Film: Her Story

Tonight, headed to another film - and specifically, Her Story, which I was supposed to go to last Monday, until my flight was cancelled and my return delayed - it's a comedy that looked decent. Showing in the Odeon Luxe Haymarket - and mercifully, more than half an hour later, making it much easier for me to get there! When I checked today, it was mostly sold out, so I booked - the Odeon is cheaper online anyway.

Left a little earlier than I needed to - and brother, is it cold out there! Thank goodness I didn't have to get up early to go to the office today! Anyway, I arrived early, got a wine and a packet of Minstrels at the cinema - I wouldn't have the wine again, I think, it was rather sour - and the cleaners let us know when the screen was ready. And ooh, all the seats are recliners.. more expensive, yes, but boy are they comfy! and each with a little tray table attached to the arm, incorporating a drink holder. How relaxing, after a hectic week.. the leather on that arm was cracked, but otherwise, it was a lovely experience.

Honestly, this was considerably better than I expected - firmly deserves its rating. The plot involves three women, actually - a recent divorcee, moving into a new (and rather shabbier than her old place) apartment: her nine-year-old daughter: and their next door neighbour, a singer in a band, much younger than the divorcee. However, the three of them form a bond - and each has much to learn from both of the others: about life, love, self-worth..

And if that sounds very po-faced, it isn't. It's intermittently hilarious - particularly when the sundry, hapless, men in their lives show up. Very much a feminist film, this, with plenty to say about the patriarchy: very much about female empowerment. Not actually what I would honestly have expected from something coming out of China - particularly the scene where a classmate of the little girl, always jealous at her for getting higher grades, denounces her for arriving late on one day this week, and eating snacks in class. I was pleasantly surprised to see the (female) teacher turn around and ask the class to consider the implications of "denouncement"..

Excellent film, highly recommended.

Now, before Christmas, a companion and I went to a jazz night at Americana - where she, unfortunately, lost a glove. She rang up afterwards, and they confirmed that they had it. She asked me to call around for it - I said I would, if I were in the area. Well, I was tonight - just around the corner, in fact - so off I went. Nobody there knew anything about it, they kept me waiting for 10 minutes while they looked, and came back to tell me there was no sign of it. I guess, if you don't pick it up next day, you're screwed, eh?!

For dinner, I didn't fancy there - now, on my way to the cinema, I'd walked from Charing Cross Road, which I hadn't realised is so close: only five minutes or so! So, it suddenly occurred to me - why not head back to Leicester Square for food?! Which, for me, means Bella Italia.. so that's what I did. It was pretty full when I arrived, about 8pm, but really emptied out by the time I left - and they do always seem to keep tables for walk-ins. So I was, as usual, very well fed. With no rush afterwards, I considered a dessert, for once - but was simply too stuffed. Damnit though, I forgot to use my code for a free starter.. ah well, I'm sure I'll have another opportunity!

Tomorrow is a busy one - in the middle of the day, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) has a social, which I've signed up for, in The Royal George, Charing Cross Road.

And in the evening, I'm back with Movie Roadhouse London for Maria, in which Angelina Jolie plays the famous opera singer, Maria Callas. In the Curzon Mayfair - which is great, because as a Curzon member, I can get a free ticket! and this would be expensive enough, otherwise..

Sunday is this month's get-together of my ex-colleagues - arranged for a Sunday so as to accommodate Ivan's Saturday music rehearsals. So, this time we're going more central, to oblige those who have further to travel, and are at Victoria Taps, a congenial place that James and I discovered before. We managed an all-day booking - and the code JAN40 gives a 40% discount, but it turns out they're only applying it to our first round. So, as the lady said, we'd better order food first off, to get the most value..

Monday, I'm at The Little Foxes, starring Anne-Marie Duff, at the Young Vic - booked the local Bar + Block beforehand. Nom-nom-nom..

The next two days are looking like film again - on Tuesday, I'm thinking of The Girl with the Needle at the ICA. A Danish film, it's apparently based on the story of Danish serial killer Dagmar Overbye.. and described as a psychological horror. The trailer certainly looks intriguing..

And on Wednesday, I'm thinking of A Real Pain, a comedy where Jesse Eisenberg finds himself travelling around Poland with his really annoying cousin as a travelling companion. Showing in my closest cinema, Curzon Aldgate! Two showings I can make - we shall see which suits.

On Thursday, delighted to have managed a cheap ticket for Dara O' Briain! See, he's touring later in the year, but is doing this warm-up show in the Pleasance Theatre.. now sold out. I jumped at the chance as soon as I heard of it.. Eating at The Depot beforehand. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 20th, back with UITCS for Tarantula, at the Arcola.

And on the 21st, I'm back with CT for Stage Time, the improvised comedy show at Shoreditch Balls. Eating at The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch beforehand.. ooh, looking forward to that!