Apologies. It was my birthday and I got so wrapped up in me, me, me that I completely forgot that it was also my friend Alan's birthday (I did text him), Tony Blair's birthday (didn't text him) and George Clooney's (wanted to text him). And so as penance I've posted these pictures ;0)
Saw two disappointing films at the weekend.
First there was Shine A Light the Scorsese directed film of the Rolling Stones in concert on Saturday night. If you've seen the trailers, like me, you may have been led to believe that this was a behind the scenes rockumentary made by one of the leading film directors about one of the most famous rock bands.
I like ER. Not as much as I used to, sitting transfixed watching George Clooney, but more in a surfing-the-web-glancing-up-when-Dr Kovac-is-on-the-screen sort of way.
But the episode I'm watching tonight has grabbed my attention for more than the talented male totty. It has to have the worst English accents since Dick Van Dyke for a start and blatant stereo-typing not seen since the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo had French characters dressed in berets and strings of onions around their necks.
For a start the story line involves an English man who has sprained his ankle in a cheese rolling competition - an obscure and ancient sport played out occasionally in a handful of villages in the West Country. Naturally they've not gone for the West Country accent because I imagine that most American viewers wouldn't have a clue they where they were from English. So of course they've chosen Cockney and 'e's all cor blimey guv-nar'. The characters are required to name as many English sounding produce as possible such as biscuits and the script only just stops short of using rhyming slang.
The story concludes with a group of fellow 'Brits' arriving at the hospital to dispute who won the cheese rolling competition and one of the American doctors shouting out "David Beckham is rubbish" in order to distract the rowdy crowd from the fight they are about the have.
What shred of credibility the programme had left has been shattered. Please, the writers have been taking the piss.
Eagerly awaited by one reader (thanks Jane!) here are my humble views of this weekend's stage and screen entertainment.
First Elling.
Based on a Norwegian novel the play revolves around two psychiatric inmates (Elling and Kjell Bjarne) who are released into the community. Put into a flat and assigned a social worker they have to prove they can live in the real world or face returning to the institution for the rest of their lives.
Elling is the fastidious, agoraphobic mummy's boy and Kjell has never lost his pubescent girl-obsession and doesn't like wearing clothes.
It is witty, amusing and down right laugh out loud funny. The clever script ably-assisted by the acting talents of the John Simm (Elling) and Adrian Bower (Kjell).
The former was a revelation proving he has the credentials to be a comic as well as a straight actor. His timing was impeccable and his ability to create humour from a mere look or tilt of the head reminded me of the likes of Eric Morecombe.
It's only on for another week but if you are in London and can get a ticket, I'd highly recommend it.
Michael Clayton
It is the story of a top lawyer (Tom Wilkinson) who goes spectacularly off the rails in the middle of a long litigation case against a huge chemical company. Clayton, played by Clooney, is the law firms janitor, the guy who fixes difficult and tricky situations and he's sent in to sort the mess out before the whole case collapses uncovering all sorts of skulduggery along the way and putting his life at risk.
What is there to say? An excellent cast, brilliantly acted, nicely shot. Mildly intriguing plot, few twists and turns along the way. Felt a little too long. George Clooney was gorgeous.
Show us what the weekend has in store for you.
Saturday night at the theatre with John Simm:
No reason except it's a cold, rainy Monday and I fancy some gratuitous ogling.