Weekend Cinema

Sky Peals Hackney Picture house

It Ends With Us Angel Islington

Babes at Rio Cinema

Sky Peals

The first one was about a man called Adam who works at a petrol station doing night shifts. He lives on his own and he had a mother but she moved in with her boyfriend. She told him your father left you when you were born. Then one day he had a phone call saying it is your father, pick up the phone, I want to talk to you and I have not got long to live. Well you have to watch to find out?

It Ends with Us

This was a family movie watching a girl grow up, seeing her mother and what her father did to her. When he died she said to her daughter say five good things about your father but she had nothing to say to him. She wanted to open a flower shop one day and she met a doctor and fell in love. Well you have to watch it to find out?

Babes

This one was about two best friends. It was a comedy and it was hilarious it made me laugh. It was about being in a family where you know who your friends are and you want them to help you with the baby from a one night stand.

Starbucks Unplanned

I did a Podcast with Tracey at Marie Lloyd Centre. It was good. When we finished I was going to go to Dalston library to check my email. Tracey said I will come with you. We walked and she told me about her book that she wrote. I said to her, do you want to go for a coffee? She said we can go to Starbucks.

When we got to Dalston she fancied McDonald burger and chips with an apple pie. I said, get it. We had to wait for it. I said, we can take it to Starbucks to eat it. Tracey could not wait to eat it so I got a drink with fruit oat biscuits. It was vegan. We talk about what we do in the week. She wants me to do a Podcast with her. I said yes, let me know. I saw lots of people sitting down to eat, drink and be on their phones. I saw a woman crying. She must have got bad news so I stopped looking at her.

Then I heard this loud noise and it made everyone jump! This woman was sitting next to us and she said I could have started labour. He said I am sorry. He came and sat next to me. Tracey said this is my friend Stephen. I said hello to him. He said nice to meet you Hardeep with a big smile. I asked him what do you do? He said I look after my sick dad, and I know a lot about healthy healing foods.

I asked him if you can do a Podcast with me? He said one day.

It was so nice to sit with friends and eat and drink coffee on a hot day. We enjoyed the day.

We said goodbye. Tracy said thank you.

Smile!

Author Tracey J Boothe talks to Hardeep about her books.

Recorded 26 July 2024 in the Conservatory of the Marie Lloyd Centre, London E9 8LA.

Tracey J Boothe and Hardeep outside the conservatory

Tracey J Boothe links

• Tracey J Boothe Publishing
• Amazon
• YouTube

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Thelma

Me and Michael went to a Hackney cinema to see a film. It about June Squibb. She lives on her own. She had a grandson that did not work so he used to go round and see his grandmother showing her how to use the computer and the phone. She was 93 years old but she did not want any help. She was a tough cookie.

One day she got a call from her grandson saying "Help! I am in prison and I need $10000 to get me out. Please talk to the man."

The man said, "I will give you the address where to post the money." Thelma did what he said but she was paying the scammer. Her daughter took her to the police station but they said, "We are sorry we can not do anything for you. The scammers know what they are doing". Thelma said "what about my money!" no one wants to help her because she is old.

Me and Michael laughed so much.You have to go and watch it to find out if she got her money back.

Kew Garden

I went to Kew Gardens with my knitting class. Rowena was in charge and she said to everyone to bring your own food with you. We will meet at Dalston Junction at 10 am to get the train. There were ten people. We all got a seat on the train . On the next stop, the school children got on - they were very noisy. saying we are going to Kew Gardens.

We got off the train. Rowena said we are going to the Royal Palace. First, we saw the sick room, and the dinner room, the bedroom with lots of portraits to see. Then it was time for lunch and Rowena found a place to eat. I wanted a hot drink. There was a cafe so my friend and I went to get tea. I got hot milk, where we went to pay they only take cards not money so my friend paid with her card so I asked how much was the milk. She said it is free! Well that was good.

When we finished eating, we went to look in the garden. Rowena said we are going to the hothouse but we had to walk it was a long way to the hothouse.  We saw lots of trees they were very old but good to look at. In the hothouse, it was hot in there but it was so beautiful to see.

Well, there is so much to see we did walking so much it was a sunny day. Everyone enjoyed themselves.

When it was time to go home, we got on the train and there were no children on the train. We said thank you to the teacher.

Cally Festival

On Sunday I went to Cally Festival. My teacher Winston was performing with the children.It was like a fun fair for kids I saw lots of family with their children, and there was a street market making food and stalls of art, knitting and music as well, I did listen to it. Then I met Gloria, my friend. She said where is the dance teacher? I said I was looking for him as well.

Then it started to rain so I said to Gloria "let's stand in the cafe" as it was very heavy rain. I saw people walk with umbrellas and cardboard on their head to stop getting wet.

The rain stopped so I walked. I could hear music. I met a woman singing and asked her "what do you do?". She said "I am a musician". Her name was Rosie. When the sun came out, I saw Winston with the kids dancing. They were so good. We saw him and he was happy to see me and Gloria. Then I saw a stall taking blood pressure so I said to my friend "let's do it", it's free! Mine was low and Gloria's was high, then we got a free bag.

Winston said "Hardeep you look good in your red lipstick". Gloria and I enjoyed the children's dance.

The Quiet Place Day One Review

I asked Michael to go with me because he loves horror films. I phoned him and he said "Hardeep I was thinking about that film, you read my mind! Yes I will go with you!" I said to him to meet me at Hackney library at 2pm. We were early so I said we can go for coffee. We ordered drinks; I ordered hot milk , he had hot chocolate and a pack of crisp. Then we sat down and talked.

We went to get our ticket for the cinema, it was £8.20. The cinema screen was on the third floor, so we up and found our seats and sat down. It was nice to see it.

It was about a sick woman (Sam) who had cancer and was in a hospice with people. The doctor said we are going out on the bus today and Sam said "Can I take my cat with me and can I have a pizza as well?" The doctor replied, "We will see." When it was time to go, the doctor said "Everyone get on the bus now!" Sam said "I want my pizza first!" Then the world went dark and people looked up in the sky they heard banging and exploding. You had to be very quiet.

When Michael and I came out from the cinema screen, it was all dark and it was really spooky. We both jumped and laughed, we couldn't find the door out. It was all black.

If you like horror films then this film is for you.

Hampton Court Palace with Alice and Gloria

The Knitting class went to Hampton Court. We had to meet at 9:30 at Dalston Kingsland - we brought food and water as well. It was a hot day. We had to get two trains, we got there at 11:50. Rowena was in charge, she said we will first go to Henry VIII's kitchen where they cooked his food. He only ate meat. We saw how they cooked his food. When we went outside I saw the Astronomical Clock, it tells the month and the time. We saw lots of people, teachers with school children as well.

It was time for lunch so we found a cafe to eat sandwiches. Then we went to see more portraits. It was a big place to cover, very cold and it had a fire going - but it was nice to see how they cooked. I was happy to go out to the garden because it was hot outside, it was so beautiful to see. Rowena asked everyone if they wanted tea. She offered to pay. I asked for a hot milk. The cashier said I will have to find out how much the milk is first. He came back and said it is free for you. well that was good. It was time to go home. Some people were tired so we went on the R68 bus it was good because the women were tired. Everyone said thank you to Rowena. It was so beautiful, you must go and see it.   

I went out with Michael Mitchell

I went out with a volunteer named Michael he was on my podcast: Hardeep world.

I emailed him to ask if he wants to come for coffee with me; if he was not busy. He said that he was free on Monday, and asked about time and place. I said it will be after my dance at 3:pm you can meet me at Mildmay Community Centre. He said that is perfect.

Michael said let's go and buy coffee first then we can go to Newington Green park. We found a bench to sit on. I gave him a photo that I took of the last day of 'Learn My Way'. We talked about Marie Lloyd Centre. We agreed that Friday was best for both of us. I will have to check with Rick.

I saw a sausage dog that was eating a chicken wing that he found, the woman came over to get her dog and I asked her to take our photograph; and she did. It was a nice sunny day we saw people sitting down nearby looking at their phone, and kids playing football and soon it was time to go home. Michael said thank you for the photo it was so nice to spend time with you; we hugged, and we said our goodbyes.

Michael and Hardeep in Newington Green

Wandsworth Tooting Library

Me and Rose went to meet the Author John T Hope. We got the underground train. When we got to the Tooting Broadway station and came out, it started to rain. My friend said "Hardeep do you know where it is". I said "yes Rose". I found it and Rose said you were right we are early. It was 1:30. I said to Rose we can go for coffee. There were lots of restaurants where I was walking. Then I saw Starbucks; it was big inside. I said to Rose you can have anything to eat it is my treat. She picked tuna sandwiches and black coffee. I had hot milk and a cherry Bakewell tart. We sat down and talked.

Then I saw a man look at his phone I said excuse me can you please take our photos. he said yes. When we finished eating it was time to go back to the Tooting library where we saw John T Hope. He was happy to see me. So I said this is my friend Rose he said hello to her.

It was all about poetry. it was not for me or Rose.

So we left at 3:30pm. my friend said it was an adventure for us. we got the train back so I went to Rose house, we had a vegan chocolate cake with tea. She gave me some to take home as well she said she made it.

Rose and Hardeep in the Wandsworth café

Hardeep and author John T Hope in the Wandsworth library

Hit Man Glen Powell

I went to watch Hit Man at the Rio Cinema.

It was about a guy named Gary Johnson. He was a school teacher during the day and, at night, he was in the New Orleans police department doing undercover police stings. One day, his boss said "I have a job for you. I want you to be a fake hit man."

He said "No way I can do that", The boss said "Well you have to!" so Gary said "okay, but I am not that good".

He met his clients at a cafe. The password was "Pie". Gray talked to criminals who wanted people killed. He took their money and said "I will do the job".

Then, one day, he met a woman who came into the cafe. She saw a man eating pie, and she said "That pie look good". He said "It is the best". They talked and she said "Do you mind if I have some of your pie?" He agreed, but fell in love with her. She paid him to kill. I'm not telling you who!

Well you have to go and see it to find out who she paid him to kill.

I met a man at Rio Cinema

I met someone outside Rio Cinema he wanted me to come to his house, so we could talk.

I wanted to see the film, 'The Fall Guy' so I walked to Rio Cinema, but it was closed. I had to wait until it was 3 o'clock. I was standing looking at the film posters in the window. I saw a man sitting down with his shopping bag. I looked at him and said, "Are you coming to the cinema?" He said "No" I said "Why - it is only £6" he said" I don't like to watch any film."

Then we talked and I said I must go in. He said to me "you are a very beautiful woman. I like talking to you". I said "Thank you, we can go for a coffee. I go to the library so we can meet there if you want to", but he said no.

Then he said "Why don't you come to my house. I live on my own so we can talk there. He said "I don't like to go to any coffee shop".

It made me think so I said "I have to go in now the film will start". Then he said "Here is my phone number" and he wrote it down for me.

He said "I can pick you up after the film is finished if you like". "Well" I said "I will phone you" but I never phoned him. 

Do you think I should have phoned him?

The Fall Guy Ryan Gosling

I went to watch The Fall Guy at Rio Cinema after my dance. It started at 3:30 pm. So when I went to get my ticket, the man said "what are you watching?". I forget then I said oh action man. He said that is a good name for it!

The film was about a guy named Colt Seavers, he was a stunt man. They were making a movie about a boy and a girl falling in love.

To me it was an action film. It was good to see Ryan Gosling playing the stunt man and getting burned alive four times, been thrown out of a window and dropped from heights. If you like action films then you must go and watch it.

La Chimera

I read in the Rio Cinema leaflet that this film is "rich in atmospheric storytelling ... Alice Rohrwacher`s beguiling La Chimera creates a dreamlike world that brings together history, romance and archaeology - with a dash of the supernatural". It is subtitled in English.

At the cinema I met this woman whose name was Sarah so we sat together. There were lots of people so it was a full house.

Like all the men of Chimera friends want to make money so they all went at night time to digger grave robbers. It was very cold so one old man gave everyone some brandy to keep warm. They find lots of things in the 1980's in Tuscany so they clean them and wash it so they sold them. Say to the man it was my grandparents. The man pays them lots of money. They were very happy. But Chimera did not find is love so they dug again. This time it was at night they saw something so beautiful, well you have to go and see it to find out what was so beautiful.

The film was good it made me laugh.

Give something back

Michael tells Hardeep and Jennifer about his volunteering roles at 50+ Digital and Highbury Roundhouse Food Bank. [6½ minutes].

Recorded 10 May 2024 amid the hubbub of the main hall at Mildmay Community Centre.

Michael, Hardeep and Jennifer - Mildmay Community Centre, 10 May 2024

Love Lies Bleeding

On Bank Holiday I went to see `Love Lies Bleeding`, its film, at Rio.

This film was dripping with sweat blood and sex. It was a tough film. In a Mexican town in 1989 the woman that ran the gym fell in love with this muscly body builder. She was called Jackie, to me it was a tough film, but it was a full house.

I had to pay £7 because it was a bank holiday. I did get a free bag. I think everyone must go and watch it. it was so good.

Hardeep at the Rio Cinema, 6 May 2024

Free 'Girls in Film' bag

Challengers - Tashi Duncan

I saw the Challengers movie at the Rio. It was a romance comedy drama about tennis and the woman's name was Tashi Duncan. She loved to win. She was so good, but there also were two men signed up for the challenger. Their names are Patrick and Art. Well she married one. To me it was good, it made me laugh. Well you have to see it to find out who she married.

At the Rio tickets cost £6 for people over 70 on Mondays and £5 on Tuesdays if you have a Hackney library card.

Deborah's Inheritance - Witch Craft, Lust, Evil & Christianity

This book was about evil witches and yes it was so scary, but it has a good story as well it was about dolls they are worth lots of money it made me laugh as well so if you like scary evil book you must read it you can buy it on amazon £10:99, but I read online.

it was by Michael Purcell.

Hardeep and book at Mildmay Community Centre

Back to Black

I went to the Rio to see the movie Amy wine house. It was about her life. She loved writing about her music. So she can sing and she did not care about money, but her songs came good and everyone loved them and she got a Grammy award winner.

She died on July 23 2011 at the age of 27 years old but her music still carries on. People love it now as well. she was married. Her husband said if she was here now she would have been 40 years old. So I say you must go and see the movie.

Hardeep at the Rio Cinema

Book Review - The whistling wind by John.T Hope

The true story of a black man's struggle.

This book was brilliant. it was about family and how hard life was, but I like it because it took me back to the 60 where I was growing up, but people were poor but where they heard the music made them happy. john is the author writer's book. It made me laugh, and sad but it is good. He loved reggae songs of music well and it was good to find out about him. he did have a mother she was from the Caribbean and he had two sisters, also has a son. well what I say you must read it

Left to right: Hardeep, Whistling Wind, author

You can get it for £10.99 on Amazon he has got lots of books, and they are all good to read, and it is a true story so you must read them. I met John at the computer 50 drop he was telling me about is book he told me that he is a writing so I said can I read your book.

Woman’s Day – Origin

Isabel Wilkerson was the first African woman to win a Pulitzer prize.

Me and Esther went to see Origin at Rio cinema. It was on specially for International Women’s Day. It was about racial and cultures. She wrote a book telling people what is right. It does not matter if you are Black,White or Asian we are all the same inside. This was a powerfully film to watch, I am happy to see it.

Esther said to me she like it so much and said thank you for tell me about it so we both learn something new from the film about ‘Caste’. My favourite part of the film was the part about India. This is because they showed the nice food and scenery, which brought back good memories about India.

When the film finished me and Esther asked someone to take a photograph of us next to poster. We came out and she gave me a hug and said take care.

Hardeep and Esther at the Rio Cinema

Going to see the Bob Marley movie

I went to see the Bob Marley movie at the Rio cinema. I asked my friend if she wanted to come with me, she said yes. I told her it would be £6 because we are over 50.

She asked me what time it started and I said at 15:45. When I finished my salsa dance class at 14:00, I first went to the library to check my email then I went to the shop to buy a large bar of chocolate that I knew my friend liked then I went to her house.

We got to the Rio at 15:35, paid £6 each then a man took a photo of us next to Bob Marley's picture. We really enjoyed the movie which finished at 18:00 after which we went home. My friend said thank you for taking me.

Rose and Hardeep at the Rio Cinema

Going to Library

I went to the Dalston library to use the computer I checked my email and sent some photos to my friend that I took off.

Then I did Canva I had to make a Birthday card for my sister grandson. He will be 8 years old next Saturday. I also asked someone to take a photo for me using the library computer.

I would like to say thank you to everyone that I helped It was so good for me to show them, and a big Thank you to Rick he showed me and I have done it.

Hardeep in Dalston Lane library

Friends for tea

On Friday Rick said everyone must make a blog about learning my way. He wants to know  what you like about it or did it help you. Can you do it on your own.

It was so good. Writing it is like an email to me so that is what we did. when we  finished at 4 clock  I said to Wendy and Ambrozene lets go and have tea and biscuits in the cafe. So we ordered two hot chocolate drinks and a hot glass of milk for me.

There we talked about learning my way and saying it was so helpful. We all learned something new. We enjoyed ourselves. then we went to the Dalston market. Wendy wanted to buy a warm hat we saw one. She said to me Does it look good? I said yes to her it was a beautiful red hat. then we went home.

Ambrozene, Hardeep and Wendy in the café

The Red Hat (Mildmay Community Centre - 2 February 2024)

Union Chapel

What I would like to say  is that I went to union Chapel one day it was so good to see inside. I have never been so it was good to know what they do I learn lots but they need help with volunteer to rebuild, but for me it was hard so I said can I drawing a picture so that is what I did and the woman that was do it her name was Cristine she took photos of it. Then she said to me can I have it, I said yes. She loves the picture that I drew. I did enjoy myself.

Hardeep with her drawing

The partially rebuilt stage