Movie review ....... will she? won't she? did he? should she? Woody - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
There are times, admittedly few, when even a simplistic chap like myself desires a little more from the movie experience than gratuitous nudity, spectacular stunts, more gratuitous nudity and pic'n
'mix.
I found myself delighted by this film, a subtle and intelligent movie which will surprise anyone who thinks that Woody Allen has forgotten how to write superb dialogue and direct clever films.
I've been to Barcelona, it was beautifully portrayed, and I fell in love with it all over again.
As the male lead, Javier Bardem was just right and his three leading ladies beautiful, perfectly cast, well acted and intriguing. It's a rare joy to sit, smiling, occasionally chuckling and find that for once Mrs Stuffy and I are as one.
A must see.
Would you like the haiku ?
Captivating tale
Woody reminds us why we
once thought him so good
There'll be Bluebird over ...
The Bluebird, a restaurant created in an art-deco racing garage in that there London's trendy Kings Road, an iconic Conran creation as I recall. You'd expect this to be an ideal Stuffy venue, fine food and wines, in an historic building for me and for herself, a plethora of bijou boutiques and purveyors of expensive clothes. We were the guests of chef and cycling chum Winston and the lovely Anna, keen to check out the offerings from the Bluebird chef Mark Block.
It's an attractive building in a super location, albeit, as I breathlessly discovered, a fair old hike from Sloane Square tube. The building is now a curious mix of late sixties furnishings (rarely a good idea) in an Art deco building. Opinion was divided, much to my surprise I thought it worked well, howsoever, as no-one agreed with me we must assume that once again my sense of style is something I fondly imagine that I possess rather than a real thing.
The food? well, the food was very well cooked, very nicely presented and very pleasant, but, (you knew that was coming didn't you) for me it didn't quite get to where it wanted to be, it was just missing a little extra something, the flair, the tang, the secret ingredient. ( In fairness it should be noted that Mrs Stuffy was so delighted with her blood-orange jelly that I spent the next three evenings, skinning citrus and squelching gelatine until I was able to replicate it at a dinner for her school chums).
All in all a very pleasant place for a relaxed supper with good friends, groovy place, nice unobjectionable food, great service.
An agreeable blast from the past and worth a visit.
Labels: Stuffy oakwood bluebird "mark block"
21st Century 3D movies, it's like a Bolt from the red and green ...
It's been a long while since I saw a 3D film (with the exception of the "in your face' experiences at assorted Disney resorts in LA, Florida and Paris).
My last cinematic recollection was "Spacehunter-adventures in the forbidden zone " back in '83 which still makes 
me extremely nervous when anyone suggests flying through an asteroid field.
The headache caused by that film has finally subsided so it seemed appropriate to take Rhett and Mrs Stuffy and see what the technology can do now. The answer is that the technology has come a long way and now works very well but I was more impressed by the use of it in the trailers for forthcoming attractions than in the main feature itself.
The 3D in Bolt is used in a very understated way. It's possibly too subtle, I felt that the film really needed something a little more over the top. It's an OK film, don't get me wrong, Rhett enjoyed it and CHaCHa thinks it's great but after the initial frenzied 10 minutes it became very predictable.I didn't feel particularly involved (although I did quite like the pigeons).
I fnd myself looking forward to the upcoming Coraline, (Neil Gaiman's writing and a surreal world that looks like it's perfect for 3D silliness), Ice-age3 (1 and 2 were superb) and Monsters v Aliens (Not sure about that one).
I know what you're thinking, "that's all fine and dandy chum but where's the Haiku?"
Here
Incredible Journey
for three D cartoon critters
this one wonders why?
A sadness
My apologies gentle readers for the lack of posting, it's been a weird couple of weeks, and I debated the value of sharing this with you, but, you're all (barring the occasional wandering blog tourist) people I know and care about, so indulge me if you will.
A friend of mine chose to end his days a couple of weeks ago, I was going to say an old friend but tragically he was five years my junior, a lovely man full of laughs, full of life, full of energy. I'm at a loss. The funeral service was astonishing, so many people, standing room only, I couldn't help wondering, if he could have seen all the people who cared for him, in one place, at one time, of one mind then maybe ...
So, indulge me in this rare moment of seriousness. if there are people in your life who matter to you, take a moment, let them know.
Thanks.
The blog continues
Forthcoming attractions-watch this space
Movie reviews - Bolt 3D and Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Restaurant opinions - Bluebird in the Kings Road
Winter wonderlandy
As the country grinds to a halt and the UK infrastructure collapses under one of the less typical symptoms of global warming the barn is wrapped in snowy loveliness.
The fire is lit and the coffee machine is primed and perky, today I shall mostly be working from home.
'mix.
