November 22

Jen Kenney, Betty, Sara, Alison, Carol Frank, David, Jeff and Estelle were correct in identifying "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under a blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said, "Thank you." and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post.". coming from A Few Good Men.

Try this one:

"You know what you look like to me, with your good bag and your cheap shoes? You look like a rube. A well-scrubbed, hustling rube with a little taste...Good nutrition has given you some length of bone, but you're not more than one generation from poor white trash, are you, Officer Starling?"

On Netflix and HBO:

Love and Other Drugs - This film starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal is a poignant story about a woman living with Parkinson's and a playboy pharmacy rep who finally finds his match in her. It is based on the book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy. There is much nudity and sex in the film, so it is not for your children, but it is a good story. The chemistry between the two is good and believable. This is a reunion of Hathaway and Gyllenhaal as they co-starred in Brokeback Mountain. The side story of Gyllenhaal's brother is lame and unnecessary, but as a film it held my interest and is worth seeing.

At Signature Theater:

A Second Chance - This two person play tells the story of people who find love the second time around. She is divorced and he is a widow. Before they can make a commitment, they have to work through issues and leave old baggage behind. It is done all in song. The main players, Brian and Diane Sutherland are husband and wife in real life, but the play is not based on their story. Both actors have lovely voices and the five piece band, who are on stage throughout, do a wonderful job. Scenes are changed through large photographs projected across the back wall of the stage. It is a very effective use of minimalism. Not sure how long it will be there, but if you get a chance, see it. We did get our tickets through Goldstar at a discount and it is being played in the small intimate theater of Signature. This play has played Broadway,so if you are in the New York area, check to see if it is still there. It is probably an off Broadway production.

More notes about Signature and the Shirlington area:

Betsy Kemp's daughter Erin Driscoll will be in Signature's next performance - Hairspray which actually has previews this week. Signature also has "Brown Bag Thursdays" from 1-2 on the first Thursday of the month. You will get a behind the scenes glimpse into the current productions and events at the theater. The next one is December 1 about the current show A Second Chance and on January 5 they will be discussing Hairspray. A nice way to spend an hour and the Shirlington area is chocked full of great restaurants. Two of our favorites are: Carlyle Grand and Extra Virgin. We have never had a bad meal at the Carlyle and Extra Virgin has a great lunch special. All you can eat pasta (the mushroom ravioli is to die for!) that includes salad and dessert. The food is not you typical all you can eat, but quality. Unfortunately, the special is only good on week days. (Sorry Bill!)

With the start of the holiday season, many good movies will premiere this weekend. After the holiday feast, you might want to catch one of those movies.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Roberta

November 16

Carol Frank, Betty and Lucy correctly identified "For a painter, the Mecca of the world, for study, for inspiration, and for living is here on this star called Paris. Just look at it. No wonder so many artists have come here and called it home. Brother, if you can't paint in Paris, you'd better give up and marry the boss's daughter." coming from An American In Paris

Try this one:

"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under a blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said, "Thank you." and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post.".

In Theaters:

Tower Heist - This is a fun movie starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy. Ben Stiller is perfectly cast as the manager of an upscale apartment building owned by Alan Alda. Alda is a Bernie Madoff character who swindles investors especially the employees of the building out of their pension monies. What follows is predictable, but funny. The supporting cast is very good too including Casey Affleck, Matthew Broderick, Tia Leone and Michael Pena The one we both particularly liked was the gal from Precious Gabourey Sidibe. For a feel good movie, see this one.

Around DC:

The National Building Museum - Last week I went to the National Building Museum. This museum is off the beaten path, but is a worthwhile place to go. They have daily tours of the building and the docents are quite knowledgeable. It is the only Civil War monument in the city. There is a fee to view the exhibits, but the big draw is the building itself. Another plus is their gift shop. It has been written up as the most interesting and unusual one in the city. I picked up some great gifts for the holidays.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial - Judiciary Square - Right across the street from the Building Museum is a Memorial garden to fallen officers. It reminds me of the Vietnam Memorial off Constitution Avenue. It is a lovely garden with reflecting pool and a wall that goes around with the names of the fallen officers. There is a brochure that takes you on a walking tour and you can use your phone for a tour as well. On a beautiful afternoon, as we had that day, it is a lovely way to spend some time.

Interesting books:

Appetite for America: How Visionary Businessman Fred Harvey Built a Railroad Hospitality Empire That Civilized the Wild West by Stephen Fried - Last week I went to an author luncheon with this author. The lecture about the book was both informative and delightful. Although I have not read the book yet, it really piqued my interest and am going to look for it on Amazon or the library. As the title indicates, it tells the story of Fred Harvey and three generations of his family as they build a hospitality empire along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad including the historic lodges still in use at the Grand Canyon. The name Harvey might sound familiar as this is the man who instituted hiring women to work in his restaurants and were later called "The Harvey Girls." A movie starring Judy Garland was made about them. I believe it will be an interesting read.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain - My book group just finished reading this historical fiction novel about Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway's first wife. It was not my favorite, but a best seller. There's was a love affair, although intense, could not endure Paris of the 1920's. One wonders how those people survived based on their very excessive lifestyle. If you want to get another view of Paris of that time and not the Woody Allen version, pick up this novel.

DWTS Update:

Well the finals will be next week and the surprise survivor is Rob Kardashian. I believe he is still there due to the choreography of his partner Cheryl Burke. The other two were predictable - JR Martinez and Ricki Lake. The judges seem to favor Lake, but I believe that Martinez is the best dancer. When he is not injured, he is graceful and light on his feet. It is also a factor that his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, has never won. So I believe JR should win. Whether he does, you will have to watch next week.

November 5

Carol Frank, Florrie, Mark Bunney and Betty were correct in identifying "They're skilled munitions workers. They're essential. Essential girls. Their fingers polish the insides of shell metal casings. How else am I to polish the insides of a forty-five millimeter shell casing? You tell me, you tell me." coming from Schlinder's List.

Try this one:

"For a painter, the Mecca of the world, for study, for inspiration, and for living is here on this star called Paris. Just look at it. No wonder so many artists have come here and called it home. Brother, if you can't paint in Paris, you'd better give up and marry the boss's daughter."

On Netflix:

Country Strong - Although this film got panned by the critics, it is a movie chock full with wonderful country music sung by its stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund. It is interesting to note that Tim McGraw who is a country singer is the only lead to not sing. All the vocals were fantastic. I am not a country music fan, but would love to own the soundtrack of this film. The movie is interesting and has a disturbing and unexpected ending. We enjoyed it.

On Netflix and EPIX:

From Prada to Nada - This story has been done over and over again. Rich sisters lose everything after father dies and have to move in with relatives on the wrong side of the tracks. Finds out the true meaning of life. Supposedly loosely based on Sense and Sensibility. Nothing new, but nothing offensive. Cast was mostly unknown except for one who was on a sitcom awhile back. If you have nothing to do and get this channel for free, not a bad way to spend time, but if you have to pay or use one of your choices on Netflix, skip it.

At Ford's Theater:

Parade - By the time you receive this email, this play will be gone from Ford's, but it is an amazing production. We wondered how the horrible story of the unjust conviction of Leo Frank in Georgia could be done, but it was done and done so well. It is a heart wrenching story about injustice. The play is more of a light operetta as the story moves along through song. The actors are simply divine. Betsy Kemp's daughter Erin was in the cast. As the group talked about the play over lunch, we all said there was not a weak link anywhere in the play. Wonder why the Washington Post did not give it a stellar review - what do they know! If you see it around, do yourself a favor and see it.

Around DC:

The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show - Every year Wendy and I attend this event at the DC convention center. It is full of vendors with great samples, Workshops like tea and chocolate pairing and cooking demonstrations like Joan Nathan the Jewish cooking author. Tickets are $27.00 at the door and that includes all the above. You don't have to buy lunch as the samples will fill you up. There is an extra charge for the celebrity chef like Paula Dean that are very expensive. We have a great time walking around the center, eating food and enjoying the vendors. Groupon had a buy one get one half price I believe, but we didn't see it. At the ticket booth a vendor gave us a $7 off price so that was a nice surprise. We were there for about five hours and saw it all. For a fun day for a foodie, check this out when they come back next year.

Lots of good movies around the corner!

Roberta