Woof Woofington

Scenes of a Sexual Nature

I just got a lovely message from my virtual friend, Onion (http://www.oniondog.blogspot.com) today, which reminds me I MUST mention her spectacular performance in the film, Scenes of a Sexual Nature. I am biased but she was fabulous.

If you a) love London and b) love dogs, it's the film for you although it's mainly a people-centric movie, to be honest.

I love Hampstead Heath and to see it on a summer's day was great.

So, it's out now on DVD (check out http://www.tinpanfilms.com/news.htm for full details.

It's a lovely British film to be enjoyed...at leisure.

Congratulations, Onion, you were...manifique!

Woof Woof

Shh...What IS "The Secret"?

The Mistress is a great fan of Oprah Winfrey because.... because she's a self-made woman, loves dogs and has come clean about the skeletons in her cupboard and is doing her best to change US law to ensure other children don't go through what she went through. Oprah is the living embodiment of triumph over adversity.

I like Oprah because she battles with her weight - in spite of the billions in her bank - so she understands where I am coming from!

Of course, Oprah has her cynics! It didn't help that she got into a fight about James Frey's book, A Million Little Pieces.

And now, it seems, she's in hot water again because she's recommended The Secret by Rhonda Byrne - a book, DVD and website (www.thesecret.tv) - that's all about...the laws of attraction. It's topped the New York Bestseller List and ... can't be bought for love OR money!! Ha ha

The Secret’s basic premise is - with some quantum physics thrown in (string theory!) - that what you think about comes about and if you want good things in your life, you must think about them and magnetise them to you. Seems ok to me. I like the bit where it says having a pet in your life is fantastic because they bring pure joy into your life. Of course, we do!!!

Anyway, I am going to do a bit of manifesting myself (magnetising stuff to me) - I'm going to start with tasty snacks on tap (Mistress, are you listening)? A weekly massage (dogs LOVE massage), a regular pampering session at a doggy spa and ...well, I would manifest that it was just back to being just the Mistress and me but I don't think she would like that!

So, with my positive thoughts, I am magnetising a big fat juicy steak. I'll let you know how I get on.

Woof Woof

Helen Mirren and The Queen Win 'Best Actress' Oscar

So, the Oscar's best-kept secret is out...Dame Helen Mirren won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears' film, The Queen.

Good for Ms Mirren but even more well done for the dogs in their supporting roles. And I am not being faceatious! Even Ms Mirren has praised her canine stars for being great characters - of course, she was talking about the corgis (in response to a question) but reminded the interviewer that the Labradors played their part, too.

Yay!

Whatever you think about the Queen (the person), you can't fault her wisdom; she knows - at her hour of need - that a walk with the dogs is what every sane person needs. Modern politicians could learn a thing or two from Her Maj.

Woof Woof

Mr Allen, I presume?

As Woody Allen fans will doubtless be aware, the Oscar-winning director is back in London to shoot his third film in our great city. Match Point and Scoop, both of which starred Scarlett Johansson, are already in the can. But it won't be third time lucky for Scarlett and Woody because Mr Allen has a new muse, none other than a young whippersnapper from West London - Hayley Atwell.

And now, not-yet-20 years old, Hayley has got her first major role starring opposite Mr Ewan McGregor no less.

And guess what? The Mistress and I caught all the action! Yes, we did.

It all started on Friday morning when the Mistress was rushing through Paddington Station and met a neighbour walking in the opposite direction. As they exchanged hellos, they noticed a very familiar figure walk right past them...none other than Woody Allen! They could hardly contain their excitement. The director was sussing out the location for a particular scene.

Sadly, the Mistress had no time to linger as she was late for an appointment but she phoned her mother - also en route to Paddington, but by train - and told her about the possible excitement!

Several hours later, the Mistress and I met the her mother at Paddington AND we got the chance to see the aforementioned scene being filmed - several times over. We stood next to the extras and I think the Mistress was hoping that I would get a call for action. I don't belong to the doggy version of Equity but I am sure it could have been arranged. I would have gladly done it for free, too. No questions asked!

Sadly, no opportunity for global stardom this time but I did get to see a film being made. Did I tell you that I've already appeared on GMTV and This Morning? It was a LONG time ago but I have graced those famous sofas...

The Mistress is a lifelong fan of Woody Allen's films, as is her mother so they were fascinated to see him in action. Of course, everyone else in the station was focused on Mr McGregor, who was just delightful. He happily posed for photos with fans and signed numerous autographs between scenes.

When the Mistress recounted this to a friend, he was incredulous that she had not phoned the photo desks of some national newspapers, celebrity magazines and a couple of picture agencies such as Big Pictures to boot. Just think of the contacts, he said! But to tell the truth, she was enjoying the moment and enjoying watching her beloved city being filmed by a director she admires. She didn't feel the need to turn it into a networking opportunity - although she could have done with the cash. Perhaps next time...

Maybe she's the loser, maybe not. Personally, I would have just loved the chance to meet a real film director. And, of course, in my own inimitable way, I could have said: “Aha, Mr Allen, I presume?”

Woof Woof

Dog Wins Oscar

It was the dog what won it! Well, that's what I think.

Congratulations to Nick Park and his team at Aardman Animations; they won a fourth Oscar for their feature film Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Gromit doesn't have any words; he is silent yet has powerful on-screen "presence". Sometimes saying nothing can get you a long way - all the way to Hollywood, in fact.

The Mistress could learn a thing or two from the little dog that hails from Bristol....

Woof Woof