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!

June 24

Florrie and Carol Frank (on second try) correctly identified "Will you love me for the rest of my life?  No I'll love you for the rest of mine."  coming from Phenomenon.

Try this one:

"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."

On Netflix and Instant Streaming:

Brooklyn Castle - This inspiring documentary tells the story of Intermediate School 318 in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn and their award winning chess club.  They have taken the championship for many years and have a number of masters among their players.  Last year they won the high school championship beating out elite and private schools including TJ here in Northern VA.  What is unique about this school for those of you who are not familiar with Brooklyn is that this school is Title One which means more than 70% of their students are on free or reduced lunch.  Chess has changed the lives of these students.  If you want to feel good about students and know why we need to support public education, see this film.  As a side note the principal, who was made a superintendent after the documentary was filmed, died suddenly of an attack (didn't say what kind, I assume heart since he was in his 50:s)

On Netflix:

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - My book group just read this classic and we thought it would be good to see the 1968 film.  Both a very young Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke were nominated for best actor and supporting actress that year.  Arkin lost out to Cliff Robertson  for Charly and Locke to Rosemary Harris for Rosemary's Baby.  The film was true to the novel for the most part, but even though it ran more than two hours, left out some significant stories that were contained in the book.  The story in a nutshell is how a deaf mute effects the lives of those around him and how they all were lonely in their own ways.  Some of the women who saw it with me and didn't read the novel said they now wanted to read it now.  For a thought provoking, well acted and directed movie, see this one.  

Truman -   This HBO made for TV film was shown at one of my OLLI classes this week.  Although I could not stay until the very end, I did see enough  to know that it was a well done movie.  Gary Sinise stars as Truman and does a fine job with the role.  The story tells how Truman "accidentally" came to power, but shows the man he really was.  He was not the simple minded person one thought as he had a good political mind and did not bend to pressure. He did what he felt was right for the people.  Tony Goldwyn, who plays the President in the series "Scandal", is a featured player in this film.  My only complaint was the make-up job on the actress playing Bess Truman.  I plan on getting the film from Netflix so that I can see it in its entirety.  I would recommend it as a film that honestly portrays the man who was president when I was born!  

At Signature Theater in Shirlington, VA:

Company - I am not a fan of Stephen Sonheim, but since Erin Driscoll, Betsy's daughter and Sarah's voice teacher, was in this production , Sy and I decided to go and we were not sorry.  The production was first rate and the story not as dark as some of Sonheim's plays.  Of course I knew some of the songs i.e. "I'm Not Getting Married Today" "Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch" and the actors did a wonderful job in their interpretation of them.  Staging was quite good.  We sat on the side and had no trouble seeing all.  A little tip about Signature - if you go an hour before the production and there are still tickets, they sell "rush" tickets for $30 a piece.  That's what we did.  We called in advance to make sure there were tickets available before heading down to the theater.  The show will be at Signature for another week closing next weekend.  If you want to get some relief from the hot weather, you won't find a better way to spend two and a half hours.

Restaurants in Shirlington:

As many of you know Shirlington is a great place not only to catch a first rate show or movie, but they have a great selection of restaurants to choose from.  One of our favorite is the Carlyle Grand, but this time we chose Ping a Chinese restaurant we had eaten in and enjoyed with the Lummers a few months ago.  Ping has a special on Sundays and Thursdays.  For $40 a couple you get an appetizer and two entrees plus a good bottle of either white or red wine.  We could not believe the value and the quality of the food.  

This would be a good week to catch up on movies as it is going to be a scorcher.

Roberta

June 16

Carol Frank, Emily, Juli, Sheila V., Joyce G, Chris, Betsy, Martha H., Lucy, Betty and Linda. K all correctly identified, "I don’t understand. All my life I’ve been waiting for someone and when I find her, she’s … she’s a fish" coming . from Splash  Try this one:

"Will you love me for the rest of my life?  No, I'll love you for the rest of mine."

In Theaters:

Now You See Me -  I was sure I would like this film, but not as much as I did; it was lots of fun!.  The movie just sailed along and it was non-stop action.  Not the bang em shoot em up action, but magic.  Sy and I love magic so this was a movie that fit us to a tee.  Not only is it fun, but the story is interesting and has a twist ending.  Won't give anything away. This a movie that can be enjoyed by the entire family - adults, teens and younger children.   It has a star studded cast with Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.  You won't be disappointed.  

The Impossible - I would rename this film The Improbable, but at the end of the film the credits indicated that this film was loosely based on actual events of a similar family.  Naomi Watts was nominated for best actress for her role as the mother.  Ewan McGregor plays the father, but the young boy playing their oldest son really steals the movie from them both.  It retells one family's experiences during the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Aisa.  It is not for the faint hearted as  some of the scenes are a bit gory.  In fact, towards the beginning of the film, I was tempted to shut it off without seeing the end, but am glad I did not.  For an improbable story that turns out to be true, see this one.  

Good Read:

Winter of the World by Ken Follett - This is the second novel in his latest trilogy.  The book begins where the last on Fall of Giants left off.  Germany is ripe for a new leader and although there are many Germans who think a leader like Hitler is a joke, we all know what happens.  This book deals with the second generation of the families we met in the last book.  Many of my friends did not like this one as well as the first, but once I got past some of the initially brutality at the book's beginning, the storylines were good.  Once again the horrors of war are unimaginable to me. Follett's books are always page turners and this one is no exception.  It is about 1000 pages so if you have a kindle, tablet or notebook, you might consider using it for this one.  

A number the shows I like have returned to TV on cable, but "The Newsroom" our favorite will return in July.  If you have HBO or Netflix see this, you won't be disappointed.

Roberta

May 27

Carol Frank, Yolanda and Betty correctly identified

"Some people can't believe in themselves until someone else believes in them first." 

coming from Good Will Hunting

Try this one:

“I don’t understand. All my life I’ve been waiting for someone and when I find her, she’s … she’s a fish.


In Theaters:

Forty Two - What a lovely movie!  The story retells how Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in the major leagues. Branch Richey, played by Harrison Ford, was instrumental in making this happen. Ford is wonderful in the role.  It is amazing how far we have come in 65 years, but there is always plenty for us to go.  The actor playing Robinson was unknown to me, but as Sy said that was good as you focused on the person, not the actor. I believed he graduated from Howard University in DC.   For an inspirational movie, see this one.


On Netflix"

To Rome With Love - This is your typical Woody Allen movie. Not as good as Midnight in Paris, but interesting just the same especially if you have been to Rome. Many stories take place at the same time all in Rome. What I expected was they would all come together in the end, but that did not happen. A star studded cast with Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Ellen Page, Fabio Armiliata, Alessandra Mastronardi, Alison Pill and Carol Alt.

Reread:

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - I had never read this novel before, but it was the classic read my book group chose for this month.  The author wrote this when she was I believe 23 and shows her insight into the human soul.  Happy book - no, Thoughtful book - yes.  I've put the film on my Netflix list to see how it was adapted for the screen.  Alan Arkin and Sondra Locke were nominated for Academy Awards for this roles; neither won.  It is a good book to either read for the first time or reread.

Haven't been to the movies or seen many Netflix for some time, but now that most of my TV programs are finished for the season, I will catch up on my movie viewing.

March 21

Carol Frank, Florrie, Betty, Martha H. correctly identified "Which one of you nuts has got any guts?  from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Try this one

"Do you know that place between being asleep and awake, where you still remember your dreams? That's where I'll always love, that's where I'll always wait for you."

Reston Community Players

next to normal - Well I finally got to see the production at the Reston Community Center and I was not disappointed.  As Sy previously wrote, it is a tough subject area to tackle.  Who would ever think to write a play about mental illness and a musical to boot.  For those of you who don't know the play's history, it started off Broadway to very mixed reviews.  The play was reworked and played at Arena  where it worked out the kinks.  On to Broadway where it received wonderful reviews, three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize. That year the Tony went to a more mainstream musical, "Billy Elliott."   Will you go away singing and smiling; not unless you too need mental health help; but you will go away thinking how lucky you are to have a family that is close to normal.

On Netflix:

The Intouchables - This French film was panned by the critics, but what do they know.  It is a lovely, poignant film about the friendship between a wealthy paraplegic and his rough around the edges caretaker.  It is based on a true story, the caretaker in real life is not black, but Middle Eastern.  Although he is confined to a chair, you never feel sorry for Philippe.  That is exactly what he wanted from his caretaker and Driss does just that.  To see a film that will put a smile on your face and feel good, see this one. 

Interesting Read:

Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright - This month's book club selection is Albright's personal story of remembrance of war  1937-1948.  At first I thought it was not going to catch my interest, but as I read I learned a lot about Czechoslovakia and World War II.  The personal parts were quite interesting.  I am sure there will be a lively discussion next week when we meet.  I know a number of people cannot believe that Albright never had any kind of inkling that she was Jewish.  Sometimes we believe what we want to believe and close our eyes to what is right in front of us.  I would recommend you reading this account.

At The Library of Congress:

Words Like Sapphires - 100 Years of Hebraica at the Library of Congress 1912-2012 - One point of interest that tourists forget about when visiting Washington, DC is The Library of Congress.  Situated behind the Capitol it is not only a beautiful building and one of the largest libraries in the world. I went on a trip with a group to see this exhibit.  We were fortunate to have the curator, Peggy Pearlstein, as our guide.  As in any museum, you get so much more out of any exhibit if you go on a tour.  The docents know what to point out and items you might overlook.The reason for the title is that Hebrew writers throughout the medieval Jewish world used the image of "sapphires" to describe the clarity and brilliance of the well chosen word and beauty of the written page. The Library of Congress has been recognized as one of the world's foremost centers for the study of Hebrew and Yiddish materials If you live in the DC area, see it for yourself - you won't be disappointed.  For those of you who cannot make it to Washington, the exhibit is online at http://loc.gov/exhibitions

DWTS

Well my show got off to a quick start this week and I am sorry to say that Sy's girl Cheryl Burke will not be on long as her partner DL Hugley is terrible.  I think the women are the stronger contenders.  My favorites so far are:  Zendaya Coleman, Aly Raisman and Kellie Pickler.  Dorothy Hamill was no too bad either.  Besides Hugley in the cellar I think Lisa Vanderpump, Wyonna Judd and Andy Dick will round out those I think who should be off in the first couple of weeks.  Some of these performers have big fan bases so you can never predict what will happen.  Time will tell!

It is a sorry state of films out there.  Sy and I couldn't find one to go to so I guess we will continue to focus on Netflix. 

Roberta

March 31

Betty correctly identified the following quote: "Do you know that place between being asleep and awake, where you still remember your dreams?  That's where I'll always love, that's where I'll always wait for you" coming from Hook, but I will give Carol Frank credit as she said Peter Pan.

Try this one:

"If you love someone... you say it, right then, out loud. Otherwise... the moment just passes you by."

On Netflix:

The Sessions - I was not sure I would like this film as I had a preconceived notion that is would simply be a sex film and nothing else, but I was mistaken.  Based on a true story, Helen Hunt plays a sex surrogate for Marc O'Brien a young man who wants to experience sex. He is confined to an iron lung due to the effects from polio and can be out of it for only a few hours at a time.  John Hawkes who plays O'Brien does a wonderful job portraying the soul of this young man.  He is intelligent and funny.  Hunt, who I haven't seen for a while, does a lovely job portraying the surrogate who become a bit too close to her client.  William H. Macy's role as O'Brien's priest, confidant and friend is priceless.  He should have been nominated for his role.  The best way for me to describe this film is hopeful.  You will laugh, cry and never really feel sorry for O'Brien.  The supporting cast is also quite good.  Put this on your list, you won't be sorry. 

Won't Back Down - This film is loosely based on the parent group from Sunland-Tujunga Los Angeles, California who tried to take over several failing schools in the district.  Due to their efforts, parents were given the opportunity to change administration and teachers at failing schools and if that didn't do the trick, charter schools could be formed. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis play the two major principals in the film; one playing a disgruntled parent and the other a teacher at the school.  It does pull at your emotional heartstrings and puts the union in a horrible light.  Although I am not a person who believes in any kind of tenure, not sure the "bad" side was portrayed fairly.  An interesting tidbit I found out was that at the 2012 Republican and Democratic conventions, Michelle Rhee showed this film.  Also one of the producers was also a producer for the film Waiting for Superman.  Check it out and see what you think. 

On Netflix and HBO:

Snow White and the Huntsman - Since Sy had either food poisoning or the stomach flu, our plans for the weekend were canceled and I found this film on HBO so decided to watch it.  As some of you know, I enjoy "Once Upon a Time" and I guess fairy tales are an interest.  This one stars Charlize Theron as the evil queen and it does have a different twist as to why she is as she is.  For the teenagers, Kristen Stewart stars as Snow White and Chris Hemsworth as the huntsman.  I enjoyed Bob Haskins as one of the dwarfs.  Did I like it, not sure?  Did it hold my interest, yes.  Not really for young children. 

DWTS:

So no one got cut this week as Dorothy Hamil had to drop out on the advice of her doctor.  The two in the bottom - Victor Ortiz and Lisa Vanderpump deserved to be there.  I think Vanderpump should go.  Once again the women impressed with Zendaya (not sure of spelling), Kellie and Aly on the top of my leader board!

March 5

Carol Frank, Betty correctly identified " I shall call him Squishy. And he shall be mine.And he shall be MY Squishy." from Finding Nemo

Try this one:
"Which one of you nuts has got any guts?"

On Netflix:

Pitch Perfect - If you are a fan of Glee like I am, you will love this movie.  It is simply a vehicle for a cappella groups to perform, but perform they do and so well.  It stars Anna Kendrick from Up in the Air.  Not sure if she is doing her own singing, but it is pure entertainment and joy.  Not much of a story, but what fun. 

At Reston Community Center for the next two weekends:

Next to Normal - We had tickets to the Reston Players and I came down with a bug.  I told Sy to go without me and here is his review of the performance.  After reading the review, I believe I have major competition in writing.  He, of course, is the writer in the family.

What would you call a play that consisted of a bi-polar, suicidal wife, obsessed with the death of her infant son, a daughter that felt all but forgotten by her parents and a husband who lived in denial of a family living on the edge of crisis. The producers of the production now playing at the Reston Community Center would call it Next to Normal, but I’d call it about as far away from “normal” as you can get. The plot features characters that are extreme, making it difficult to relate to, that is assuming you have any aspect of normal life in your family. Next to Normal is an operetta, set in modern-day suburbia.  The voices of the cast members are surprisingly professional making it easier to enjoy a very difficult storyline.  This ambitious production is worth seeing, but expect to leave somewhat shaken-up and feeling lucky that your life was a lot closer to normal than some.

Roberta