March 21

Carol Frank, Florrie, Betty, Martha H. correctly identified "Which one of you nuts has got any guts?  from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Try this one

"Do you know that place between being asleep and awake, where you still remember your dreams? That's where I'll always love, that's where I'll always wait for you."

Reston Community Players

next to normal - Well I finally got to see the production at the Reston Community Center and I was not disappointed.  As Sy previously wrote, it is a tough subject area to tackle.  Who would ever think to write a play about mental illness and a musical to boot.  For those of you who don't know the play's history, it started off Broadway to very mixed reviews.  The play was reworked and played at Arena  where it worked out the kinks.  On to Broadway where it received wonderful reviews, three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize. That year the Tony went to a more mainstream musical, "Billy Elliott."   Will you go away singing and smiling; not unless you too need mental health help; but you will go away thinking how lucky you are to have a family that is close to normal.

On Netflix:

The Intouchables - This French film was panned by the critics, but what do they know.  It is a lovely, poignant film about the friendship between a wealthy paraplegic and his rough around the edges caretaker.  It is based on a true story, the caretaker in real life is not black, but Middle Eastern.  Although he is confined to a chair, you never feel sorry for Philippe.  That is exactly what he wanted from his caretaker and Driss does just that.  To see a film that will put a smile on your face and feel good, see this one. 

Interesting Read:

Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright - This month's book club selection is Albright's personal story of remembrance of war  1937-1948.  At first I thought it was not going to catch my interest, but as I read I learned a lot about Czechoslovakia and World War II.  The personal parts were quite interesting.  I am sure there will be a lively discussion next week when we meet.  I know a number of people cannot believe that Albright never had any kind of inkling that she was Jewish.  Sometimes we believe what we want to believe and close our eyes to what is right in front of us.  I would recommend you reading this account.

At The Library of Congress:

Words Like Sapphires - 100 Years of Hebraica at the Library of Congress 1912-2012 - One point of interest that tourists forget about when visiting Washington, DC is The Library of Congress.  Situated behind the Capitol it is not only a beautiful building and one of the largest libraries in the world. I went on a trip with a group to see this exhibit.  We were fortunate to have the curator, Peggy Pearlstein, as our guide.  As in any museum, you get so much more out of any exhibit if you go on a tour.  The docents know what to point out and items you might overlook.The reason for the title is that Hebrew writers throughout the medieval Jewish world used the image of "sapphires" to describe the clarity and brilliance of the well chosen word and beauty of the written page. The Library of Congress has been recognized as one of the world's foremost centers for the study of Hebrew and Yiddish materials If you live in the DC area, see it for yourself - you won't be disappointed.  For those of you who cannot make it to Washington, the exhibit is online at http://loc.gov/exhibitions

DWTS

Well my show got off to a quick start this week and I am sorry to say that Sy's girl Cheryl Burke will not be on long as her partner DL Hugley is terrible.  I think the women are the stronger contenders.  My favorites so far are:  Zendaya Coleman, Aly Raisman and Kellie Pickler.  Dorothy Hamill was no too bad either.  Besides Hugley in the cellar I think Lisa Vanderpump, Wyonna Judd and Andy Dick will round out those I think who should be off in the first couple of weeks.  Some of these performers have big fan bases so you can never predict what will happen.  Time will tell!

It is a sorry state of films out there.  Sy and I couldn't find one to go to so I guess we will continue to focus on Netflix. 

Roberta

March 31

Betty correctly identified the following quote: "Do you know that place between being asleep and awake, where you still remember your dreams?  That's where I'll always love, that's where I'll always wait for you" coming from Hook, but I will give Carol Frank credit as she said Peter Pan.

Try this one:

"If you love someone... you say it, right then, out loud. Otherwise... the moment just passes you by."

On Netflix:

The Sessions - I was not sure I would like this film as I had a preconceived notion that is would simply be a sex film and nothing else, but I was mistaken.  Based on a true story, Helen Hunt plays a sex surrogate for Marc O'Brien a young man who wants to experience sex. He is confined to an iron lung due to the effects from polio and can be out of it for only a few hours at a time.  John Hawkes who plays O'Brien does a wonderful job portraying the soul of this young man.  He is intelligent and funny.  Hunt, who I haven't seen for a while, does a lovely job portraying the surrogate who become a bit too close to her client.  William H. Macy's role as O'Brien's priest, confidant and friend is priceless.  He should have been nominated for his role.  The best way for me to describe this film is hopeful.  You will laugh, cry and never really feel sorry for O'Brien.  The supporting cast is also quite good.  Put this on your list, you won't be sorry. 

Won't Back Down - This film is loosely based on the parent group from Sunland-Tujunga Los Angeles, California who tried to take over several failing schools in the district.  Due to their efforts, parents were given the opportunity to change administration and teachers at failing schools and if that didn't do the trick, charter schools could be formed. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis play the two major principals in the film; one playing a disgruntled parent and the other a teacher at the school.  It does pull at your emotional heartstrings and puts the union in a horrible light.  Although I am not a person who believes in any kind of tenure, not sure the "bad" side was portrayed fairly.  An interesting tidbit I found out was that at the 2012 Republican and Democratic conventions, Michelle Rhee showed this film.  Also one of the producers was also a producer for the film Waiting for Superman.  Check it out and see what you think. 

On Netflix and HBO:

Snow White and the Huntsman - Since Sy had either food poisoning or the stomach flu, our plans for the weekend were canceled and I found this film on HBO so decided to watch it.  As some of you know, I enjoy "Once Upon a Time" and I guess fairy tales are an interest.  This one stars Charlize Theron as the evil queen and it does have a different twist as to why she is as she is.  For the teenagers, Kristen Stewart stars as Snow White and Chris Hemsworth as the huntsman.  I enjoyed Bob Haskins as one of the dwarfs.  Did I like it, not sure?  Did it hold my interest, yes.  Not really for young children. 

DWTS:

So no one got cut this week as Dorothy Hamil had to drop out on the advice of her doctor.  The two in the bottom - Victor Ortiz and Lisa Vanderpump deserved to be there.  I think Vanderpump should go.  Once again the women impressed with Zendaya (not sure of spelling), Kellie and Aly on the top of my leader board!

March 5

Carol Frank, Betty correctly identified " I shall call him Squishy. And he shall be mine.And he shall be MY Squishy." from Finding Nemo

Try this one:
"Which one of you nuts has got any guts?"

On Netflix:

Pitch Perfect - If you are a fan of Glee like I am, you will love this movie.  It is simply a vehicle for a cappella groups to perform, but perform they do and so well.  It stars Anna Kendrick from Up in the Air.  Not sure if she is doing her own singing, but it is pure entertainment and joy.  Not much of a story, but what fun. 

At Reston Community Center for the next two weekends:

Next to Normal - We had tickets to the Reston Players and I came down with a bug.  I told Sy to go without me and here is his review of the performance.  After reading the review, I believe I have major competition in writing.  He, of course, is the writer in the family.

What would you call a play that consisted of a bi-polar, suicidal wife, obsessed with the death of her infant son, a daughter that felt all but forgotten by her parents and a husband who lived in denial of a family living on the edge of crisis. The producers of the production now playing at the Reston Community Center would call it Next to Normal, but I’d call it about as far away from “normal” as you can get. The plot features characters that are extreme, making it difficult to relate to, that is assuming you have any aspect of normal life in your family. Next to Normal is an operetta, set in modern-day suburbia.  The voices of the cast members are surprisingly professional making it easier to enjoy a very difficult storyline.  This ambitious production is worth seeing, but expect to leave somewhat shaken-up and feeling lucky that your life was a lot closer to normal than some.

Roberta