TO ROME WITH LOVE

While Kimberley Jones gave this a tepid review in THE CHRONICLE Abe reports THE NEW YORKER gave it a high five.  Maybe it has something to do with geographic POV.  But for me, a native New Yorker who traveled to Rome 7 years ago with a 17y.o.Liz, and has years of psychotherapy under her belt, this film was wonderful to see at the Violet Crown.  As always no one captures the beauty of a large bustling city like Mr. Allen.  He knows how to love a city.  We open with his portrayal  of a neurotic passenger on an airplane, and we are primed to laugh at this introduction to his kvetching (complaining) character.  Abe wanted the humor to follow throughout, but alas Woody gets into the relationships of the four couples with commentary and so story line usurps humor.  His casting Alec Baldwin (who just married a 28y.o., the yoga queen of Greenwich Village) as Jesse Eisenberg's alter ego is a hoot and Mr. Allen knows it. And so does Mr. Baldwin! Penelope Cruz is to die for in every way as a prostitute with a bold identity, and Roberto Benigni is one of the best physical actors imaginable.  Alas, Janet Page, whom I've loved in JUNO and   WHIP IT has joined the gaunt, needs to eat, skinny actors whose appearance left me befuddled.  Abe says she's a good actor and all I could think was "she's too skinny."  I'll bet she's moved to Brooklyn as well.  (snarky Addie)  I loved this film, go see it, it's beautiful to behold.

MANHATTAN STORIES

Tonight we went to the Hideout for the opening night of an Improvisational theater performance of Woody Allen's films.  The ten improv actors were just wonderful.   The stories they told of dysfunctional couples, hilarious psychotherapists, renewed relationships and the angst of finding love had the audience laughing and loving it all.  The house was full, the actors greeted us when we left and the talent was evident throughout.  Don't miss this...such fun!

Salmon Teriyaki and Liz

Spent the afternoon cooking and listening to The Avert Brothers (Brooklyn, Brooklyn my favorite) preparing for dinner with Liz.  While we live in the same city we love, she's a photographer who travels  when she can and so it's been a while. I cook and she brings us stories from places and people we'd never get to:  islands off of Louisiana, nature conservancies in California and Texas.  And from her travels we learn the cultural  norms that are so foreign to us as New Yorkers.  I am reminded over and over again  that America is a huge place, different styles, different assumptions, different expectations.  It's all settling in and reminds me of our good fortune:good health, intelligent kids, great life experiences.  An opportunity to learn more about people.

Recipe for Salmon Teriyaki:  Marinate for an hour (at least) salmon in teriyake sauce with cut up fresh green onions (scallions). Place salmon skin side down in 400 degree oven until your desired degree of doneness.  We do not like our salmon rare and so I baked for 30 minutes.

TED

I had never heard of Seth Mc Farlane or FAMILY GUY before reading  a piece about him in THE NEW YORKER.  So I looked forward to seeing his full length feature film that was not animation because he sounded like he knew how to write funny lines.  He did not disappoint.  Abe and I laughed our heads off at the Westgate while line after line between TED and Mark Wahlberg flew off the page.  Mc Farlane knows how to write. He's politically, sexually, culturally, racially incorrect and it works!  The story line is not worth much but the comedy delivered in dialogue is well worth it. Oh yes, go see this film.  Laugh your heads off.  It's a great break from reality.

It's the 4th of July.  What can I say?  Happy BD America and I hope Austinites think of their neighbors before shooting off fireworks in this drought ridden city.

SOY CUBA/Austin Film Society

A powerful film made in 1964 by a Russian and Cuban which was shown for one week and then shelved for 30 years.  After sell out performances at the FILM FORUM  (my favorite theater in Greenwich Village) in 1995 the film was finally distributed in the U.S.  It is a pro-Fidel and anti-Batista film shot beautifully in infra red (everything is startling white). The film shows us Cuba in the 1950's and is told in 4 stories.  We see girls lured into prostitution and treated miserably by wealthy Americans; a tenant farmer losing his livelihood; a university student lose his life to the cause; and a poor farmer leave his family and join the successful rebellion in the mountains.  It's a patriotic propagandist film that scores a powerful punch.  Chale provided us with six pages of program notes (how else would I know about infra red?) and great conversation following. A great night at Austin Film Society Essential Cinema.

MAGIC MIKE

Oh yes I did it solo. Got out of Gold's Gym and walked to Regal Westgate 11, talking on the cell to my oldest friend from college  as she walked as well in Great Neck, NY.  Grabbed a salad at Central Market and then sat down with a pretty full audience to see this very silly Steven Soderbergh film (with some authentic moments.)  If for nothing else see this film for Matthew Mc Conaughey's final dance/strip number.  This guy does it for real!  What a truly realistic performance.  I also liked the ending.  Not a bad thing to do on a hot summer day.  The best part of this event was coming out of the movie and hearing Abe in the lobby call "Addie."  What can I say?  I love this guy!

ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER/SACRIFICE

Went to Westgate early today to see this movie that got a great review from THE CHRONICLE.  Abe just loves vampire films and I just love him and wanted to have some fun with him before I left to shoot scenes for SACRIFICE.  Well let me tell you I really enjoyed this film.  It's a great action film, great special effects, beautiful martial art moves and I just love seeing slaves on the Underground Railroad participate in kicking the vampires' butts.  On a more serious side, living in the South as a transplanted Yankee is a life changing experience.  We're surrounded by people whose histories are so different from our own.  This movie reminded me that the divide is a core wound that runs deep.  It continues to filter through the divide we see in our politics.  It left me sad.

Spent the evening on the set of Katie Young's SACRIFICE.  A long day for Angel, the lead with a six week old and 4 y.o. both on the set.  It was my absolute pleasure to hold and rock that 6 week old so that she could work.  She is a great Mama with enormous patience and mobility.  She'll return to work in a few weeks as well, can you imagine?  Long day on set with a diverse group of actors.  Lots of waiting.