Film: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

Tonight, back with The Hideout for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, again at the Prince Charles. More 80s slasher fun.. this one stars Dennis Hopper. Coincided nicely with the original film - it was supposed to show in the smaller screen, but had to move into the larger one because of demand, and was showing there right after the original - which some of the group were also going to! Handy for the double-bill. Anyway, the timing (to see the sequel) worked for me to eat - and I booked Bella Italia, yum.. 

My bus driver drove like a scalded cat - I was hanging on for dear life for most of the trip. Also braked sharply, and generally shuddered to a stop. I fairly staggered off. Arrived just in time for my booking and sat inside - it's no longer warm enough to make it really pleasant to eat outside, I think. Had time for dessert, for once - and the waiter who knows me was back, after a long absence! So it was a lovely meal.

I then trekked in the direction of Victory House, saw the organiser inside, and joined him. There was less trouble with the wine, and today, when she said she'd only charged me for a medium glass, it was only £13.. they don't know whether they're coming or going. So, I had a nice chat with the organiser - but then he left, explaining that he was heading to the cinema bar, obviously wanting to liaise with the people who'd gone to the first film. I went over when I'd finished my drink, by which stage they'd gone in, but he rang me to let me know where they were seated, so I joined them there - after the screen change, it was open seating.

Of the group that came tonight, I might have been the only one who hadn't seen it already. And let me say first that the trailer gives no hint about what's to come. Afterwards, someone suggested to me that I might take it as "so bad it's good".. except I've never done that with anything..

Having gotten over the shock of how bad it is - slightly - and acknowledging that it's far and away the worst film I've ever seen, I do have to acknowledge that it has its moments. Honestly, I was veering between giving it 6/10 and giving it 0.. 3/10 is, I think, a generous compromise. As I say, it had its moments - I did actually like the characters that make up the cannibal family, and Dennis Hopper's character is promising, although for someone supposed to be riding to the rescue, he seems singularly uninterested in anything but demolishing the rafters. For most of the film. And there are nice little touches - I wonder whether people notice the skeleton with a cowboy hat, riding a bomb (very Dr. Strangelove). It's just the relentless and determined silliness, combines with serious grossness, that I think puts me off. 

On the plus side, it did end eventually. And then I was waiting ages for my buses - and when they came, again, it was like being driven by a racecar driver. Ah, some days are better than others..

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for The Comedy About Spies, from the excellent Mischief Theatre. Playing at the Noel Coward Theatre. And as that isn't very far from Bella Italia.. well, I'm sure I'm not going to mind eating there twice in a row!

On Wednesday, back with TAC for A Manchester Anthem, at Riverside Studios.

On Thursday, thinking film again.. not as close to the office, but it's the closest to home, and I should manage it, if I take the Tube - The Life of Chuck sounds good, and is playing in the Curzon Aldgate. Based on a novella by Stephen King, it's billed as the new It's a Wonderful Life, stars Tom Hiddleston as the adult Chuck, and also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Hamill.

On Friday, back with The Hideout for Together - a new body horror about an unsuspecting couple on holiday in the wilderness. Putatively scheduled for the Vue West End, but their listings aren't out yet..

On Saturday, my monthly ex-colleagues' meeting again, probably at The Phoenix - and probably just James again, as Ivan is distracted by family matters, and there still is no word from Martin.

And on Sunday, back with LoMAZ.. dependably busy on weekends, on that day they're off to Dover Castle. This time, Uber didn't seem to recognise the journey - I booked on Trainline instead.