Today, for the first time in three years, I went to see a film at the Bloor Cinema. It was just as I remembered it from the days of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ screenings when I went festooned in pleather and tutus, bearing rolls of toilet paper, pockets of rice and a high-powered water pistol. The popcorn still smelled delicious, the crowd was still the right balance of rowdy and respectful, and the seats still had just enough leg and elbow room.
Brett and I met up for an edamame and sashimi feast after I got off work (yes, yes, I acknowledge my severe Japanese food addiction, and will be seeking counselling shortly). We cut it pretty fine – the last piece of maguro passed my lips at 6:58pm and the movie started 7pm – but we dashed down the street, bought our tickets and got decent seats before the curtain had lifted. We saw ‘The Prestige’, which I knew I would enjoy because hello? Magicians! Victorians! David Bowie! Michael Caine! Batman! Wolverine! It had some pretty gruesome moments, but I loved the sets and costumes and I thought the plot was very well paced. It drew me in completely.
As I was leaving the theatre, I kept an eye out for
En route to the subway, Brett gave me the dramatic raised eyebrow and oh-so-casually suggested we “stop in briefly” at the new BMV books. Oh ho! Briefly, eh? An hour later, I’d pressed him into finally acquiring Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’, which is essential reading for my family, and I walked out with what is now my fourth(!) copy of Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ (it had prints of the Gustave Dore illustrations – I NEEDED IT), the Chip Kidd illustrated history of Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman (I NEEDED THAT TOO, STOP JUDGING ME) and a book of poems.
I knew Brett probably didn’t want to talk much about work, given the not-so-hot reviews ‘Faust’ received from the Star and the Globe based on Thursday’s opening night, but at least both reviews mention him by name as the one good thing about the show.
“The music and story are pure melodrama and require strong voices as well as tremendous energy from the soloists. In this largely Canadian cast, only baritone Brett Polegato achieved that mix of vocal power and passion in the role of Valentin, Marguerite’s brother.”
I’ll be seeing the opera on February 14th, when I get to watch B. push my friend Pete around the stage as a corpse in a wheelbarrow. Then, there will be a trip to the bar and much drinking and not thinking about the fact that Valentine’s Day has for me the extra bullshit of being my anniversary with my ex. Good times.
The GOTrain home was total hell. I missed the 10:43 by two minutes, and had to wait for an hour in Union for the 11:43 while about a thousand drunk, stoned, belligerent 16-year-olds milled about, swearing and yelling in the aftermath of a Billy Talent concert.
I don’t know who the fuck Billy Talent is (are?) but his/her/their fans suck donkey balls. If I never hear the phrases “oh dude, I totally wish I was back in the mosh pit!” or “don’t touch my piercing you cunt, or I’ll give you a new hole of your own to play with!” ever ever again as long as I live, it will still be too soon. I know I was that age once, and I moshed and got holes punched in odd parts of my body, but now I’m that peevish, annoyed adult, eyes slitted with disapproval, who mutters at “those damn kids and that noise they call music”. I declare myself officially old.
In the spirit of being “less old” and more hip to the jive of the younger generation, I got myself one of them there MySpace account thingamajiggers. Come on by and “friend” me (because yes,
ps – In case you haven’t guessed, I have CRAZY INSOMNIA tonight. No idea why.
I might want to see ‘The Holy Mountain’ myself…
I take it you’re unfamiliar with Jodorowsky (who, interestingly, was once set to direct a version of DUNE, production designed by HR Giger).
Ummm, yeah. He’s kind of an extreme filmmaker. I saw EL TOPO once and it was like being force-fed magic mushrooms while being hit in the face with a rotting leg-of-lamb wrapped in fishhooks and broken glass. It was the first half of a double bill; THE HOLY MOUNTAIN was second. I had planned to stay for both, but I think these things need to be taken in discreet doses.
I really enjoyed The Prestige as well.
I added you to myspace!! it’s addictive!!
I declared myself old already as well, damned kids and I’m just a newly minted 24yr old. I leer at ‘kids’ on the bus and whatnot. Just wonder to myself, ‘How did I manage to NOT go through THAT stage?”
Though I do know who Billy Talent is and can see how their fans are lacking in the smarts department. They are full of the “I’m highly angsty and no one cares but my other brooding pals.”
Just by saying that I feel old. G’day.
Blast! Another one lost to MySpace. I got sucked in a while ago so what can I say?
Well, you’re just a wee babe of four-and-twenty. It’s acceptable for you. An old crone like me, cresting her thirtieth year, has to feel an obligatory amount of shame first. Just like the weird retail guilt I’ve been feeling about finally maybe possibly switching from PC to Mac with my next laptop.
It makes no sense, but then, these sorts of things rarely do.
ps – I’ll be posting about two of my favorite indy comics in the next day or two, keep an eye out. Also, if you like Ex Machina, I hope you’ve checked out both ‘Y: the Last Man’ (Vaughan) and ‘Starman’ (Harris).
I think my friend David was pretty pissed about the whole Faust review thing. I got a very short email response from him when I emailed to tell him I heard he had sounded great. It was a big premiere for him and you always want premieres to be well-reviewed. Alas. Now I will try and surf for the Globe review.
Good for Brett though!
I have checked out Y in the past. I need to catch up since I’ve not read the last couple trades. Damn fine comic. Sure dashes that cool dream of being the sex puppet to the world’s women as the last man alive that we “men” hold.
Starman I’ve not. But heard manny a good thing.