Category Archives: Blog Entry

The Invisible Man (2020) – A Review

The Invisible Man (2020) – A Review

***WARNING***
This review will contain spoilers!


When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

One of the things I like about this film is the concept that what you can’t see is far scarier that what you can. The first Cloverfield, even with all its faults, did well in that respect.

Cecilia is played by Elisabeth Moss and she does a stellar job of portraying the fear of the unseen. She does ‘is she crazy or is there actually someone there’ well. Especially given that we know there is someone there. There is a couple of tension building scenes very early on – will he wake up as she leaves the house and is he sat on the chair for example – that really work well. The fact that we also don’t know where he is helps with the tension.

Sadly this is also part of where the film falls down. With the action centred entirely around Cecilia we miss out on the actual character building of the villain – Adrian – played well by Oliver Jackson-Cohen. Of course, I say played well but we barely see him, if you’ll pardon the pun. Aside from the mind games he plays, essentially it’s not until towards the end of the film that we’re properly introduced to him.

There’s a couple of times I was annoyed with Cecilia, like why she never requests a death certificate to prove Adrian was dead. If the shit is hitting the fan and you know there’s an invisible man around wouldn’t you ask your police friend, who clearly trusts you (or did until you apparently hit his daughter) to look it up for you? And on the subject of the cop… not one smoke alarm? A frying pan goes up in flames, smoke is everywhere, yet no is alarm sounding. A good cop who seems like a sensible father would have smoke alarms!

At one point Cecilia calls Adrians mobile phone and it’s still active. As a lawyer and executor of his will surely his brother would have had that disconnected? Of course we know why he hasn’t but that wouldn’t make sense to Cecilia.

Adrian allegedly drugs her with diazepam and Cecilia passes out at a job interview. It’s a short while later we hear from the doctor that it was a large amount of the drug in her system that made her pass out. Trust me when I say I speak from experience that if she had enough to make her pass out she wouldn’t have been walking into that interview without seeming drunk and she’d know well before passing out that something was wrong.

All that stuff aside it’s a good tension building movie – the paint scene made me jump – and one definitely worth a watch. And at least it’s a suit and not a drug! I gave it a seven out of ten.

If you want to see more of my ratings click here and head over to the page 1183 Movie Ratings. I’d be interested to know if you agree with my score or not.

My work bag!

My work bag!

People often comment about the contents of a woman’s handbag so let me tell you wants in the bag I take to work almost daily.  The items in bold are what I use daily.

– Laptop
– iPad
– Contact lens case
– Beard comb
– Make-up
– Tissues
– Solpadeine
– Rennie
– Diclofenac
– Injections
– Vape
– Vape refill
– Empty vapes
– Random letters I should deal with
– Notepad and pen
– Various pens
– Nail kit
– Aftershave
– Deodorant
– A bottle of water or Coke Zero
– Mints
– A specs case with earrings
– Specs
– Sunnies
– Cap
– Phone lead
– Laptop lead
– iPad lead
– Powerpack for laptop
– Powerbank

Yes, it’s a big bag.

27 out of 29

Before I met the man of my dreams, the man I now call my husband, I was dating a Scottish lad called Stuart. He was handsome, good body, pleasant attitude but man, very high maintenance, and spoilt. Yet, something kept me with him for five and half years.

We split up because he was an asshole who, when I asked about us moving in together, his response was “I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of commitment!” Yes, after five and a half years of being together he wasn’t ready for the commitment of living together. How much more time did he need?

So I ended it. And I have to say the second it was over I never felt so much relief. I’m assuming he did to because he didn’t once try to reconcile anything. He did call me six weeks later but it was to ask for money. Funnily enough he was decided to total up how much I’d cost him in one year. Wasn’t that a lovely thing to do? I never did the reverse but I kinda wish I had.

Anyway, following the split I decided to do whatever I wanted without having the burden of him hanging over me, so I went out.

It was 29 days later when I met Brad and that was one of only two days I’d been sober. Twenty-seven of twenty-nine nights between splitting with Stuart and meeting Brad, I’d been drunk.

I don’t think it was because I was consoling myself but genuinely because I no longer had to think about anyone else other than me. I didn’t have to think about where I was going to live in the next few months, how much I needed to save so I could drive to Edinburgh, which I’d been doing every two weeks. I didn’t have to plan anything! It was so freeing.

Now, twenty years after the split, I’ve never been happier!

They say that your school years are the happiest days of your life but for me they weren’t. They were horrible. I hated every minute of school.

No, the happiest days of my life have been the last twenty years with Brad.

Roscommon

At the weekend we had a lovely trip away. Not too far, just to Roscommon to visit and stay with our friends Pat & Marian.

Their house is a beautiful little contact on the main road but, with us able to close their front gates, we were able to take the dogs and give them the run of the large garden.

We spent the water afternoon/early evening chatting and then having a totally vegan meal. I was very touched that they’d gone to the effort of making everything vegan. Most people go to the effort of doing vegan food but it’s just for me, while they sit there munching away on something that had to suffer and be killed so they could eat.

On the evening we headed to a local pub and listened to a very talented young lady play the guitar and sing, occasionally joined by another lady on the harmonica. Everyone was so friendly.

On Sunday we drove to disused bog that had been turned into nature reserve and fairy garden. It was beautiful. Then we took the dogs to the lake and finally headed home.

Sadly my bronchitis is back so I’m sat relaxing and feeling sorry for myself but he weekend has been fantastic.

My favourite group/song

My favourite group/song

A question often asked when people are getting to know each other is “What’s your favourite song?” or “What’s your favourite group?”

Often people will reply “oh there’s too many to name!” and that’s understandable as music can be emotive and people can have lots of favourites.

For me though, it’s easy.

My favourite group is Erasure. I’ve loved them for longer than I care to remember and have seen them in concert around seventeen times.

Growing up Andy Bell was an out gay man who looked like he enjoyed life even though we, as community, were constantly being attacked. I wanted that. I wanted to enjoy my life even though we lived under Section 28 and the constant fear of being beaten on the streets for just being our true selves. My life was good but it wasn’t Andy Bell good!

Oh L’Amour, released in April 1986 was their third single and sadly didn’t too well in the UK charts, only getting to 85. In South Africa it got to number 2 in their charts! Annoyingly, Dollar, who I can’t stand, got their cover to number 7 in the UK. They covered in ’87, a year after Erasures original release! Who does that?! Talentless wannabes that’s who!

Anyway, below is a live version of Oh L’amour. It’s my favourite version of this song and although I was at this concert I have seen it performed like this.

Enjoy.

Day 1

Day 1

Today marks the day I said I’d write something every day.

So how about I start with a bit about me. Maybe it’ll serve as an about me page.

I’m Rob. I’m a number of years old and I live in Galway, Ireland. I’m married to an amazing man who I love dearly.

I work full-time in healthcare but I’m currently at uni retraining and loving it. I’m also training to be a See Change ambassador.

I’m hard of hearing and use Irish Sign Language in work and personally.

This year I’m the chairperson of Galway Community Pride and even with it’s stresses it’s something I adore doing. We’ve a lot of great plans for the 2022 celebrations.

I’m overweight but doing something about it. Slowly but oh well.

I’ve a fantastic circle of friends, most of which I care about dearly even if I don’t keep in touch with them as often as I should. I’d do anything for my friends because I know they’ll be there when I need them.

My family live in the UK and I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like.

In my spare time I work on a couple of different projects. I’m a Toastmaster, a vegan and an LGBTI+ activist.

I’m sure there’s more but for now that’ll do.

 

Just a picture dump.

Just a picture dump

I thought I’d share a few pics taken over the last couple of months.

Starting in July

In July I’m going to try posting an entry every day.

I’m not going to make any promises but I’ll see what I can do.  They might be short entries, they might be stories, they could be pre-written. I don’t know yet. I may not be successful but I think it’s worth a try.

I’m currently in the process of writing three book. One fictional, one semi-true and then my autobiography. I might post some chapters from those.

One is the story of a man who, after a next accident, discovers he’s been followed about my the ghost of Thora Hird. The other is a semi-true story about a man I once knew who overcame some awful events in his life. Then there’s my autobiography. I’m arrogant enough to think people might be interested in this. We’ll see.

I have so many other projects I want to work on too. We’ll see how things go.

Also, I think this site needs a redesign in some way!

Gym

Annnnnnnnd so it begins AGAIN!

Yes, once again I’m back at the gym. But I’m actually doing well.

6kg down in three weeks.  Not so bad!

Eurovision and new friends

Last night we went to a Eurovision party. When I say “we went to” I actually mean I was working at it — DJing. And although it was a party it was actually a fundraiser for the Galway Musical Society.

Jay Bae asked me a few months ago if I’d help out and as I’ll do anything for Jay I, of course, said yes. I was going to dress up but in the end no one else did so I didn’t get changed.

It was a fun night and although Ukraine won I don’t see them hosting it next year. Not with what’s going on. Although it would be good if they other countries came together to support them and help them out. The UK coming second was interesting. I’d like to believe that it was because the song and performer were worthy but part of me thinks it was because people knew they didn’t have a hope in hell of winning given that everyone would support Ukraine.

Regardless, that wasn’t the best part of the night.

Friday I got chatting to an America online, Ronald, who was visiting Galway. He was asking me places to go and I was listing them and reasons why he should visiting them. I told him if he had nothing to do the next night (last night — Saturday) he was more than welcome to join us at the Eurovision Party.

Well he did!

And he’s utterly adorable and fell in love with Eurovision! So much so that he wants to come to it next year! Here’s hoping it’s in the UK! Actually here’s hoping it’s in Ireland, but the UK will do. I’ve a few friends in the US and would love to go see them. If I get chance a visit to Ronald will defo be on the list.

 

Image sources three men. The middle has his arms around the other two. They are all smiling. Left to right they are Ronald, Bradley and Rob

Ronald, Brad and Me