Black Swan

What a perplexing place One finds Oneself in.

This movie has had much hype both in the lead up to, and indeed since, its release. Natalie Portman is excellent in the movie, although One feels that she plays these contradictory characters often and given what little One knows of Ms Portman, it seems there is a little of the contradictory about herself.

Case in point, Ms Portman is a vegan and refuses to wear any leather products. However, is she quite happy to model for Dior, a fashion house with a love for leather? Yes she is:

According to some articles/blogs on the net, Ms Portman even had Dior make her vegan version of various Dior shoes. The net result surely being that Dior's leather shoes have gotten a rush of publicity and increased sales too.

The movie much like these contradictions is in part great and in part schmultzy. The plot starts with an obsessive mother and daughter combo and follows Portman's character on her journey from chorus dancer to prima ballerina. The movie deals with themes of dangers readily apparent in any modern day career where the perceived or actual expectation of perfection and excellence results in a pressure often mostly applied by ourselves. Not wanting to ruin the movie, One will refrain from further comments on the plot and let you see it unfold for yourselves.

As an aside, Mila Kunis (of That 70s Show fame) who plays the new girl in the NY Ballet Company, fresh off the plane from the West Coast is great too. She brings a freshness to the stodgy institution that is the NY Ballet to bring contrast to Portman's establishment vibe. Oddly, Kunis has been dating Macaulay Culkin for the past 9 years.

Would One see Black Swan again? Certainly.

Can One see a single edit that would have removed the schmultz? Certainly.

The Suite Shenton Park Gets it so Wrong while Must gets it SO right

Dear Management at The Suite,

Some of your service staff are not the friendliest people in the world.

Best,

One

o o o O O O o o o

Dear Management at Must Highgate,

Your staff rock, are friendly, are knowledgeable and helpful.

Best,

One

o o o O O O o o o

OK, where did those letters come from? Well, One and the SO popped in to one of Perth's new "Melbourne style" bars, The Suite on Nicholson Road in Shenton Park for a celebratory drink. The SO had just received a great promotion and it was time for bubbles. Bubbles (French of course) were purchased and it was time to drink them. The Suite was packed and One was on the look out for movement at one of the clusters of couches.

Movement, a group gathers their things, One pounces Friday night style and scores the Couch.

Cue Bitchy Blonde waitress:

BBW: 'Did You know there is a waiting list'
One [shocked]: 'Excuse me'
BBW: 'Did You know there is a waiting list'
One: 'No, I'm sorry I didn't'
BBW: 'There is a waiting list, people are waiting'
One: 'Obviously had I known there was a waiting list I would have waited'
BBW: 'humph' [storms off]

Had there not been a bottle of Laurent Perrier to drink, One would have left at that. And do you think that BBW asked if One would like to go on the waiting list? No, she certainly did not. BBW just stormed off, leaving One to find another (and more helpful) member of staff to put One's name on the all important waiting list.

Fast forward 30 minutes, One and the SO arrive at Must, the bistro isn't too full, the bar is packed but there's a high table. Two glasses of bubbles come quickly, One thinks, well maybe there is room in the bistro. One asks the Lovely Bistro Lady if there is room for a cheeky 2 for dinner. LBL says that she is just working out capacity and asks where One is standing, pointing to the SO, LBL says well you get back to your bubbles and I'll let you know but worst case I can do the bistro menu at your table. Perfect!

So lessons for The Suite, be a bit sweeter in your delivery...