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I've been tempted to bring forward my second-ever film review blog (due early in March) to pre-empt being influenced by the Oscar awards - not that it will, as I've already got short notes of what I'm going to say on the seven films I've seen so far this month. So I'll leave it for a couple of weeks more.
But just a couple of comments on the BAFTAs - I was really disappointed that 'Hugo' didn't win any major awards, being so remarkable a film - as also, but to a lesser extent, 'The Descendants'. But I was reasonably happy about the awards to Messrs Dujardin and Streep, though I didn't think the award to Christopher Plummer was anything more than "Better give him an award before he croaks!" - and yet again here we have a straight man playing a gay guy. (How very brave of him!) Not that he was bad - he certainly wasn't. I just didn't think his performance, or indeed the role, was anything exceptional.
And I do now regret not seeing 'The Help' when I'd had the chance. I was put off by more than one review who found its attitude towards what used to be called 'black people' insufferably condescending. If I do get the opportunity again, which I hope I do, I'll certainly make the effort to see it.
Hope you reach an accomadation with Jumbo - don't let it take over!
ReplyDeleteRe the BAFTAs: I liked Beginners and enjoyed Christopher Plummer in it - but you may be right in terms of overall performance/role..
And I don't think an actor's sexuality should have any bearing on the sexuality of the characters they play - whichever way round.
Thanks, Andrew. I'll try not to give Jumbo more attention than he's due.
DeleteRe films and sexuality - I think we can say we've definitely 'arrived' when openly gay actors (What? ALL of them? Yes, ALL of them!) can play hetero roles without film-makers and moguls worrying about whether audiences can accept it. Methinks there's some way to go yet - but come it will.
You should watch The Helper. It's a great movie. Have you watched J. Edgar ? (I haven't). I've watched some first scenes of The Iron Lady (i'll try to finish watching it in other time) and and think Meryl Streep was so great although I almost know nothing about Magaret Thatcher.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your endorsement of 'The Help', Tai. That's a further reason to see it.
DeleteYes, I wrote a review of 'J.Edgar' on a recent blog (2nd Feb) so if you scroll back a little you'll find it.
I also wish I didn't know about Margaret Thatcher. She was like a bad dream come true - but she was certainly a phenomenon. You'll definitely hear all about her when she passes on, which can't be that far away now.
You are more than Jumbo, but he needs room; imagine yourself as an elephant tamer; yours to ride but it doesn't control you, Like all pets there is petepual training going on - either you shape it or it shapes you.
ReplyDeleteWise words as ever, Dr Spo. Thank you. I'll certainly try to remember them and put them into practice.
DeleteRay, Yes, there are people with far worse conditions. But when it is happening to you, then it is difficult to keep that perspective in mind. I just try to use my mind and focus on other things. That usually works.
ReplyDeleteI was so disappointed that Streep was the winner. Streep, I know is a tremendous actress, but she gets all the good roles. Helen Mirren is not so fortunate, although in the talent department, she is on equal footing.
Streep will probably win the Oscar, too. It seems the Academy likes impersonations. I am remembering a few years ago when Hoffman won for "Capote" over Heath for "Brokeback" Watching the last heartbreaking scene in "Brokeback" I would have handed him the award, right then and there. On a sidenote, I think that Toby Jones was the better Truman in the movie, "Infamous."
PS. Concerning our last chat about 'The Phantom' - I watched "The Phantom Of The Opera At Royal Albert Hall" and loved it. Appreciated it even more than when I saw it on stage. Do hope you get to see this.
Thanks, Paul. It's a matter of seeing my condition in proportion, which, as you imply, could be a great deal LOT worse.
DeleteI think that Streep was the clear winner out of the nominations - and it'll surprise everyone if she doesn't win the Oscar as well.
Although I am in awe of Helen Mirren I don't think anyone can touch Streep when it comes to chameleonic ability. However it does all get a bit predictable even though Streep doesn't win an Oscar every time she is nominated, though it might seem like she does. (Btw: I'd cite Daniel Day Lewis as the male equivalent of someone able to transform themselves so convincingly. Pity he doesn't make that many films.)
I agree about Toby Jones' 'Capote', though Hoffman's was certainly notable too. Somehow Jones seemed to be right on the button.
I'd LOVE to see 'Phantom' again - but can you believe it's now 15 years since I last saw a show in London? Reasons being lack of finance and leaving my pussies - in reverse order of importance.
I do want to see Hugo as it looks to have a definite "Steampunk" vibe! We shied away from The Help for the same reason as you, but, now I'll have to add it to our Netflix queue!
ReplyDeleteStrong recommendation for 'Hugo' from here, T/C - even though I only saw it in 2-D. Given the chance I'd gladly see it again with those specs but I think it's unlikely to come round again now. Oh well. Just have to wait until I can get a 3-D telly!
DeleteRay,
ReplyDeleteYou haven't seen "The Help?" WHAT? I saw it THREE TIME in the space of two days. I would see it again if I got the chance. It is a fabulous film! I haven't seen any of the other films except "The Beginning" (or whatever it was). I couldn't finish it. I was bored. And all due respect to Christopher Plummer but I too am tiring of seeing straight man play a gay man. It takes more than putting a colorful scarf around one's neck (as Christopher did in this film) to play a gay man. This film just didn't ring true to me.
I am sorry that you have type 2 diabetes. You know how it is at our age. Both of my younger brothers have medical problems. Brother Number Two has diabetes, which requires him to stick himself with a needle in his stomach twice a day. Brother Number Three is on his second pacemaker. Both brothers weigh in at just 300 pounds. I now have kidney stones, swelling of the legs, pre skin cancer occurrences, and prostate situation which I am ignoring. My prostate problem is my elephant in the room. I have grown accustomed to having my elephant as company.
Yes, Ron, when I wrote this I remembered your recent blog saying that you'd watched 'The Help' three times. Looks like it's a 'must-see'. Only hope I haven't left it too late. But it's likely to come round again in one of those cheap screenings especially for 'Senior Citizens' like you and I, so no excuses next time.
DeleteYour brothers are yet more salutary reasons to be grateful for what I have - not least among them being that I weigh a mere 180 pounds. I think you may be even lighter?
If I switched to Type One diabetes and had to inject myself regularly I think I'd die - or rather I'd die because I'd be too afraid and squeamish to do it myself, and I have no one here to do it for me. But that's a nightmare which I'm furiously hoping won't happen at all. My doctor says that although it is possible it's unlikely to happen.
As for your own issues, Oh Lordy, there's much more there than I thought. You are the perfect illustration of the riddle of how we manage to live so long when there's so much that can go wrong. You'd think that even living to the age of ten would be an achievement worth celebrating.
But if I'm to go anywhere like down the path that you're currently on, perhaps I ought to make room for even more elephants!
Thanks for visiting, Ron.
Please don't hesitate to blog about diabetes. This is a great outlet for you to express your thoughts and concerns, and we are here for you.
ReplyDelete"Ta" for those kind words, Cubby - but I do get very self-conscious in talking about myself too much. When writing a blog, or commenting on someone else's blog, before posting I tend to re-read it, editing out as many of the 'I's as possible. Self-absorption can be so boring.
ReplyDeleteBut, having said that, because I don't have any social circle at all, the outlet of writing blogs is a valuable means of easing the mental pressure within - so it's quite likely that I will do what you suggest. But thanks for saying it anyway.
don't ignore it, raybeard, embrace it! you may have a teachable moment for some of us. what if I were to be diagnosed? I would want to speak with someone who "knows the ropes", as it were.
ReplyDeletepreach it, brother ray!
Thanks, A.M., but at the moment I think your suggestion to "embrace it" is just a step too far. I'm still at the resenting stage, as though it's an unwanted visitor to whom the best thing is to show the door! However, that's not going to happen so I've got to get used to it.
DeleteBut your words are sensible. What you are saying is to use adversity constructively. I've got to spend some time reflecting on what has happened and how to use the situation beneficially rather than eating myself up with futile wishing that it hadn't. A good start would be to stop going on and on about it in these blogs and just value life more.
Yes, it would be nice to think that when it happens to someone else I'm able to offer positive words of consolation, as you are doing to me right now. Thank you very much.
I'm overdue for my first visit to a Spanish doctor. And one reason is to have my blood sugar checked again. I hope this soon just becomes a part of your daily routine and you don't have to give it any more thought than that, but I don't blame you for feeling like your constantly tip-toeing around Jumbo!
ReplyDeleteI've pretty well accepted it now, Mitch. As long as Jumbo keeps on snoozing in the corner I'm content.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually not at the stage of daily checks on my blood sugar level. (Did you really mean DAILY?) I think that would be the case for Type 1 D. I think mine need only be checked about once a month.
I do wish you well with your own visit for a check. You're a lot younger than I am so there's more at stake for you. Please let us know if, heaven forbid, there are signs of yours going awry. But the indicating signs, at least for me, were clear beforehand that something wasn't right.