A Film Review
Given recent postings here, I’m sure no one needs to be told which film! Given I’d gone over 8 years since I last saw a movie in a cinema, or theatre, dont hold your breath waiting for the next review either!
Yes, if anyone out there didnt know, it was Pandoras Box, starring Ms Louise Brooks, which I saw last night in Leeds. Post work, the evening started briefly with the ‘delights’ of a quick meal in McDonalds, which filled the need, but only as an appetiser to the main course.
I’d never been in the Grand Theatre in Leeds before last night, the box office being set to the side, so had no idea what to expect. But on first impressions at least, I was duly impressed, though of course I didnt get to see the main theatre, just one of the side rooms upstairs where the film was to be shown.
It might not have been the first full length silent movie I’d seen, Metropolis holds that honour, though that was on DVD or Video, not on a big screen. The other excitement about last night was a live soundtrack provided by 4 talented musicians. But yes, the big thrill for me was seeing Louise Brooks on the big screen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1R8Y5IEvyc&feature=related
provides a few highlights for you, as I didnt think anyone would sit through the full film on a computer, as its nearly 2 and a quarter hours long! No, it didnt feel like it was that long, it has to be said. I know they had to ‘act’ in a silent movie, but hopefully without bias, I found Brooks to be a very good actress. Not to say the supporting cast were anything less, but alright, it was her I went to see, to some degree.
Its not hard to see why it caused controversy when it first came out, its a storyline that certainly pulls its punches, especially in less enlightened times back then. And thats not just the famous scene, regarded as the first film lesbian scenes with Lulu, and the Countess dancing together. No, nothing actually happens, but the look in the Countesses eyes certainly suggest she’d like something to happen! Who can blame her really though? 😉
No, I didnt see any ghostly apparition in the theatre, and certainly not sat next to me, though that seat remained empty, one of the few that did. I swear I felt someone (or something) touch my arm, and hand though, but definitely no one there, or moving in that area at the time. But anyway…
If you have any sort of interest in Louise Brooks, you should make the effort to go and see it sometime, it will be well worth it. If you dont, you might find it a bit dark, unless your tastes run that way. Me, if I get the chance to see more of her films, I will take them, but not sure as to when that chance might arise. But yes, its interesting to see the full film, and the different scenarios that Andy McCluskey used to snip parts for his OMD video. But I owe him much gratitude for introducing me to Louise Brooks in the first place.
The journey home afterwards, surprisingly smooth, I have no idea what went wrong lol!
Life is funny at times
No, nothing to do with having a string of beaus offering to take me to the cinema, that wouldnt be funny, it would be downright amazing lol! No, not even one, beyond one very long distance caller as yet lol! Maybe I do need to wear a flapper dress, heels, and try and bob my hair after all lol to attract the guys. No, I doubt that would bring any more offers lol.
Oh, and related to that, yes, I’m blonde. I looked up the road that the Grand Theatre is in, and knew where it was. Thats handy, I thought, I’ll go to the box office and get my ticket for the film, as its easier for me to pay cash that way. Snag, I didnt realise that Briggate went both ways across Headrow, thought it only went down into town. So yes, you’ve guessed what happened, I never found the theatre. Checked Google Maps when I got home, and discovered that Briggate is a longer road than I thought lol! Aiming to get ticket on Wednesday now, next viable day to do so work wise, so guiys, you have your chance to charm before then at least. Holds breath, maybe not? 😉
But seriously, thats not the funniest thing thats happened recently. My CV is still up at a couple of on;line agencies, simply never got taken down after the last job search a few years ago. Yes, I did change the name on it when I changed mine, and became a Ms, but that was about it. Anyway, while away in the US, I get an email from an agency enquiring if I was still job searching. Well, I would hardly call the search active, but at the same time, I’ll listen to offers, so…I told them to call me when I got back over here, as I didnt think they’d pay for a phone call to the US somehow.
Interesting thing was, because it was in the finance industry, they asked my gender. Given there was an option to prefer not to say, I took it. Mind, as I had earlier filled in that I was a Ms, they would probably assume female anyway. So why not say so, simple, because the Passport people, and the Tax Office wont give me female status until I’ve had all the surgery. So to them, I’m a Ms, but still a male. Ah well… But what they also wanted to know was any previous names, so…Yes, I told them, and told them the name change was due to transition to womanhood. Now, given attitudes, especially I assumed in that sort of industry, I thought that would be it. Wrong, seems that is fine with them. I do wonder if they will bring the matter up at the phone interview thing on Tuesday though, lets see? Or, if after that, it still goes any further.
But yes, hard to believe, telling them I used to be a Mr, but am now a Ms wasnt the most entertaining bit. One question I’ve never seen before on the form, sexual orientation! Seriously, is it legal to ask that on a job application form? I answered assexual, bet they dont get too many of those lol! Had to add it as an option unsurprisingly. Maybe they have a matchmaking section or something?
Lets say the job is a consideration, and no more, but equally it will be interesting to see just how potential employers react to an openly transgendered woman (pre-op) for future reference, in case the need arises.
Oh, last comment on holiday, I have never been called a lady so many times as I was in my time in the US. And people wonder why I want to move over there, its because all think I’m a woman lol. Well maybe not all, but a very high percentage all the same, its lovely. Got called Blossom, in a flattering way by the guy at Dublin Immigration coming back, no doubt there either. Does seem far less nowadays over here to be fair, but anyway…
So OK, after all those musings, lets get to the bit you come here for, the video. Fooled you, no clue in the title, but definitely in the blog. Just love Annie Lennox’s look in this
stevielounicks 
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