4 snouts up for Tinker Tailor, 2 snouts up for freezing Tower theater

(:)(:)(:)(:) for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but sadly only (:)(:) for the extremely cold Tower movie theater.  Look, I was so cold, I almost can't tell you how many snouts Tinker Tailor should have.  I have long defended the Tower (located about a mile from my home) from its detractors.  I didn't mind that it wasn't painted or that the seats didn't have cupholders.  I love that its an old independent theater with a great marquee and it shows foreign and independent films (well, are there any independent films any more? and how independent is Tinker Tailor?).  But this experience was beyond the pale.  I was wearing a turtleneck, a scarf, an indoor jacket, an outdoor coat with my hood up and thick gloves and I was still struggling to stay warm.  After the movie, we spoke with the manager who said, "I couldn't tell if it was cold.  I don't have a heater at home," and "we couldn't adjust the heat if we wanted to.  We have to call an outside person who comes to do something." 

Nonetheless, he gave us 3 free passes to another show.  I would have used them tonight for the Artist but I couldn't bring myself to give it another try, at least not while it's still winter.

As to the movie itself, it's very good, an intriguing plot, well-written, well-acted, all in a great period piece set in 1975.  Jeez, you know you're getting old when there are period pieces set when you went to Jr. High.  The "ancient" technology of dial phones and reel to reel tape recorders share the limelight with Colin Firth, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy and Mark Strong.

Special mention must be made here of this exceptionally beautiful young man, Tom Hardy.  He has quite the star quality.  I thought he was really compelling and gorgeous in Inception too and didn't recognize him at all in this one.  Couldn't believe they were the same guy.

And my son probably wouldn't forgive me if I didn't give a shout out to newcomer of the year Benedict Cumberbatch.  Have you come across this actor, yet?  He starred in an excellent BBC series set in modern day as Sherlock Holmes.   He has a significant role in War Horse in theaters now and you can watch him sweat as the young guy on Gary Oldman's team in Tinker Tailor.  Word has it he's also picked for a leading role in the new Star Trek movie.  Whatever he does he seems to ooze intelligence and discernment.  How Dickens posthumously gave him his catchy stage name, we'll never know.