog cuts in, pointing out, "Ah yes, that's the chief that offered to kill him for me.."

Utterly surreal, utterly hilarious. Leafing through Kinski's autobiography, Herzog finds an unflattering description of himself - he explains how Kinski suggested that, saying that nobody wants to read nice stuff, they want all the dirt. So they collaborated on that bit, apparently, looking up dictionaries for the rudest words they could find.. Marvellous stuff. The season runs till the end of next month (I think) - this film is on again next Saturday. Highly recommended.

For tomorrow, I was delighted to see that Poor Things is previewing - the trailer looks excellent. Looks deliciously odd (again): Willem Dafoe plays the mad scientist - think Frankenstein - who brings Emma Stone, unrecognisable with long, black hair, back to life. She then has to, eh, learn how to fit into society. Also stars Mark Ruffalo. I'm seeing it in my nearest cinema - the Curzon Aldgate. Interestingly, it'd only let me book once I was signed in - perhaps it's a members-only preview..

On Monday, I finally get to see The Motive and the Cue, now showing at the Noel Coward Theatre. A National Theatre production, it's now moved home - I never did get to see it during its initial run. It depicts Richard Burton rehearsing to play Hamlet, under the direction of John Gielgud.. I hear great things, and I'm delighted to be seeing it at last. Cheapest tickets I found with Official London Theatre - which isn't official at all..

On Tuesday, I'm off to The Enfield Haunting (woohoo!). Starring Catherine Tate and David Threlfall, it's based on real events.. showing in the Ambassadors Theatre. 

On Wednesday - Wednesdays seem to be becoming my Meetup days - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for the Matthew Bourne production of Edward Scissorhands, at Sadler's Wells. Love Matthew Bourne - but by the time I got around to booking this, it was nearly sold out! so, for once, I'm in the First Circle - a level lower than normal. Which should be just fine..

On Thursday, back with the Backyard Comedy Club - tickets from CT again. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 15th, finally getting to see the RSC production of Hamnet, the story of Shakespeare's short-lived son. Playing at the Garrick.

On the 16th, seeing Rock 'n' Roll by Tom Stoppard, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 17th - which is a Wednesday - yes, back with Meetup! This time, it's the New Year Social co-hosted by the London Movie Club (LMC), the Hideout, and London Hot 100! all of which are run by the same people. I've just booked with the LMC myself, which was the first to advertise it. Back at the BFI.

On the 18th, Helen is in town - and has just suggested we have dinner, and head to the Canary Wharf Winter Lights! Excellent idea - I was thinking of seeing them, but didn't have a specific date in mind. Must try not to be in the office that day - I hate the idea of lugging a laptop around! Have suggested Amerigo Vespucci to her for food..

On the 19th, back with CT - for a show called The Gods, The Gods, The Gods, at Underbelly Boulevard. New venue, it seems!

The 20th is when I'm trying to catch up with all those ex-colleagues.. still waiting on word of whether Ivan can move his rehearsal from that day..

On the 21st, I'm back with London Walking Tours, Art & Culture Explorers for Jane Austen's London Walk..

On the 22nd, back with North London Friends for the first time in ages! They had one remaining ticket for Cold War, at the Almeida - otherwise completely sold out! So I bit the bullet and bought theirs - albeit above my normal price range, including a Paypal fee, and with a Meetup fee on top.. it was that or not see it at all! It'll be good to see them again, too..

On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Blood on Your Hands, at Southwark Playhouse - for which I used the second of my theatre vouchers, bought under their Pay as you Go scheme, where you get them at a discount.

And on the 24th, another CT ticket - this is for The Gorgeous Diva & Katie Norris Double Bill, at the Pen Theatre. Somewhere else I've never been, hmm..