Trainspotting. And something . . . else.

Obi Wan, in more reckless days. . . 

Trainspotting, 1996. Directed by Danny Boyle.
Written by Irvine Welch (novel) and John Hodge (screenplay).
starring: Ewan McGregor, Ewan Bremner, and Johnny Lee Miller.

"Renton, deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene, tries to clean up and get out, despite the allure of the drugs and influence of friends." (IMDB).

I had my heart set on hating this; yes, I'm a bit reactionary when it comes to babies crawling around randomly-pitched hypodermics, but I gave it a chance. It is really, really good. And horribly disturbing. I'm not just talking about how Renton (McGregor) "goes" into a shat-up toilet to retrieve his opiate suppositories. Or what happens to the baby. Or the headache-y nervous feeling this entire film gave me (from legitimate concern for the characters). It's just one story, and it's probably not even the worst one ever told about addiction, but it's just . . . sad. There is comedy throughout, and the music is actually really excellent, especially the techno, but it's a difficult thing to watch and have in your head, this film. See it, but just be aware, you know?

Also: subtitles are a must.

Someone say 'Glory Hole?'

Something Else: Gold Rush Alaska, on the Discovery Channel.

Jesus H. Christ. Matt has been watching this. I don't know the background or experience of any of the "miners" on this show, but it's clear that they . . . mine by the seat of their pants, if you will. I started out basically clenching every time it came on, trying to block the sound of Miner Jack's voice out with my online bakery game, and then I had an awful dream the other night that Miner Jack was one of my professors that was out to kill me, for some reason, chasing me around the East Bank . . . Matt has been talking in the voice for days now, going on and on about "bedrock" and "the glory hole." It's really creepy. And of course, GUESS WHAT, now I actually *care* about what happens to these fools, and am actually concerned about their finding gold because for them to do this entire show and not find anything and basically go into debt for the rest of their lives for months of unpaid work---would really crush my optimism. And I hate reality television, absolutely cannot stand it!

Anyway, it's on Friday nights at 9pm central, if you're in the market for a train wreck.