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[rebness]

The peril of working in a hospital means that one is always bloody ill. This week, I am mostly suffering a burning throat and a horrid cough. Urgh.

Despite all this, I had a great time last night. Chris and I drove up to see an old friend from university, Pete, who cooked us a Japanese-style meal-- it made a welcome break from the curry and chips I had been planning on. Have also realised that I've finally mastered chopsticks. Huzzah! Rice, you are no longer my enemy.

We went to FACT, some arty place to see Howl's Moving Castle. The best thing about this relaxed gallery-cum-cinema is the excellence of drinking Hoegaarden whilst watching an out-there anime film.

The film itself I really enjoyed; it was dark, funny, touching... the wizard Howl was absolutely flaming as a character, and I know I'll have a nightmare in the future about that scarecrow, but who cares? It was a great film, even if the ending was cheesier than a big round of Stinking Bishop.

We rounded out the night by paying a visit to the church of Alma de Cuba. Erm, well, it was once a church. It's now a bar filled with huge candles, great Gothic tables where the altar should be, and a television where the vestibule was. I wasn't sure whether to be offended as a Catholic, or amazed as a hedonist. That said, I think we were sold when we saw the Cuban menu... we're definitely paying a visit to it soon for a good meal.

I dunno. Last night was simple and good; we didn't get drunk, we didn't really have a schedule (well, apart from the film) and I was so damned happy to be back in the company of old friends. I've been feeling worn down by the constant meetings, the commuting to work and the horrible reality of the oncology department. I've been feeling less myself lately and more worker drone. It's easiest to let yourself go in company that's bitched about university lecturers; you don't have to worry about disgracing yourself in front of someone who has already seen what vodka, pasta and Lambrini can do to you. And your sink, your wall, your hair.

My work colleagues are fun and they're new in my life, but debating the meaning of Latin phrases with a couple of sciencey people, trying not to be put off my drink by religious frescoes, is most assuredly my kind of thing.

Comments

[mothergoddamn.livejournal.com]

http://www.genremagazine.com/2005/9-27/magazine/content/franz.cfm

:p

[rebness.livejournal.com]

You. Rock.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Also, is it just me or do our beloved band members look like Siamese twins there?

[setting-sun.livejournal.com]

Loads of people have said HMC is bollocks. Do you think they're overreacting by comparing it to Miyazaki's previous stuff or was it just as good?

[peregrinuscanus.livejournal.com]

I thought it was great, and I am a fan of both other Miyazaki films and the DWJ book. It's non-linear and complicated (but not as much as the book!) and the ending cops out in wrapping the war up very quickly and for once Miyazaki giving a resolutely happy ending, but it's still a superb bit of story-telling.

It's very much about how things change shape according to the intentions and knowledge of their heart, and that their integrity slips and can collapse when the heart is removed - but this is not easily discerned under the story-telling. It's the house and Howl and Sophie and the Witch of the Waste and even the Scarecrow.

What the scarecrow does perhaps is stand for that 'one good man(person)' whose restoration can alter the whole course of the war. He is a figure who has been lost (and therefore a primary cause of the war) but this is only fleetingly mentioned in an aside early on in the film.

[setting-sun.livejournal.com]

I think maybe because it is complicated is the reason why people are laying into it so much, but I must say it sounds like marvellous fun, although I wouldn't expect anything to be as good as My Neighbour Totoro.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

It was quite complicated, but I'm used to DWJ-esque storytelling. I haven't read Howl's Moving Castle yet, but I've just ordered it off Amazon. Have you read Dogsbody? That was my favourite book as a child.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I know! I wasn't expecting much from it, to be honest. Pete and Chris both told me that it wasn't supposed to be as good as Miyazaki's previous work (they're both right into anime and manga, so are harsher critics than me at the moment) but, you know... it was really fascinating to see a Japanese interpretation of a European story. Some parts didn't work so well, some were excellent. Overall, I enjoyed it more than Princess Mononoke, which was a classy film itself.

The others?

Chris; "I loved it! I'm going to buy the DVD when it comes out."

Pete: "It was really good, right up until the end. What was with the crap hair on the prince?"

The ending is too pat. Everything else before is sinister, exciting... everything you'd expect from a Miyazaki film.

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

Good times, good times.

Last night I watched Legally Blonde 2.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Thirteen Going on Thirty laughs in the face of your pale-toned follicles!

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

Is that the Jennifer Garner one? We got it here under the name Suddenly 30. I think Reese Witherspoon wins, although both are rubbish.

[rebness.livejournal.com]

It was rubbish. I hate bodyswap/OMGZ different age films. Heaven knows why I watched it. I'll make up for it tonight with Closer.

[ladydaydream.livejournal.com]

Glad you had such a good time. I'm seeing some of my friends from uni next week and I can't wait. It's such therapy!

[rebness.livejournal.com]

It's like Chicken Soup for the Soul, only without £5.99 spent on a trite, overly-emotive self-help guide. ;)

[phable.livejournal.com]

You're eloquent and I like your writing style—I've Friended you, and you're welcome to Friend me back if you like.

[tsaress.livejournal.com]

darling are you still coming to see me next weekend get your ass on msn some timeor email your phonenumber so I can give you a ring.

[miss-ak.livejournal.com]

ah but did you know that Howl's Welsh??? ;)

[rebness.livejournal.com]

Muhahaha! I do, now! Howell Jenkins, and hotter for it. >:)

[miss-ak.livejournal.com]

it's actually worth reading the novel, as then, you really get to appriciate what the director changed to add his own touch that is so special in all of his films :)