January 25

Netflix Streaming and DVD:

Haute Cuisine - Continuing to clean up my streaming list, I watched this French film that is based on real characters and lives.  Hortense Laborie was the personal chef for the president of France.  The film takes us on her journey as the outsider who cooks food for the President that he enjoys that may not be in his best health interest.  She has to deal with the many personalities in the palace, but always puts the taste and likes of the President before anything else which causes some concerns for her.  For a lovely film, see this one.

What Maisie Knew - Another film that has been on my instant streaming list for awhile.  This is based on the Henry James novel where a perceptive six year old is bounced back and forth from parent to parent as she gets caught in a custody battle.  The two caring adults in her life make the movie interesting.  Neither parent deserves her.  They are played by Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan of Philomena fame..  Throughout the film I kept on saying where is CPS (Child Protective Agency) and why isn't anyone calling them.  The ending was unsatisfied, but otherwise good especially the little girl playing Maisie, Onata Aprile.

Any Day Now - Does Alan Cumming do anything wrong?  This film too had been on my streaming list and as I battle a lingering winter cold  it was just the right medicine to help me get through yet another day housebound.  The topic is not uplifting, but the performances are outstanding.  Cumming plays Rudy a female impersonator, and Garret Dillahunt plays Paul the local DA, who are lovers and partners  living in California in 1979.  Rudy takes in a Down syndrome young man, Marco played by Isaac Leyna, who is abandoned by his junkie mother.  His relationship with Paul becomes so much more when both of them decide to adopt Marco when his mom is sent to prison.  1979 was not a time of acceptance even in California for gay couples.  In fact, they were routinely prejudiced against.  See this film to see how this true story plays out.  Make sure to have tissues on hand..

On Netflix:

The Bling Ring - This film is based on the rash of burglaries in California by a group of teenagers who targeted homes of "stars" when they knew they were out of town.  It amazed both Sy and me as these home were left either with doors unlocked or had keys under the mat.  Security was limited and the burglars took items like they were shopping in a department store.  The film dragged on and on as they showed the many break-ins.  After awhile, it was just tedious. We both said to each other we got the message, but they had to fill 90 minutes.   Needless to say, these kids got a slap on the wrist.  If they were African American they would have probably served their entire prison term and their sentence would have been much longer.  Also throughout the entire film, we kept on saying where are the parents.  Sad state of the world today.  (See comments about lack of parent controls below)

Important Topic:

Today my AAUW group along with the NACW and Circle of Giving hosted a program about human trafficking in Northern VA.  The presenter conducted a lively discussion on the topic and one of the many concerns brought up was Where are the parents? Something that The Bling Ring brought to mind as well.  I wanted to direct your attention to a You tube entitled "Do You Know Lacy?" It is a must see for any parent, grandparent and concerned adult to watch and share with their daughters and sons.  It is only a few minutes, but very powerful!  Here is the web site:    

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfo2pmBVrCI

Stay warm this coming week.

Roberta