2 December 2013
Just back from the movies with my lady.
“Captain Phillips” had been recommended to me by a friend and when we found it was on at the Schauburg Kino in Karlsruhe and screening in original English with German subtitles it was a must. A fine cinema, Karlsruhe’s oldest with big comfy seats, cheap nachos and as much cheese dip as you can pump out the dispenser yourself( although not warm!) as well as wine you can take into the theater – it’s a great place. Only about 8 people in the big room for our 6.30 show but when we came out the atrium was packed with people who’d bought cheap tickets to see a “mystery” film which was going on general release in 2 weeks. A great idea!
The advertising posters for past and future releases indicated they put on a lot of art films in their original language and Simone told me this was the place she used to go when she was a teenager. Definitely somewhere I’ll be visiting on a regular basis when I’m over again.
It only cost us 7.5 euros for what were close to the VIP seats I tend to go for at the big chains back home and the staff were all obviously film buffs, the barman talking up our movie while he served us!
Maybe it was because I was on tour but this film wasn’t picked up on my radar. I really enjoyed it. Great script and brilliant acting by Tom Hanks, who I know isn’t everyone’s favorite. It’s the first film I’ve seen on the subject of modern piracy and with my visit to Somalia still relatively fresh in my mind it struck a chord of understanding with some undercurrents in the storyline. The knowledge that it was a real life experience gave the movie edge and I couldn’t but help admire the bravery of those who’d been involved in that situation. The tension on screen was at times unbearable.
Director Paul Greengrass handles the story line admirably and doesn’t allow it to fall into the eternal trap of a Hollywood where the good guys/ bad guys are polarised. There’s enough understanding of the global politic and enough character development to bring a humanity to the movie and if anything it fortified my personal opinions and raised further questions on modern day colonisation and culture clashes.If you haven’t seen it yet it’s well worth taking in.
Taking my lady out to the movies was a lovely ending to my last night in Karlsruhe.
Tomorrow is the early train and a flight home to gather myself for the weekend gig down South. First up? Reassemble the lyric book and work out the set list for a 90 minute show which although not as long as our normal set is 3 times longer than our last stage performance and I know it will be decidedly more enjoyable.
Sad to say goodbye to the balcony again but every time I come here I know I am laying down more roots.
I know I’ve found a great new movie theater 🙂
http://www.schauburg.de/ (page can be translated)