20/3/2005 (part 2)
Over the last few months I have been vaguely trying to broaden my cinematic education. So far I have achieved a rather poor success rate - until yesterday I had watched Good Morning Vietnam, Pulp Fiction, The Exorcist, and the first hour of The Shining (couldn't watch the rest as it was far more terrifying even than the exorcist, which surprised me somewhat - I thought having seen the simpsons adaptation of it would have at least reduced the effects, and at times it did look rather over the top [tidal waves of "blood" pouring down corridors]).
To this end, last night saw me watching what has been called the definitive Vietnam war movie, Platoon. Although it is, as any war movie has to be, an action movie, it is so much more than that. Perhaps the main characters narrative gets a little corny/self-righteous, but only rarely. Only one piece of background music, that which has to be the most painfully beautiful ever - Samuel Barbers "Adagio for Strings". That over the top of the horrific scenes was almost too much for me - the GI lighting his cigarette at the same time as he torches a families home, the cold-blooded murder of those on the same side, in order to "protect military discipline".
Looking at the cast, it is hard to see how Platoon is not a comedy - Charlie Sheen of "Spin City" fame stars, and among the supporting actors are John C McGinley, who plays Dr Cox in "Scrubs", and Johnny Depp, the one redeeming feature of "Pirates of the Caribbean". Definitely a tragedy though...well worth a watch, if you haven't seen it already.
While we're on the subject, I'd be interested in any recommendations as far as essential classic film are concerned.
20/3/2005
The week after Superstar... Without a doubt the best school production ever (well, the best I've been in, anyway). A surprising number of positive comments about the head - no, that doesn't mean I'm staying bald. Its beginning to grow back anyway. An equally surprising number of positive comments about my acting - and not just from mummy. I thought I'd finally found something I could be mediocre at, but no, I have to go and excel at acting too. Damn me and my limitless talent (& modesty).
Really really really hope that the videoing of the last night worked better than the first few apparently did - I'm told that they had v. poor sound quality, but that steps were taken to try to rectify this for Fridays show. That was the worst part of being in the show, not being able to see it, and I'd be really gutted if I don't get a chance to see it. Pleasantly surprised by supportive comments from those of my friends of the drinking/smoking/how else can we destroy our health brigade - at the after show piss-up I didn't particularly want to have anything alcoholic, and found that, instead of being ridiculed I was congratulated. We were still in tune though, when we sang through the whole of act one after a large profit had been made by the innkeeper.
Lots of empty space.
12/3/2005
I am now:
- relieved - had three pieces of coursework in for Friday, all of which are now more or less dealt with
- knackered - the above + late night Jesus Christ Superstar rehearsals (I spent 13 straight hours in school yesterday) have left little time for sleep
- poor - £90 down on a minimum spec comp (266Mhz processor, 6Gb HDD) to play with linux on
- finally, and perhaps the biggest issue from my perspective, bald - as my role in superstar is as the priest Annas, I wanted to look suitable, and I can't grow my hair enough in time, so am now hairless, & damn cold