July 5

Yolanda was correct in identifying ""If he just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him." coming from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Try this one:"Meyer, we have known each other since we were too young to f***." (I think this is hard!)

Laurie writes:
Saw Knight and Day over the weekend and thought it was a lot of fun. I don't really like Tom Cruise but I love Cameron Diaz and I thought she was great. It has a lot of action and funny lines and the time goes very quickly. I suggest it for a carefree, non thinking, movie.

On Netflix:

Amelia - This is the true story of Amelia Earhart. Hilary Swank and Richard Geer star. Although you know the ending, it is an engrossing film. I didn't care much for the accent both actors put on for their roles. Swank in particular was a bit annoying, but perhaps that is how Earhart actually sounded. It is a good movie for girls to see as the message is go for your dreams no matter what the risks. A good way to spend a hot afternoon.

Local Theater:

Shenandoah Summer Music Theater on the campus of Shenandoah University - Last week we traveled out to Winchester to see Oklahoma performed by this theater company. Believe it or not, I don't think I ever saw this play or the movie. As most of you know, the music by Rogers and Hammerstein is wonderful and you leave the theater singing one of the songs. The actors are very professional. David Murgittroyd who played Curly, is a member of actor's equity. Most of the performers are students in the drama department of this university which is noted for its theater department. The lead female Catharine Kuntz who played Laurie was just a sophomore and in my opinion has a bright future ahead of her. The theater is large and quite comfortable and the tickets are very reasonable. The one drawback is the distance from Northern VA, but on a Saturday afternoon you can make it in a little over an hour. The ride is pleasant and the countryside quite inviting. Their next production is Seussical the Musical and then White Christmas. An odd choice for the middle of the summer, but a fun show. If you find you have a free Saturday afternoon, I would suggest taking the trip out.

This coming week the temperature is to soar to 100. A good way to stay cool is to go to the movies!

Roberta

July 1, 2010

Betty, Lucy and Wendy correctly identified "Generally, you don't see that kind of behavior in a major appliance." coming from Ghostbusters.

Try this one:

"If he just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him."

On Netflix:

Avatar - If Dances With Wolves, Harry Potter, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings had a baby it would be this movie. It's storyline is very similar to Dances with Wolves. It has the major war scene at the end as did Star Wars and Lord of the Rings and it has the magic of Harry Potter. That being said, I still liked it. I am sure it was much more amazing in 3D, but even so the action was non-stop, the scenery was beautiful and the story, although secondary to the tech stuff, touching. I am glad it did not win for best picture as its strength was the technology. I also felt the beginning was a little disjointed. In fact, both Sy and I thought we were missing something and started the DVD again just to make sure. It is very long! We watched it in three sittings with it being almost three hours. I think it could have been edited a bit. With all it's flaws, I still give it

NSO Pops Series

I have always wanted to see the NSO with Marvin Hamlisch leading in the Pops Series and finally get part of my wish as we saw the Classical Mystery Tour this last week. It was Beatle music at its best. Unfortunately Hamisch did not conduct, but there were four men who portrayed the Beatles singing their songs in original arrangements. Listening to the orchestra do a Beatles medley overture was wonderful. Sy had to hold me in my seat as I swayed to the music, tapped my toes and tried not to sing along. They did three encores with the audience joining in on "Hey Jude" and "Twist and Shout." Except for two songs I knew they all. Next year's series looks as good. The lineup includes: An Evening with Patti Lupone, Frank Loesser Songbook, Happy Holidays, Disney in Concert, Pink Martini, and Jon Secada and Tito Puente Jr. I purchased my tickets through Gold Star so they were only $34.00 with a $7.00 service charge. Do yourself a favor and see one of these performances.

Harman Hall

On Wednesday afternoons from September to June, Harman Hall, one of the Shakespeare Theaters in DC, offers free entertainment. This week was their last presentation of the season. I was fortunate to see Furia Flameca a Flamenco dance company. It brought me back to Spain. The dancers were exciting and very talented. Accompanying them were Torcuato Zamora a singer and guitarist and another gentlemen who played on what appeared to be a milk carton, but was a percussion instrument. They too were very professional. Next season go on line to the Shakespeare Theatre Company education programs and see their offerings. It is located right across the street from the Verizon center so there are lots of restaurants in walking distance in addition to the Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian.

This coming week is a busy one for me as we are heading out to the Shenandoah Theater in Winchester to see Oklahoma and next Sunday, July 11 we are taking the girls to see Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center. So far the summer movies don't look that promising especially since I am not a Twilight fan, but it is just the beginning so I'll keep looking for that star movie.

Roberta

June 24

Martha Furniss and Yolanda were correct in identifying "Martha, in my mind, you're buried in cement right up to the neck." "No, up to

the nose, it's much quieter." coming from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Try this one:

"Generally you don't see that kind of behavior in a major appliance."

After my last posting, Estelle sent this comment:

I felt the same way about Sherlock Homes. We were at the theatre, otherwise, I too, would have put on the captions--it really would have helped.

We loved City Island-one of the best movies around---though predictable--great acting.

In Theaters and my take on it:

City Island - What a delightful way to spend about two hours. Andy Garcia is wonderful as a prison guard whose passion and secret is to be an actor. Each of his family members have secrets of their own. It is almost like an American English farce, with lots of funny twists and turns. It is poignant as well. The supporting cast is quite good. Highly recommended -

On Netflix:

Antigone - As some of you know I take classes at OLLI (Oscher Life Long Learners Institute) associated with George Mason University. I signed up for a series of classes on Greek Idealism in the Classic Period. Although I missed a few sessions, I was lucky to attend when the instructor showed Antigone to illustrate one of the Greek tragedies. It debuted in 1964, is in black and white and is adapted from the theatrical stage. Antigone tells the story of King Creon who has assumed the role of King of Thebes when Oedipus's sons kill one another in a bitter fight for the throne. Creon prohibits anyone from giving the dead brother who betrayed him a proper burial. His sister, Antigone, goes against his wishes and the typical Greek tragedy begins. It is interesting to see a film of this age without all the technology of today's films. At times the scenes and actors are unrealistic, but the story stands the test of time. For something different, rent this film. There is a newer version starring Stacey Keach which you can watch instantly, but I haven't seen it.

A Wonderful Read:

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese -This is one of those novels that you sink your teeth into. It is epic in scope about the lives of orphaned twins who are born of a secret relationship between a nun and surgeon at a mission hospital in Addis Ababa. The story involves their lives as children and then doctors. Taking place in Ethiopia and the United States, you are caught up in their lives and the situations they must endure and come to terms with as the story enfolds. It is over 500 pages, but worth every minute you spend reading it.

With these very hot days, it's a good time to catch up on your movie watching and reading.

Roberta

June 19

Martha Hutchinson was the only one to guess and guess correctly that "Disturbing the peace? I got thrown out of a window! What's the fucking charge for getting pushed out of a moving car, huh? Jaywalking?!" came from 48 Hours.

Try this one:

"Martha, in my mind, you're buried in cement right up to the neck." "No, up to the nose, it's much quieter."

Estelle sent this along:

Alan dragged me to see "Splice"-don't know how Adrien Brody, who is such a wonderful actor got duped into this one..science fiction gone bad!

We saw "Karate Kid" last night--we loved it. Jaden Smith is superb and Jackie Chan is an excellent Pat Morita! It's the old story--but done in China with magnificent scenery of the Great Wall, the Imperial Palace and the Chinese countryside, sweet Chinese love interest and superb fighting competition.

On Netflix:

Precious - I finally got around to watch this film that was the vehicle for Monique to win the Academy Award for best supporting actress. It is a powerful movie, but I think the hype was overblown. We've seen this story before. Poor family; daughter raped by mother's boyfriend; has two children; really smart; finds courage to pull herself out of her situation with the help of a caring teacher and social worker; leaves abusive mother behind. The performances are powerful and Monique did deserve the award. The young girl playing Monique was quite good for her first acting job. You won't recognize Mariah Carey who also does a fine job. It is certainly not a movie to see with your children as the f word and other curse words are used throughout. I am mixed about my feeling so I'll rate it

Sherlock Holmes - This Guy Ritchie version is Sherlock Holmes meets Harry Potter meets the Da Vinci Code. It is not your father's Sherlock Holmes. The setting is dark and the story is similar to the Dan Brown books. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is akin to House and Wilson on the TV program "House". Robert Downey Jr., who portrays Holmes, has put on an accent that is quite hard to understand at times. I felt I was missing important dialogue, so midway through the film I turned on the subtitles and that helped not only with understanding, but made the movie more enjoyable. I found the beginning slow, but it did pick up . It is a long film running over two hours. Jude Law did a good job as Watson, I am not sure how I felt about Downey Jr.

Sy and I are off to see City Island this afternoon to keep cool. I have heard good things about the movie so I hope I won't be disappointed. I'll report next week.

Roberta

June 13

Last week's quote ""You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly he's going to jail." was correctly identified by Kathy Luke, with help her from her sister, Yolanda and Lucy (who noted this is her all time favorite film.) It came from Gone With The Wind.

Try this one:

"Disturbing the peace? I got thrown out of a window! What's the f****** charge for getting pushed out of a moving car, huh? Jaywalking?!"

On Netflix:

Serious Moonlight - As most of you know, I usually like to choose indie type movies and this film seemed to fit the bill. It stars Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton actors who usually do a good job with the material they are presented with. Unfortunately the material in this film gave them very little to work with. It was simply about a couple having marital problems and the unique way the wife tries to save the marriage. The ending was poorly developed and the last scene left me asking myself, "What was that?" Sy didn't even stay for the film and I recommend you do not spend the mere 85 minutes to watch it.

Smithsonian Exhibit

The Running Fence - Two weeks I ventured out with two friends to the Smithsonian American Art Museum; the one attached to the Portrait Gallery on F Street to see this exhibit. The Smithsonian Associates offered movies and a docent led tour. You don't have to have tickets to see the films and latch on to a tour. For those of you who are unfamiliar with The Running Fence it is another epic project of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude (the artists who draped Central Park in orange a few years ago.) Running Fence was just that a nearly 25-mile long and 18-feet-high display that consisted of a white-fabric-and-steel-pole fence that stretched across the properties of 59 ranchers in Sonoma and Marin counties, ending in the Pacific Ocean. It was constructed in 1976 and stayed up a mere two weeks. The exhibit consists of drawings, collages, photographs, film, and actual fence components drawn from the artists archives. This exhibit will be at the Smithsonian American Art Museum through September 26.

A place to go:

This past weekend Sy and I were invited to a party at Fosters Clambake at National Place on the shores of the Anocostia River. We had never been to National Place and it is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. There are many shops, lots of restaurants and the harbor. On a cool day (the day we were there the temperature reached 90), it would make for a nice destination.

The movie selections at the local theaters have been limited in my opinion. I am hoping for a few better choices in the coming weeks. So in the meantime, catch up on some of the good movies you may have missed.

Enjoy,
Roberta

June 6

Yolanda was first with correctly identifying: "Well, we went skinny dipping, and we did things that frightened the fish." coming from Steel Magnolias.

Try this one:

""You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but is terribly, terribly he's going to jail."

At the Signature Theater in Roslyn, VA"

(title of show) - Sy and I went with two other couples to see this show and the reviews were mixed. We all thought all the performers were very talented. The other couples really did not like the story. Sy loved it and I thought it was quite good. This is actually a true story about two young men who write a play about writing a play. I thought it was clever and being someone who is interested in lyrics found them to be intricate and helped move the play along. It is playing, I believe, for a few more weeks so you might want to see it and decide for yourself. Gold Star had half priced tickets and there is not a bad seat in the house.

At your local movie theater:

Sex and the City 2 - To Hell with the critics, I loved this film. Even Sy liked it.. If you are a Sex and the City fan, it is for you. Of course it is not PC and the "girls" are getting a bit old to be romping around as they do but, it is just like eating that extra piece of cheesecake; not good for you, but you love every bite. The fashion is as outlandish as ever, Samantha is horny as ever; Carrie and Big have issues; Miranda has job issues and Charlotte has child issues. Yes, the beginning has a very inappropriate gay wedding, but the movie is fun; no big message, no theatrical masterpiece just plain fun and I loved it!!!

On Netflix:

Coco Before Chanel - This foreign film starring Audrey Tautou tells the story of Coco Chanel before her rise to fame as a leader in the fashion world. It is beautifully told and the scenery is breathtaking. Audrey Tautou is lovely and reminds me of a young Audrey Hepburn. It has subtitles and I found them low on my screen; not sure if it was my TV or the format of the film. For a film that just tells a nice story with no violence, little sexuality see this film.

This is the beginning of the summer movie season and I did see some interesting trailers for movies today so be prepared for yet another summer of great, good and not so good movies.

Roberta

May 29

The last quote "Where the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window." was from one of my favorite movies," The Sound of Music. It was correctly identified by Bill who was first, followed by Yolanda, Florrie, and Pat..

Try this one:

"Well, we went skinny dipping, and we did things that frightened the fish."

On Netflix:

Did you Hear About the Morgans? This is a guilty pleasure for me. Although this movie was panned by the critics and follows the formula pattern of romantic comedies, I couldn't help but enjoy it. Two of my favorite actors played the leads: Sarah Jessica Parker (I can't wait for Sex and the City 2) and Hugh Grant. The plot is slim. Two highly successful individuals are in the process of getting a divorce and witness a murder. They are placed in Witness Protection and moved to Ray, Wyoming. You can write the rest of the story, but I love Grant's accent and comedy is Parker's thing. To see a mindless film, rent this one. Note: If you want to see good drama about the Witness Protection Program, tune into "In Plain Sight" on USA. It is a very good series.

Inglorious Basterds - Any Quentin Tarantino movie has violence and this one is no exception so as a warning for those with squeamish stomachs, you might want to pass this one by or like me have a pillow nearby to cover your eyes during some of the more gruesome parts. That being said, it was a good movie. Although over two and a half hours, it was quick paced. I now know why Christoph Waltz won the Academy Award for Supporting Actor as he stole the movie. Brad Pitt does a good job as well. It is the fictitious story about a radical group of Jewish soldiers aka Inglorious Basterds and their antics leading up to the blowing up of a cinema where the heads of the Nazi party are in attendance.

If you're in Washington DC visit:

The Hillwood Estate and Museum - The past week I went on a tour of Hillwood the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Ms. Post was the only child and therefore heiress of entrepreneur CS Post who founded the Postum Cereal Company that grew into one of the largest business empires of the early 20th century. She became a businesswoman, diplomat, philanthropist and distinguished collector. The estate and gardens are magnificent. In fact, I think you need more time than we had for the tour. We first toured the gardens. Flowers are in bloom throughout the year, but since Ms. Post stayed at Hillwood only during the Spring and Fall, those are the times when the flowers are at their peak. In my opinion, the house tour could be broken into interest areas. Perhaps they could have a tour that gives an overview of the house, one that focuses on the decorative furniture and artwork and yet another on the porcelain. Since we had to be back to the bus by a certain time, we had a good overview, but there were many places I would have wanted to linger. Do yourself a favor and visit this lovely museum. A word of caution, if you are hungry, don't eat there. Like great artwork, my lunch looked like a piece of art; a very beautiful presentation, but not enough to eat!

Enjoy this lovely Memorial Day weekend.

Roberta