April 17

Florrie, Bill, Carol Frank, Lucy and Betty correctly identified, "Get busy living, or get busy dying." from the wonderful movie The Shawshank Redemption.

Try this one:

"They laughed at me, Mama."

On Netflix:

Anything Goes - This was the last film we showed in our movie musical class. It was based on the broadway show that starred Ethel Merman. Two movies were made and this one was the 1954 edition. The story was rewritten to accommodate two main male leads: Bing Crosby and Donald O'Connor. The two leading ladies were Mitzi Gaynor and Jeanmarie. Although the plot was lame, the songs were glorious. The music and lyrics were done by Cole Porter and in addition to "Anything Goes" songs like "I Get a Kick out of you," "You're the Top" and "It's Delovely" were performed in the film. Porter's lyrics are first rate. For an enjoyable almost two hours, see this film.

Love Ranch - This Helen Mirren/Joe Pesci film did not get good reviews when it came out, but I still thought that anything Mirren did was worth seeing. In this case, just maybe. It is a story inspired by true facts. Mirren and Pesci are the married couple who owned the Love Ranch brothel in Nevada. This was one of the first legalized brothels in Nevada and is sometimes known as the Mustang Ranch. Things get interesting when a prize fighter is brought into the mix. Although it held my interest, it was too long at just under two hours, and I think Mirren was miscast. It seems that Pesci has made a career of playing sleazy characters who have a foul mouth. Word of caution, every other word is the f word if that is something that would offend you.

On Netflix and Instant Streaming

Chole - This film has an all star cast including Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Amanda Seyfried. It is an involved tale that has the Moore character thinking her husband Neeson is having an affair and she hires Seyfried to tempt him. The story takes twists and turns from there and although captivating, in the end I felt empty. It has a lot of nudity so don't watch it in front of your children. It is on instant streaming so I didn't have to waste a selection on it.

DWTS Update:

This season is an unusual one. In my opinion, it can be anyone's game. The males are the stronger dancers with Hines, Romeo, the wrestler and the Karate Kid leading the pack. The only female that can be put into that category is Chelsea. This week I think the Playboy bunny will be booted off. Lucy reminded me that she has a lot of followers from her reality show, but the judges don't like her and have given her low scores each week. Also Kirsty Alley has to go, but they keep on giving her scores that are undeserved. Ratings apparently effect their scores. We will have to wait until Tuesday to see who gets the boot.

I will probably post another entry before I leave for vacation next week. But in case I get busy this week, look for me to post again in the middle of May.

Roberta

April 10

Carol Frank and Betty correctly identified "Divine decadence darling" coming from Cabaret

Try this one:

"Get busy living, or get busy dying."

On Netflix and Instant Streaming:

Freakonomics - This documentary is uncanny as it is exactly like the book. If you read the book, don't bother watching the film, but if you didn't, it is a fascinating documentary. Using data these two individuals, one an economists and the other a journalist, explain some phenomenon like cheating, how names effect people and what caused a decrease in the crime rate. Some of their theories are a bit hard to swallow, but always interesting and jumping points for great discussions.

Toy Story 3 - This latest episode of the franchise was nominated for both best picture and best animated picture. It won for best animated picture. All the regular characters are back and this time Ken and Barbie are added. The theme is still the same: friendship, growing up and love. As with the two others, it brought a tear to my eye. It can be appreciated on many levels and that's what makes these films so successful. So....if you need a film that will delight the youngster in your life and give you a chuckle as well, see this film.

In Washington:

Hexagon Show - Each year this group gets together and puts on a show that makes fun of Washington in general. This year's productions, "21 Pun Salute," did not disappoint. The songs were catchy, the jokes topical and corny and the dancing, well let's say I give all these gals credit for getting up there and dance. All proceeds go to a different cause and this year it is the wounded veterans. Although the production ended this weekend, they return year after year; so look for its return next spring.

On TV

"Mildred Pierce"- I have been watching this series and the last two episodes are scheduled for Sunday night. Although it is not riveting, it is good television. As usual Kate Winslet is very good in the title role and the depiction of the time is spot on. It can drag at times, but I do fine it interesting. Believe it or not, I never saw the original, so don't know the story. You can probably catch up by watching in "On Demand" or Netflix will probably have it in a few months.

March 28

My quote this week was an easy one for a lot of you Carol Frank, Betty, Bill, Sara, Florrie, Wendy, Yolanda, Lucy Kathy Luke and David all correctly identified "Wax on....wax off" coming from the Karate Kid. Bill also said it was quoted in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Try this one:"Divine decadence darling!"

On Netflix:

Brigadoon - This is the second musical we showed at our class. Once again it starred Gene Kelly and his time his leading lady was Cyd Charisse. Van Johnson was his sidekick. It is a fantasy. The town of Brigadoon appears every hundred years and the two main male leads come across it as they get lost in the highlands of Scotland. The story of course is implausible, but in this case the dancing is the spotlight. Although there are memorable songs like, "Heather on the Hill", "I'll Go Home with Bonnie Jean" and "Almost Like Being in Love." the dancing is the star of this film. Cyd Charisse's legs are a mile long and when she and Kelly do any of their ballet numbers it is beauty in motion. I am reminded why movies of this era last; their appeal is universal. You could watch this film with your young child as well as your grandmother. My one complaint was that the lighting of the film was very dark. But for a feel good movie either rent this one or wait until it appears on TCM.

At the Arena Stage:

The Chosen - This play based on the book of the same title by Chaim Potok is presently showing in the newly renovated Arena Stage in Washington DC. It is the first joint production in their new quarters with the Arena stage and the DC JCC. The play is marvelous, acting is superb, staging imaginative and the story engrossing. My only complaint is that I do not prefer theater in the round. Although the actors did a fine job moving around the stage so that they continued to face different parts of the audience throughout, when they don't fact you even though they are well miked, it can be hard to hear especially as their characters have accents. It is well worth going to even with this one concern.

A good read:

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - This novel is a quiet read. By that I mean it was not the type of book I could not put down, but it was comforting. Ms. Simonson takes time (in my opinion too much time) to create the setting and her characters. Once the real story begins which was about three quarters into the book, I then could not put it down. One of my friends loved it so much, she bought a copy to keep. I had another friend who hated it. I can't say I love it or disliked it, but in the end did find it a nice book to read.So.....make up your own mind and either get it on your kindle or other reading device or take it out of your local library.

DWTS Update:

Tonight is the elimination night. Last night I thought the judges were particularly hard on some contestants and soft on others. I believe the radio guy will go. Don't even know his name! Wendy Williams is a close second, but has a broader (no pun intended) fan base. Sy was especially delighted to see Cheryl's partner, the wrestler, do so much better. I feel the leaders right now are Hynes the football player, Romeo and The Karate Kid. Let's see how I do tonight. I have to do better than my picks for the NCAA March Madness tournament!

Roberta

March 22

Congratulations to Lucy. She was the only one who correctly identified last week's quote as coming from The Godfather. Although she didn't know which one, she was close enough. "When they come.....they come at what you love." came from The Godfather, Part III.

Try this one:

"Wax on....wax off."

In Theaters:

The Lincoln Lawyer - I debated about going to this movie or The Adjustment Bureau and chose this one and I wasn't sorry. It was a very good film with an engaging story and characters you cared about. Matthew McConaughey does a fine job as the lawyer. In fact, as the review today said, I could see him reprising this role for future films. He plays an unorthodox lawyer who makes things happen. The case he has finds him in a tricky situation that requires him to use his guile to make things right. Marissa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe and William H. Macy co-star.

On Netflix:

Singing in the Rain - This week started my class of movie musicals that I am facilitating with Carol Flicker. Today's offering was Singing in the Rain. Believe it or not, I had never seen it in its entirety so I settled down with the class and watched it with them. Needless to say, the plot is lame, but the music is wonderful and dancing superb. Although Gene Kelly is the star and dances his heart out, I felt that Donald O'Connor as his best friend was a delight - what a dancer and a terrific comic. Debbie Reynolds as the love interest has a nice voice and did a fine job with the dancing. Jean Hagen was wonderful as the villainous leading lady and Cyd Charisse has a fantastic dance number as Kelly's mysterious lady in the dream sequence. Her legs are so long! People in the class commented that in those days women looked like women, not sticks! For a movie that will put a smile on your face either put this on your netflix cue or wait for it to be on TCM. (not for the story, but the music and dancing!)

DWTS Update:

I can't resist. I did watch the premiere last night. I expected Kirstie Alley to bomb, but to my surprise, she was quite good. Other good dancers are the football player Hines and Ralph M. from the original Karate Kid. The person to go is Wendy Williams. That's just one gal's opinion!

Roberta

March 13

Florrie, Yolanda, Betty and Carol Frank correctly identified ""Some places are like people: some shine and some don't." coming from The Shining.

Try this one:

"When they come....they come at what you love."

On Netflix and Instant Streaming:

The Kings of Pastry - If you like to watch the food network channel, this documentary is for you. It follows three finalists as they vie for the prestigious MOF pastry award given in France for the best pastry chefs. This three day competition is grueling. As you watch this film, you get inside their heads and feel their heartache as they work so hard for this coveted award. I don't rate documentaries, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Mother and Child - This film starring Annette Benning and Naomi Watts is thought provoking. It is the type of movie that stays with you long after your have finished viewing it. The story is of a woman who gives up her child and spends a good deal of her life being miserable and wondering what happened to her. At the same time, you are introduced to the daughter and see how she is managing her life. In addition, this story intersects with a woman who wants to adopt since she cannot have a baby of her own. It is well worth the two hours it runs.

Local Community Theater:

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - The Reston Players have done it again with this wonderful production of The Spelling Bee. All the actors are fine singers, actors as well as having great comedic skills. The story is about a spelling bee and its participants. Do yourself a favor if you live in the Reston area and see this production. A word of caution; although it does appeal to children, there is a song about an erection that is not child appropriate.

For the next few weeks, I will facilitating a movie series on older movie musicals. Be prepared to see my reviews of some wonderful films.

Roberta

February 26

"Some places are like people, some shine and some don't."

At theaters:

Unknown - This is the new film with Liam Neelson. If the ending wasn't so improbable, I'd give it a higher rating. It certainly held my attention for the almost two hours that it ran. I know many have seen the trailers, but in a nutshell without giving anything away, Neeson appears to be being gaslighted by his wife and others. If I say more than that, I'll give it away. For a movie that will keep you guessing and if you can reject reality for awhile, you will enjoy this film.

On Netflix:

Easy A - This delightful comedy stars Emma Stone as Olive a high-schooler who increases her popularity by pretending to be a slut. It is cute, not silly and one that adults can enjoy. It is not you usual teenybopper film. I particularly enjoyed Stanley Tucci and Particia Clarkson who portray her parents. It is not for young children due to its content and language.

Red - One word to describe this film is silly, but once you get over that and realize it is a spoof of all the Mission Impossible type movies you can take a deep breath and just go along for the ride. The cast is outstanding with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren rounding it out. It is great seeing all of them having fun. For a movie you just don't have to think about and just enjoy, see this one.

Tomorrow is the Academy Awards. I don't see any real surprises here. I have read that there might be a backlash to Melissa Leo due to her own promoting for the award, but even though Hailee Steinfeld did a great job, Melissa Leo deserves it more. My pick for best picture is still The Social Network, but The King's Speech is a very strong contender. Don't know if I will stay up to see which one wins. I can always catch the winners online Monday morning.

February 11

Carol Frank, Yolanda and Betty correctly identified 'He knew the risks, He didn't have to be there. It rains you get wet." coming from Heat.

Try this one: (I think it is hard.)

"You know what the Queen said? If I had balls, I'd be King."

On Netflix:

Cairo Time - It is very coincidental that I had this film come this week, but before you run to put it on your list, think again. I was so disappointed with the film. It stars Patricia Clarkson as an American who has come to Cairo to vacation with her husband who is working for the UN. It had such promise and the trailers were enticing, but the trailers were better than the whole movie. It moved very slowly and didn't have any real climatic situation. It did show sights of Egypt which was interesting, but not interesting enough to warrant even the 90 minute the film took to watch.

On Netflix and your local airplane:

Morning Glory - Coming back from our trip to SF we saw this film. It was a good way to wile away two hours in an aircraft. Rachael McAdams is adorable and I am a fan of both Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. The storyline is improbable. The plot is simple; a struggling morning show hires a very young woman as their new executive producer. The co-anchors don't get along and the Ford character would rather be anywhere but there. Very predicable ending. With better writing, it could have been a much better film as the star power had great potential.

At Reston Community Center presented by the Reston Community Players:

Twilight of the Golds - I have been going to the Reston players for many years, but this is by far their most stellar production. The actors were first rate and the story extremely thought provoking. We went with a group from OLLI (life long learners) and all of us could not say enough about the performance. One woman who has Arena Stage tickets, said it was as good if not better than their performances. The play opened on Broadway in 1993 and was adapted from a made for television movie. Although it only ran for 29 performances due in part from an unfavorable review by The Times it is worth seeing. It is about a family who must face a crisis. They are given information that will made their decision very difficult. I am being evasive as I don't want to give the plot away. I love the theatrical technique when the individual actors talk directly to the audience. Although its run is over, if you ever see an advertisement for this production, see it for yourself.

Sandy Esterson sent me this link. It is amazing. The two dancers are Ginger Rogers aged 92 and her grandson aged 29. I wish I could move like her at my present age. Unfortunately the window is very small. If anyone figures out how to make it a whole screen, please let me know or send it to all in this email. I hope the link works!
Neverunderestimateanoldbroad.wmv

Once again the movie pickings are slim, so catch up on some of the great movies of the last year.

Roberta