Bubb and I hardly ever go to the cinema. Be it for reasons of general slothery, the fact that two tickets at a London cinema are more than the DVD release of said movie or the fact that little scrotes just love to ruin your film experience.
However, when we do go, we go all out.
Last weekend we saw ‘Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man’s Chest’ on Friday night and ‘Thank you for Smoking’ on Saturday afternoon.
Aside from the fact that I’ll never watch a film in Hammersmith Cineworld again (hot as hell as there is no air conditioning, no water in the ladies loos as no water pressure and all the seat cushions coming away from their frames: management said to my complaint “we are a listed building” as if that covered anything) ‘Pirates’ was a good – if over long – romp. The surprise character at the end walking down those stairs did make me go “ooh how’s that possible?” But I won’t spoil it for you (read the link for that.) My overall take away moments from the movie: Johnny Depp runs like Frankie Howerd and has all the best lines.
‘Thank you for Smoking’ is a great satire and definitely worth a viewing. Had the auidience laughing out loud all the way through at our screening (Cineworld West India Quay: much much nicer and soon to be our local cinema.) I really warmed to the M.O.D. Squad lobbyists (Merchants of Death) and Mrs Tom Cruise* was surprisingly excellent. Best line of the movie for me was from Rob Lowe whilst wearing a kimono – who doesn’t seem to get older, has he sold his soul or something? Upon being asked “When do you sleep?” Lowe replies “On Sundays.”
This weekend Bubb and I have tickets booked for the opening weekend of ‘Superman Returns’ at the IMAX. Apparently there are four scenes in 3D. I’m so keeping my paper 3D specs! (Doctor Who reference for you.)
Finally I’ve just booked tickets (through the evil Ticketmaster) for a showing in ‘Film Four’s Summer Screen Season’ at Somerset House. Massive screen, hot balmy night in August and the ambience of a listed building. Let’s hope ‘Nacho Libre’ proves as funny as the trailer.
*Future. Erm, maybe.
July 10th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
Going to see Superman on Tuesday, hopefully, although for some reason it’s not on at our IMAX, only regular screens. Jealous.
Call me a curmudgeon if you like but I can’t stand all this Pirates of the Caribbean nonsense. Basically, if something could be described as a “romp”, it will make me want to slit my eyeballs. Also I’m getting very tired of all things Depp. The man has spent way too long tied up in a gimp suit in the cellar of BurtonCarter’s remote 17th-century mansion.
I’d love to see “Smoking” but I won’t get round to that until DVD.
July 10th, 2006 at 7:25 pm
Um – she’s not Mrs Tom Cruise. Last I heard she’d thrown a tantrum and refused to marry him and good on her too. Sounds like an interesting film though.
July 10th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
movies? somerset house?
*turns green*
hmph.
July 10th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
I really recommend ‘Thank you for smoking’ Menace, it’s excellent.
Really Katja? Fancy that. I rather like her more now.
Yep, Pete and I plan to savour the atmosphere.
July 11th, 2006 at 8:46 am
It always strikes me as odd that so many people review films but no-one reviews cinemas. They all charge the same-ish in Central London (c10 squid) but vary from archaic, filthy to gorgeous. As something like Pirates shows at every cinema you have a choice which to go to but never know until it’s too late that you are in the 100 degrees velvet shoe-box. I thought Pirates sucked by the way, but not as much as Superman. But I also loved Thank you for smoking…
July 11th, 2006 at 9:22 am
I saw the trailer for Smoking a few weeks ago and thought it looked really good – glad to hear it confirmed. I was hoping to see Pirates this week, and Supes too, but my bank balance seems to give me the impressuion that I’ve been robbed, so I may have to put such pleasantries off until payday. Which is two weeks away.
Ugh.
I may have to go a week without food too.
July 11th, 2006 at 11:01 am
I saw ‘Thank you for smoking’ a few days ago, and really enjoyed it. Quite thought provoking, I thought, but very entertaining too.
I had no idea about the 3D scenes in Superman though. How exciting!
July 11th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Kevling/Annie – I really enjoyed ‘Smoking’ probably my favourite film of late as it treated it’s audience as intelligent adult. More like this please.
As Menace mentioned Pirates has been receiving mixed reviews (though worth seeing if you have bought your weekly food shop already Kevling) and not everyone is impressed. It falls into “break for my everyday life for 2.5hrs” type of movie in my book. I just went to oggle men what can I say? I have no defence.
Bina – yes, more people should review the actual cinema too. The contrast between hot, sweaty and poorly repaired Cineworld Hammersmith (where the staff just didn’t control the auidence and let people come in after the film had been going an hour already) to Cineworld West India Quay could not be more pronounced. At £15-£20 quid per outing for two it’s very important. Additionally Hammersmith is where I have has most of my film experiences spoilt by kids shouting out/throwing stuff/taking mobile calls. Thank god it is not my local cinema for much longer.
As for Supes I’m reserving judgement until I have seen it as I love Mr Singer and I am a class-A geek. 3D Kevling woot! I hope I won;t have my Superman dreams squashed. I loved the first two movies of the franchise when I was a nipper.
July 11th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
worrabout the NFT? It’s only, oh I can’t remember, 30quid to join or something and it is, pardonnezmoi: beuno excellente!!
July 11th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
I agree about Pirates. You cant take it seriously, but I don’t think the film takes itself seriously, which makes for many entertaining minutes of Jonny Depp delight as far as i’m concerned!
July 11th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
I am reeaaally looking forward to the new POTC film. Not just for Johnny. *cough*
July 11th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
The NFT, is that part of the BFI membership emmm? I was trying to decide between that and the ICA now my Barbican membership has elaspsed. Decisions, decisions.
Chintzy/Annie – Yeah right ;o)
July 13th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
Mrs K saw POTC2 last night and the verdict was “really good, great actually”. I’m going to try and squeeze it in over the weekend. But Supes is beckoning as well. Oooh… Decisions Decisions.
On the subject of good films, I finally got round to seeing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang the other night, and that is one fine film. Really funny too. Val Kilmer & Robert Downey Jr in decent film shock!