Film: The Mastermind

Tonight, decided on film - finally decided on The Mastermind! A 70s art heist film starring Josh O' Connor, it's now showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury - good and late, which gave me time to do other stuff this evening. 

As I headed out, I had to confront a terrifying obstacle - a ferocious chihuahua was determined to challenge my passage! Happily, the day was saved by a small girl on a tricycle, who muffled the yapping monster with one hand. Meanwhile, Google Maps suggested that I could use any bus that happened by - which I did when the #381 came, delighted not to have to depend on the #188! So, I got it as far as Waterloo - and emerged into a deluge. They weren't wrong when they forecast rain, then.. almost immediately got another bus though. But it was as well I was early - I could have walked faster than the bus took to manoeuvre around those roadworks on Kingsway..

Still, I had plenty of time to eat before the film - headed to GBK, first time in a few weeks! And it was as delicious as ever. Was also early for the cinema - grabbed some chocolate, which I was now too stuffed to eat, and ended up bringing home with me. I'd considered booking on the app - although it wasn't booking out - but couldn't seem to get my member's discount, so left it to the people at the box office to handle. Was the first into the screen - and while there, I saw an ad for Curzon Bundles, available to members; when you take out a new Classic membership, it includes five free films.. well, now, as a member, you can buy extra five-film bundles! They work out better value than the standard 10% members' discount. I bought one on the spot - would've worked out better for today. And sure enough, it was credited to my account straight away. The credits don't expire unless you stop your membership.

Well now. Straight away, this film looks and feels the part - very 70s feel, the clothes, the cars, the landlines - they've gone to a lot of trouble. And in short, our "mastermind" is a bit hopeless - as I said of the protagonist of another film I saw, earlier in the year: if it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. When we meet him, he should have it all - the son of a judge, he's married with two bright kids.. but he's the black sheep of the family; his wife works while he doesn't, he dropped out of art college and is always borrowing money from his mother - his father, I suppose, wouldn't give it to him. So, it's kind of a matter of pride, I guess, that drives him to hire a couple of guys to help him nab a few paintings from the local art gallery.

And just about everything that can go wrong, does. I can't really give away any more of the story, to avoid spoilers, but basically it's this guy's decline and fall. I don't know that there's any more profound message in it, but I did love the languid pace. And as he falls further, the title becomes more ironic. Mind you, I wasn't the only surprised one in the audience when the scene suddenly cut to credits! Anyway, worth watching for its style - just exactly like watching some old crime drama from the era.

Getting home was great fun - Google Maps advised me to walk to Museum Street and catch the #188 - so I went there, checked.. and finally found out that there's an electrical fault, and the #188, as I suspected but never before heard (even when I complained), is now starting and ending in Aldwych. Well, it's good to know. And BTW, that means it's not passing Museum Street - so I had to walk to Aldwych. Where there was no sign of it on the Buses Due app. Oh here we go, I thought, preparing myself to get a bus to Waterloo and catch the #381 again - and what did I suddenly see but a #188 sailing towards me. What an unpredictable bus..

Tomorrow is our work Christmas party, this year in Brasserie Blanc, pretty convenient to me, but which I've never tried. Kee-rist, I should be getting to bed now, but I still have to wash my hair..

Then, it's looking like two more days of film. On Thursday - well, looks like I'm finally going to get to see Frankenstein, as per Guillermo del Toro! Looks to be a supremely gothic epic, with Jacob Elordi as the monster, Christoph Waltz, and Charles Dance as the father of the scientist, Oscar Isaac, who brings the creature to life. Well, I've seen the exhibition, it's about time I saw the finished product! Showing in Hackney Picturehouse - and since everywhere was full the last time I was there, I've made sure to book for Pizza Express beforehand.

On Friday, I'm thinking of seeing L' Atalante, the story of a newly married couple, he the captain of the ship L' Atalante, which is now their home. Apparently a newly restored version, this is also showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury.

Saturday is our monthly ex-colleagues' meeting - the only day James could make, and Martin swears he won't let anything get in the way this time. Mind you, poor James has a clash - a friend's 40th that evening - so he'll gave to leave early, which I've warned Martin about. Ivan is still AWOL - but I've asked a friend from my film groups along. I've made a series of bookings at The Phoenix - hopefully that goes ok!

On Sunday, heading with CT to a Christmas carol concert by Mosaic at All Saints' Church in Notting Hill. Tickets also from Eventbrite.

On Monday, heading with 45+ Not Grumpy! on Paul's Christmas Pub Crawl - starts in the Lion & Unicorn in Waterloo, where we'll be eating, and heads towards my home, lovely!

Next Tuesday, heading with my sometime travel companion again to Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes, at Sadler's Wells - eating in The Wilmington beforehand.

On the 10th, back at Winter's Night Wonder Tales, at The Palmerston, as told by Alys Torrance. Always so atmospheric..

And then, three nights of Meetup. On the 11th, I just could not resist accompanying The Hideout to the re-released The Nightmare Before Christmas, by Tim Burton. Showing in the Cineworld Leicester Square, and we're meeting in Victory House beforehand - and finally, that means I get to book Bella Italia before that! Phew - I have vouchers, and it'd be nice to use one of them before it expires!

On the 12th, back with London Social and Cultural Meetup, who are doing a Winter Walk with Hot Chocolate - and heading in search of some mulled white wine, I hear! I'll have to leave work early for this one..

And on the 13th, our Christmas social with The Hideout and Movie Roadhouse London is back, happy days! Unusual to have it on a weekend, that's just the way it went - but it was very lucky this was my only free weekend before Christmas. In the Main Bar at the BFI - and again, I've booked The Archduke for beforehand.