February 14

On Netflix:

Thanks for Sharing:  Although the topic seems raunchy, this film is very poignant and touching.  The film stars Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Joshua Gad and Pink as sex addicts.  It tells their story and how hard it is to maintain sobriety and a healthy relationship.  Gwyneth Paltrow costars as Ruffalo's love interest.  Carol Kane, from Taxi days, has a small role as Gad's mother.  The actors are outstanding and the story sweet, touching and thought provoking.  I would highly recommend you put this on your list.  

Last Vegas - With a snowy day and nowhere to go, Sy and I watched this film.  Will it win any awards - no, but it was a delightful way to spend a few hours.  The cast is great with Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Robert DeNiro playing best boyhood friends.  Douglas is planning on getting married and they all reunite in Vegas.  Nothing new, but as a more senior viewer, I enjoyed a lot of the jokes. 

At the Northern Virginia JCC:

Last weekend the JCC had their annual comedy show.  A number of our friends decided not to attend the show due to the very raunchy comic they had last year.  I am here to say the center learned their lesson.  This year they had not one , but two outstanding comics.  The opening act was Jay Szeck (not sure of the spelling)  He was a teacher in addition to a comic and did a fine job in opening the program with a short set.  Being in the education field, I laughed  the most at his teacher jokes.  The headliner was Monica Piper.  She is about 60 and had a lot of life experience to work with.  She is a writer and single Mom. Sy was impressed with her timing and in addition to just telling jokes, she would preface her story with , "I call this..." and then retell that story.  She was on for almost an hour and had the audience in the palm of her hand throughout.  If you have the opportunity to see either of these comics, do so you won't be disappointed.  

Reston Community Players:

Les Miserables - When I first heard that the Reston players were going to stage this production I thought no way.  It can't be good.  Well friends raved and I got tickets.  It was amazing!! For a community production it was marvelous.  The actors were first rate, scenery creative and lighting effective.  The orchestra was put to the test as the show is all singing and they played such an important part.  If I had one complaint, at times the orchestra was a bit too loud and the tempo of the music was faster than I had remembered.  These are really nit picking items as it was wonderful.  Since it was such a sellout, they will be performing an additional weekend so see if you can get any tickets.

House of Cards Returns:

Sy and I just watched the first episode of the second season of House of Cards and all I can say is OMG!!!  There is a real surprise element in it.  Spacey and Wright are still their most evil selves, but it is like a car wreck, you don't want to look, but you  can't take your eyes off of it

Stay warm and be safe as you drive in this snow, ice and then 60 degrees later this week in the Northeast!

Roberta