Film: Return to Silent Hill & LoMAZ Jan/Feb Birthdays

The second film in a row, and the first of a few days of Meetup, last Friday, back with The Hideout for Return to Silent Hill. I'm not familiar with this franchise, or the video game it's based on - although, looking at the trailer, I can imagine the game must look terrific - no, the only exposure I had to it before was the theme music, which I love! (music can always swing me..) No details at first on venue or time - I actually begged them not to go back to the Odeon Leicester Square! Happily, they settled on Vue, meeting first in Victory House. And of course, I was in Bella Italia before that. And pretty sure I wouldn't be having chicken.

The buses were delayed by traffic - and the #188s all finishing in Aldwych again! Happily, the faster route involved me changing buses before that - and at the Old Vic, at that, where, as usual, they were changing drivers. And along came my second bus, five minutes early - result! I was still 10 minutes late for my booking, mind - and not wanting to overrun, because I didn't want to be late to meet the group. Happily, they were really on-form - the manager I'm friendly with was there, and the waiter knew my name; before I'd even sat down, he was asking whether I already knew what I wanted, and I did. My glass of wine was on the table before I could sit.

The food was lovely - and wow, the waiter even anticipated my wanting a second glass of wine - he had it there before I could ask. (To be fair, when I'd finished eating, he did - very politely - ask whether he could move me, because they had a big group coming in and had to shuffle tables around. To which I replied that I was outta there anyway - their hurry nicely coincided with mine.)

And so, slightly behind time, around the corner to Victory House. I'd even beaten most of the group to it. And we chatted until it was time to head to the cinema.

Oh sweet everloving Jesus. Who in their right minds thought this was suitable for release?! I will give it one thing - it looks good, the visuals are well-done. BUT..

• There is no plot. None. It's just a jumble of disconnected scenes, the story apparently restarting/recycling (like a game, in fact). No explanation for anything that's happening.
• Elements are introduced and never heard of again - villains/monsters appear for one scene, our star looks worried, and they're gone. Forever. One reviewer remarked that this guy looks like he'd lose in a fight with a toaster, anyway.
• They apparently introduced a new story point (there's a story..?) in the form of a cult. Seen in one scene, again, disappears forever. And if the game is as successful as it's supposed to be, did they need to do that..?
• So, the whole thing revolves around him going back to this haunted town to search for his lost love, Mary. (I do agree, she's well cast.) But as they say, the scene where they meet.. good grief. (This is, apparently, another new invention.) She's waiting for a bus, he's speeding down the road smoking something he shouldn't be, careers off the road and runs over her luggage. He's jumbling it back together for her when the bus arrives and she flags it down - as he jogs over with the luggage, the catch on a case comes loose, spilling everything out again.. and she gives up and indicates the bus should leave. Whu..? Who does that..? As opposed to, you know, gathering it up awkwardly in your arms and getting on the bus anyway, like a normal person..

No, this has the feel of a lack of effort. Different media require different approaches, you know - something that started life as a videogame is going to have to be adapted for the big screen. Except here, they didn't - and as reviewers are saying, the result is a big mess, pleasing not fans of the game, because they messed with the story, nor people who aren't. For me, I am NEVER going near this franchise again.

Nice meeting the group though.

My weekend starts were lovely and late - but gee, my phone game required rather a lot of playing over the weekend, so I used up all my spare time doing that..

On Saturday, definitely a Meetup, although not an official one - London Museums A-Z (LoMAZ) had their bimonthly birthday gathering! This one was for January & February birthdays, but everyone was welcome who joined their WhatsApp group for people who've attended at least one event. We were meeting at The Sun Wharf (yippee, walking distance again - and I was rather glad they just pushed it back by an hour, I can always use the time).

Walked to London Bridge station, where the pub is located - a bit early, so I could look for the Boots; I needed something there. Walked up, walked down, walked all around, couldn't see it.. finally gave up, was peckish, bought a Mars bar and looked for somewhere to sit and eat it - I was too early for the pub, still. Found a seat.. and lo and behold, found Boots! Behind the sodding ticket barrier, just near where I was sitting! Why, oh why..? Well, so much for that then - and when I finished my bar, it was about time, and I headed to the pub.

I'd actually poked my nose in earlier, seen it was really crowded, and not seeing anyone from the group (particularly the organiser, who'd said he was around), I'd nipped out again. Mercifully, with, I have to say, the luck of the devil, when I came back, he'd managed to score a couple of tables together - and right in front of the window, beside the main entrance! Couldn't have worked better if he'd planned it. He was there with just one other - it wasn't long though before the group swelled, and we ended up co-opting another table! LoMAZ - taking over the joint. A few of us had food - I was here once before but hadn't eaten, but I'm happy to confirm that the katsu is good. Even persuaded someone else to have it. And wow, it was great to see people again - it suddenly occurred to me that the gathering had a Christmassy feel! Not like January at all.. particularly with some people swapping Christmas cards..

Of course, we left a little bit late. Next up was a self-guided walk around Borough and surrounds, with a reduced number of stops this time - I signed up to give the first spiel, as potentially the most gruesome, about Clink Street! Mind you, it was then moved to the second spot. Ah, I love this part of town.. the Bishops of Winchester feature heavily in the history, and of course we passed Winchester Palace.. (sorry, I would have taken more photos, but honestly, I've been around here so often..)

Later in the walk, we came to the atmospheric last surviving wall of Marshalsea Prison:

And so finally to The Union Jack (with the poster in the window that reads "There is no UJ without U"..), and as ever, we had an area booked to the side. They do food, but not as extensive a menu as Wetherspoon's - and the general consensus among those who hadn't eaten there was they'd missed out. But hey, the atmosphere was good - and one of the people behind the bar, as she was serving me at one point, asked me curiously what the occasion was! and when I explained it to her, she said that was just such a lovely idea..

Naturally, some of us stayed till closing. And I discovered a new love of Colin the Caterpillar bitesize cakes (as usual, we had a plentiful supply of sweet things). With 11 birthdays (!), there was a conveyor belt of cards to be signed - and it was great to see people I hadn't met in a while. And the chat was good. And varied. And, as might be expected, I think I did not take the shortest walk to catch the bus home. But never mind.

Keep posted for more..