Film: Hellraiser

Last night, I was supposed to be back with The Hideout for the latest Scary Movie! The trailer looks hilarious, with its references to horror films and popular culture.. and as usual, it'd be interesting to try and spot them all. Only thing is, it was run by the Southeast London branch.. and while I'm in the Southeast, this was far, far southeast.. they were headed to Vue Bromley. I'd have to get another train.. But wouldn't you know it, they switched to today, which I can't do. Never mind, said I, I was looking forward to it too much, I'd go see it on my own last night. Closer to me. Turns out it's showing in The Arzner, which I've never yet been to, but which is walking distance from me! It's an LGBTQ+ cinema, and last night's showing apparently had a drag intro.. well, fine.. And then, to top it all off, The Hideout cancelled today's event, and someone from the group advertised the same film for last night, in Greenwich. Ugh, too far I thought..

And then, last minute, they organised a trip to go see Hellraiser in the Prince Charles - same as usual, meeting in Victory House beforehand and heading to the W Hotel afterwards. So on balance, that won for me - I've always liked Hellraiser anyway. Unfortunately, it was all happening too early for me to eat beforehand - but as it turned out, I was the first to arrive at Victory House! Happily, the others had not been assumed into Hell, but were just running late.. and we chatted about this and that until it was time for the film.

Ah, the nostalgia.. made in the 80s, as someone pointed out, you get the big hair, the shoulder pads.. you also get the Madonna-inspired fashion for the young girl, the power dressing for her stepmother. Her wicked stepmother, as it turns out - she was carrying on with her brother-in-law until he disappeared. See, he was into ever weirder and more extreme experiences.. just how extreme, we shall find out..

No mobile phones either - anyone wants to make a call, it's strictly landline: always handier for horror films, to stop people calling for help. Or even information. Anyway, this is a plucky young girl, who wants to strike out on her own - her loving dad is worried about her, her stepmother, frankly, couldn't give a damn - she's a bit sick of everything since her lover vanished. And now her husband wants to move into the house where his brother was staying.. unaware of what's lurking there..

Still love it - the cenobites, the incarnation of evil, are creepy to this day, and what they represent is absolute pain. The perfect monsters. And that young girl maintains her stubborn spirit right to the end - no going to pieces and having to be rescued for her, no leaning on her boyfriend - he's strictly there for moral support. The horror is suitably icky - and the conclusion is marvellously vengeful against a very creepy villain. And there's a weird, homeless guy with bright blue, staring eyes who follows our protagonist around.. a very nicely weird and unexplained character.

The only thing I don't like about it is how, when the cenobites are being zapped, the - I guess you'd call them lasers - swirling around them look so dated. Even at that stage, as someone remarked, they had more sophisticated sfx. But it's a minor quibble for what remains a very good film.

And so to the W - where a couple of us ate, neither having had time beforehand. I decided on the chicken, with a bacon and potato side - someone else had the oyster mushrooms.. Now, I didn't expect the food here to be terrific, and it isn't. However, the chicken was perfectly edible - it was a half chicken; the breast was fine, but when I got to the thigh, it seemed too salty, and I left it. The side was terrific though - thick potato strips with toppings, they were very filling, so I didn't finish them. But recommended. Oh, and the toilets are as confusing as ever, with the mirrored walls!

The waiter completely forgot about my last glass of wine - but never mind, we were ready to leave by that stage anyway! And it was a lovely social, and a great chance to hang out. Very glad this was my choice. Too tired to blog afterwards.

Now, starting three days in a row of Meetup, it's a London Museums from A-Z (LoMAZ) weekend - today is their bimonthly birthday bash, starting in Benugo Waterloo, then a self-guided history walk, finishing in the Union Jack as usual.

And tomorrow, I'm headed with them to see an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, of Marilyn Monroe's life in pictures. Off to the Brewmaster afterwards.

Finally, on Monday, I'm back with London Social & Cultural Meetups (also advertised, again, with the London European Club) for a talk at the London School of Economics - this one is Ten Years On: Brexit and Britain's Political Future. Rumours of drinks afterwards.

The next two days, I'm thinking of film - and what's coming up for Tuesday is Quo Vadis, Aida?, the Bosnia & Herzegovina entry for Best International Feature at the 2021 Oscars. It's the true story of a UN translator trying to save herself, her husband, and their son during the Bosnian genocide. Showing in the Lexi, Kensal Rise only.

Then, on Wednesday, the best looks like Tuner, about a piano tuner turned safe cracker. Closest evening showing to me is in the Everyman Broadgate.

On Thursday, back with CT for Magic Showcase, a magic variety show at The Magic Circle! Ooh, first time there..

Three days of Meetup follow - on Friday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for A Fine Idea at the Arcola. A play that looks into the motivation behind the global causes that inspire us.

Next Saturday, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies - very glad to see that the issue with Meetup that required payment on signing up to an event has been fixed.. The tour is Wonders of the National Gallery.

And on the 14th, back with LoMAZ for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, due to open on Friday! Optional trip to the George and Monkey afterwards.

On the 15th, off with CT again to a play called Before I'm Dead at The Glitch. The story of a teenager with a terminal brain tumour, determined to record a eulogy while she has the chance.

On the 16th, back with UITCS for a flamenco show called UnYdos at Sadler's Wells. Eating at The Wilmington beforehand.

Next, two cheap ticket days. On the 17th, back with CT - which is playing a blinder - for Amores Pasados, a medieval concert with a modern twist, at St. Clement Danes. Performed by the Alternative History Quartet, regular-priced tickets from Ticket Tailor. I'm eating beforehand in Cote Covent Garden.

And on the 18th, back - at last - with TAC for more magic! This one is James Phelan: Showman, playing at Underbelly Boulevard.

Two more days of Meetup - on the 19th, I'm with The Hideout for Disclosure Day, in which Emily Blunt plays a TV weather forecaster who suddenly finds herself communicating in a strange, clicking language, which only Josh O' Connor finds he can understand. Colin Firth seems to play a bad guy, as per the trailer. Directed by Spielberg again.. Details TBA, but it'll be in Leicester Square, phew!

And the 20th is with LoMAZ, for a day in Hever Castle! We're to arrive at St. Peter's Church in time for a guided tour thereof by our accomplished organiser, then spend the afternoon exploring the castle, and its Capturing a Queen exhibition, focusing on what Anne Boleyn, whose childhood home this was, actually looked like. The castle is also hosting a Home Front 1940s exhibition - no thanks, don't think I'll take their invitation to dress up accordingly. Optional drinks afterwards, of course - and travel is convenient for me, with direct trains from London Bridge taking under an hour. Already booked my ticket with Uber, with which I had so much credit, it was nearly free..

Finally, on the 21st - I'm thinking of heading to see West End Live, the free performance snippets of West End shows, performed in Trafalgar Square.. always a good one!