Went to see the Oscar-winning film The Lives of Others the other night and was very impressed. It’s a film about the Stasi, the East German secret police, and a cautionary tale to anyone who believes in a surveillance society and a “If you’ve got nothing to hide” attitude. Having not studied mid-20th century history, the story of East Germany is still one I’m not hugely familiar with, so the story, about a Stasi agent who becomes obsessed with one investigation, was an eye-opener.
The lead, Ulrich Mühe, reminded me of Kevin Spacey in Se7en. I agree with Bernard’s review (which I also recommend), including his reflection that the end is a little on the long side but worth it. Go and see it now.
At dinner at a pleasant French restaurant last night, we discovered that we all had, by some coincidence, watched Tony Blackburn’s 1970s video selections on TMF (free-to-air digital music channel) at the weekend.
This led to the curious suggestion that 70s popsters Baccara – of Yes Sir, I Can Boogie fame – might actually be the Cheeky Girls back in time. (Or mad, or in a coma.)
To the New Ambassadors Theatre last night to see Whipping It Up, a comedy about Conservative Party whips written by Steve Thompson.
The play was pretty funny – the first half slightly more so than the second – with a few jokes that had we Lib Dems in the back row laughing particularly knowingly at. Robert Bathurst (from Steven Moffat‘s Joking Apart) and Richard Wilson (from Steven Moffat’s Doctor Who and the Empty Child) deservedly took top billing in the cast of six. I noticed that the role of the junior whip – played by an understudy – was usually played by Lee Ross, from EastEnders, The Catherine Tate Show and Steven Moffat’s Press Gang.
The play is set a few months into a Cameron government with a small majority, and I’d recommend it, especially to politicos.
Recent comments