October 26

Last week Laurie Podell, a first time winner, was correct in identifying the quote ""That's some bad hat Harry!" coming from Jaws. In addition to Jaws the other movie was Superman Returns. Kudos to both Carol Frank and Paula Rubin for additionally identifying "House" as the TV program that has the quote at the end of each program as it is the name of the production company.

Try this one:

"Don't cry at the beginning of a date." "Cry at the end, like I do."

On Netflix:

The Secrets - After the Jewish Film Festival every year I put films on my Netflix list that I didn't get to see and looked interesting. This is one I missed. The film is in both Hebrew and French, so subtitles allow you to follow. It is the story of three women, Naomi a brilliant scholar, Michelle, a rebellious sort and a sickly FrenchwomanAnouk. All meet in the city of Safed . The girls are attending an all female seminary and they meet the Frenchwoman when they are assigned to bring her food. The story is actually two parts; part one involves the girls helping Anouk in unusual ways and the second part is the relationship between the two students. It was surprising and Sy , who didn't really want to watch the movie, was totally engaged. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this film. Highly recommended.

Smithsonian Lecture:

Irving Berlin - The last lecture of famous modern composers was this past week at the Smithsonian. As usual it was wonderful. Dr. Wyatt did a marvelous job depicting the life of Irving Berlin. It was difficult not to sing along to the many tunes he wrote, although the women in front of me had an issue with that! Dr. Wyatt is lecturing on Elivs Presley on March 30. I am so disappointed as it is the second night of Passover and I don't think my family would understand if I chose the lecture over the seder. That being said, if you like music, want to learn a bit more about a composer, performer go on to the Smithsonianwebsite and get tickets for any lecture this gentlemen gives; you won't be disappointed!!

Regional Theater: Theater J Washington DC

Lost in Yonkers - Running through the end of November this Neil Simon play is a compelling story of a family who are forced to live together. It is one of Simon's more serious plays which earned him the Pulitzer Prize. The story is thought provoking and will make you laugh as well as bring a tear to your eye. The actress playingBella is wonderful. Although I thought the two young cast members were quite good, my friend Bill who was also in attendance, and with a director's eye, thought the younger boy overacted a bit. I did think the father, who has a minor role, was miscast. He is supposed to be a New York Jew and sounded Irish to me. My friends thought the uncle looked more Italian than German Jew. As you can see we are all critics. That being said, it is well worth your time and money to go see this production. TheDupont Circle area where Theater J is located is a great place to walk around and there are great restaurants in the surrounding area. In addition, if you go on a Sunday afternoon and get there thirty minutes before the production and they still have tickets, you can get them for half price. You can call the box office in the morning to find out about ticket availability. Support the arts, see this production.

DWTS Update:

Fortunately I was not home for the result show as I probably would have thrown my shoe at the TV. I couldn't believe when I read online that Natalie the swimmer was eliminated. What are these people thinking!!! The football player and the snowboarder are poorer dancers than she. In fact, I had her pegged for the final five. I can't complain really as I don't vote, but this is nuts!!

This coming week we will be attending the Reston Community Players version of "Curtains." Look for my review next week. Also a new program called "White Collar" is on the USA network on Friday nights at 10. I have itDVRed and haven't watched it yet, but the previews looked promising. Will give you my take next week. In the meantime, enjoy the arts!

Roberta

October 20

Yolanda was the first to identify "I know you don't think I'm giving this four million dollars to a bunch of nuns!"
coming from Ghost starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoppi Goldberg. What a great date movie!

Recently at a dinner party, Sy asked some of the guests if they knew where the following quote came from. To his and our surprise, it was featured in not one, but two movies. See if you can guess at least one.

"That's some bad hat Harry!"

On Netflix:

He's Just Not That Into You - Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Connelly (from Entourage) Ben Affeck, Bradley Cooper, Justin Long, Gennifer Goodwin (third wife in Big Love) and Drew Barrymore star in this nice romantic comedy. It is about the challenges couples go through as they learn how to read human behavior. We especially enjoyed the story involvingGennifer Goodwin and Justin Long. They made an adorable couple. All the actors are easy on the eyes and it is a nice way to spend two hours.

On Netflix and Instant Viewing:

Lymetime - Another all star cast in this movie involving two families and their problems. It was interesting to see Long Island in the early 1970's. The story was a bit odd and the ending unusual. One of the characters getsLyme disease on a hunting trip hence the title. A major flaw in the film is that you never really care about any of the characters. In fact, I felt they all got what they deserved. The only reason I would recommend it is to ask others what they thought the ending meant. It starred Alex Baldwin who was also one of the producers. The cast included Timothy Hutton, JillHennessey, Cynthia Nixon and Kieran Culkin. Watch it online.

Spinning Into Butter - I must start off by saying I like Sarah Jessica Parker and I guess I put this on my Netflix list simply on the basis that she was in it. Once again I watched this on my computer and once again I am glad I didn't waste a mail delivery for it. This is a drama about racism and how it effects everyone in a small Vermont college campus when a black student receives threats. A black reporter played byMykelti Williamson and one of the administrators, Parker, try to get to the bottom of it. It does have an interesting, but predictable twist at the end. Watch it online if you have 89 minutes to share.

DWTS Update:

Although the rose has lost it's bloom on this show, I do still watch or more accurately DVR this show. As it has come to the midpoint of the run, finally many of the contestants who should go have, but two in particular need to pack their bags: Louie the snowboarder and the football player. We'll see what the public decides tonight. My top choices are still the same. Last night when the stars did the group dance of the hustle, I thought DonnyOsmond looked so much like Marie. That made me laugh!

The east is experiencing a cold fall, but good weather is on its way so enjoy the outdoors while you still can and continue to watch those movies.,

Roberta

October 11

Lucy Cannon was the first one to correctly identify, "Is drinking a way of killing yourself?" "Or, is killing myself a way of drinking?" coming from the depressing, but engaging movie Leaving Las Vegas starring Nicholas Cage and Elisabeth Shue from 1995.

This quote is courtesy of Sy:

"I know you don't think I'm giving this four million dollars to a bunch of nuns!"

On Netflix:

Nothing But the Truth - This film starts off with a disclaimer similar to "Law and Order." Although events are similar the story is not true, etc...... That being said the story is indeed taken from the headlines. This film is loosely based on the Judith Miller case where she spent over 80 days in jail for not revealing her source in her bringing down Valerie Plame a CIA operative for the government. Miller didn't actually write the articles about Plame, Robert Novak of the Washington Post did. With that as a background, this movie takes it one step further; the sentence is longer and tougher, depiction of family is more evident and people get killed. Kate Beckinsale plays the reporter who refuses to reveal her source to the despicable special prosecutor played by Matt Dillon. Alan Alda and David Schwimmer have roles too. Alda, who will forever be Hawkeye Pierce to me, plays her attorney who grows on you; Schwimmer, of Friends, plays her husband and Noah Wyle and Angela Bassett, ironically both of ER, play attorney for the paper and editor respectably. Vera Farmiga plays the CIA agent. A very good cast. It is a good film especially if you are into first amendment issues. (note: I wonder what we did before the Internet, I got all my information about Judith Miller and Valerie Plame from Wikipedia.)

Didn't get a chance to see any other movies this week, but wanted to get this review out tonight. Two of my favorite TV shows are on tonight; the season finale of "Drop Dead Diva" and I am a still fan of "Desperate Housewives." What did I do before DVRs or any other kind of recorders. Enjoy the nice weather on the east coast. (Believe it or not it is in the 90's in Florida!)

Roberta

October 6

Congratulations to Carol Frank who correctly identified the quote: "Your car is uglier than I am. Oops, that didn't come out right." coming from American Graffiti 1973. Although Richard Dreyfus received top billing the cast included Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and a bit part by Suzanne Somers.

Another hard one:

"Is drinking a way of killing yourself?" "Or, is killing myself a way of drinking?"

On Netflix:

Sin Nombre - I haven't watched a foreign film for a while and this one fit the bill. It is quite violent involving an MS 13 gang member who flees the gang along with an unlikely companion he protects as they make their way across the border to the United States. Teenagers who are contemplating joining a gang should be required to see it. The callous way the members view life is horrifying and seeing a "child" being initiated into the gang is hard to watch. Not for the faint of heart,but well done.

New book out:

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown - Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you have heard about Dan Brown's new novel. The author of the Da Vinci Code has parlayed that success into another best seller even before it was out. It was a fast read with short chapters and an engaging story. In fact, I felt it was Da Vinci Code replaced in Washington DC. Since I live in the DC area, it was fun to read about places I have visited and now want to visit them again looking for interesting things he points out in the novel. He gets a little esoteric at the end and I believe should have ended the novel 80 pages sooner. If I remember correctly, I felt the same way about Da Vinci Code. Although he says everything is true, some of it is a bit hard to believe. Read it for yourself and be the judge and be able to join the conversations that will definitely stem from his theories.

DWTS Update:

I continue to watch this show, although I think it is on its last leg, no pun intended! Either Tom Delay, the football player or the wrestler should go this week. I was surprised that Debi Mazur was in the bottom two last week, but I believe it is a backlash to her partner Max. I believe the producers were greedy and put way too many contestants on the show. By doing this, the show is too long and dancers dancing too short of a dance. My picks for the best dancers thus far are: Donny Osmond, Mya, the swimmer Natalie, the iron chef Mark, Aaron Carter, the model dancing with Derek Hough. See if my predictions are correct.

Enjoy,

Roberta