Last Wednesday I was sitting in the studio by myself thinking about what to do next. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and indecisive really. I had/have a sheep-load of work to do on my new website before it is ready. I was thinking about that, and forming a plan of attack. The site is currently being developed by this guy (with the help of this lady) and I was trying to make sure that I was keeping up my end of the bargain and doing the recategorizing and tutorial writing that I needed to do. If you were observant, you might have snuck a peek at the bare bones of my site on Friday when someone accidentally found it and tweeted the link for all to see! No matter. If you DID see it, just pretend you didn’t. That works for me.
Now, back to Wednesday. There was overwhelmed me. I was making lists of things to do for said site, and I was simultaneously writing a column for this site and I was also looking at the shorts for Beautiful Lies, a click later and I found myself checking session times, putting my clogs back on and marching across the Carlton Gardens to the Nova to see it. Just like that. Twelve ‘o’ clock session. Even though I had work to do. Some sort of cine-compulsion came over me and off I went.
I rarely go to the movies, because it costs a fortune to take the whole tribe. (No wonder people come over all piratey…) I most certainly do not go to the movies alone. I most definitely do not skive off work during that precious 9 til 3 block. Nope. I do not. But for some reason I did all those things. Off marched I.
There were two people in the cinema. Me and a man who had to sit RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, even though he had the WHOLE FREAKING CINEMA at his mercy. Just for him, I took my shoes off. And I crackled my wrappers. And I even coughed a bit. That’ll teach him. Regardless of all that, I had the world’s best time. Just me and close-sitter and Audrey Tatou. Super good. Have you seen Beautiful Lies? It’s so funny and cute. I loved it.
Keen to repeat the world’s best time, I snuck off to see Jane Eyre today. It was $6 movie day at Nova. The cinema was packed (drat) and I sat between two gals who were going to the movies on their own too. Someone a few seats away opened a sandwich. It had ONION IN IT. OMG. In a cinema! Jeez. Why dontcha just smudge sardines everywhere, lady. Anyhoo. Despite the packedness and the solo-girl movie bookends at each elbow, I had a lovely time. My stomach was growling (it was 11.15), so I should apologise to my cute elbow buddies for that. Hopefully they did not hear, because Rochester was going ‘Jane. Jane’ very loudly quite a bit. It’s a lovely film. At the end I totes expected Jane to pull a Frankie from her decolletage and ride off on a fixie for a cider. They look very hip and modern, despite their breeches and capes, I thought. I quite liked that, a bit of an updated Jane Eyre with lovely braided hair-dos and beards and the like. It was quite a moment when Jane returns to Thornfield. Half the cinema gasped and the other half (who obviously were in the know) tittered a bit. Aww. We were all in it together. It wasn’t so bad to be packed after all..!
Do you do the solo movie? You should take my advice and head off one lunch time.
maillot de psg…
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This is my favourite post ๐ Thanks for the hearty laughs. K
Hello Pip!
How timely- I was searching for some creative inspiration and came across your post via an illustrator's site link and love the happiness literally springing from my computer as I scrolled through your blog. Just a little thank you for the pick me up-took a mini virtual visit across the pond( I am on Cape Cod on the East Coast of the US) and restarted my day with a solo movie indulgence(Amelie!- with Audrey Tatou). LOVELY!! Thank you!
Hey Pip, even though I rarely get to, I ADORE going to the movies on my own!! (I thought I was a freak… obviously not!) One year when my lovely man was busy on Valentine's Day, I took myself off to see Chocolat and had a swimming time. Felt all romantic and gooey.
after watching jane eyre all i can say is thats 2 hours of my life i will never get back !
Hi Pip, Oooh you are vey brave doing something different in you daily routine! I was inspired to visit a new cafe today after reading your post. I know it was not quite the movies. . maybe I could work my way up to that. On another note, I am delighted you have gone back to the old format for your posts, which i know contradicts my thoughts about it being good to try something new! But I do love being able to see all your words though by just scrolling down. Hope you are having a sunny and inspiring day. xa
I totally did that on Sunday! Just me, just 'went for a walk' and before I knew it, I was sitting in the cinema watching 'One Day'. Except, DRAT, I was so disappointed! I like Anne Hathaway, but her accent morphed from post English to up-north English, and she somehow wasn't very good. Maybe the whole movie didn't live up to the book. Anyhow, I have decided I love going to the movies on my own.
It's great to run away, once in a while.
Oh I always think of going to the movies by myself but never find the time I think I am going to have to find the time & sneak of to see Jane Eyre! :))
Nova $6 Mondays are awesome. I've been know to see not just one but 3 movies on a Nova Monday. Solo movies are fun. xx
Hey Anonymous… That is not the ending! SO there you go!
x
I live around the corner from a cute little independent cinema called the Odeon Star, but bafflingly, they only show mainstream pics there! I do enjoy the guilty pleasure of the occasional solo mid-afternoon popcorn flick, but not very often.
I saw Jane Eyre a couple of weeks ago & loved it. The attention to detail & costume design were flawless, & unlike Margaret, I liked the way they switched the narrative around – I imagine it was very exciting for people who hadn't read the book or seen previous adaptations.
Good luck with your website…I feel your pain. It is SO much work. I've got my blog launched but I'm still working on my shop, etc. As it's very heavy on the graphics, it's taking an age, plus all the layouts, etc. It's worth it in the end though – can't wait to see yours when it's done!
Love going to the movies on my own though I think i will skip on Jane Eyre now that you have (by accident I'm sure) ruined the ending for me…
oh golly I have a lot to do today. and now I have cine-urges, which sounds a bit wrong now that I say it, actually.
Pepper
Jane Eyre. Best companion to skip work ๐
I have never done a movie on my own, but might just have to put this on my bucket list of things to do. Both movies sound wonderful and will go on my list of to sees, though I often wait for to rent the DVD's due to the cost in the theaters.
I love going to the movies on my own, even to a coffee shop. I remember when I was young I used to be a bit self conscious about it. But now I love the peace, after many years of kids and family. I'm looking forward to Jane Eyre.
I go to the movies on my own regularly. I even go to the Melbourne International Film Festival on my own. This year I saw 11 films in six days. I love it! And I love going to films in the mornings! So glad you've discovered the absolute joy of solo film going! The only thing that tops going to the cinema on your own is to 1. go see a film in the morning, 2. have a nice lunch and book on your own, then 3. followed by a second film in the afternoon!
Oooh, love a good Audrey Tatou flick so your review is noted.
I love going to the movies along. Always have. Has been ages since I have done it now that I have kidlets but I remember a friend, and more recently a sister-in-law, (at 45) who just don't "do" the solo-cinema-visit thing. Bah. Life is too short.
Oh I love going to the flicks by myself! It is such a treat. I saw Beautiful Lies too, quite good I thought. I'll have to give old Jane a whirl next.
Beautiful Lies is the one about the love letter…. No pills! Just vodka! xx
Love going to the movies on my own. Is Beautiful Lies the one where she is a bit of a psycho and hooks into a married man…. collage on wall with pills at end??
Lisa
Hi there Pip,
Gosh, wouldn't I love to pop off to a movie during a lunch break? Unfortunately my job doesn't allow for such flexibleness. No worries, the holidays are approaching fast. I'll go then! Yes, I will!
Nic
The last time I did this was two years ago. I was enormously pregnant with my second child and took a day off by myself before the baby arrived to visit bookshops, have a lazy lunch and go to the movies.
I saw Kickass. It felt completely, wonderfully indulgent and it totally kicked ass!
I always wanted to see a movie on my own, so one day I did. Then I felt kinda sooky and sorry for myself. But I should do it again, I think I have the self-confidence to enjoy it this time. Maybe when my maternity leave starts soon.
(other cinema goers can really make/break your experience! I remember seeing this really beautiful and touching japanese film with my mum, and someone behind us had the WORST case of the farts the whole time, we thought we were going to die! kinda ruined the magic)
I love the solo movie. Being a single gal, I tend to head to the movies on my own quite often. Mostly because I also tend to go on the spur of the moment.
I love to go to the Sun Theatre and think it is one of life's little luxuries when you can go to the movies in the middle of the day and have a nice glass of wine…especially when the movie is in French. You gotta love the small things!
What a lovely post, Pip! You know I've NEVER been to a film on my own before, but right now it sounds heavenly. I just might do it one day ๐
Hey Pip,
I love going to the movies on my pat malone. Especially when the cinema is really empty, it feels like your own private screening.
Thanks for the reminder to do something just for yourself.
Cheers
Rochelle