SHADOWS at the Paramount

This film, considered by some to be the first indie, is a 1959 view of a raw NY.  The Beat generation hanging out in Times Square coffee shops, midtown streets and unrenovated apartments making their way as jazz musicians and trying to understand their creative contemporaries.   John Cassavetes is a native New Yorker and a graduate of the American Academy of Arts.  He treated acting and filmmaking creatively and made this film twice:first with students and then with actors.  This is mostly an improvised black/white film.  It deals with race honestly between a young couple  (the woman is light skinned and is thought to be white)and the young woman's brothers.  Words are used rather than fists or weapons.  The dialogue is poignant and heart wrenching.  The acting true and authentic.  Another good night at the Summer classic film series.  A great intro by Jesse Trussell.  His enthusiasm for these films is contagious.  Terrific program notes each night as well.

LOVELY and GONZO

There's a new food trailer on South 1st parked in the yard of my favorite vintage store in Austin, LOVELY.  You can't miss GONZO, it's got a huge chicken on top of the trailer and LOVELY boasts a new light bulbed sign which reminds me of Austin's version of Broadway. Today was a neighborhood block party at the site: there was a great band playing reggae, delicious food from GONZO's (they even have a Rueben's sandwich on Jewish rye) and as always some great finds at LOVELY.  I snagged a vintage bucket seat with a wood frame, pinkish faux leather and studs.  And a dear friend of theirs, John helped me get it home!  What can I say?  Since moving to Austin the women at LOVELY have always been so real, so warm, so good to talk to and most important, intelligent business women.  They are an Austin highlight for me. 

Onion Rings at the Highball

I'm probably the only Texas convert who doesn't eat fried chicken.  Everyone who knows me knows I rarely eat fried food.  Maybe some fries off of someone's plate (only when offered) but always accompanied by a salad. But last night I knew we'd be seeing a heavy film ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1930 epic anti-war film and knew I wanted to be around up-beat bowlers, music and bar food.  So there you have it.  The onion rings at HIGHBALL are the very best I've ever eaten.  Even better than SCOBEE'S on Northern Boulevard in Little Neck, Queens where we spent every week-end eating after working at the Samuel Field YM-YWHA with challenged teens.  Couldn't stop telling Abe about Tim League's vision, entrepreneurial skills  and expansion since we've arrived in Austin.  Now my NYC friends will have their own Alamo Drafthouse but there is no question (as Abe said) "the audience will be much more challenging." 

 This was my first time seeing ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.  What a brilliant monumental feat.  Thousands of extras, wonderful cinematography and sound as well.  Hard to believe we went on to have another war after the viewing of this very real harrowing war film.  Good choice to see during Memorial Day week-end.

BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL/Violet Crown

What a delightful film!  With aging British actors who act and look their age.  Judi Dench and Bill Nighy were my favorites, but when the whole ensemble of 7 actors is lined up in the airport waiting to get on with their journey, you are reminded you're about to see acting royalty.  And that is what this film brings us, as well as the sights, color, energy, light and almost the smells of Jaipur India.  Being a recent retiree who left  her lifelong home of NYC  to move  to Texas with a husband who does NOT LIKE CHANGE made this movie all the more poignant for me.  This film addresses the issues that face so many retirees: financial; health and medical coverage; past mistakes made by us and to us, and most importantly: "how do I choose to spend the rest of my life?"  For me coming to a whole new terrain was very right (I don't like the term "spot on" but if I did that's what I'd say).  And for Abe it's a work in progress and getting better all the time.
  Judi Dench keeps a blog in this film.  She writes daily about her experiences and the posts are narrated regularly.  I wonder if her daughter suggested that.  Thanks Liz.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD/THE PARAMOUNT

We kicked off the Summer Classic Film Series tonight with this restored film of this glorious movie that celebrates it's 50th anniversary.  I saw it first at the Loew's Paradise on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx when I was 14.  A magnificent and palatial  old theater with gold fish in fountains in the lobby and stars overhead on the vaulted ceiling.  And tonight with a much older soul I watched it in the magnificent Paramount surrounded by tons of film fans who were all thrilled to begin this summer series of classics once again.  Free drinks and popcorn and friendliness all around.  A riveting story, a gorgeous Gregory Peck and a screenplay by Horton Foote.  And to once again have Atticus explain the world to his children is a story I can watch over and over again.  But this time with a much more informed and trained eye.  And for that I thank Chale and the Austin Film Society.

VESNA/Austin Film Society

Last evening was the last night of the Southeast European Film Festival with Vera Mijojlic curating and introducing.  A beautiful Hollywood like film from Slovenia 1953 about a young BEAUTIFUL student and her 3 admirers (pretty good looking as well) who are all students of her math professor father.  In actuality the lead woman actor is an engineer who left acting after one more film to return to engineering "a real life career."  This is a romantic comedy and is described a s a "beloved classic."  Not difficult to understand why.
   Amidst so much conflict, sadness and death from this part of the world  it was a refreshing pleasure to watch this lovely comedy that ends with an upbeat mother inviting everyone home to her house to eat!  God, I just love that!

Acting with CK McFarland

Ended a 7 week course with CK tonight.  Learned a lot, sometimes intense character exploration.  Will remember what she's taught me, incorporate it into my own belief system about acting and  truth, and always believe in my unique identity.  Moving onto Improv next at Institution Theater.  Need to lighten it up some and have some fun.

THE DICTATOR

Abe's choice this evening.  What fun!  So well written, so well performed, so much Yiddish and so much Brooklyn.  Laughter throughout the theater filled with Texans.  Nice!

West Austin Studio Tour

Bless those folks at  BIG MEDIUM , the NPO that organizes E.A.S.T each year.  Now they've brought it West supporting visual arts and artists in my hood and right over the river.  The kick-off tonight at City Hall was great.  Delicious healthy food, beautiful local art selected from 1500 entries, 5 artists  speaking about their work and friendly Austinites appreciating the local creativity.  An outstanding moment was talking with Susan Kemner Reed who has done a series of graphite drawings entitled A MOTHER'S ANXIETY, depicting her reaction to her son's deployment to Iraq.  He parachuted in at the beginning of the war.  He's home now and in his 3rd year of Medical School.  I just LOVE hearing stories about the strength and resiliency of young people.  She is a fabulous artist who plans to draw 20 of these graphite drawings.  They're huge and beautiful as is her story.

Spelling Bee at Threadgill's/Helping Austin Public Libraries

Each year for the past 10 the CHRONICLE holds a Spelling Bee at Threadgill's with proceeds going to the Austin Public Library.  This year the funds raised are for the downloading of the children's book collections.  While I love, love, love the written word in book form I have come to accept the importance of making books accessible electronically..  Helping children to read is one of the most important ways we can improve their lives and the world's condition.  And so we happily go to Threadgill's knowing I won't make it past the first spelling test.  But who cares?  I get to see the diversity of great spellers, someone else cooks tonight, and once again I am aware that this is how you build community.  And tomorrow I go to the library to pick up my Guide to the West Side Studio Tour. I love my local Twin Oaks Library and Justin and Lance who have always been so helpful to us.

Improv at Institution Theater

Just came from an Improv workshop at this theater minutes from my home.  What fun!  Teachers Tom Booker, Asaf Ronen, and Ted Meredith have tons of experience and seem to be so happy instructing us.  This was a free workshop, one I've taken before and was very happy to participate in again.  I just loved working with the 20 other people that showed up...a very diverse crowd.  I've signed up for 8 improv classes with this theater.  A fine way to spend some hours in the heat of the day learning more about the art of acting.

HELLO! HOW ARE YOU?/AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY

A fabulous film out of Romania tonight, a refreshing sensual comedy involving a sexually preoccupied 17y.o. boy and his parents stuck in a humdrum 20 year marriage in need of some spice.  The film was directed by Alexandru Maftei and is superbly cast with very ordinary looking actors who capture their characters beautifully.  He made the film to let the world see something different about Romania rather than what we are accustomed to seeing.  No darkness here, pure light, a beautiful country,  internet chat rooms, characters evolving and growing.  These characters are funny and witty and struggle with universal issues so many of us deal with as parents and partners.  The film was curated by the lovely and very warm Vera Mijojlic, Founder and Director of SEEFest Los Angeles.  She stole our hearts when she reminded us how everyone in L.A. thought she was going to the coolest city ever.  Well she and they are  right and based on what I could tell, we here in Austin just loved this film.

Audra Mc Donald sings "Bess You Is My Woman"

Want to know why KUT deserves every cent of that $1.2million (and more) they raised at this last capital fund campaign?  Because you can be in your kitchen baking at 3PM and KUT brings you the AMAZING Audra McDonald singing BESS...; I LOVES YOU PORGY, SUMMERTIME with and without Steven Colbert (I'm not kidding on this) and a live interview and you're crying from the beauty of her voice.  And you're happy to be alive.  A gift from higher up, no doubt about it.   Hope those oatmeal cookies don't come out salty.  Thank-you KUT.

Mother's Day Austin 2012

Last year one kid was in China and the other in D.C. Both of my kids have had long leashes and wings so I was used to it and Abe does the best he can:  the ballet, dinner and flowers.  This year was the very best.  Liz joined us at the Austin Ballet Romeo and Juliet and we both were teary eyed at the end with the demise of the young lovers.Steven Mills' choreography was beautiful, sensual and contemporary:  We all agreed the second half of the ballet was gorgeous.  It's always good to spend a day with Peter Bay who Abe and I see regularly at so many ASO events and the symphony was in fine form.  We then headed to COALS AND VINE for great brick oven pizzas and salad and sat outside.  The best is the written word of appreciation from Liz telling me how fortunate she is to have us living in the same city as she...a city she and I love so much.  My dream is to grow even older close to her in this great city.  And as she said "now if we can only get Josh to come."  And Josh, thank-you for my beautiful flowers.  We missed you today.

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers I know.  You all know how hard you've worked.

Oh Those RTF Filmmakers

Spent the day and evening at Mc Cullough theater on campus watching Advanced Narrative Digital Productions and The Longhorn Showcase (the best of the best films).  What can I say????  These films were awesome...I repeat awesome.  The students have come so far, learned so much.  The productions are so  unique and professional and the screenplays so good!  Just so damned good.  Casting was so perfect.  It was a pleasure to meet students I'd worked with, actors who acted in the films and the faculty whose classes I performed in.  Nice reception before and after.  Lovely evening!

l Million Dollars More for KUT

Just got home from the last leg of volunteering at KUT for their capital fundraising for the new building.  This is so exciting!  Lots of last minute generous donors wanting their names on the donor wall.  Lots of post Happy Hour donations...some called in more than once.  I was so happy to be a part of this campaign.  Can't wait to see some live performances, hear some live interviews and see my favorite announcers strutting their stuff live.  As Matt Reilly said this evening "now we'll have to wear pants."

A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

Oh YES, YES, YES!  Bring it on!

Karen's Snapper Veracruzana

While red snapper is $20/lb at Central market I substituted talapia and it still looks awesome. It awaits being baked.   This recipe is credited to the NEW NOT-STRICTLY VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK.  Reed bought a new car and this is cause for celebration.  While he loves, loves, loves eating out in Austin's restaurants and sharing that with us I love  cooking for him to repay him in kind.  And it works.  Here's the recipe...you will not be disappointed.  Serve with sliced avocado and I made a Greek salad.
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
2 large cloves garlic,pressed
1 carrot, julienned
1/4 cup white wine
1 2 lb. canned tomatoes chopped
2 tbsp capers
15 small pimento stuffed green olives halved
2 fresh jalapenos-cored, seeded, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
2 lbs snapper fillets (I used talapia)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Heat olive oil in a skillet.  Add onion, garlic, and carrot and saute 5 minutes.  Add wine, tomatoes, capers, olives, jalapenos, oregano, salt and pepper.  Mix well and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.  Lightly oil a baking pan--place fillets into pan and pour sauce over fish.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.  Fish should be flaky and moist.

By the way....DEEEEELICIOUS!!!!!!!!  Everyone loved it!

Volunteering at KUT

Spent three hours up on campus  at Communications B where I answered KUT volunteer phones to take  donations to the capital fund for the new building.  Kim gave us a virtual tour of the new space (beautiful and transparent) and many KUT announcers stopped by to say "hi, thank-you" and grab some food.  Ray Benson from ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL stopped in and after touring  made  a generous contribution.  Finally got to tell John Aiellie what a help he was when we transitioned from NYC, and tell Jay Trachtenberg I too am from the Bronx and was a social worker just like him.  We worked the same population too, child protective services and NICU babies.  Thank-you KUT for being such a great radio station, great music, helpful resource and NPR news.  You'd never know Rick Perry was the governor here after a day like today.

ALIVE/Austin Film Society

Back to Essential Cinemas Films of Southeast Europe this evening with a film out of Albania written and directed in 2009 by Artan Minarolli.  A beautifully shot film with a gorgeous leading man, Nik Xhelilaj, and a disturbing story of blood feuds. Many Albanians live in countryside villages where these feuds are arbitrated by local intermediaries. The  lead character is a happy college student far removed from his village when he is brought back into the fold  when his dad dies, and he is informed of an old vendetta that has to be paid in blood.  We follow him as he tries to duck, hide and bide time while elusive people try to undo this "curse."  He learns to trust no one and is rightfully suspicious of even those he is sent to live with.  We're happy to see him return to his university life one more time before the feud is brought back to him and in his attempt to escape that world tragedy strikes. Abe and I were stunned by the ending of this film.  It's a beautiful and important film about Albania, very disturbing.

OLD PECAN STREET FESTIVAL/ Iron Cactus

Two annual events since we moved here in 2009.  It's always hot, friendly crowded, and reminds us what life was like when we knew no one but liked the vibe.  Now we run into people we know, see the same artists and crafts people, and we know we're home.  Transplanted Brooklynites are home on 6th St.  Shhhhh..don't tell Abe, the forever and ever Brooklynite.

MONSIEUR LAZHAR

As the credits came up we turned to each other at the Violet Crown nodded and said "beautiful."  This Canadian film is  BEAUTIFUL.  An elementary school teacher commits suicide leaving her intelligent  and precocious 11y.o. students grief stricken and abandoned.  The adults in their lives are not fully understanding the depth of their grief and would rather have the kids not talk about it.  Monsieur Lazhar becomes their transition teacher and in the process of learning how to help these students he himself learns how to deal with his own personal grief and loss.  He is the Algerian teacher who walks into their lives and touches their wounds and attempts to offer some healing.  A beautifully made film written and directed by Philippe Falardeau.  The children actors are so believable and engaging.  Don't miss this film, it is a touch of grace.

BERNIE/Garrido's

I finally got to see this Bastrop/Austin made film with Richard Linklater's style and artistic DNA imprinted over it all.  What fun!  Jack Black offers a performance that both Ria and I thought was worthy of big time awards.  He plays Bernie with such finesse, respectful of character and never ever makes him into a caricature.  We hooted and hollered and laughed and found this quintessential Texas film a delight.  The casting is flawless.  And what fun to see people I know acting, extra-ing, and hearing Graham Reynolds music.  A perfect VC showing.  And Happy Hour at Garrido's can't be beat.  Except for a number of others that I say the same about.  You know who you are.

GIRLS/Lena Dunham

OK.  I caved.  Liz forewarned me I'd hate it...everything I don't like about NY..rich spoiled kids, parents who support them while they whine and complain and work at non-paying internships.  So I found myself with a half hour while Abe played tennis and I cooked.  Three minutes!!!! I could only watch for three minutes.  I found myself having a visceral reaction and wanted to lunge at the TV screen and tear out the characters' jugulars and scream at them.  This is why I left NY.  After raising kids in Park Slope with parents planning play dates until their  kid is in college (can we have dinner after H.S. graduation? and wondering who was this woman?) I confess.  GIRLS is why I left NY.

WITNESSES/Austin Film Society

Back to Essential Cinemas last night with this film from Croatia.  One of those evenings where this complex tale of a war crime committed by three drunken soldiers was well explained by Chale's intro and his notes (and a map)!  While the story is told in three separate viewpoints it reminded me of RASHOMON, Kurosawa's film about a rape.  This film was made in 2002 and reminds us of the brutality of this conflict taking place in people's towns and villages.  Revenge seems to be the underlying motive of all of the characters, until someone makes a different choice and chooses to not kill the one witness to the crime (the 11 y.o. daughter of the murdered victim).  Death is made very personal in this culture.  The body of the deceased is laid out in his own home for days until the actual funeral.  A reminder to everyone of this family's personal loss and grief.  A disturbing film about war, beautifully shot and  very complex.