Duds all around

It was no surprise that AMC is going to start basing its ticket prices on seat availability. I don’t like the idea. After all, it’s the viewing of a film, a communal experience not a sports event that you go to once a season. If you’ve been to a movie theater lately you’d know how badly attended they’ve become.

I’ve been taking advantage of $5.00 Tuesdays when I can. Last week I found that the price increased to 6.50. No biggie I thought. However, the film I chose was a dud, a flop, lousy, a truly crafted feel-bad movie letdown. Why did I choose this film you ask? I based it on what I’ve seen from the Brits. Two men friends who do more than drink together; they share a genuine friendship that goes to great lengths for one another.

But this isn’t the lovely landscape of England. Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic and Colm, who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán and troubled young islander Dominic, tries to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic's repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with damaging consequences for them both.

Actor Colin Farrell was terrific in his role as the dull and simple-minded Pádraic. I also liked his sister and was glad when she left the island for a brighter future. But despite the acting, this film isn’t Award-winning material. It’s too bland, too slow and, plotless. It’s the type of film you forget about in no time. You will not cry, you will not smile, and you will not remember it.

This past weekend I attended The Conscious Life Expo. In years past I attended as a Journalist, and this was the first time I went as a civilian.

It promised where science and spirituality would meet. HA! There were so many looking out to capitalize on the prey that walked by that it felt intrusive.

In all fairness, it celebrated its 21st year in Los Angeles and is heralded as the best body, mind, and soul conference of its kind. And it used to be just that.

Intended to support a conscious community exploring advancements in science, spirituality, longevity, paranormal, health & wellness, it featured 200 exhibitors with the latest in innovative products and healing modalities, 250 workshops and special events with musicians, transformational experts, authors & visionaries.

It held 12,000 attendees with the majority on Saturday, the day I went. It’s become too crowded with standing room only and this year was the first since the Pandemic that the price jumped. I spoke to the Producer who said he was going to double the 45.00-a-day price next year to weed out the crowd. I told him why not sell a certain number of tickets instead.

The parking was almost as much as the ticket price so it’s become an expensive adventure. When I was standing in line to get into a workshop a young woman asked me what I bought, and my response was, “lunch from Samosa House.”

The Expo takes place at the Airport Hilton Hotel. There used to be a quiet seating area in the lobby, where you could meet and chat. It’s been replaced by a band playing loud rock and indie music, which doesn’t speak to universal consciousness or help calm the nerves into nirvana.

At the end of the night, a well-known exhibitor came over to me and said, “At the turn of the last Century you were a Fashion Designer in France, it’s why you have such great style.”

Could it have been my Beret? Funny I always thought I was a literary Russian Bolshevik.

So I’ll leave you with the type of soothing music I feel would have been appropriate and I would have enjoyed listening to.

Comments are appreciated here on the blog site, not by text. Until next time…