MATT GOES TO THE MOVIES or TALK TO ME


it had been TWO WEEKS since I went to a movie! Yes, 2 weeks! Talk about "cold turkey" --- I had to stay late at the office. I almost went straight home after I left as I was tired, but I decided to take in a movie.

Jun Ichikawa's film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's TONY TAKITANI opened today. I had been waiting to see it for some time. Excellent film, but very sad. By the way, should you fall in love and the object of your affection has a hang up for buying lots and lots of clothes --- just let her/him buy as much as she/he wants because if you try to change her/his ways -- well, the results could be rather tragic on o-so many levels. Using a husband's frustration with his wife's obsession with shopping as a metaphor for the temptation to try and "change" our lovers is only one layer of the short story from which the film is based. Of course the larger themes of loneliness, isolation and loss are the more crucial. Translating to film one is left with a certain dark comic view -- however, that is not really a bad thing. And, the score by Ryuichi Sakamato was so beautiful!!! For some reaon, there has been no soundtrack release other than on iTunes. Odd. ...Not that I can buy music at the moment! LOL! ...I'm just sayin'.

Oh, and what is it about me that seems to make people feel free to just chat with me at any given time? San Francisco is a very friendly city, but I don't think this happens to most people. The film was not sold out, but there was a substantial number of people in the cinema. I was seated in the center of the third row from the screen. It's time for new glasses and, as I was alone, I prefer not to be seated within a cluster of fellow film viewers. I figured I could be "isolated and lonely" on the the 3rd row as that is quite close to the screen. But, of course, this strategy failed. Two couples (one gay and one straight) sat on either side of me and a group of intellectual friends sat behind me. And, a little old man decided to sit directly infront of me -- preventing me from pushing up against the chair with my knees (my optimal sitting preference when this close to the screen) --- ANYWAY, the film ended and I wanted to close my eyes and just enjoy Sakamoto's piano playing but the woman next to me said, "What was the point of that?"

Her boyfriend was not answering.

A slightly fem voice to my left said, "Yeah, we're not sure"

No one else spoke. Then, the woman's voice --- "So, you've no opinion?"

It then strikes me that she is speaking to me. I open my eyes to discover that four sets of eyes are looking at me. Why? But, I'm not shy. I apologized and told her that I hadn't realized she was speaking to me. I told she and her boyfriend about the short story and what I felt the writer had tried to convey. The boyfriend said, "Honey, I'm giving you my credit card. I don't want to lose you." The gay boy to my left laughed and demanded the same from his boyfriend who responded with a "you wish" --- then somone behind me asked if I had read any of Haruki Murakami's novels. I haven't, but plan to get around to it one of these days. Then a whole new discussion broke out. In short, I didn't get to listen to Sakamoto's closing theme. However, the conversation was interesting.

Does this sort of thing happen to anyone else?

I had a similar interaction with an older lady when I saw MA MERE for the second time (don't ask) --- but she was upset by the movie and felt the need to tell me what "trash" we had just sat through. Of course, I was unable to just "smile and wave" I had to ask her why, if she felt it was complete garbage did she sit thru all 2 hours and 15 minutes of it. ...she found it interesting. LOL!

Oh, and the new Goldfrapp CD has totally grown on me and I LOVE it! Ooh la la, indeed! Think Kylie M gone all S&M on your ass --- and you can sort of get a grasp for the general sound.

Stalker -- Thanks again. And, just in case you were wondering -- I would love to have the new CD's by Petra Jean Phillipson and Babyshambles. LOL! And, you can go ahead and tell me who you are now, please because you are really creeping me OUT. So, stop it please.

OH, and a big Happy Birthday to Milford! His bday party is this evening and I can't wait!

Happy Birthday to Milford!!!