July 21

Carol Frank correctly identified "We walk away from our dreams afraid we may fail, or worse yet, afraid we may succeed." from Finding Forester.

Try this one:

"You're a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity."

On Netflix:

 

Broken City - This film involves a private detective, Mark Wahlberg, a crooked mayor, Russel Crowe and assorted twists and turns that has Wahlberg intent on bring the mayor down.  At times it was difficult to understand the actors especially Crowe, but that is the beauty of the DVD, you can simply rewind or put on the captions.  Co-starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Jeffrey Wright and Kyle Chandler the film can be a bit confusing, but engaging.  

In Theaters (The pickings are slim, but here goes):

The Way, Way Back - This is a lovely coming of age film starring Liam James as a teen who is figuring out his life during the summer at a beach town.  His recently divorced mother is in a relationship with a man he does not like.. He finds who he is  and a safe place to go at the local water park whose manager takes him under his wing.   Steve Carell, plays the overbearing boyfriend and Sam Rockwell the manager of the water park.  It also co-stars Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph and  Allsion Janney who is a hoot!  For a sweet film, see this one.  

At Signature:

Spin - This new musical is part of siglab which is a program developed to provide writers of new musicals a chance to see their work in a workshop form in front of an audience before it receives a full production.  Spin had four weeks of rehearsals to work, change and develop the piece.   It is based on a Korean movie and will be rewritten for Korean audiences.  There was nothing pre about this performance.  The performers were wonderful with the leads being performed by James Gardiner and Carolyn Cole.  Can't leave out Erin Driscoll, Betsy's daughter and Sarah's voice teacher as she did a lovely job with the role of the teacher.  Bobby Smith was terrific as the sleazy gossip reporter and a young boy, Holden Browne ably  played the son/grandson.  The story involves a washed up boy band singer who finds he is not only a father but grandfather.  Tickets are only $30 and are a bit less on Goldstar.  The productions runs through July 27,.

Another great restaurant:

Present - If you are looking for good Vietnamese food, look no further than Falls Church VA and this restaurant in an unassuming strip shopping center.  (Don't be frightened off by the sketchy area!)  The food  is divine and the presentation a work of art.  This restaurant was ranked the best Vietnamese restaurant by Tom S. the food critic of the Washington Post and he was not wrong.  We started with lettuce rolls  that were  hearty, but light with a wonderful touch of mint.  (Lisa once made spring rolls for us like this and it reminded us of her rolls!)  Next I had a shrimp dish that was served on a half of a pineapple.  The  shrimp were succulent and there were plenty of them.  Sy had a crab dish that he liked as well.  The price was reasonable and the restaurant decor is nice.  The only surprise was when Sy asked for more rice,  we were charged for it which surprised us. A nice change of pace and we thank the Lummers for taking us there. 

July 14

Carol Frank was correct identifying "Sometimes it's easier to be mad at the people you trust because you know that they'll always love you no matter what you say" coming from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants .

Try this one:

"We walk away from our dreams afraid we may fail, or worse yet, afraid we may succeed."

On Netflix

Dave:  To mix it up a bit in my OLLI class on political movies, this light-hearted comedy was shown.  Starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver this film tells the improbable story of a president look alike who stands in for the president after he suffers an unexpected stroke.  Frank Langella and Ving Rhames round out the cast as the devious chief of staff and president's body guard respectively.  Of course things change for the best with the impostor president.  The story is predicable, but enjoyable.  See this 1993 film for a lovely diversion. 

The Vow -  I need to shake up my queue as this was yet another romantic film.  It starred Rachel McAdams and  Channing Tatum, as a couple who needs to reconnect after McAdams slips into a coma after a car accident.  She does not remember the last five years and why she was estranged from her family.  Jessica Lange is not aging well as evident in this film.  The reason for the break up with the family is not believable. A so so film.  

On Netflix Streaming only:

Orange is the New Black -  This is, I believe, the third time Netflix has streamed a series in its entirety for their streaming subscribers.  Written by the creator of Weeds, this series tells the story of a young woman who lands in jail after committing a crime in her younger years.  Taylor Schilling plays Piper the lead and Jason Biggs is her boyfriend,  Kate Mulgrew plays a Russian who runs the kitchen.  I have only seen the first two episodes, but it is an engaging one.

A Classic:

The Great Gatsby  by F. Scott Fitzgerald - This classic was this month's book selection for my book group.  Although I read it in high school, I needed to reread it once again.  It is a short novel that received reviews that were mixed. at the time of publication.  The story is thin, but the language is lovely.  It was a turn in how authors wrote that made it a classic   It can be read on many levels; as a simple story, as a novel that depicts the time it takes place and one where you can delve into the symbolism.  I particularly liked the explanation of the classic cover  The publisher relates and I quote - "Cugat's rendition is not illustrative, but symbolic, even iconic:  the sad, hypnotic, heavily outlined eyes of a woman beam like headlights through a cobalt night sky.  Their irises are transfigured into reclining female nudes.  From one of the eyes streams a green luminescent tear; brightly rouged lips complete the sensual triangle.  Below, on earth, colored carnival lights blaze before a metropolitan skyline."  The publisher also stated that Fitzgerald's symbolic billboard eyes of D. TJ Eckleburg was derived from Cugat's jacket art.  A criticism that the publisher noted was that although most characters were well written and fleshed out, Gatsby was somewhat vague.   It is interesting that there are factual errors in The Great Gatsby that can be divided into external (actual outside world)  and internal (fictional world) errors.  The external ones were based on Ftizgerald's shaky geography and the haste in which the novel was manufactured.  i.e. he was a Midwesterner from San Francisco.  The internal ones  had to do with fictional places on Long Island (East and West Egg)  There are chronological problems too.    Too much action is crowded into late August.  The use of general language: a few days, several weeks and about six weeks cause some of the difficulties. I reas these insights from the preface, forward, The Text  of Gatsby and the publisher's afterward.  This is a case where having the actual book and not an electronic copy added to the pleasure and explanation of the novel. 

A Note About Reviewers/critics:

In today's Washington Post, Hank Stuever, their TV critic compares Honey Boo Boo with The Newsroom.  He pans Newsroom and celebrates Honey Boo Boo.  My questions to him is what planet does he live on. He doesn't like the talky nature, the flashback to the recent past and the major characters on The Newsroom while he enjoys the authenticness of Honey Boo Boo and her family.  I know people don't always agree with me, but what is he thinking.  Most of my friends not only enjoy The Newsroom, but are anxiously awaiting its return to HBO tonight at 9:00 p.m.  If you subscribe to HBO and haven't seen Newsroom, see it tonight and make your own decision.  I won't even suggest that you watch Honey Boo Boo.  If that make me a snob, so be it!!

July 7

Carol Frank, Sy and Yolanda correctly identified "When a defining moment comes along, you can do one of two things. Define the moment, or let the moment define you." coming from Tin Cup one of Sy's favorite movies.  I finally put Sy on my distribution list and this is why this is the first time he was able to answer a quote question.

This was my weekend for romantic comedies.  A good way to avoid the hot, humid weather.

Try this one:

Sometimes it's easier to be mad at the people you trust because you know that they'll always love you no matter what you say.

On Netflix:

Think Like a Man - This film was based on Steve Harvey's book of the same title.  Five couples have relationship issues and the females use Harvey's book to get them what they want.  Little do they know the men get a copy of the book as well and the "battle of the sexes" begins.  Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson and Gabrielle Union head the cast of the most beautiful people you would want to see.   A very predictable film, but enjoyable.  

On Netfix and Streaming:

Playing for Keeps - Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel star in this light romantic comedy about a washed up former soccer star who comes back to town to rebuild his relationship with his son and ex wife by becoming his son's soccer coach.  Catherine Zeta Jones and Uma Thurman play two of the love starved soccer moms and Dennis Quaid plays a jealous soccer dad.  Again predictable, but enjoyable.  

Kennedy Center

Anything Goes - This lovely production had its last performance tonight and we were lucky to see it this afternoon.  I thought the girls would like it and they did.  What's not to like - the music by Cole Porter includes many of his classics including the title song, "Friendship"  "It's De-lightful"  "I get a Kick Out of You".  The dancing is devine with the show stoppping production number of Anything Goes concluding the first act.  The book, though dated, funny.  The performers were top rate and production Broadway quality.  What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with my family!  Make sure to check the Kennedy Center website for discounts.  Although I received an email, discount tickets were available.  We sat in the rear orchestra for $59.00 a ticket.  They do add on lots of service charges,one of my pet peeves, but I paid about $275 for the four of us.  The cost of one ticket with the service charges to see "Book of Mormon" later this summer.

Theater manners:

I am glad the theater reminds people to shut down their cell phones and unwrap the candy before the show starts, but it is a shame that parents don't hush their children during the performance.  I did know there would be many children in the audience and a little aside here and there is acceptable, but the mother and daughter sitting behind us were a bit rude.  Not only did they talk a little too much that I had to turn around and give them the teacher eye, but the young girl chewed gum like a cow during the performance and actually popped bubbles.  The wrappers were scattered around her seat when I looked during intermission.  Sy gave them the evil eye and the Mom actually apologized to him during intermission.  Note - if you know your child cannot sit, don't bring them to the theater and for heaven's sake don't give them gum to chew on.  

July 1

Carol Frank correctly identified:  "And all the while I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a crowded room, screaming at the top of my lungs, and no one even looks up." coming  from Titanic.  

Try this one:  

"When a defining moment comes along, you can do one of two things. Define the moment, or let the moment define you."

On Netflix:

The Last Hurrah - Once again I saw the this film in my OLLI class.  It told the story of political poss Frank Skeffington played by Spencer Tracy. This was a fictionalized portrayal of the mayor of Boston at the time.   In this film, he tries to get reelected as mayor for one last time.  It was a changing time as television starts to play a bigger role in the political process.  An interesting parallel to today's times and the instant news of the internet and social medial.   Skeffington  is portrayed as the old time politicial who strong arms people to do what he wants, but has a battle for this election as old money is against him.  Interesting black and white 1950's film.  

Darling Companion - Diane Keaton heads this all star cast in a heart warming story about families coming together and realizing what is important.  After the wedding of their youngest daughter, their beloved dog is lost and the ensuing search has the various couples find out who and what is important to them.  Will it win an award -no , but it is a nice film to watch with the entire family.  Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest and Richard Jenkins round out the cast.  

An Act to Catch:

Straight No Chaser - Last year Eric and Lisa gave me a Wolftrap gift certificate for my birthday and it took me until this week to use it and boy was it used well!  Since we were going out with another couple who lived near Wolftrap, I looked at their schedule and saw this group was playing.  Having absolutely no knowledge of them, I went to the internet and googled them.  Was I glad!!  They are an a  cappella group that was formed at Indiana University in 1996.  Once they graduated, they went their separate ways, but reunited ten years later in 2006.  One of their original members put a performance on UTube and it went viral.  The rest as they say is history.  They sing mostly popular music of today, but the type that you could take a grandmother like me to see.  As I sat their listening, I thought how much Sarah and Amanda would have enjoyed the performance as well.  They truly are a group the whole family can enjoy.  So if you see them performing at a venue near you or on the local PBS station, make sure to either go see them or set your DVD to watch them - you won't be disappointed.

Another Restaurant:

Ovations at Wolftrap  -As mentioned above, we were meeting friends at Wolftrap and didn't want to go out to a local restaurant nor did we want to picnic since it was a hot sticky night.  For years I had passed this restaurant as we made our way to the box office so suggested we eat there before the concert..  It is a buffet, but the food was of good quality.  You start off with salads and soup.  The salads were not just greens, but interesting ones that included tomato with mozzarella cheese.  Soups included gazpacho and crab.  The entrees were salmon, chicken, beef and pork and dessert were gourmet cupcakes, ice cream and fruit.  It was $29.00.  Drinks were pricey, but it was convenient and tasty! 

Engaging Beach Read:

Law of Attraction by Allison Leotta -Once again I found another interesting topic to explore at an OLLI class.  Ms. Leotta spoke to the group about her journey to becoming a writer.  She was a federal prosecutor in  DC specializing in felony sex crimes and domestic violence.  Every night she would tell stories to her husband about cases she was handling.  (I am sure she was professional in her tellings.)  She also had an interest in writing so her husband encouraged her to write the stories down and an author was born.  After the birth of her two children, she started writing mysteries full time and this was her first book.  It was a page turner and had a bit of a twisted ending.  I read it quickly and would recommend it for the lazy days of summer.  She also has a blog that explains why some of the things that happen in the present crime shows would never happen.  It is quite interesting. Her website is www.allisonleotta.com.    She has another novel out - Deception and another one will be coming out in August.  

Enjoy the 4th!