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.