December 27

Carol and Juli correctly identified  "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it." from The Lion King.

Try this one:
"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." 

In Theaters

Silver Linings Playbook - We didn't want to buck the crowds on Christmas Day to see Les Miz, so decided on this film which did not disappoint.  Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence as the stars had great chemistry.  Although the story was by the books, the addition of mental illness added an interesting twist.  Robert De Niro was very good as the father with his own problems and Chris Tucker as a co-patient brought in comic relief. In this frenzy of football fever in the Washington DC area, there is an interesting side story involving the Eagles.  For a feel good film that has good acting, either see this film or wait for it on Netflix which should be soon.

Les Miserables- Couldn't wait for the weekend and saw this film the day after Christmas.  I was not disappointed.  The film followed the show to the letter and in a sense that was my only criticism.  They could have made the movie grander, but kept it simpler.   I was happy to note that all the actors did a wonderful job with their roles.  Although Sy thought Russell Crow as Javert was miscast, I actually thought his performance was outstanding. His singing was more nuanced than others.  Eddie Redmayne as Marius has been singled out as wonderful, but I thought he was miscast.  His voice is beautiful, but I would have cast a more rugged actor in the role.  Sy pointed out they needed a high tenor to play this role so I am sure that played into the decision to cast him.  All the accolades that Anne Hathaway is getting is well earned.  Hugh Jackman is great as well.  I particularly liked the actress who played Epinone, Samantha Banks and the two young actors playing Cosette and the young boy in the blockade, Daniel Huttlestone and Isabel Allen. For a bit of levity Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the innkeepers are a matched set and very amusing.  It was nice touch including Colm Wilkinson, the original Jean Valjean, in a cameo role.   You will shed a tear and at least hum along while you spend a little less than three hours viewing this a epic tale.  A sure Oscar nominee for the film and many of the actors. 

On Netflix:

Hope Springs - We missed this film in the theaters and were anxious to see it when it came on to Netfflix; but we were disappointed.  The movie dealt with an older couple who had intimacy problems.  Although it was funny at times and did hit the nail on the head in some instances, one scene where they both became angry and almost threw the towel in didn't make sense to both Sy and me.  Perhaps we both missed something.  On the plus side, it is always nice to see Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones in a film, but I felt their talents were wasted on this lightweight film.  Steve Carell played a straight role as the marriage counselor. 

Thoughts about Lincoln:

Some of you may wonder why we haven't seen Lincoln yet.  Actually Sy saw it Thanksgiving weekend with the "guys" plus Erin so I am waiting until it comes out on Netflix which will be quite some time.  Sy did say that Daniel Day Lewis deserves the Academy Award for his portrayal of Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones was outstanding.  Another friend thought Sally Fields was wonderful.  The historians in my family were upset with some of the inaccuracies in the film.  I guess you will have to go yourselves to make up your mind.  I'll be happy to print anyone's opinions and give you credit if you'd like.

Once again, Happy New Year to you all.
Roberta

December 24

Since I am home and there is nothing on TV, I had the opportunity to watch two films, see a show in DC and visit a lovely museum.  See my reviews below.  Tomorrow, Christmas, as most Jewish people do on Christmas, we go to the movies and out to eat.  We will be going to the movies with friends and then to a friend's home for dinner.  Look towards the end of the week to see what we saw.

Florrie, Yolanda, David, Carol F., Juli, Betty, Kathy, and Estelle correctly identified  "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."   coming from Dead Poets Society.

Try this one: 
"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it."

On Netflix:

This Means War - This very silly romantic comedy stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine (Capt. Kirk from the new Star Trek films) and Tom Hardy.  The two men work for the CIA and both are courting the Witherspoon character.  There are lots of car chases, shootings and enough silliness to cover many movies.  I was disappointed as it had such potential. 

On Netflix and Instant Streaming:

Margin Call - This very timely film about an investment bank in early 2008 would be confusing to me had I not had Sy as my consultant explaining exactly what this company did and how they solved their problem.  The all star cast is great starting with Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto (Spock in the newer Star Trek), Penn Badgley and Simon Baker.  Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore and Stanley Tucci have supporting roles, but add greatly to the story.  It is talky, no action at all which was fine with me. (see above)  For a thought provoking film, stream or put this film in your queue.

At Signature Theater:

Holiday Follies - Saw this advertised on Goldstar and thought it would be a fun holiday performance and I was so right.  At first I thought that the performers would be singing traditional Christmas music which was fine with me as long as I don't have to listen to the tunes from Thanksgiving on.  I actually enjoy the music, but this show was different.  Except for just a few, the songs were ones I hadn't heard.  The performers were top rate with Betsy's son in law James Gardiner appearing in the cabaret.  They sang, performed and mugged throughout, but their wonderful voices were what made the show memorable.  The two accompanists were singers as well and their talents on the piano and guitar were excellent.  Too bad the show is over, but don't overlook offerings at the Signature.  I have never been disappointed!

Interesting Place to Visit:

National Women's Museum of the Arts - When my AAUW branch went a few weeks ago, I could not make it so took a ride into DC  to view their exhibition of Women in Rock and Roll.  It was an interesting exhibit starting in the 20's and extending to present day rock and roll female stars.  Costumes, memorabilia and video clips were included.  In addition, the fiber exhibit was of interest.  All items in the museum are done by women.  The admission is $10, $8 for seniors.  Since we went on a Sunday, we got a parking spot practically in front of the museum and there was no fee.  The building which was once the Masonic Temple, is gorgeous.  A treasure hidden in the shadows of the larger and more famous museums.

On this Christmas Eve, I wanted to wish all of my friends who celebrate Christmas a very Merry Christmas and to all a very Happy New Year!

Roberta

December 22

Martha H., Carol, Caroline, Florrie, Julie and Betty correctly identified "Snap out of it."coming from Moonstruck.

Try this one:

Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.
I need to vent a bit before my usual reviews.  As many of you know, the local theaters advertised certain days as bargain days.  The Reston Bow Tie Theater is one that has bargain prices all day Tuesday for all.  Sy and I wanted to see Skyfall and found a good time on Tuesday to go.  The first showing was 12:10 and I thought a bit early, but there was one at 3:30.  I take full blame that I didn't read it correctly and it was the 3D version and of course was more money.  No problem!  When we asked about the next show and the showing of Flight which we also were will to see, we were told they were in there "extreme" theaters and would be $11.  I asked what was extreme and they said it was their version of IMAX.  I understand businesses have to make money, but it would have been nice to know that there were very limited shows with the bargain prices.  We went on to Worldgate and found that Skyfall did not fall into the bargain prices since it was a Sony film.  At that point, we were frustrated and went home.  My new plan is simply to go to Cinema Arts which doesn't play these games, but whose theater needs a lot of rehab!

In Theaters:

Skyfall - Well we made it to Cinema Arts and saw Skyfall for $5.00 a piece. They apparently didn't have trouble charging a reduced price for a Sony film!   The theater was just fine with less than 20 people in attendance.  That being said, the film is your typical James Bond movie; lots of action, shooting, daring stunts and beautiful women.  They have set the stage for new characters in upcoming films as some of the old favorites are not gone.   Judi Dench does a very good job in her role as M.  She has a much bigger part than in previous films.  Daniel Craig is a good James Bond - rugged, but not the classic handsome. Javier Bardem plays a great foe. For a film that takes no thought and is pure escapism, see this film. 

On Instant Streaming and Netflix

Since Sy and I did not go to the movies, we streamed through Netflix and saw:

Love, Wedding, Marriage - This film starring Mandy Moore, Kellan Lutz, Jane Seymour and James Brolin was a lightweight romantic comedy.  It followed the formula with a little twist.  Moore plays a newly wed marriage counselor who tries to fix her parents' marriage and in the process jeopardises her own.  It passed the time, but wasn't that good.   

Interesting Read

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaason - I didn't want to read this book when proposed by the book group, but am very happy I did.  It was fascinating to get into the mind of Jobs.  Isaason did an outstanding job of making the book very readable even to the non tekkies.  The beginning and end, which followed his personal life, was the more interesting, but the middle regarding the founding of Apple and other companies and its products is what made Jobs, Jobs.  A genius and visionary - yes.  A bit nuts - also yet.  Do the two have to go hand in hand - not sure.  You won't be disappointed if your read this book.

If you didn't get to see the list of movies that have been added to the National Registry at the Library of Congress here they are:

3:10 to Yuma (1957 version)
Anatomy of a Murder
The Augustas
Born Yesterday
Breakfast at Tiffany's
A Christmas Story
The Corbett-Fitzsimmins Tjitle Fight
Dirty Harry
Hours for Jerome:  Parts 1 and 2
The Kidnapper's Foil
Kodachrome Color Motion Picture Tests
A League of Their Own
The Matrix
The Middleton Family at the New York World's Fair
Our Survivor Remembers
Parable
Samsara:  Death and Rebirth of Cambodia
Slacker
Sons of the Desert
The Spook Who Sat by the Door
They Call it Pro Football
The Times of Harvey Milk
Two-Lane Blacktop
Uncle Tom's Cabin
The Wishing Ring: An Idyll of Old England

I haven't seen most of these films.  To read why they are included and a little about them, an article appeared in Wednesday, December 19's Washington Post.

December 11

It has been a while since I posted, but with the holidays, it has been busy.  I know Sy and I will be seeing many films during the next few weeks so I'll be posting more.  Here are a few things we've done in the last few weeks.

Carol, Betty, Florrie, Mark B, Yolanda and Lucy correctly identified "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.” coming from Bull Durham

Try this one:  "Snap out of it"

On Netflix and On Demand:

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World - We didn't want to go out to the movies, so watched this film On Demand with friends.  At first I thought it would be silly, but turned out to be a thought provoking film.  Steve Carell stars with Keira Knightley.  I tend to like Carell better in more serious roles.  Although the film was not a "pick me up" it did hold our interest.  The ending could have been better, but then it would have been a cop out. 

On Netflix:

A Dangerous Method - This film is called a biopic where Viggo Mortensen stars as Sigmund Freud, Michael Fassbender stars as Carl Jung and Keira Knightley stars as Sabina Spielrein a patient of Jung, then Freud and eventually one of the first female psychoanalysts (this must be my Knightley fix).  How their lives and relationships ebb and flow are the main points of the film.  It is slow and very talky.  All the actors are quite good, but at times I found it hard to look at Knightley as her facial expressions were painful to view.  The history of Freud and Jung as well as the what happened to them later was interesting, but as a film it was dull. 

At MetroStage in Alexnadria VA:

A Broadway Christmas Carol - All too often we overlook performances right in our back yard and this performance should not be overlooked.  The three performers are outstanding singers, dancers and actors.  The story is a parody of A Christmas Carol with Broadway songs with different lyrics.  It is hysterical!!  We laughed out loud.  It was a shame that only about 25 people were in the audience, but it was so well worth the price of admission.  This production will be there until December 23 and half price tickets are available on Goldstar. 

High School Productions:

Although I know I am bias, last week we went to Woodson to see their choir perform. The students did a wonderful job.   The thing that struck me the most is that our schools have become so politically correct.  Included in the program were Christmas, Chanukah, Iraqi peace song, Norwegian, Spanish and Italian songs.  They were performed beautifully and the staging was first rate.  Even if you don't have a student in these productions, they are usually free and worth seeing.