There's recreation, and there's deliberate recreation. After a hectic week Chiclit found herself unwinding with a good rewatch of 'Doctor Who' Chris Eccleston series. It has a high Zen-factor in Alex's book too, but what are your preferences?
What is your favourite stress reducing performance - movie, series, or perhaps a certain episode? Which of his films do you get lost in? Does it change, say, with time or depending on specific circumstances? Or have you discovered the panacea?
2009-09-03
What is your favourite stress reducing performance - movie, series, or perhaps a certain episode? Which of his films do you get lost in? Does it change, say, with time or depending on specific circumstances? Or have you discovered the panacea?
2009-09-03
5 comments:
To see Christopher in the first episode of "Our Friends In The North" truly is a remarkable piece of drama, because you forget that it is from his point of view.
The young idealistic Nicky Hutchinson back from America celebrating his birthday with his mum and dad and then in the arms of the one he loves on the pebbled beach summarising how he feels with the words, "all the way to New Orleans" in that gorgeous Georgie dialect.
Hard to believe too that Christopher made it when he was just thirty years old and looking so fresh faced.
Once more, you've found a very interesting question to ask for this latest installment of "have a think". Because that's what never ceases to fascinate and amaze me and it's a considerable part of the answer to the question why I'm such a fan: there's not many movies out there that *completely* capture your attention every time you rewatch them and which so completely draw you in that it becomes impossible to keep your worrisome train of thought running steadily at the back of your mind. Of those there are, the magic usually gets lost once you've rewatched them a couple of times.
However, with many of the movies Chris has done, I find the exact opposite of my observations to be true: they just manage to capture you, every time, no matter if it's the umpthiest rewatch. They're a fail-safe recipe of leaving this our real world for some hour or two.
Also I sometimes have a movie playing in the background while doing something else, i.e. cleaning up or getting some writing done. I've tried this once or twice with some of Chris's movies I wasn't rewatching for exactly the first time. Turned out to be impossible and I ended up glued to the screen again both times. They're just too good to be used for background entertainment!
It then really just depends on the mood I'm in which one goes into the DVD-player. Of my collection the ones on the top list are Perfect Parents, Flesh and Blood, Second Coming, Revenger's Tragedy (sometimes you just need some Vindici in your life!), I am Dina and Strumpet. And Clocking Off if I need some serious cheering-up.
And then there's times I have to fight some demons. There's those nights on duty after which you get home and feel completely empty and as if your face was set in stone, emotion being a strange concept you *used to* know. There's nothing like a large cuppa coffee and a miracle weapon called "Doctor Who series 1" against this emptiness and scaring flashbacks of the nightshift past. You just can't help but smile, and that's when the stone breaks up. And then there's all that wide range of emotions, all flooding back. Zen, indeed. But when I look at those of my colleagues who can't go on without alcohol or anti-depressants, I feel extremely lucky I've found something that much better working for me, and sad because they haven't.
Interesting, thoughtful comments-I have watched the first scene of Our Friends in the North many times, and you know if that scene didn't work, the rest of the series would have been difficult. Its terrific! but haven't seen the full series-must get online again and try to find a deal.
Hedgehog, you are absolutely right, his work is mesmerizing and the material challenges you at times- even DW is not something you can just leave on in the background and do something else without being drawn in-I know I can't - I have tried. On my most recent rewatch I found myself noticing new and subtle things that Chris did in several scenes. Lovely-and compelling. A great way to treat stress-I have "Rose" installed on my computer and watch the opening minutes every now and again.
I like some of the domestic dramas you mentioned too. Clocking Off is immensely cheering, a short, positive little show, that has some witty dialogue. When I need to unwind, I don't need much more than that. I like Flesh and Blood- the ending of Strumpet is wonderful, and it stays with you- just typing the name gives me an earworm (that song starts running through my head) watch it, and "Get Out Get Out" will not get out of my head for days which is not necessarily a bad thing. I love free way that Chris dances and sings in the movie with such abandon and when I hear the song in my head I imagine the dance on the dirt pile.
I am looking forward to a rewatch of Perfect Parents, have it queued up on Netflix. It was one of my first Eccleston films post DW-and now that I have seen much more of his work, I wonder if I will look at the film or his performance through different eyes.
Re OFITN - yes, I remember the first time I watched episode one, completely knocked sideways, it felt so real. And to think, that while they were making the series chronologically, midway through it was decided that the beginning wasn't right, and they did the episode from scratch again. Suppose that's why it is so 100% on, without the tentativeness of typical openings. Yet, imo, it's too intense to watch with burdened mind.
Completely agree about 'Doctor Who' - even sorting the images I find myself grinning like a loon. One can use the traditional labels 'war-damaged' and 'gritty' for Eccleston's Doctor, but the direct effect is quite another story. (Although applying his style in reality can give dubious results...)
As I've always been a multi-rewatch person (favs easily going into double digits) I can't say if Eccleston films differ from the others I like, but what I know, is that my understanding of the movie and his character evolves with every viewing too, there's no finite perception.
Yes, Hedgehog, sometimes we just need some Vindici =)
As much as DW works magic, it has this little side effect that suddenly you find yourself watching much more, maybe two eps, maybe three. So for me the ultimate means is 'Strumpet'.
It took the long way to my heart, but when it came, it came to stay. In the review Chiclit pointed out, how it deals with heavy themes, and yet is not depressing. That's exactly the point, you're neither too exhilarated, nor crushed. But there's something looking suspiciously like hope.
For some reason I want to compare 'Strumpet' with 'On the road', in that dismal is not appalling. Your meal today was a can of beans heated in an electric kettle? It tasted great. Slept on the pavement? Heard a fantastic song on the radio from an open window above.
Zen's the way.
I'll watch just about anything Chris has been in for recreation, particularly if I haven't seen it yet and/or have easy access to it. Believe me, being a geriatrics and hospice nurse, I definitely need the down time and a way to destress. Two performances, though, that I tend to watch a lot lately are Chris as Claude on Heroes and as Strayman in Strumpet. I actually got a second copy of Heroes season 1 because I tend to watch the first so much and the DVDs are taking a beating. Claude is my all time favorite character. As for Chris as Strayman, he's looks great with a beard, he's another interesting character and he sings :)
Post a Comment