THE HUSTLER at The Paramount

Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C.Scott in this B&W film (1961) that is so realistic, authentic,  well acted and directed. A story of pool rooms, hustlers, gamblers, and damaged souls.  Paul Newman's remarkable performance  is from a former era where  good looks were only a part of his persona.  This movie reminds me of the independent films I love so much in it's realistic presentation of real people and their complex relationships.  On a more personal note Abe spent many years of his adolescence and early 20's working in a pool hall.  To make money to put himself through college.  This is a most unusual job for a Jewish kid from Queens.  And that is why he grew up with a keen sensitivity to all kinds of souls, from all walks of life.  He met all kinds in the pool room.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

While waiting for 8 Novocaine shots to kick in on the dentist's chair I read AMERICANS' FAVORITE POEMS.  These are poems selected by Americans from every state, from prisons, immigrants as well, and sent to Robert Pinsky, the Poet Laureate of the U.S. in 2000.  I remember seeing some of these poems being read by the Americans who chose them on PBS.  Farmers, auto mechanics, housewives, teens, fast food workers, doctors, lawyers and more.  And today I came upon this famous Frost poem and the young man who selected it.  The American who chose this poem is a 28y.o. Navy man, the youngest of 8 children born in Idaho. He graduated second in his class from H.S., loaded up his old Celica with $700 in his pocket and headed to California on a ROTC scholarship that paid for his tuition and nothing else at Loyola Marymount University.  He had no idea where he was going but knew he didn't want to end up in Utah like everyone else.  Now he's been to 30 countries, has a college education and you can feel the pride he has that he chose the road not taken.
I feel that way about Austin.  When I was 16y.o. and went to college there was no money for anything but the City University of New York.  So I opted for Queens College 2 hours away because everyone in the Bronx went to Hunter or City College.  And when I could retire I thumbed my nose at Florida, the Berkshires, the Jersey shore and chose Austin, Texas where Elizabeth had gone to UT.  Why?  Because it's the road not taken and I could be me.  And even better, Abe joined me on this journey as well. I'm really lucky and eternally grateful.

BLACK ORPHEUS/Austin Film Society

Dancin' in the streets!!  Rio De Janeiro style with a French filmmaker's touch.  A gorgeous energetic love story framed by Carnival.  Think of the hotel employees dance scene in Dirty Dancin' for 3 days straight!  In Brazil! The film is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.  Of course Chale's  4 1/2 page type written background notes gave great history and explanation to me who knows little Greek mythology.  But the best was Chale's opening remarks this evening.  Hysterical!  It seems this is one of Chale's favorite movies (there are 749 more) and he goes crazy when being reminded of the criticisms of this Academy Award winning film (Best Foreign Film 1960).  He denounced critics, flipped a bird even and had us in stitches.  I left the theater dancing.

Another topic.  Check out MAINLAND FOR A SECOND GO, 35mm film. 

Liz Moskowitz Photography

BUCK at the Violet Crown Cinema

A beautifully photographed  documentary about a wounded man who takes his childhood history of abuse and turns it into a productive life, saving wounded horses and their owners along the way.   To hear a narrative of abuse that moves from the past into the present with a journey that includes  close relationships with foster parents, friends, a beautiful wife and daughter validates my  faith in the strength of individuals to overcome.  Buck lives alone much of the year on the road managing horse clinics all over the country.  He sees his family for short periods of time.  He seems to me to be a content and successful man, embracing his solitude while easily connecting with others.  An important message.

And here's a poem Liz and I heard this a.m. on NPR.  We laughed and were delighted by Robert Hass' words.

Siren by Robert Hass | The Writer's Almanac with Garrison Keillor

CHARADE at the Paramount

Could an actress be more beautiful, elegant than Audrey Hepburn?  Could an actor be more suave, funny and talented than Cary Grant?  We loved seeing this film made in 1963.  The script is filled with humor and each actor we saw was more talented than the next.  The theater was filled...this gorgeous old world theater that has been renovated so tastefully.  Go see this on DVD...you will not be disappointed.

NY Passes Same Sex Marriage Bill

Now this is something to write home about!  Hallelujah, Mazel Tov!  Photos show pure jubilation, dancin' in the streets and of course plenty of same sex kissing.

Eliza Gilkyson at THREADGILL'S

Just came home from a great folk concert with proceeds going to Eldercare for fans for poor people who don't have a.c.  Eliza and Tony Gilkyson and Mike Stinton are great musicians and song writers.  We both enjoyed sitting in the yard at THREADGILL'S, listening while the show was broadcast to KGSR 93.3.

When I first moved to Austin I heard hospital social workers calling a radio station on a Friday afternoon asking for fans to facilitate discharge of pts medically ready to go home.  I could not believe my ears!  Would this ever happen in NY?  You know the answer to that....and so tonight we snapped our fingers, tapped our feet and smiled at songwriters who all  helped to facilitate discharges of pts. with no a.c.

PORCELAIN UNICORN/WHERE TEXANS DON'T FEEL SO ALONE

It's good to have friends who send you important stuff.

http://www.porcelainunicorn.com

Texans Thrive in New York City - NYTimes.com 

Jane Kenyon Under The Oak

I wake up early each morning and take my coffee and a book out to the cedar bench under a huge oak tree (the one with the well).  The birds sing, there's a breeze and the air is cool in the morning.  I look at the garden which grows in this drought ridden terrain filled with our new found steel blue agaves.  A daughter returns from a far away place, a husband awakens and is happy to get coffee before he plays tennis.  I always offer  him freshly cut up  fruit before he leaves (that he's not so happy about but he complies).  Reed bicycles by with his "morning ma'm" and we chat about his trip back to Midland for his ailing Mom.  I read the Collected Poems of Jane Kenyon whose voice is American and talks of life, death, birds, flowers, religion and the people I encounter everyday.  I never imagined  that my life could be so filled with beauty and contentment.  Amen.

RAIN and the Barton Square Mall

It rained last night for 5 hours.  We got 1 and 3/4" and my garden called to me at 1a.m. to tell me they were dancin' in the streets.  Rain is a blessing when there's been a drought for 2 months.  Austin stays green in droughts...we've all learned what to plant and the trees are used to being thirsty.

Brooklynites don't shop in malls.  We shop in local neighborhoods or Manhattan with coupons. But when your daughter comes home from China and needs underwear and so do you, you don't go vintage you go to a mall and while you buy your underwear at Macy's she goes to the Gap on sale and SEARS!!?????  She's a hard one to pay money for clothes.  I guess Abe and I are blessed.  Meanwhile her mother shopped til she dropped: underwear, shoes and lipstick at Sephora's.  I'm going to NYC in July...gotta look good!

FAREWELL/Austin Film Society

Once again this Essential Cinema selection was terrific!  A spy thriller about real events during the cold war. This is a French film extremely well acted by a Serbian filmmaker and the French director of TELL NO ONE (damn these guys can multi-task!)  The depiction of Ronald Regan is a hoot and one of my favorite scenes is a Russian adolescent boy lip-syncing WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU in a field of tall grass.  While his Russian Dad is busy spying and divulging secrets that will help to dismantle the KGB and the Soviet bloc he doesn't forget his teenage son's desire for a SONY walkman and QUEEN CDs and so arranges for his French co-conspirator to bring them back from France.  This is a beautiful film about courage, ethics, and imperfect men taking enormous personal risk to do the right thing.  An important story.

BARLOW GRANT'S WISH

An indie film being produced to go the way of all the film festivals.  A grown-up production not connected to UT.  I am the Coupon Woman...I hand the lead some worthless coupons from a car window as I talk on my bluetooth.  And so I'm picked up by Christof, brought to the set, after a while Ricky the make-up man makes me up and then the Directing Assistant announces after 2 hours that my scene and one other's has been cut for the day.  We'll have to return!

What can I say?  It's not a rose garden!  I'll be back.

Follow-up:  I didn't return.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

3 viewers and 3 different reactions.  Abe loved Woody's latest film.  He loved the photography of Paris, the music, Owen Wilson, the story of love, the presentation of famous artists.  Liz was not enamored and didn't like the characters, the unrealistic view of people and love where new love presents itself so readily and perfectly.  I did not like this movie at all.  It's what I don't like about Woody, his constant kvetching about life, relationships, love.  I did like the way he presented Gertrude Stein and I loved Adrian Brody as Dali. 


I am so happy Abe liked this film.  It's Father's Day!

She's Home Part II

 United Airlines suffered a massive computer glitch on Friday night and on the last leg of Liz's flights home we never knew if she made it on the plane.  No one could tell us if indeed her flight was in the air.  So we just waited and waited til l a.m. and there in her splendor emerged the world wide traveler..smiling and beautiful.

She came home to learn that she'd won silvers and honorable mentions in the Paris Photography Competition and Abe was afraid neighbors would call the police from the screams of glee emerging from the 3rd floor.

Last night we surprised her with a party of her delightful Austin friends and so true to her Lizziness she said "mama you know you don't have to do this.... I don't like being the focus of attention but it was very nice."  I took a risk knowing that but it was sweeeeeet!  Father's Day today and we're off to see Woody's new movie at the Violet Crown.  More on that.

She's Home

Amen!  More to come manana.  Night y'all.

GREEN LANTERN 3D

Whaddya do when your kid is in the air for a night and day and it's Father's Day week-end?  You pick up tickets for GREEN LANTERN before the gym, pick up the glasses and let Abe know you'll see it with him!  Of course this is not my kind of film so I figured I'd sleep behind the glasses and Abe would be happy!  But surprise of all surprises I enjoyed this film.  Pure comic book stuff, good and evil,superhero in tight spandex (this time green!) and the beautiful young woman who he wooes off of her feet.  Peter Sarsgaard is great as the friend with the crappy Dad who gets to act out his true feelings.  Great special effects, costumes, make-up.  I enjoyed myself thoroughly. 

Still waiting for that HK girl to touch ground in Austin.  She's back in the USA and that's a great step in the right direction.  Her request?  Bagel and lox!  You got it!

The Thief and the Blue Steel Agaves

Since moving to Austin I have been so enamored of  blue steel agaves. On the way to the gym I announce each one to Abe and I'm sure you hear him saying "enough already."  Well this year we bought 2 variegated agaves and Abe promised next year we'd get some blue steels.   They grow to 6' and 10' wide and shoot off babies galore!    I pass a modern home every day on the way to the gym  whose garden is just rocks and blue steels. I have watched them grow from 1-2-3'.   Last week I saw a FOR RENT sign in front of this fairly new home with the beautiful agaves and their babies.  I felt sad.  And today I saw a man in a white pick-up truck digging up the agaves!  This is no easy task and he had no gardening logos on his pick-up.  So I pulled over, called Abe at home and had him call the police.  I was on my way to yoga and you know what that's like.

When I got out of the gym I passed the home and there were all these dug up blue steel agave and their babies strewn all about!  With a box on top!  I called Abe who said.."come home I have 4!"  I was incredulous that Abe would steal!!!!  He told me he asked the police to call him after they made their visit to the thief of the blue steels.  Well they called Abe and told him that this was the Management of the House and that the owner was giving them away!!!!  The police said "I just took 2, come get some."  Abe walked over with a box and when he saw the size of them realized his box wouldn't do! So the manager and his workmen DELIVERED 4 big agaves to our home and refused to take $ from Abe.  And so Abe convinced me to take 4 more and put them in the box he left behind.  I took 4 babies.  L'Chaim!  To Life!

PRESUNTO CULPABLE (PRESUMED GUILTY)/AFS

This is a well made documentary about the horrendous judicial system in Mexico that presumes guilt rather than innocence.  It was presented by AFS at the Ritz this evening and during the year at SXSW.  We saw it both times and were equally impressed. The movie follows two Mexican lawyers who are PhD students at UC Berkeley who take on the case of a street vendor wrongfully accused of murder.  There is a closeness and warmth between defendant and lawyers which is also evident when the  defendant confronts his accusers, the police and eyewitness in what looks like a NYC welfare office.  The defendant is amazingly engaging as a subject as are his supporters (all women).  He's a talented musician, songwriter and dancer as well.  Once again Chale Nafus gave us good background info in a print-out.

THE ART OF GETTING BY

No review here.  I didn't get into the preview with my free tkt because too many free tkt holders showed up.  Abe opted for X-MEN so he's happy.  Nevertheless, I walked into Amy's Ice Cream to kill some time and a young man approached me and asked me if I'd been in a short film.  His girlfriend added "he insists he's seen you in a film."  And so this young film making student has indeed seen me in a film.   SWEET!

The World Traveler Will Soon Be Home

And so our Liz who has spent the year in Hong Kong, traveled to  mainland China, Viet Nam, Thailand (sometimes solo) will begin her trek home.  Her camera has clicked away throughout and some shots have been officially recognized.  I have shared  her blog on my posts and while I'll miss seeing those funky creative HK kids I am over the moon excited to get to the airport a minute before midnight on Friday and give her a hug that will hopefully let her know how much I love her and have missed her.

HKDI Fashion Photo Blog

Chaplin's Shorts at the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series

This afternoon we saw 3 of Chaplin's shorts which he wrote, directed and composed the music for.    Abe reminded me that Charles Chaplin was considered to be a genius.  When you watch these shorts: A DOG's LIFE, A DAY'S PLEASURE, and IDLE CLASS the accolades are well deserved. His physical acting, timing, cinematography, music are beautiful to watch.  The heartfelt humor, the empathy, pathos he communicates in his gestures, facial expressions and movements are timeless in their appeal.  And his direction of a dog is flawless!  All ages at the Paramount laughed, laughed, laughed.  How smart parents were to bring their children to see these wonderful films.  I knew they were spellbound as no one talked, cried or fidgeted.  In the heat of midday Austin the Paramount has proved to be a wonderful oasis.
Today Malina, Tony, and Malina's Mom came for brunch...of course bagels and lox!  A lovely brunch, a good day!

MASTER PANCAKE Spoofs BRAVEHEART

Hysterical!!  Particularly in reference to Mel's anti-semitic rants.  When we got our of the Ritz on 6th St we were surrounded by bikers and the most unbelievable motorcycles.  It's ROT (Republic of Texas) biker festival this week-end.  Shocking that such rough looking people could be so peaceful...on 6th Street!  This is the largest biker festival in the country and it's good for Austin's economy.  There are thousands of bikers here and while everyone complains about the traffic and crowds I repeat it's good for Austin's economy. 

Night y'all.

SOUL 2 SOLE/Tapestery Dance Co.

This is the only full time professional tap dance company in the country and they are GREAT!!  Tonight we saw a showcase of American tap dance performed in front of  cinema's  great tap dance artists: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Ann Miller, John "Bubbles", The Condos Bros, and more.  The choreography was classic, straight out of the 30's and 40's and the music was jazz, blues and soulful!  This showcase is on tour in the states and will tour China in the fall.  Now this is something we should be so happy to send to China.

SLOUCHING TOWARD BETHLEHEM/Waterloo Records

For the last month I've been hearing this amazing song on KUT from Eliza Gilkyson's new CD ROSES AT THE END OF TIME.  So yesterday Abe and I walk into Waterloo and I ask for "what kind of beast comes slouching?" and I don't know the artist's name.  Abe told me the key words were from a Yeats poem and when I googled I came up with a Joni Mitchell song. Well here I am at Waterloo asking around and no one's able to figure it out.  Along comes Hayes who calls KUT, talks to Jay Trachtenburg, googles, googles and there it is!  What a great guy!  And while I was there I bought Bob Schneider's new CD after hearing that great new song of his PEACHES.  And for the past two days I've listened while I  cooked and danced around the house.  Thank-you Hayes!

Walking the Block:Christopher St. NYC

Today we went up to the B. Hollyman Gallery on 6th St to see this photo exhibit by Jo Ann Santangelo.  She shot a particular block (very west on Christopher St) that is populated by an African American LBGT population.  This is a neighborhood and block that I have walked on hundreds of times since my adolescence.  I don't know if it's my proprietorship of NYC but I always find that non-New Yorkers have a different eye when viewing NY.  And that is the way it should be.  Perhaps because of my work as a social worker there  for 35+ years I find that any romanticism of street life there misses the pain that comes with it.  These black and white photos were edgy and harsh.  They made me sad.

Austin Film Society/WHITE MATERIAL

Tonight we return to AFS Essential Cinema Series DIRECTORS WITHOUT BORDERS.  The series began with Claire Denis' WHITE MATERIAL, a film (2009) that takes place in an unnamed African country and in the midst of a civil war.  Isabel Huppert  is beautiful and brilliant in the role of a coffee plantation owner unwilling and unable to face the loss of her home, the plantation and her identity.  Her refusal to experience the ever present  danger and threat to her and her family keeps the viewer riveted throughout.  The children soldiers, the reality of the hardship of laborers and the perpetual threat of violence creates a non-stop tension.  At the same time the cinematography is beautiful and throughout  I was very aware the filmmaker was a woman. I loved this film and recommend it.

Miguel and Our Tree Well

On Saturday I went with Miguel to pick up  Mexican adobe bricks so that he could build a well around our tree and then the stoneyard to pick up additional river rocks for our front yard.  What fun being in a world of bricks and stones, working men, forklifts, courtesy, helpfulness. And then Miguel magically produced a round well surrounding our tree.  And then the dominoes effect took over ....more landscaping, more planting, numerous trips to Home Depot, The Great Outdoors and Plantescape on S. lst.  And through it all Abe raked, cleaned, dug holes, lifted debris and dirt and gave his feedback on where shrubs and plants should go.    God I love this man!        
Here's Miguel and the tree well.
http://mail.aol.com/33790-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=27755140&folder=Sent&partId=3          

WHAT I WORE/SOMETHING FOR EVERY ROLE

On April 24th I broke my promise to not write critical nasty posts and spoke disgustedly about a Park Slope Mom who spoke about her clothing as though each piece was a candidate for an award.  You know...THE BEST DRESSED MOM IN PARK SLOPE award even though I have an important job, an incredible marriage, on and on.

And today in the same column is a 79yo costume designer, Ann Roth who discusses what she's wearing with intelligence, personal history and creativity.  We don't hear labels we hear about her travels, her interests and how the clothing represents who she is and how she feels about things.  She reminds me of a quintessential Austinite.  Finally the NYT got it right!

TREE OF LIFE

This is a beautiful film.  The cinematography is perfect and visually beautiful.  Reed, Abe and I saw it and agreed that the story of the family is so well detailed and acted.  The eldest son is impeccable. Jessica Chestain is perfect as the mother/wife.  Terrence Mallick has a story to tell and he told it so well.

A lovely day with Abe and Reed and drinks at Manuel's.  Life is sweet!

B Scene at the Blanton

Every other month on a Friday night the Blanton has a shindig with drinks, hors doeuvres, music, dance and guided tours.  Great people watching too.  Tonight we met Ria and her friends and had an evening at a beautiful museum, watching a dance performance, and sitting outdoors on the plaza.


Today was serious gardening with Abe.  Good Austin sweaty hard work! 

Austin Loves It's Trees

And now so do we.  We are surrounded by oak trees which bring us plenty of shade, glorious birds, cute squirrels  and lots of work!!!  We have AUSTIN TREE EXPERTS maintaining, trimming, fixing and now root flaring our huge post oak in front of the house.  What a mess power steaming all of the dirt, earth and mulch away from  our front yard tree.  And we were left to cart it all away.  Thank goodness the woods is at the end of our block (city girl talk).

Tonight was an acting class where the other students were aged 15-27 the most.  They all looked gorgeous on film!  And are able to memorize lines in 2 minutes.  And then there's me.  I'll keep truckin' because it's good for me. 

Vespaio

Tonight we finally ate at this up-scale Italian restaurant on S.Congress.  The food was delicious and the portions huge.  We were taken by Reed who provides great Austin history, Texas Midland background, and sincere friendship.  I am so glad he bicycled by our house two years ago.  He has been an Austin treasure.