The Inbebrogures: The Movie

M: We have 40 posts?

J: This year?

M: No, like all time...

J: I feel like this blog kind of defines our mid-twenties.

M: Are you typing this?

J: I am now! Mere, what are we doing here?

M: Well! We are gathered here today... or were gathered here...

M2: I can watch this with headphones on [referring to It's Always Sunny...]

J: Yeah, that would be greeeeeat...

On holiday! Note the excellent spray tan.

M2: [Settles into chair with headphones] I feel like it's absurd that I have to do this. Put that in the f*ckin' blog. [laughs]

M: I do love this show, though. If they only had brogues...

J: You were saying...

M: Yes! We gathered here this evening to watch The Inbetweeners Movie. And it. Was. Something.

J: Ya know, I really liked it. That might be the gin talking, but I really felt like it represented a lot of those angsty high-school feels that you tend to forget about as you get older. However, it was unforgivably unrealistic.

Not kidding. "Pussay Patrol."

M: [nods] I, for one, was very pleased to see how consistent it was with the original show. I hate when something goes to movie format, and the characters are all wrong!

J: That happened a bit with Firefly, but not too much. As Matt said, this really was like an "end of season special" or something. Two hours of nothing but raunchy fun, oddly apt life lessons, and delicious young British brogue. Wait. That came out wrong. All wrong. I take it back.

M: [still laughing] [dies] Anyways... man, that's hard to follow. I heard a rumor somewhere, most likely the internet, where all the things come from, that there may, in fact, be a second movie in the works. I would be very interested to just see more episodes or seasons of the show, as it is very entertaining.

J: Has it been cancelled? Is that why they're making movies?

Their first mistake.

M: I have no idea, honestly. British TV programming I've yet to figure out. I'd really like to see some more Downton Abbey.

M2: [laughs sporadically] It's 'cause he's not drunk enough to punch this board.

J: Back to the point at hand, The Inbetweeners Movie was absolutely hilarious, though as Matt pointed out, right on par with The 40-Year-Old Virgin in terms of awkwardness. Somehow their youth (and maybe their brogues) made it a bit easier to stomach.

M: And your boy Will was hilarious. Like, his character is hilarious in the show as it is, but I feel like he really stepped it up a lot in the movie. And apparently they're going to be in multiple sitcoms soon that look to be hilarious. But, of course, they're in England so we will not see them for another couple years at least, because the ocean is very large.

M2: [giggles]

J: Those ships, you know, they just take forever to get here. And yes, Will seems to be an excellent amalgamation of many people I know, myself included. All the boys seem to come out on top, which is an unlikely but satisfying end to the movie, especially given its start.

M2: "Go put on those little short shorts and let's take things to the next level." [laughs]

M: Okay. So we've got about 10 minutes. Anything to, ah... [raises hands]... sorry, to add for our conclusion?

J: Definitely worth the watch if you liked the show at all! 

M: Absolutely.

The infamous fishbowl.
Drink it in, it always goes down smooth!

J: And if you haven't seen it, this movie would be an excellent introduction, though maybe start with the show. There were just a few vague plot points that began with the series.

M: Quite right.

J: And we are, of course, looking forward to the next offerings, including a comedy set in WWI, oddly enough. 

M: A strange setting for comedy at first glance, but I do think it has potential.

J: And now, to trivia!!!!! Fear not, faithful readers, we have a plan in store for our next feature.

M: We do?

J: Yeah, you dummy, the movie this weekend!

M: I honestly forgot.

J: It's none other than Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, our reincarnated soul mates! 

M: I can't wait till we grow up to be them.

J: Which one will be which is, of course, still a mystery.

M: [laughs into the sunset]

Bright Young Brogues

J: Are you ready for our rendez-vous?

M: You know what I just realized? We are drinking ginger pineapple-infused vodka with ginger beer at the Pig and it just so happens that one of your favorite characters in the film we just watched is also called "Ginger." Round and round or full circle or something.

J: Oh my god, she did! I mean, you're right! In this move, called Bright Young Things (an adaptation of the novel Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh), I was delightfully surprised by the appearance of my favorite Scottish person ever, David Tennant. In this movie, as in Dr. Who, he was British. In this movie, unlike in Dr. Who, he was smarmy and cowardly.

M: [shrugs] But clever and cheeky and ginger-y. Also, I like that you have a favorite Scottish person.

J: I totally do. Who was your favorite character?

M: Can I have two favorites?

J: [sighs] I suppooooose...

I do say!

M: Or does having two sort of discount the concept of a favorite?

J: BWAB gets metaphorical.

M: Anyways, my favorite character was probably Miles. Michael Sheen is, well he's Brian Clough, the coach of Leeds United in a movie called Damned United. But in any case, he's also amazing, and I was quite impressed in this film in particular.

J: I loved him, too. His facial expressions were inspiring, and you definitely wanted to be besties with his character.

Michael Sheen, in all his gloriousness.

M: [nods head] My second favorite character was Adam, played by Stephen Campbell Moore, who made a much better impression on me in this film than in his lukewarm turn in The History Boys.

J: He really was sort of unremarkable before, wasn't he? I liked him here, too, especially his persistent optimism.

M: And his budget Jude Law-ish-ness.

J: Good call. How about a brief run-down of the plot?

M: It's like, Great Gatsby meets Benjamin Button meets the tiniest bit of Moulin Rouge, all but the singing.

The gang, doin' their thang. 

J: We really did think they were going to break into song a few times, especially Dan Aykroyd, who makes an odd and unconvincing appearance as a hard-ass Canadian and/or American (because we can't remember) newspaper tycoon. The movie meanders through London in the twenties, following a group of "bright young things," or lascivious and decadent young partiers with terrible cocaine habits. The movie's central characters are Adam and Nina, both poor but attractive socialites, and as time goes by Adam makes and loses money like it's his job. His job is that of a writer, and he takes a brief turn as "Mr. Chatterbox," a gossip columnist.

M: Okay, can we talk about Mr. Chatterbox? Because wow James MacAvoy.

J: I know! I was so pleased to see him... at first...

M: It almost ruined my whole day today.

J: It totally did. She texted me about it. Not joking.

M: Anyways, I guess that's really all I had to say about that. But speaking of brogues, Emily whats-her-face...

Oh dahling, don't.

J: Mortimer.

M: I loved her weird brogue thing! She was perfect in Match Point. And the way she says "papa-r," incredible. I'm so jealous!

J: I can't even do it. [tries]

M: [also tries] I can't either. It's so... British.

J: We really liked this movie, even when the plot was, ah, less than clear. Stephen Fry directed and adapted the novel for screen, and it was excellent.

M: He is delightful.

J: Nearly everyone British ever is in this movie. Not even kidding.

M: Just about! So, Jenna, is there anything that you'd like to add in closing? Observations about the film? About life? [shrugs nonchalantly]

That headpiece! Those smokey eyes! I die.

J: As I mentioned in our Downton Abbey post, I adore twenties-era costume jewelry and dress. The brogues were particularly good here, and we even had to rewind it a couple of times to make sense of the dialogue. In fact, I believe the English subtitles were on when we first started it!

M: They were indeed.

J: Also, a shout-out again to Brits for renting us this delightful romp.

M: We'd also really like to see The Inbetweeners, the movie. If you'd like to say, purchase a copy for your rental section, we wouldn't be opposed. Though we do understand it's probably not for everyone. I'm just curious at this point.

J: As well you should be! I'd like to see it, too.

M: Well, then. I suppose that's it.

J: I just thought we had more to say...

M: Story of my life. God, I blame this music. It's just so somber!

J: What? What did you say? I fell asleep just now.

Vroom vroom, mother-f*ckers.

M: Don't mind me, I'm just crying over here. We need to end this. But again, on a high note.

J: The table, then?

M: [laughs] Maybe this time!

J: Bright Young Things! Worth it! Attractive British people! Excellent brogues! A decent plot and a moving...uh... theme! Poor and happy is better than rich and depressed. Boom. There it is.

M: Uh... [stirs drink]... uh...

J: Till next time!

Now for a little bit of Scouse...

M: While Jenna is busy playing with boxes and moving things from one house to another, I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you a video of my own choosing. An 'answer,' of sorts, to her David Tennant sonnet-reading selection. 

First of all, it seems telling that one of the first videos to come up in a quick YouTube search for Jamie Carragher is titled, "Jamie Carragher Butchers the English Language (with subtitles)."

Personally, I don't think he "butchers" it so much as makes it painfully (delightfully) obvious that he's from Liverpool. Well, Bootle... Anyways, enjoy!

Practically hypnotic...

And because Jenna isn't here to stop me, here's another video to point out that even English people puzzle over Carra. It also happens to feature Mr. Jordan Henderson and his lovely Sunderland accent. Personally, I enjoy the occasional 'me' in place of 'my'....

(And for the record, Darren Farley does some pretty exceptional impressions...)

Ok, I'll stop for now. See you next time on BWAB!

The History Brogues

M: The History Brogues! I like that, 'cause it sounds like bros...

J: [laughs] [types]

M: They made this Manhattan with bourbon. I think I wanted rye though. In their defense, they did ask me.

J: [rolls eyes] Welcome to Blog with a Brogue!

M: I thought we had a good intro, what was our intro?

J: Some funny word...

M: It certainly wasn't something we concocted while at work... [laughs nervously]

J: "And a'wassailing we shall go!"

M: Is that still applicable?

J: I don't even know what it means.

M: WHAT?! It's like a Christmas carol! You, of all people.

J: I know the song. [with snarky eyes]

M: So we watched a film! It came from Brits. Thanks, Brits.

J: Yes, Brits. Thank you. We liked it. A lot. Not to be confused with alot, which is a creature invented by http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com. I like this alot. I also like this a lot.

M: I like simple dog.

J: You are simple dog.

M: [laughs] I don't disagree.

J: So this movie! It was called History Boys, and it was based on a Tony award-winning musical?

M: Play? I think it was just a play. I think we said this last time, too.

J: It's something legitimate. Not that film isn't legitimate. But it's not.

M: I mean, it can be! But... basically, the point that I would like to make is that somehow BWAB stumbled into content. Depth, if you will.

J: [laughs loudly] [patrons cringe] It's true! This movie made us think, which we are not at all used to.

M: At least not in the context of this blog!

J: The characters...

M: Were rich and compelling! Just had to get the Anchorman quote in there, as per our usual.

J: I can't even...

M: I'm sorry! But I'm not sorry.

J: I love you. Er...

M: [nearly spits out drink] [twice]

J: The characters were though-provoking and well-rounded, and the movie...

M: Made light of pedophilia, which I was not at all comfortable with.

J: I couldn't believe it! I was so appalled by their lackadaisical attitude towards inappropriate relations between authority figures and students.

Speaking French. Clearly.

M: Not even so much that as much as unwanted advances. Unreciprocated predatory-ness, good-hearted though it was, still terrible.

J: Absolutely. The premise of this film was a group of brighter-than-average British boys who were in a special series of courses to enable their admittance to Oxford or Cambridge.

M: Ahx-ford.

J: Quite.

M: Luckily, I happened to watch it with someone who speaks French, which illuminated more than a couple scenes!

J: I did a real-time loose translation of a particularly funny scene in which the boys are acting out a brothel-related scenario and the headmaster walked in. So many jokes that would have been lost on the average American! Meredith, who was your favorite character?

M: Without a doubt it was the self-sacrificing, good-humored, religious boy whose name escapes me now, but he was delightful! And I found his brogue most enjoyable of all, for certain.

J: Was that the Jewish kid?

M: Noooooo... I thought he was Anglican or Catholic or something. There was a Jewish kid? To the Google!

Posner and Scripps, together again.

J: I might be thinking of Being Human, my latest Netflix addiction...

M: It was Scripps! He exuded a worldly maturity and a brilliant sense of humor, all whilst playing beautiful piano music. It was lovely.

J: [sighs longingly] He was a really fantastic character. I think my favorite was the sweet but tragic vocalist to Scripps' piano musings, a gay character named Posner. He seemed to suffer the most from the growing pains inherent in transitioning from high school to college, particularly in the 80s.

M: He was also the most honest and forthright in his desirings for the lovely Dakin, and it was heartening. Something something, faith in human restored, something something!

J: I totally said that on Friday night. Goo Goo Dolls for life!

M: Oh my god, you did!

Demon Dakin. The smarm. The charm.

J: [laughs] I was surprised at how dark this film became, but I think it fit its original role as a play. Perhaps better than as a movie.

M: If you were British, you might have said fitted. In any case, I concur. I did not like the ending, and I especially did not like the instructor and his apparent lack of life experience.

J: I waaaanted to like him, so much. But I agree, his inability to stand up for himself or manage a group of snarky, brilliant boys was off-putting. He could have been stronger. I mean, we all could have been stronger.

M: Who are we to judge?

J: Blog with a Brogue gets serious.

M: I think that's the hardest I've laughed all day. It was a good movie. It has substance.

The whole group, out for a jaunt.

J: It did! I don't know that there was any particular message that I got from it, but I did really enjoy it as a character study and a window into what life must've been like for someone coming out during that era. Also, I was just reminded of the scene at the end where the only female character in the movie gives a brilliant rant about the lack of women in history studies. It's eloquent and true and up until that point I hadn't realized the discrepancy.

M: It was much-needed bad-assery.

J: Well said! And with that, we leave you. The Pig is pleasant and cool, and my beer is delicious.

M: Is this a cherry?

J: It is! But I don't recommend eating it. The texture is... unique. It's kinda squishy.

M: I hate cherries, in all of the ways that matter.

J: There are children listening! Nope. There's not. You're fine. Cherry jokes, hey!

M: Oh, we went there. I feel like we should end on a high note, though, not here in the gutter-ish area.

J: Should I stand on the table?

M: I was thinking something maybe more along the lines of, "What will BWAB do next?"

High notes.

J: Well! I can work with that. We're seeing Amélie on Sunday, but that's French so it doesn't count. We'll be visiting Brits again soon to check out one of our many finds.

M: Until then! Kirk out.

J: I thought you said high note...

M: I couldn't resist.

Scottish Shakespeare

J: We have a new blog post coming soon (I promise!), but here's just a little something that made my heart flutter. I may have a problem.

David Tennant reading Sonnet 18 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day' from Touch Press on Vimeo.

Brogue-ing at Brits!

J: Welcome to a special in-between edition of Blog with a Brogue! What I mean there is that this isn't strictly a post about movies. We are, in effect, in between movies.

M: [laughs] [chews rice krispy treat loudly] [laughs some more]

J: Today we bring you an in-depth journey into the movie rental process at Brit's downtown.

M: Oh god not a journey! [chokes on rice krispy treats] 

J: I'm afraid it's true! Meredith, why don't you tell our esteemed followers exactly what we were after this afternoon. After.

M: Can I just say "after" again? 

J: Sure.

M: Let's start with that. After. [laughs] So, we recently discovered (or remembered) that there is, in fact, a lovely little rental section hiding in the back of our favorite British imports store, Brits!

J: Seriously, guys, they've got tons of movies. Especially if you still have a VHS player (also known, as it were, as a V-C-R).

M: It is a VHS goldmine for all things British.

J: [shouts] BBC!

M: In hopes of giving our fine followers...

J: Good alliteration!

M: Thanks! Where was I... [loses train of thought completely]

J: We just wanted to let people know that Brits is awesome and we love them and...

M: This is terrible. Don't let the Brits people see this.

J: They'll love it! In any case, the rental process is super easy - and cheap - and I encourage you to check out their selection of Dr. Who memorabilia. Also their jams and such. 'Cause it's Brits. But really, they're super nice and DVD rentals are $1.50 for two nights (with just 75 cents a night in late fees).

M: Of course, we would never be late in turning in our videos.

J: Never, ever. [shakes head for emphasis] [takes a quick drink]

M: We found a number of DVDs that we hope to feature here at BWAB in the near future, one of which we rented after filling out our membership forms.

J: Super easy, guys.

M: "Who are the Britons?" "We are all Britons and I am your king!" 

J: Not today, Meredith. Soon, though. Soon.

M: Is this just me quoting Monty Python to myself? It's too hot for blogging.

J: And we'll leave you with that! Stay tuned for our review of our very first Brits rental, The History Boys, based on the Tony award-winning play. Do you want to say thank-you to Brits?

M: Um... I mean I could. [laughs] I just have to think really hard about things sometimes.

J: Thank you, Brits, for your lovely service and your amazing selection of British films. We look forward to your recommendations.

M: I sound like your mentally deranged friend. For half of this I just eat rice krispy treats. And then the second half I can't think of anything, I can't thank people... this is the worst possible introduction for Brits.

J: Not true! You made some excellent points about being timely video renters.

M: I'm just going to tell people I was severely dehydrated [takes a drink of my beer] I just drank your beer! I'm just... it's very good, though...

J: It's not bad, right? I've had better, but...

M: ...but not much. Sorry Brits, we love you. The next one will be better. We promise.

J: We make a lot of promises around here...

M: THE END.

Sad David Tennant is sad. (Evil Gromit is evil.)

Their selection is impressive! Not at all bewildering.

I can't believe you didn't know that that was Stephen Fry. I'm so ashamed. (Meredith says, in her defense, that the picture was very small.) I'll allow it.

Clearly marked.

Miming turning in a video at Brits' handy-dandy outdoor video return slot. Note: No videos were actually returned in the making of this photo.

Trance

J: You better stop this before another episode (Portlandia) gets started, or else we're never gonna blog. Turns out, blogging at House of Ginger is more difficult that I assumed.

M: You're still distracting us.

J: Maybe Matt should just participate.

Matt: Let's watch Pulp Fiction!

J: What's Star Trek I?

Matt: Uh, it's got like, uh....

J: We need to talk about Trance!

Matt: Trance!!

J: He's previously been referenced as M2.

M2: I don't know how to feel about that. Do you even know how to type? Sounds like you're just smashing keys over there.

M: Anyways...

J: What did you think about Trance?

M: Frankly, I spent a lot of energy trying to forget it.

J: Touche! Personally, I thought the idea was interesting, the concept of hypnosis, intriguing. But the movie itself was too dramatic for my tastes. It took itself too seriously. And whenever I saw Rosario Dawson, all I could think of was Rent. There it is! 

M2: (searching Youtube) Star Trek, the Original Motion Picture,  in 10 Minutes! This has gotta be good.

J: This is fantastic!

M2: That's the dad from 7th Heaven!

M: Oh my god, it is!

M2: What are they wearing?! ...There's like a God-thing in this one. They like talk to a 'cloud' for like an hour.

M: Seriously, I highly recommend looking this up on Youtube, folks. Guys, we need to focus!

J: No, this is only 10 minutes!

M2 & J: (digress in to deep conversation about Dune)

J: That was my first introduction to James McAvoy! Children of Dune. I was obsessed. It was December 3rd...

M2: Whoa...

J: No, I remember. It was December 3rd when it premiered. 2003, I think. It was a Sci-Fi original. 

M: Wow, guys.

M2: Dune's pretty sweet. I think we should watch Dune.

J: OH, CAN WE PLEASE?! Someone has an accent in that, right?

M2: Picard is in that, right?

J: It's on Netflix!

M: Are we seriously watching a Wrath of Khan trailer right now?

J: Yes

M2: That's Khan.

M: I like the new Khan better...

J: Definitely. If I had been a teenager in the 80s...

M: Gotta say I like the new Kirk better, too...

J: Like a lot.

M: You guys are full of spoilers by the way.

M2: We gotta start Dune! Sting is in Dune..

J: It is so good. The book is so good!

M2: It's really weird. It's got the mayor from Portlandia in it!  (searches for Dune on Netflix) Sexual Chronicles of a French Family?!

M: Wow. That's seriously what comes up if you search for Dune. I'm so confused right now...

J: Frank Herbert's Dune? I swear it used to be on here.

M: I feel like I'm just recording our conversations now for posterity...I have like, a page of stuff and we have NOT talked about Trance yet. I'm just sayin'...

(everyone still talking about Dune....)

M2: It's a movie you gotta talk about...

M: Man, we gotta get 'Chatty-Matty' outta here...

J: Was there anything particularly memorable for you about Trance?

M2: All the nudity...

J: No, there was no nudity...

M: (looks incredulously)

J: Ohh, yes there was...

M: It's kinda traumatizing just to hear you explain the plot to Matt...

J: I'm like, just now remembering everything...

M: Did you try to repress it all, too? 

J: Biblically smooth...

M: Best. Description. Ever. That's really all you need to know about Trance...

J: (laughes) I just drooled...or spat on myself.

M2: This movie sounds gawd-awful...

M: In our defense, we went in to this movie completely blind.

J: What happens at the end?

M: (stares, mouth agape) Uh, at the end, without ruining things for our faithful audience, there's a lot of fire and suspense and awful. 

J: Ohhhhh.....

Our general consensus on Trance.