Pass the Popcorn
It’s been ages since I posted as usual. I’ve been toying with the idea of giving up altogether of late. When I occasionally think of something mildly interesting to blog about, I’m usually too tired or busy. When I’m all set to blog my mind goes blank! 
It’s been a strange few weeks but I don’t intend blogging about some of that and may come back to other aspects in later weeks. Not that any of it is that earth shattering! For now, I shall wallow in the mundane once more and just mention a couple of films I’ve seen lately and see if that gets me back in the blogging habit for a bit… I really know how to hype my posts up!
But before you fall asleep, I just want to thank the kind stranger who nominated this site for best personal blog in the first ever Irish Blog Awards. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll make the short list but I was tickled pink to make the (rather) long list so thanks whoever you are! There are plenty of excellent Irish blogs around though and Damien has put a lot of effort into organising the event, so please cast your vote for the Irish blog awards if you get a chance before Friday 17 February. It’s certainly on my ta-da list. I just need to give it some thought first. I take voting very seriously. Remember the Suffragettes! But that’s another post…
The last couple of films that I have seen in the wonderful Screen Cinema were hit and miss as usual. Breakfast on Pluto was much better than I expected and a lot of fun. There were also some really tender moments and I really like films that make you feel different ways like that. I’m not a Cillian Murphy fan as a rule (perhaps I’m just still traumatised from seeing Disco Pigs ), but his acting and appearance were fabulous in this.
On the other hand, Match Point was even worse than the scathing reviews suggested. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers was most unconvincing, although some of his exchanges were very funny, even if that wasn’t intended. The plot was ridiculous! I can go with crazy plots if I get carried away with the film, but with the fake cast and thoroughly modern setting, it was never going to work. Gorgeous she may be, but I really don’t get all the fuss surrounding Scarlett Johansson! I have given her several chances (Lost in Translation, Girl with a Pearl Earring and A Good Woman) but from what I can see she plays the same part every time and not particularly spectacularly. She is probably just too subtle for me. Perhaps someone can explain her less obvious charms?
February 8th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Don’t sully the reputation of Ms Johansson!
She’s quality and I won’t hear a bad word said about her. Granted I haven’t seen Match Point but Lost In Translation is one of my favourite films and her performance was excellent.
February 9th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Mmmmmm, Scarlett Johannson!!!
February 9th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
For a long time the only movie I had seen Scarlett Johansson in was ‘Eight Legged Freaks’. ‘Lost in Translation’ was released during a lull in my cinema going so I never saw it, despite everyone I know raving about it.
I managed to catch bits and pieces of ‘The Island’ on a hotel movie channel in Sydney last week. I didn’t see it all, and I only pieced it together from seeing short bits of multiple broadcasts, but I didn’t get the impression that it was as bad as people said it was. I will admit to finding it difficult to be properly critical of Johansson; my brain tends to switch off a bit (which was useful when watching ‘Eight Legged Freaks’; you don’t want to watch that movie with your brain in gear).
I thought the trailers for ‘Match Point’ looked very uninteresting, but I saw a few previews, reviews, and interviews which changed my mind. I’d actually quite like to see it now. I’m in a bit of a Woody Allen-watching mode at the moment anyway.
February 12th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
well rory, if you want to waste a couple of hours of your life feel free!
ah, i have seen a lot worse but it was rather stupid… at least it was nice and light and mr rhys meyers going on about opera was very funny… if a film is rubbish, i can forgive it if it is light hearted as against where the truth lies or palindromes (top of my all time bad films list!)
and i agree that lost in translation was a good film. it’s just that i’ve been watching scarlett play the same character ever since!
February 17th, 2006 at 8:40 am
I told you so! I’m fed up forgiving Woody Allen for lacklustre films over the last decade.
Scarlett has one gear when it comes to acting - and it’s pretty tedious.
Hope you’re doing well. Are you going along to the Blog Awards?
February 19th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
glad someone agrees sinéad - although i fear this is starting to look like the girls are ganging up on scarlett
i’m completely terrified of social occasions so i probably won’t be at the awards but i expect to see you on the shortlist tomorrow so good luck!
February 20th, 2006 at 9:23 am
Starting?!