1-dollar weekend movie festival: May

Like I did last month, I'm spending this Comcast reward on VHS movies I own.

What a birthday treat this reward has been!

The movies were chock full of choices made - good and bad - and changes brought about from them - just like life!

I started the month with "Beetlejuice", where the girl is taught to pronounce it by being shown a giant beetle and a quart of orange juice - hahahaha!

Not quite right, but close enough for that ghost, buster, to be called forth to drive some livings out of a haunted house.

(Yes, that can be our inside joke!)

Here's the thing: the Michael Keaton character is pretty toxic to ghosts, too, so eventually there has to be a change made to drive him away.

Enter the sand worm, with Geena Davis riding in to save the day!

(smile!)

 

The following weekend found me in a medieval love story.

An evil bishop had cast a spell upon the two lovers after hearing a drunken priest's confession.

Now, a boy named Mouse is accompanying the Man-Wolf and "Ladyhawke" on their travels.

What good fortune!

The priest has found a way to cast off the spell (pun intended) on a "day without night and a night without day" - but can he accomplish the deed in time?

I do so love this tale of good versus evil...

especially with Rutger Hauer as the knight rescuing lady love,

with Matthew Broderick providing the perfect comic touch!

(smile!)

 

The third weekend found me in a quandary.

I had selected a movie, only to find it was not available for rental.

So, I quickly grabbed a Jim Carrey flick with a serious undertone: "The Truman Show".

With the premise of a reality show in which the lead character has no idea he is on such a thing, the twist is the boy grows into a man who wants to travel, so, how to go about keeping him on the island?

Plus, he falls in love with the wrong girl, not the one in the script.

Yep, change is definitely in the wind from the very moment the stage light falls from the sky one morning!

(smile!)

Then, for my bday65 weekend, I watched "Big", the beautiful story of the boy who wants to be taller... 

but he didn't specify that in the wish.

Wishes, like prayers, must include details, and the wording is very, very important.

The 12-year-old wanted to be "big" so the little blonde with the curly hair would like him.

Instead, he became "tall", and thirty years old!!!

That wasn't what he asked from Zoltar!!!

Good thing his best friend Billy - who was "three months older" - was wiser, and not just a wise-acre.

Together, they helped the older Josh weather the changes until they could find an opportunity, some time later, to catch up with the traveling machine and try to set things right, so the boy wouldn't miss his childhood.

That's a really good friend!

(smile!)

hooligans and houlihan's!

"And what's that all about?"

I watched the first ones in a movie and I dined at the second one with my first niece!

"Oh, my!!! You've seen her again already?"

Sho' nuff! She's out of school and the kids are still in, so she and I got to play grownups for the third time this month!

"I thought she had the children in tow that first time... "

Sure, you're right... but it was just me and her last week!

"And now it's just las dos chicas una vez mas!"

That's right! She's practicing her Spanish, too, as she will soon be in Cozumel. Carnival cruise with the family... and all in one room, too. But she's looking forward to it!

"I'm sure she is. And what brought y'all out to the junction of 204 and 95?

My free birthday meal at Houlihan's! Well, up to fifteen bucks off whatever I chose, as long as someone else ordered an entree. No worries with that! She loves their 3-course meal! so she 'bought' me lunch, essentially and it didn't cost her anything.

"What a great deal!"

Yeah, I try to take advantage of those loyalty programs as much as possible.

"What pretty flowers!"

Aren't they? Christina brought that permanent bouquet for me! She even made sure it had bird of paradise in it. Plus those blue flowers are the same shade almost as the blue coral that was part of my wedding bouquet. And see that coffee mug? That's Miyah's art on it! Christina liked it so much she had it printed on stickers!

"How nice of her to think of that!"

I agree.

"And the pillow?"

She saw it and the words just spoke to her of the love and friendship we share. I completely agree! I'm so glad this luncheon gave her the chance to bring these gifts she has been keeping for so long!

"She is most definitely a keeper!"

That's for sure. She's my sunshine and my heart!

"How very fortunate that y'all have been able to see more of each other, now that the weather is warm and her schedule has freed up."

Yes, with no classes to teach and no T-ball to coach, she is getting a breather.

"Hey, is that Elvis with a bad haircut?"

Yep, it sure is! He's a hooligan with a fast temper and fast hands in "Jailhouse Rock", and his cellmate, a former country singer and bank robber, is teaching him to play the guitar to pass the time. Good movie! I'm glad MGM+ had it. And you know what song he sings in it? "Young And Beautiful", the one Willie would sing to me at Sand Gnats games.

"That's wonderful! What a good day!"

Amen to that!

birthday party with brothers!

"That wasn't a birthday party."

 

Yes, it was!

 

"Was there a cake with candles?"

 

No, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a birthday party.

Plus, I had watched "Big" with breakfast, so I already had the birthday cake scene.

 

"Were there gifts to be opened?"

 

Seriously, you know that's not the way I roll.

 

"Well, I still contend it was not a birthday party."

 

Then you are incorrect!

I was there with people I love, who love me, so that makes it an event.

I had been invited to come for a low country boil, which makes it a party.

And the ones who invited me had invited the rest of the family I grew up with to share it, so that makes it a birthday party.

Trust me, I'm for sure on this, and, as I was the guest of honor, I know I'm correct.

They even all sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and did so loudly, in the carport as I was leaving, after being together for almost four hours.

"But there wasn't a cake?"

No, but there was a fabulous apple pie!

But you know what was best of all?

"What's that?"

We all talked.

I mean, really talked with each other!

And not about just movies or what the kids were up to or that usual stuff.

We had discussions like Grandpa and I used to have!!!

We spoke of libraries and what books should be there -

that led to talk about homosexuality versus heterosexuality, sex versus gender -

and then we were on the topic of the Bible and just what people meant when that referred to that tome, as in were they including the Old Testament or just the New or both?

And how did that tie in with Judaism and Islam, with Buddhism and Shintoism and the many religions around the world that all have Jesus as a prophet?

Mary wasn't into the conversation, but the four of us - me, Smitty, Tony, and Laura - took the spool of thought outside and continued unraveling it there, out in the glorious sunshine, out where the warming breeze could keep us cool.

And why not?

Grandpa had been about my age when he and I had engaged in such discussions, with my brothers playing outside as Mama and Grandma hovered in the kitchen, listening in.

It did my heart good to know others in my family were giving thought to such topics.

What a gift that was to have such discourse, not on just any day, but on my birthday!

No tempers flared, no untoward language, just a freedom to speak freely with each other.

 

That was not only a gift for me, but so very appropriate on this Memorial Day.

And what a wonderful blessing Tony had given before the meal, being sure to include the memory of those who'd fought to guarantee that freedom of speech!

i thank You, God, for such a glorious birthday!

still in love with time travel romances

The latest treat from Comcast is a month of MGM+ to enjoy.

Thirty days of movies with no commercials, absolutely free!

I had already alerted Barbara to this reward, so she and her Saturday night salad folks were going to tune in one of the films.

I had asked what they might watch, so I could watch the same one here.

They ended up with one of Carolyn's movies, I think.

Not me.

I like that this channel has the movies organized by genre.

I'd jumped right into "Science Fiction", hoping to maybe find "Nope", but spotting a lot of really old B-grade horror films (like "Creature From The Black Lagoon") and not a lot of real, honest to goodness, scifi (like "Dark City")...

until the very last movie listed.

"The Wrong Todd".

The synopsis said it was about a guy who's double in an alternate universe was trying to steal his girlfriend.

As it turns out, that wasn't quite right, but it was enough to grab my attention.

I'm a big fan of such things as alternate universes and time travel, most especially when there is a bit of romance involved.

So, if you're reading this and maybe planning to watch it, leave now.

This is your one and only spoiler alert.

Seriously.

Come back later to finish this post, okay?

Bye!

*

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*

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Alright, so here goes.

This isn't about alternate universes or parallel universes.

It's straight up time travel.

Here's the set up: Todd and Dave are best buddy party dudes and then Todd gets introduced to Dave's sister, Lucy, and falls in love.

Then something goes wrong and Todd and Lucy are no longer together.

After two years of being distraught, Todd discovers that there are people who have been sent over short periods of time by some guy with a lab in a trailer.

Todd wants to go back two years so he can make things right with his girlfriend, but he also wants the Todd of that time to be sent two years ahead to take his place in the present.

So, that's what happens.

Future Todd gets a second chance to make things right with Lucy, while Past Todd gets bounced into a future where his best friend has a mustache, a wife, and a baby.

It's also a future with no Lucy.

Had she moved to Seattle?

After all, they'd been arguing over her job promotion sending her there, when he'd never been out of Providence, RI.

Where was she???

Future Dave, who has been dealing with his best friend's malaise for two solid years, who has been dealing with his best friend's total refusal to accept the truth, has to break the news to him yet again that Todd's girlfriend - Dave's sister, remember - is dead, having died in a car crash after an argument with Todd.

The baby is even named after her.

Past Todd freaks out, but he eventually enlists the aid of Future Dave to find out just what the hell is going on.

Meanwhile, back two years earlier, Past Dave is suspicious of Future Todd, a slimmer, more responsible, more romantic version of the best friend he knew so well.

Lucy is loving the Future Todd, the man who agrees with her on moving to Seattle, the man who makes her romantic dinners and fancy brunches, the man who has put away his beat up T-shirts and dresses better.

Meanwhile, the mad scientist is after Past Todd, mistaking him for the Future Todd who took his lab trailer and hid it from him so no one else could time travel...

like the Past Todd showing back up in the past.

Eventually, Past Todd does find the trailer and does go back...

finding that Future Todd has kidnapped Past Dave and has him in the time travel chamber to get rid of him...

and Lucy finds that she has two Todds and a missing brother.

But all is soon remedied.

Future Todd agrees to return to his Lucy-less time, as Lucy tells him "I am not her."

Future Todd returns to Future Dave, who is so thrilled to have his friend back again that he greets him with a long hug and a welcome back into his life.

Past Dave is equally thrilled to get Past Todd back, even though Lucy will be taking him away to Seattle with her new job.

And Lucy?

She has the man she loved back again... kinda sorta.

He's learned to be more giving and more appreciative of her.

After all, he's not the same man he was before the time travel experience, nor is she the same woman she was, having been exposed to a different version of him.

That's the thing: no one cold go through such an ordeal without learning something about themselves and experiencing a consequence of that knowledge.

I woke up today still thinking about that movie.

 

In a way, it brought to mind one of my favorite films in the European time travel romance genre, one I haven't watched for a couple of years.

You know the one I mean: "Tomorrow I'll Wake Up And Scald Myself With Tea".

It has the twin astronaut brothers, with one dying accidentally and the other stepping into his lifestyle so as to win a woman's heart.

The thing is, it takes him a few tries to be able to get it right!

But he learns every time he steps back in time and repeats the process, changing the very character of the man he once was.

In a way, that's more like "Groundhog Day", right?

And that has no time travel in it at all!

Ah, but I do so love it!

Nothing like second chances to give a person a new lease on life!

 

In fact, I've already decided to watch "Big" for my final "Dollar Weekend Movie".

I'd planned on doing "The Fifth Element", but the Tom Hanks film won out.

Not because it's time travel - as it certainly is not.

His body changes, but not his mind, letting him have the same mindset as a middle-school kid even though he's wearing visage of a man in his thirties.

(Note: Tom Hanks was 32 years old when it came out in 1988.)

By the movie's end, his body reverts back to its initial state, leaving him a kid again, but a kid with more knowledge of the world and an appreciation of being a child with only the responsibilities of a child.

Speaking of which... I better go ahead and start that movie before day's end!

Later!

thankful for helen reddy

As cold as it was outside - barely 60 F by noon - I still ventured out.

I had been looking forward to this all-female group of singers for almost a month.

The Spectra Choir is a local bunch, formed about a year ago... but I never heard of them.

My thanks to Randy Canady for bringing them to Asbury Memorial for us.

The group is termed a treble clef choir, a term that had confused me until I saw the mnemonic for the notes:

Every Good Boy Does Fine 

That's when I realized that's what I learned in Glee Club in middle school!

Hmm... when they have their open call for new members in September, I think I'll go.

They were careful to say that you don't need a great voice... and, since I am out of practice with singing, my voice has an issue with finding a key.

(A little joke for anyone who's ever done karaoke with me!)

So, how did things go at this matinee concert?

Splendidly, with Kathy Hodges spotting me and coming over to sit with me, Preston in tow.

That means she got to witness me tapping my foot and waving my hands and singing along, sotto voce, for those songs I knew.

I very much enjoyed "What Happens When A Woman", a tune I hadn't heard before, but used early in the set list to help set the tone.

This was not just a concert with random songs; these had been carefully curated to tell a story of being "Grounded In Truth, Empowered By Song", much like concept albums are.

Such a marvelous idea!

Later, there was a favorite: "How Can I Keep From Singing?"

I  promise you, I could sense Joan Hester Byrd right there with the solo singer!

(smile! That was Rebecca Flaherty, who did concerts here with Sanford Jones years ago.

Joan would have been a big fan of her voice, especially ringing out as it was today.)

The final song in the program was the Helen Reddy anthem, "I Am Woman", which came out in 1972, when I was in 9th grade.

Mama and I would sing it and I credit that song with giving her the strength to eventually divorce Daddy.

They had developed a bad pattern of behavior toward each other and nothing seemed to work to enable them to break out of hurting each other.

I couldn't see that at the time, but I've seen the pattern in other couples over the years.

Being married takes work from both parties; love itself isn't enough, and walking away is the best choice for the family.

This song still makes me proud to be a woman, proud to make my own decisions and accept the consequences for them, all thanks to my beautiful mother.

So... did I say that was the final song?

Well, only on the program!

Spectra Choir gave us two extra songs!

The last one was an Irish prayer set to music, one that Mama had done as a cross-stitch sampler and had on the wall.

May the road rise gently to meet you,

may the wind be always at your back,

may the sun shine warm upon your face,

may the rain fall gently on your fields,

and may God hold you in the palm of His hands.

Very nice, right?

But it was the penultimate song that found me singing to myself.

It was a tune I'd first noticed when it was done during a service here, some time back.

"One Voice" is the title.

It starts off with a soloist for the first stanza, with a second joining in for the next, and a third after that, until at the end there is a multitude harmonizing in unison.

Beautiful.

In honor of Memorial Day, I've found a version on youTube.

It features the United States Navy Band, from about 8 years ago, after the Wailin' Jennys' tune had found its way onto a movie soundtrack.

Here's the video.

Feel free to chime in... I will!

(smile!)

birthday musical with amigas!

I had been concerned that the show would be sold out on a Friday night -

but it was not!

Hooray!!!

And there were plenty of seats to choose from for our foursome!

We were at the Lucas, in Orchestra Right, on the eighth row... perfect!!!

Even better, I took the far right aisle seat, putting me near the wall, with no heads in front of me.

Yes!

Kaye sat beside me, Barbara was three seats from me, and Kal was between those two Savannah roses.

(smile!)

And where were we?

At the Lucas Theatre, for the end of quarter production from the SCAD Performing Arts students.

All I knew about "Pippin" was this: it's a musical.

Several songs from it had been featured in one of the God On Broadway sermons, in 2017, at Asbury Memorial (back when it was still part of the UMC).

It was also the play that linked together my minister and his wife. 

Pretty cool!

So, here it was, being performed right here, in one of my favorite venues!

I was so excited!

And as I watched, I realized: I truly had known nothing about the story in it.

None of the songs were even familiar to me!

But I eventually caught on that Pippin - clad in a Charlie-Brown shirt as a new graduate of a university - was basically a good kid of a rich dad and, now that he was out of school, he was at a loss as to what to do with his life.

One thing he knew: he wanted to pursue success and happiness!

But along what path?

When he chose to follow in the footsteps of his dad and brother in the military world, that's when I understood the correlation to earlier musicals from the 1960's (like "Hair" and "Cabaret" and "Jesus Christ Superstar", all of which I have seen in the last decade, courtesy of the Bay Street Theatre , the Savannah Stage Company in 2018, and the Collective Face Theatre Ensemble in 2017, respectively.

All featured a military element, all featured a bohemian group, and all had a love story...

as did this musical.

What great fun, even with a little bitter mixed in with the sweet, just like dark chocolate.

(smile!)

This one even included the change in ending that the 2013 Broadway revival had, the ending that showed the circular nature of life from one generation to the next.

Very good!

 

Afterward, Kal peeled off to talk to a fellow Slav at a Greek restaurant and we three went in search of dinner.

Where better than Carey the H on Waters?

(A little humor for the bfe!)

They're one of the few places in town where the kitchen is open after 11 PM and they don't kick you out until after midnight.

What do you think we ordered?

If you said "barbeque", then I say "nope!"

Shrimp salad!

(smile!)

We did all opt for different sides - 

onion rings, baked potato, fries -

but we all had the shrimp salad.

Barbara even credited me with letting her know some time back how good it was!

Cool beans!

I was the only one who opted for dessert, getting a slice of the pecan pie, and Barbara joked with the waitress about getting a candle to put in it.

Hahahaha!

A little later, she brought up Christa and told Kaye about her death earlier this year.

I put on my chemistry teacher persona and explained just what diabetic ketoacidosis was to both of them.

It felt good to be able to do that!

They, in turn, talked to be about Medicare and warned me about higher charges to expect in my car insurance when I hit 70.

I really am blessed to have these two septuagenarian women in my life!

And what are they doing here?

Preparing to sing happy birthday to me for my bday65!

Barbara had just told the waitress to put my tab on her bill...

so I told her she had to sing that special song...

and Kaye joined in!

So blessed am I!

(smile!)

thanks for the birthday treats, amc and publix!

I hadn't intended to go back southside for a movie...

but I saw last night that I had overlooked my birthday gifts from AMC!

So, back out there I went, intending to see one movie, but getting another in its stead...

and being quite happy with the switch!

(Especially as it netted me a pass for any future movie, for me or someone else!)

Plus, I picked up the large popcorn and large soda that were waiting for me, so now I have those leftovers for watching movies at home.

Good deal, especially as it would have cost almost $17 for that combo!

 

Afterward, I popped into the southside Publix just down the street.

They had free ice cream waiting for me... dairy free, too!

Peanut butter chocolate chip - that should be very nice!

 

Now, I'm getting ready for an evening out with mi amigas!

Here's the problem, though: the weather has taken a turn for the worse.

Just look at that dip!

Good thing I have not yet bagged up the heavy blanket!

Good thing the heated mattress pad is still on the bed, too.

To think, I have been chastising myself for not having washed those and put them away.

I guess the universe was looking out for me.

At least Sunday will be back toward more normal temperatures, but Saturday...

brrrr...

Saturday is going to be harsh.

We'll be having a taste of that tonight, so it's back to wearing long pants, back to donning socks and real shoes, and back to wrapping up in my new coat.

Have I mentioned how blessed I am to live at this latitude of 32 N instead of another 10 degrees farther toward Canada?

Yeah, I think Sandy has picked the wrong time for a trip to Nova Scotia!

Brrrr...

that's not good for my warm heart.

Looking forward to more heat for my birthday.

i thank You, God.

avventura in Italia, attraverso il grande schermo

"Yo, g'friend! You going to cross the Atlantic again?"

I wish!

However, my A*List did me the next best thing: it served me up three movies set there!

 

"Que belissimo! But, are you sure those are the right trio?"

 

 LOL!

Yeah, I know that third one doesn't look quite right, does it?

Sure, it had a portion set on Earth, as well as some alternate version of this planet...

but none of that was on the European continent.

Let me explain.

"That would be helpful."

Wednesday I saw that first one, "Book Club: The Next Chapter".

What lovely scenes from Rome, Venice, and the Tuscany region!

And every time the camera panned anywhere near the Forum, I edged a little closer to the screen, looking for my temple...

but the camera moved so quickly, right?

I take that back: it isn't that the camera is zipping along, but the movie itself.

24 frames per second is a right fast clip!

So, I saw the Spanish Steps and the Coliseum and the Forum, all in a general sense, with little detail of the structures within.

And those narrow, winding lanes... and wide piazzas... just lovely!

I had hoped to catch more, but it was a nice overview of the other locales.

I just had one question: why did those women starring in it feel the need to dye their hair?

Jane Fonda was born 11 days after Mama, making her 85 years old.

Candice Bergen and Diane Keaton are both 77 years old.

Mary Steenburgen is the youngest of the four and she's 70 now.

Why did these accomplished women feel the need to lie to the camera about their ages?

Don Johnson (73, paired with Fonda), Craig T. Nelson (79, paired with Steenburgen), and Andy Garcia (67, paired with Keaton) felt no such need and wore their gray naturally.

"You know plenty of women who dye their hair on a regular basis."

I do, and I cannot believe the amount of money they throw in that direction.

"Hey, hold up there, missy.

Everyone has different priorities, so don't be casting stones.

You wouldn't want anyone to tell you what you're allowed to spend your money on, right?

Well, you can't tell others what to do with theirs."

Sure, no argument there.

My question is: in this day and age, why aren't more women embracing their normal hair color and not trying to be deceptive?

I guess I understand when folks are working, they don't want to be subject to ageism.

But those in the film world have a golden opportunity to set an example, to show that "older" is not synonymous with invisible.

That's all.

Take Helen Mirren.

She's 78 and has worn her hair white for many years now.

"Yes, but she also has played a lot of older characters and done so with aplomb...

oh...

I catch your drift.

She could have chosen to disguise her age, but she has accepted it wholeheartedly."

Exactly.

She's in "Fast X", by the way, again as the mom of Jason Statham's hitman.

Rita Moreno, 91 years old, was in that, too, as the grand matriarch of Vin Diesel's family - oh, and he, like Statham, is also 55 and born in 1967, like my youngest brother.

So, those three men will all be 56 by year's end.

 

"Okay, okay, back to the movie, eh?"

 

Sure, I was just setting the stage, putting things into perspective.

I will say that this episode of "The Fast And The Furious" pretty well demands that viewers be familiar with the other episodes.

So many characters from the past, even those who died in previous films or for real, have guest appearances here.

Seriously, you can't hardly keep track of who is on which side and, by the end, there was some debate over who was even still alive for the 11th and 12th upcoming sequels.

But the best part to me?

All the scenes in Rome!!!

That city was filmed so lovingly and for such a long time in the movie!

Again, I found myself searching out those places where I had trod, back in 2002 and 2012, lingering on those sights as long as I could, and enjoying the memories of the good times I'd shared there with the ex and with the Armstrong nurses -

ah, que bella!

 

"Hey, that's good that you get to travel for free in the cinema!"

 

You betcha!

I only wish I could rack up some frequent flyer miles there.

(smile!)

 

"So, what's up with Italy in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" film?" 

Not a single blessed thing!

LOL!

Here's what happened.

I couldn't decide if I was going for a doubleheader or not today.

I'd walked out the cinema and wandered about, debating with myself about whether I should go for third to fill out my dance card, or be content with only two this week...

and, by the time I made up my mind, the movie I wanted to see had already started and the machine wouldn't let me buy a ticket for it.

So, I told Sean and Raven to just give me a ticket for the later showing, but tell me which screening room had the 6:30 showing of "The Little Mermaid".

Instead, they gave me a ticket for the "GOTG:V3", but sent me to the Big D for the one I wanted to see.

Marvelous!

And I really cannot tell what I missed in that 20-minute gap.

All the songs I knew, and I few I didn't, came up with me there.

Odd, right?

"A bit, but why did you say this was in Italy?

Is it not animated?"

Oh, no, it's live action!

Even the animals - Sebastian, Flounder, the seagull - they're real, not animated.

And the setting is mostly Sardinia, Italy - just gorgeous!

Oh...

one thing...

don't tell my first niece I've seen this, okay?

I'm supposed to see it with her and her girls on Tuesday.

(smile!)

"Sure, sure.

It's hard to catch all the action when you have near-constant movement going on.

Enjoy when you see it again!"

show me the movies film festival!

Today ended thirty days of free Showtime!

No bingeing on serials for me - nosirree!

I had Showtime screen lots of movies for me!

All total, there were 18.

I know, you were expecting far more.

What can I say?

The world of culture has been bursting out with blooms!!!

 

I'd started with "3 Days To Kill", a doozie with Kevin Costner as a hitman who has a long weekend with his estranged teenaged daughter while his ex is away on business.

It just so happens that he has a brain tumor and has only months to live, unless...

well, unless he manages to get in one last hit.

If he does, he'll get paid with an experimental drug that could save his life.

What to do, what to do?

Well, one last dance with his daughter sure would be nice.

Ah, yes, and that netted me sweet dreams of dancing with him, too!

 

"Mean Girls" followed, with its high school shenanigans and appropriate animal noises.

That lead on to "The Birdcage", with memories of South Beach and Art Deco - nice!

What to see after those?

 

Well, talking with Sean at AMC about a Jake Gyllenhall movie there reminded me of an earlier one and Sean had remembered the name: "Source Code".

Such and excellent scifi, time travel, romance from 2011, that I watched it again!

That brings me up to May 2nd, the day Tony and Laura came home.

In need of something different, "The Sunlit Night" certainly fit the bill, with an American artist student in Norway.

Everything she sees reminds her of a famous painting, but not the Renoir I have.

The most entertaining part was when she sang Kaddish at a Viking funeral for a Russian Jew who had been a baker in Brooklyn.

For real!

Then dawned May the Fourth and, by looking at the movie listings from A - Z, I spotted an odd one: "5-25-77" from 2022.

Get this: it was about a boy who had seen "2001 A Space Odyssey" and started into a lifetime of homemade scifi movies, leading right up to a visit to Hollywood his junior year, to the set of... c'mon, guess! - "Star Wars"!!!

Then it was to wait until 5-25-77, the opening date... but not at the rinkydink one-screen cinema in his town.

He had to wait another week for it to get there!

So, not only did I get a movie about that one I saw for the first time that summer in Great Lakes, Illinois, but this was a true story about Patrick Read Johnson and his start...

and it was on the day for lisping Jedi knights!!!

Wow!

I know I already wrote about it, but... such a gift from the Universe it was! 

Then I got another gift: a trio of movies about baseball!

"The Bad News Bears", the first one, with Walter Matthau and the classical music score that accompanies his movies, was certainly my favorite.

"The Bad News Bears In Breaking Training" came out the next year and placed los osos de las balas at an exhibition game in Texas, with the winner to get a trip to Japan.

So, the very next year - hey sequels have to be quick when kids are growing! - we have "The Bad News Bears Go To Japan", which lost something in the translation.

The best part of that had nothing to do with the official game, but with the sandlot playing the two teams did after the adults all lost their minds.

Nice!

"Desperately Seeking Susan" was a trip into the 1980's for fashion and music, with Madonna posing as a personals ads poster who catches the imagination of Rosanna Arquette, who is in a marriage with a barely flickering flame.

So good to see Aidan Quinn (a hottie then, and even more so now at 64!) once more, as well as Will Patton (as a blond!) and Steven Wright (as the sister-in-law's deadpanning blind date) and John Turturro (as a wise-cracking emcee) - wow!

I hadn't realized everyone of those men are within just a few years of my age!

Something different was waiting for me with "Boy", written by, directed by, and starring Taika Waititi in 2010, with him as a Peter Pan father who had abandoned his two sons after the mother died, taking up with other like-minded guys and living a bohemian life, gallivanting hither and yon.

The older son had taken up Michael Jackson as his role model... which leads to a Bollywoodesque "Thriller" dance over the closing credits!

Yes, yes, yes!!!

Now I was up to May 16th, so how about a little romance?

Enter John Cusack, a decade after "Say Anything" with a Christmas-themed cutie wrapped around a pair of black gloves and a coffee shop called "Serendipity".

It hit all the right marks for a seasonal lark!

Then it was time to watch some older folks having a bit of romance during "A Month By The Lake" with Vanessa Redgrave and Edward Fox (with both of them being 58 in 1995 and both born the same year as my mother).

Perhaps it was an inside joke that the film was set in 1937?

In any case, with the view of Lake Como in Italy, it truly was a lovely piece!

A more modern tale, "Marvelous And The Black Hole" followed Rhea Perlman as a magician who tries to bring light into the life of a teen whose mother has died.

I truly did enjoy the magic shows... but the black hole got a bit tedious.

So glad I never had to deal with teenagers!

Besides the magic, the best part was the older sister, who remembered more about their mom, including the posting of a flock of flamingoes in the front yard. 

When the Black Hole has to present a school project, she did so using a story of a princess on a moon... with flamingoes in the yard.

Very nice.

There followed a series of movies I'd seen numerous times in the past:

"Senseless", with Marlon Wayans as a university student who volunteers for a research study of a new drug, going for that extra cash;

"Tootsie", one with Dustin Hoffman as an actor who becomes an actress to get a job, ending up as a better man (and one I'd seen with Mama while on leave after Okinawa);

"The Jerk", from all the way back to 1979, with Steve Martin as an accidental inventor and Bernadette Peters as his lady love;

"Fargo", with Frances McDormand as a pregnant cop out in the wintry world of Minnesota, chasing murderers... one of the best roles she's ever had.

And, today, the last of the month's worth of Showtime, I chose "The Go-Go's", a brand new documentary of that rockin' all-girl band!

I had so enjoyed their music in the 1980's!

This film is designed to attract the attention of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, in a bid to get this group into that museum.

Sure hope it works!

So, there you have it!

Half the movies I watched were new to me, half were not, as it turned out.

I wonder if that will be the case with the next reward film festival?

Comcast is giving me access to MGM+ next, though I haven't started that yet.

Looking forward to more free movies during those summer reruns!

(smile!)

happy birthday, Aubree!

My older half-brother's daughter is now 11 years old -

rather, she will be on Monday, as hers falls on the same day as mine and as JFK's.

That means she'll have fireworks for her birthday, too!

(smile!)

 

With luck, she'll have these gifts to open then, too.

I've just put them into the mail, so they'll be wending their way to Alabama soon.

A unicorn on a silver chain to wear and to bring her joy!

A mystical, mythical, fairy with a crystal ball to gaze into for dreams!

Butterflies to post on windows, on doors, and even a butterfly kite for the sky!

(smile!)

 

Within the butterfly note card, I'd inscribed these words for her.

 

"Dearest Aubree,

Happy 11th birthday!

Many wishes for your imagination 

to take flight 

as you begin

your new year! " 

 

How could it not, with a fairy, a unicorn, and butterflies leading the way?

(smile!)

23 may '23

TCB, and a luncheon, and even a cultural event!

Yes, I would call this a Tina Tuesday, even without a cinema movie!

First off, I had a special luncheon with my first niece!

It was at one of our favorite places, too: Cancun.

That restaurant had been closed for months, due to a fire in the kitchen.

Thanks to fb, I found out it was again open - hooray!

Here she is, posing for a photo to her Uncle Jeff.

She looks like she's wearing a crown...

but that's just the artwork on the wall.

It's all a matter of perspective!

How was it that the ex was involved?

Well, she sells seashells by the... no, that's someone else.

She sells Paparazzi jewelry and one of her friends through that business has recently married a guy who used to be in radio and who may have known Jeff and definitely knew Sam, so did Jeff know him?

Jeff did not.

Bear in mind that he's been out of the biz here for sixteen years, and Sam has been dead for fourteen years.

That's been a while.

She and I made our future plans - "The Little Mermaid" is in cinemas this week! - then parted with our big hugs that Mama taught us.

(smile!)

I bopped over to Publix, as it was right there.

(Inside joke for the physicist!)

And guess what?

They had my favorite hotdogs on sale!!!

So I stocked up on those Ballpark Smoked White Meat Turkey Franks, you betcha!

Two packs for the fridge, and another two for the freezer.

That wasn't the only treat there for me: cherries!!!

It's as if they knew my birthday was drawing near and wanted me to have my favorite foods to celebrate the occasion.

i thank You, God.

My plan had been to take in a movie after that excursion.

However, the underwear drawer is down to the panties I don't really like.

Time to wash clothes!!!

I debated with myself about washing bedding and curtains... nope!

So I gathered up the regular loads and off I went, to the place that was once Nami's.

There was one other person there, probably about my age, so we chatted a bit.

I finished up mine before she did, though.

Hey, I've been going to laundromats since I was ten... lots of practice!

Next up was a bit of culture to round out the day!

I had thought it was to be a lecture and reception... nope!

Just the first part, so dinner would be the baked potato and chili from last night. 

(Thanks, again, little brother!)

Still, I did get to enjoy a bit of art before the talk.

I was investigating the art of the speaker, Wioleta Kaminska, before even entering the museum.

That's because the annual "Boxed In/Break Out" selection is installed in the exterior windows of the Jepson, those facing Barnard Street, to truly serve as art for the community to enjoy.

This time, those six windows held "Retreating", photographs taken by the artist while on residence in Iceland in June and July of last year.

As I walked past, I caught my image reflected against that backdrop of ice and snow, pausing briefly to snap this picture.

It wasn't until later that I appreciated the overlay of the modern street scene, with someone's van and the brick sidewalk, onto the ancient landscape photographed a year ago.

What an extra element of interest, combining the old and the new and the self!

Perhaps that thought was inspired by another artwork I'd viewed while waiting for the talk to begin.

 

The room galleries were closed off, but the halls still contained pieces, most by students.

This one, especially, drew me in.

Titled "Discovery", it featured a beagle in a boat, taking a closer look at a lily pad which turned out to be a hat that concealed a mermaid, with most of her still underwater and unseen.

How very like an iceberg, I'd thought, drawing closer.

And here's the thing: the longer I looked at it, the more detail I saw.

What an excellent piece!

Thank you, high school junior Laura Shweiky!

And here's another museum offering with unexpected perks.

"Red Kneeling Figure" has been an item of interest for me for years, though it does seem to get moved around a good bit.

This location was perfect today.

Juxtaposed between the distant spires of St. John's Cathedral, as well as the statue of "Mother and Child" on the outdoor patio, it made for a spiritual interlude for the day.

All three structures are beautiful individually, but together they offer a composite tone so much larger. 

The wonders of serendipity and an invisible guiding force...

I think I'll have to suggest that they leave the piece there.

I know I would love to visit it there again.

(smile)

 

Now, to enjoy what may be my last evening with Showtime movies.

Which ones to view this time?

I'll let you know!

(smile!)

unexpected birthday dinner!

"What's this? Your birthday isn't for 'nother week, lass!"

I know... that's what makes it 'unexpected'!

"Yes, but I saw that you got your coupon from Texas Roadhouse in yer email today and I know you printed it right out to use today. Now, did ya or didn't ya?"

That part's all true, it is! And rather than go off on my own, I thought it might be nice to have some company this year. So, I'd texted Tony to ask if he and Laura might want to dine out there this evening.

"And I take it he said yes?"

He did! Turns out they were already planning a dinner at home, but as this was a rarity, they readily agreed. My goodness - when read aloud, that was almost poetic!

"Just why would you read it aloud when you've only just now typed it?"

Oh, c'mon, don't you hear your voice in your head as you write?

"Sure sometimes. Maybe not all the time."

Well, the same is true for me. And, somehow, rarity and readily just flowed into each other, like they were meant to be in close proximity.

"As your little brother says, you're weird."

Why, thank you, thankyouverymuch! 

"Hey, I just realized something. You'd said you wanted to get together more with your brothers this year, but this is the first I've heard of you actually doing so.

Yes, I told them about that. I also told them that what I'd wanted for my birthday was to be with loved ones, making memories. Laura said that's what she wanted for her birthday, too! That's why she and Dood had gone to the show at the Savannah Theatre!

"Great minds think alike, and all that. She really is a keeper."

She most def is. So is Mary. I told Tony and Laura that I was going to see about going out with Smitty and Mary on Thursday. I wonder if they might like the SavRepTh play?

"That's a good idea. "The 39 Steps" is pretty funny and I think Smitty would dig it."

Oh, do you? You think he would 'did' it? Hahahaha!

"You so funny... and so easily distracted, too. You need to finish your story."

Sure, I can do that! So, I told T & L about the coupon and even offered to use it for the Cactus Blossom appetizer instead of my usual sidekick of ribs, but they wouldn't hear of it. They told me to order what I wanted to, that they were getting the fried onion dish anyway. So, I got that half-rack and the Country Vegetables Plate, like I do. And you know what? They insisted on buying my dinner! So to make it officially my birthday gift, I had them sing "Happy birthday" to me... and they did! Tony made sure everyone knew it was my birthday, he was singing so loudly! Good times!!!

"Well, good for them! And good for you!"

Thanks! And I even have leftovers for later this week... but not lunch tomorrow! I'm spending that with Christina Ann. And not dinner tomorrow, either! I have a talk and reception at the Jepson. I guess I'll have to make a point of eating it for lunch on Wednesday, won't I?

"Sounds like a plan! What a busy week you're having! Happy bday65 to you!"

Thanks! I am so blessed!

i thank You, God!

a little song, a little dance, a little grad gladness

Guess what? 

I actually made it to church today!

Like, in person, as opposed to online viewing.

My primary reason is to hear Billy preach.

I figure with summer on the way, he'll be on break soon.

I'd like to say I still go for guest speakers, but we know that would be a lie.

The only one of those that I habitually show up for is Rabbi Haas.

(smile!)

I had forgotten that the high school graduates were to be honored today.

I'm sure that's because I had forgotten that I would know one of them.

Yes, indeed, Samuel Povie is officially all grown up now!

That's him between his mom and his sister, Sarah, who has only one year left at UGA.

She's going for her master's in anesthesia assistant after that.

Sam is going for a poli sci degree and the joke is that stands for "political silence"!

That's because the youth leader of the Asbury Angells announced it that way.

Guess that will be an inside joke for Doug and the rest of us!

(smile!)

 

While we were visiting, I talked to Amy's sister, Becky, about this event at the Tybee Post Theater and told her it combines two of my loves: photography and dancing!

(smile!)

As it turned out, there were plenty of photos being taken at this Spring Student Showcase of the Tybee Ballet Theatre.

I only took this one, as I knew none of the dancers.

Some of them were quite good!

The program didn't have any names, just the song titles.

So, let me add a few highlights from my notes.

(smile!)

"Bake You A Cake" had six tittle girls, probably between the ages of Miyah and Chloe, and, though cute, they really weren't ready for a stage.

Still, they reminded me of the joy I had ushering these types of events at the Lucas - good times, most def!

"A Dance For Danny" had two tween-agers who really had a great vaudeville routine!

I don't understand the song title used, as the one for their performance was "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)", an oldie about name changes of cities.

Maybe that was an inside joke for them!

(smile!)

The closing number for that first act was "The Renaissance", a song in three parts, with three sets of dancers: six older girls, nine tweenagers, and nine in the 4th grade range -

that's a lot of tapping toes to keep on tempo!

But the "WOW!!!" number was "Jaywalker Interlude", with a very talented boy, all dressed in light colors, performing an elaborate routine while three adults in dark clothes walked across the back of the stage repeatedly.

I took it to mean that he had lost someone dear to him, and the others were ghosts, but when I mentioned that to the chaperone during intermission, she didn't say anything.

Guess that was simply what the dance meant to me.

(smile!)

The second half of the show had a "WOW!!!" moment, too.

No, it wasn't the first number, "The Chain", though it was pretty novel to have four boys all on stage and no girls present.

No, it wasn't "9 To 5", which was nicely choreographed with its two older girls and two little ones, all pushing brooms and "working".

No, it wasn't even "Stay Here Forever", with the one high school girl performing.

The big number for me was "The Phoenix Dragon", with a girl who may have been a little older than Alyssa and Leila, dancing as a bird that becomes a dragon in flight!

What a fabulous performance!

I'm so glad to have found this on fb!

i thank You, God!

(smile!)