Film & Theatre presentations

First blog of 2017 I believe; shall we get on with it.

Christmas came and went with a whimper, but having recalled BBC's showing of a pantomime style theatre production and some well placed advertising in Newcastle, I bought a couple of tickets for "The play that goes wrong" (or in Geordie 'gans rang') at the Theatre Royal. Up in the Gods with my nephew, we had an enjoyable night with the elements of a traditional farce taken to a comedy extreme. A sort of Murder at the Manor with pre-arranged, supposedly unforeseen events adding to the fun and laughter. A good night out for all concerned, if a little stiff in the neck from looking down at the stage. Good to visit the theatre again; like to go once a year if I can.

The Silver Screen; at the time of writing I've just seen the Oscar winning film "Moonlight". Set in three chapters it traces the uncomfortable adolescence of Shiron, a young man who comes to terms with his latent sexuality against a backdrop of single mother with a drug habit and an education littered with school bullying and little direction. Film Director Barry Hawkins paces the film nicely, I enjoyed it but great.....I don't think so. Perhaps the academy were under pressure to address the imbalances of 2016, who knows? If " I, Daniel Blake" can charm a European audience/panel why should an American one be so reticent? 

Hell and High Water is another similarly paced movie with Jeff Bridges as a Texas Ranger, coming up to retirement. Sounding like Slim Pickens and looking like an old Melvyn Douglas, Bridges takes his merry time to outwit a couple of local bank robbers against a backdrop of a debt ridden and failing community. Dialogue is somewhat of a drawl but has some pearls and Bridges is always watchable.

Returning the favour, my nephew took us out to see Hacksaw Ridge recently. A true and highly unlikely tale of a conscientious objector signing up to American armed forces and ultimately ferrying 75, I think it was, injured soldiers down a beach cliff face, single handed and without a gun to protect himself. In the hands of Director Mel Gibson, the battle scenes were truly the most graphic I've seen on screen and made a plausable counterpoint to the harsh but somehow sentimental tale of the hero of our story played by Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss. Couldn't help but enjoy this one too.

PS  Couldn't finish this post without adding the remarkable story of "Lion" and the 25 lost years of a young Indian boy, Sheroo. Eventually sited and brought up in Tasmania, he wrestles with his conscience and can't settle till he's re united with his place of his birth and his mother. This film has all the emotional content that the first two lacked. I dare you not to reach for your hankie at more than one point in the movie. Loved it!