Film 2006
Last wednesday I went back to hospital for my results. I both got the all clear and had another 2 cm strip of skin removed from my back - just in case. I've been pretty uncomfortable since then and not able to sit at the computer so unable to keep the eager reader posted of my movie watching itinery. Needless to say - I have been keeping both DVD and VHS rolling through this time and what follows is a list of films I have seens since last mentioning them in this blog. If I have missed any out though medication induced memory lapse - you will be none the wiser.
There were at least two coincidences in my choice of film. I noticed these while my back was being cut on wednesday afternoon. (I was in need of distraction)
Coincidence #1 On Tuesday I watched Robert Altmans Short Cuts (A marvelous ensemble piece of interconnected stories set in LA) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108122/. On wednesday I heard that Altam had dies the day before aged 81.
Coincidence #2 On Weds morning I watched Oliver Stones JFK - my favourite conspiracy theory film ever. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102138/. Wednesday was 22nd November - the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Kennedy.
Assassination films led me to hire "The assassination of Richard Nixon" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364961/ in which Sean Penn gives a DeNiro like performance as the little guy doing something bug for his moment of significance. It reminded me a lot of DeNiro's role as Rupert Pupkin in King of Comedy. (Mentioned on a previous posting).
Thinking of Richard Nixon drew me to Olivers Stone's biopic of the ex-preseident. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113987/. Anthony Hopkins is paranoid and intense as Nixon. I still don't understand the plot but like the feel of it.
Oliver Stone took me back to the film I always watch when I'm off sick. Platoon http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091763/. I love the way the good and bad fathers (Willem Defoe and Tom Berenger) fight for the soul of the hero Charlie Sheen. I hoped I would take some inspiration from Sgt Barnes(Berenger) order to a dying man to "Take the pain" rather than cry out giving their position away to the enemy. I didn't.
I felt very low by Friday morning as the pain from my wound wasn't getting any better and I was counting the hours until my next dose of painkillers. I looked to comedy to cheer me up in the form of Woody Allens "Take The Money and Run" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065063/. Who could fail to laugh at "Hand over the money I have a gub". Me actually because it hurt too much when I did.
In search of feel good titillation I reached for Boogie Nights http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118749/ Paul Thomas Andersons film about the porn industry in the 70's. Unfortunately it had taped wrong and I missed the end.
On TV was Jerry Maguire. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/. It had me at hello.
From the shelf came Girl Interrupted http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172493/ Winona and Angelina in a mental hospital. I would love them anywhere.
From a charity shop came The Firm http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106918/. I must like Tom Cruise. I watch a lot of his films.
As I start to feel a bit better I have watched the first 2 of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Not sure why. I just like them.
I've done a lot of crosswords and watched some football too.