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dolorosa_12It's been a rambly weekend, filled with a mixture of wandering and snuggling up at home — exactly the right balance between the two. I've even had time to do a bit of reading, although perhaps not as much as I would have liked.
On Saturday, Matthias and I got on a train, got off in Shelford (one of the villages around just outside Cambridge), and walked for an hour or so to Harston, travelling through village streets whose thatched and slate-roofed houses were laden with late summer flowers, past fields with piles of hay bales baking in the sun, and along narrow country roads into the industrial estate where a small brewery was hosting a beer festival. We sat outside in the sunshine, drinking beer (in Matthias's case), and Pimm's and soft drinks (in mine), eating food from the food trucks catering the event, listening to the bands playing on the stage, and people (and dog) watching. It was a great way to spend lunchtime on a Saturday. Here's a photoset.
Today we stuck much closer to home, with crepes for breakfast, attacking various household chores, and relaxing in the living room. The cat who has made our garden its own was back, lounging around on the outdoor table, and then sitting on the fence for ages. It's still not comfortable enough to remain when we go outside, though.
I've not watched/read very much this in recent days — the cold left me bereft of energy. However, I have at least finished the penultimate Benjamin January book — Lady of Perdition — which sees Ben and friends travelling to Texas, initially to retrieve one of the teenage students at Rose's school (who, though freeborn, has been sold into slavery), but later embroiled in another thorny case. As with most of the mysteries in this historical crime series, the case hinges on money, inheritance, and complicated family relationships. I enjoyed it immensely!
Gunpowder Milkshake was finally available for streaming in the UK, so Matthias and I watched it last night. This is one of those films that's all style and no substance — but what style it is. The plot, such as it is, sees Karen Gillan shoot/stab/bite/martial arts her way through hundreds of faceless organised crime goons sent to kill her when a crime boss puts a hit out on her. She's assisted in her endeavours by Lena Headey, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino, and the whole thing is filled with incredibly stylised violence, lurid, surreal lighting and sets, and unsubtle themes of motherhood. It had the feel of something that had been adapted from a graphic novel.
And that's been my weekend so far.
On Saturday, Matthias and I got on a train, got off in Shelford (one of the villages around just outside Cambridge), and walked for an hour or so to Harston, travelling through village streets whose thatched and slate-roofed houses were laden with late summer flowers, past fields with piles of hay bales baking in the sun, and along narrow country roads into the industrial estate where a small brewery was hosting a beer festival. We sat outside in the sunshine, drinking beer (in Matthias's case), and Pimm's and soft drinks (in mine), eating food from the food trucks catering the event, listening to the bands playing on the stage, and people (and dog) watching. It was a great way to spend lunchtime on a Saturday. Here's a photoset.
Today we stuck much closer to home, with crepes for breakfast, attacking various household chores, and relaxing in the living room. The cat who has made our garden its own was back, lounging around on the outdoor table, and then sitting on the fence for ages. It's still not comfortable enough to remain when we go outside, though.
I've not watched/read very much this in recent days — the cold left me bereft of energy. However, I have at least finished the penultimate Benjamin January book — Lady of Perdition — which sees Ben and friends travelling to Texas, initially to retrieve one of the teenage students at Rose's school (who, though freeborn, has been sold into slavery), but later embroiled in another thorny case. As with most of the mysteries in this historical crime series, the case hinges on money, inheritance, and complicated family relationships. I enjoyed it immensely!
Gunpowder Milkshake was finally available for streaming in the UK, so Matthias and I watched it last night. This is one of those films that's all style and no substance — but what style it is. The plot, such as it is, sees Karen Gillan shoot/stab/bite/martial arts her way through hundreds of faceless organised crime goons sent to kill her when a crime boss puts a hit out on her. She's assisted in her endeavours by Lena Headey, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett and Carla Gugino, and the whole thing is filled with incredibly stylised violence, lurid, surreal lighting and sets, and unsubtle themes of motherhood. It had the feel of something that had been adapted from a graphic novel.
And that's been my weekend so far.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-19 04:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-19 04:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-19 07:40 pm (UTC)I really need to catch up with the Benjamin January books I haven't read - I can't remember where I left off, but I think I'm at least two or three books behind, and they are so lovely.
I watched Gunpowder Milkshake with Skuld when it came out, and - yeah, same. All form, no substance. I got irrationally mad at the super competent weapons "librarians" not having any way of keeping thugs from just busting into their "library". Or, if that failed, not having an actual secret exit or something. It's like nobody cared about plot or logic, because everything just led to the next fight scene. (Also I watched it with Skuld, who is picky and did not think Karen Gillan was fun to watch in said fight scenes, as he's used to the skill levels of actors in Hong Kong cinema action.)
no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 05:43 pm (UTC)I think expecting coherence, sensible worldbuilding or plot or anything like that from Gunpowder Milkshake is a losing battle. Every decision seemed made based solely on aesthetic grounds (and the aesthetics were great, to be fair)!
Also I watched it with Skuld, who is picky and did not think Karen Gillan was fun to watch in said fight scenes, as he's used to the skill levels of actors in Hong Kong cinema action.
Ha! I don't have anywhere near his level of familiarity with Hong Kong action films, but there was one point where I turned to Matthias and said, 'What a waste to have Michelle Yeoh shooting the nameless antagonists rather than engaging them in hand-to-hand combat!'
Ultimately I enjoyed the film as silly, stylised brainless fun, but I can see why you found it frustrating.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-19 09:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 11:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-20 05:36 pm (UTC)I definitely recommend Gunpowder Milkshake if you're looking for stylish, brainless entertainment.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-22 01:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-22 03:34 pm (UTC)