20 Nov 06 Entertained
Anyone who keeps a casual and personal blog understands how it feels when there’s not much in the brain itching to be written about yet when you write nothing, a nagging pressure mounts to pick a random topic out of the ether and get over the slump. So here’s my random topic: entertained.
Not all of my time in the past while has been spent shooting pictures or editing pictures. Matt and I have been out patronising galleries and theater and cinemas, as well we have lounged a bit in front of the TV. Some recent highlights include:
The Fischli and Weiss exhibit at Tate Modern
A sincerely fun retrospective of these two Swiss artists that have collaborated for 30+ years and who I’d never heard of before this show. My favourite section is the enormous room set up as what appears to be the artists’ working studio - miscellaneous tools, crates, pizza boxes and assorted junky things. The twist is that none of the objects in this room are ‘real’, but sculpted fabrications of the real things. Having not realised this until days after we visited the exhibition, I had to return to scrutinize it all for signs of imitation. Even the rubber boots and gloves looked real, it’s a complete mind-bender. Also, separately entertaining to see is the installation of giant slides in the Turbine Hall which have attracted swarms of eager and vocal kiddies.
One Man Star Wars
Nutty Canadian Charles Ross is touring his one-man spastic interpretation of the original Star Wars trilogy. We caught the show at the Garrick Theater and were generally impressed by the unpretentious wackiness of a solo guy playing all the pertinent roles plus the spaceships as though he were performing in a livingroom for a bunch of friends for a laugh. The audience loved it but, for the few who might not have, Ross offered an apology at the end mentioning how easy it could have been to misinterpret the title of the show and have expected something different… :P
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Hysterically ridiculously belligerently funny movie, yes it is, and the humour is so way over the top to be judged only ‘politically incorrect’. Any person easily offended by pretty much anything should probably never see this flick. Just when I needed lots of laughs this movie came through, however I would happily take back five of the six (or eight) minutes I spent watching that nude wrestling scene. In light of the controversial revelations regarding the making of the film my thoughts are: Sacha Baron Cohen tricking some frat guys into drinking too much - OK whatever - but swindling an entire village of poor Romanian gypsies is perhaps ethically questionable and not entirely a practice I’d like to pay money to support.
Breaking and Entering
A London-filmed movie with Jude Law, Robin Wright Penn and Juliette Binoche - some actors I quite like to watch. Unfortunately there was no baring of Jude’s bum for this one but the interesting story and clever pacing made for a decent evening out. We have a newly opened cinema / multi-purpose community arts facility in our area, Rich Mix, where tickets cost only £6 (versus £12.50 at Leicester Square)!
In the Face of History: European Photographers in the 20th Century at Barbican
Spent a few hours wandering through this enormous and engaging photography exhibit, primarily featuring exciting and moving documentary-style images. Aside from Atget and Brassai whose images of Paris I am familiar with, top highlights for me were Henryk Ross ( represented by a series of shocking images which he took in secret while imprisoned in the Lodz ghetto in Poland during World War Two) and Anders Peterson, whose photographs taken in Sweden at “Cafe Lehmitz”. Some of those pictures are the best I have ever seen, ever, and I discovered this afternoon he was here in London giving a lecture ten days ago… aaargh!
BBC’s Planet Earth series with David Attenborough
It’s nature programming at its absolute best and intriguing, really, and you can buy it on DVD. It’s equally amazing to watch the ‘diaries’ segments that document some of the trials of making the series. Unbelievably these filmmakers have suffered near attacks by lions and polar bears and extreme cold all for their commitment (and producer-pressure, I think) to record unforgettable footage. Last night’s rainforest episode had the photographer waiting 120 hours in a covered hole in the ground (not in one go), waiting with a male six-wired bird of paradise to meet a female mate. The results were worth it!
10 Mar 06 As seen on Brit TV
They show stuff on TV here you would likely never see in North America, but then again I haven’t watched cable TV in several years so maybe I’m wrong. We signed up for Sky digital cable and now have quite a selection of real estate and food shows to watch round the clock. And enough documentary channels to make for a better overall mix.
What I don’t think you’d see across the pond:
You Are What You Eat
Each episode has the nutritionist/host invade an obese family’s home and work with them to change their eating habits. As a shocker the family is forced to look at a table full of all the foods they normally consume in a week, likely consisting of mountains of fried potato and fatty meat products, snack foods, soda and alcohol - never much in the way of vegetables and greens. This show would be perfect for airing in America, but what you probably wouldn’t see is the part where the nutritionist has each member of the family take a poo in a tupperware and then analyzes it in front of the cameras, in front of the family! At least they all wear face masks during the process, but there’s nothing to spare the viewer a good gag.
Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares
I did see an indication that FoodTV (Canada) was going to air this show (a dead Google link) but perhaps it was cancelled after viewer complaints? Nonetheless this show is a blast to watch - celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay ventures to some out-of-the-way town and descends on a restaurant desperately in need of help. His aim is to point out all the changes needed to save the restaurant from insolvency, and this involves ripping the chef and/or owners and managers a new one. What you won’t see (actually, hear) abroad is half the words coming out of Ramsay’s mouth, since every second one is f*ck or f*ck*ng. :O)
Although these stunts are calculated to create shock value and generate more viewers, and these two examples air on the same channel, I do get the sense there is less censorship on TV in the UK, and in the minds of people in general. No Jackson Superbowl uproars here, methinks.
9 Jan 06 Brit TV & the American at the Lift
Days have been short and a bit chilly, so we’re enjoying some downtime relaxation sitting in front of the TV. Yesterday was a key example of this - we spent most of the afternoon inside with the heat turned high, remote control handy. It wasn’t so cold really, not much rain out, and the temp was still above zero. Just an excuse to veg. I think we’ve got five channels on our hotel TV, including a couple from BBC, so what are we watching?
The Collectors & Sellers
At least a show or two that we’ve watched features ‘experts’ who walk into people’s homes and rifle through their kitschy collections to pick out gems that might sell well at auction. The collector usually wants to make some money they can put toward the price of a new car, or cooking classes. Yesterday’s guy wanted a new Hummer. The auctions are kind of fun to see, and there are a few surprises when someone makes more money than expected.
The Buyers
Real estate.. property buyers are looking for a new home. One show has two hosts who each choose one property they think is suitable for the buyer (usually a family), and they both pick a ‘wildcard’ that for some reason doesn’t exactly fit with the buyer’s hopes. The buyers walk through each of the houses, guess the price and thats about it. Armchair house-shopping is the gyst.
The Athletes
Darts. Professional darts. Mullets. Really GREAT mullets! What more can be said really? Fantastic entertainment!
Footy
Lots of it. Again, what more can be said? It’s soccer, and it’s huge here.
The Stars
Celebrity Big Brother is captivating the masses at the moment. It airs every night and the biggest celebrity they’ve got is Dennis Rodman. Some brit actor, first name Michael, is the biggest celebrity on this side of the water apparently, but there’s also Pete Burns (of the 80s hit song You Spin Me Round fame) and George Galloway, a local MP, who is causing a stir in the headlines by skipping out on his parliamentary duties by appearing on the show. Now this is riveting TV! There are eleven ‘celebrities’ locked in a big apartment, all sleeping in the same room, for at least a couple of weeks. Throw in a goofy musician who calls himself ‘Maggot’ and a Baywatch babe and you’ve got a show!
The American in the Lift
Well it’s not on TV, but it probably could be. I said “hi” to a guy waiting for the elevator:
“Howdy,” he responded. “Are you American?”
“No, Canadian. But I just came from upstate New York. Where are you from?”
“Chicago.”
“Oh I love Chicago, great city.”
“Yeah.. The English hate Americans, have you encountered that?” he asks.
“Really? No, I haven’t, not at all…”
“You would NOT believe some of the shit we’ve come across here.”
I thought for a second.. “hmmm, have you been acting obscene, or what?” I asked.
He showed some offense to my question, kinda huffed and answered, “Not at all dude, we’re like totally chill.”
12 Dec 05 “I want that one”
Thanks to Jen for recommending we watch Little Britain “in preparation for your relocation!”
It’s hilarious short-sketch comedy with multiple characters - all performed by the same two actors, the best of which are Lou and Andy. Always the same gag, but funny every time: Lou asks Andy to choose something, Andy says “I want that one” without ever looking at the choices, Lou asks “Are you sure? Are you sure you’re sure?”, Andy answers “Yes, Yes” then changes his mind at the point of no return.
In Herby City live Andy and his carer Lou. Lou selflessly dedicates his life to looking after wheelchair-bound Andy and Andy selfishly dedicates his life to making things as difficult as possible for Lou. What Lou doesn’t know is that there’s nothing wrong with Andy’s legs, and whenever he turns his back, Andy’s off out of his chair and gambolling about like a fat, balding, semi-naked spring lamb.
Second-funniest is Daffyd, the only gay in the village!
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