SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS

Run to see this film because of the brilliant screenplay, stellar performances, and a moment of respite from the sadness of the current political milieu.  Martin McDonagh delivers, as always, with his most unusual use of violence in a surprisingly comical and hilarious way.  I once read about this Irish born playwright that his parents left him and his brother in a London flat for two years when they were called back to Ireland for work. They were young adolescents at the time. He and his brother spent their entire days watching movies and nothing else (I'm sure weed and booze must have entered into the equation). And while one might question the folks' parenting choice I am so glad they left them!  The world received The Lieutenant of Inishmaan, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Cripple of Inishmaan, as well as In Bruges.   I remember walking into a small Off Broadway theater to find  a man hanging by his heels with blood dripping from open wounds on stage  and then seeing the most beautiful young Irish wicked female actor stomping around the stage.  I just knew this playwright was different, and brilliant as well.  The performances by Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson will make you wish for more and more.  And so while ACL is in town we remain unscathed by the crowds which don't seem anywhere in sight of The Westgate and this fabulous film.

SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER/BASS CONCERT HALL

Last night we had the good fortune to see this company perform their interpretation  of the  Terezin concentration camp inmates and the use of their performing arts to cope with their impending doom.  The dancers were magnificent in technique and emotional portrayal, the costumes added to the somber atmosphere, the music a bit obscure for our taste and the accompanying dialogue chilling.  A reminder of how little we have learned since the Holocaust.  The Q&A with the choreographer, Donald Byrd, the musicians and two principal dancers was relevant and so informative.  The dancers' reactions to the content of this piece and how it personally affected them was so real and touching.  A bleak bleak sadness in our own personal history was magnificently told by this dance company.  I love Donald Byrd.

Mama Moment

I've had an unusual two weeks  managing Josh's move to Austin. He touched down on Sunday and left on Monday flying to Miami and Boston this week.  Next week he leaves for Boston and NYC.    He finds the work challenging, has friends in the cities he visits and I can tell he's happy even with all of the flying.  And so I have waited for the moving men, unpacked tons of stuff, waited for furniture deliveries, assembled bar stools and a side table, and have learned more about my son through this process than I would have ever been able to  if we had a sit down face to face.  First: he has 60 T-shirts that all announce who he is: a lover of the METS and Wisconsin football, a cyclist, a hiker, a softball and baseball player, a visitor to Austin, a Brooklyn native, and a funny guy.  He has a ton of books. He's kept all of his Badger newspapers where he had a column in college. He has kept some baseball and basketball trophies.  While he lived like a monk in D.C. he has more clothes than even I would have ever imagined.  He cooks and even has tupperware!  Based on his belongings I can tell he's lived a decent life these last ten years and has held on to important things from his past.  And while I am beat and looking forward to his settling in I am grateful for having had  this opportunity.  A true "mama moment."

The Great Outdoors 25th Anniversary

Just came home from an awesome party celebrating the 25th anniversary of this wonderful plant/nursey site on South Congress. The Great Outdoors was one of the first places I visited regularly after moving from Brooklyn.  The staff have always been warm, welcoming and helpful in instructing me which plants to buy.  And in turn I have taught them Yiddish phrases.  Met some wonderful folks tonight who are also neighbors.
A friendly fine evening in Austin.  Food was delicious as well!

2 DAYS IN NEW YORK/Violet Crown

Had to fit this in before it leaves.  What a pleasant reminder of NYC streets/Park Slope mention (not the "tough" Brooklyn), Chris Rock, a Park Sloper and Julie Delpy with that hysterical father of hers.  A great way to start this beautiful day in Austin! A light film with honesty about families, kids, DNA connections and truth about what goes on between people.  A Romantic comedy with a happy ending.  A good prelude to THE Debates which Abe and I will see at the Alamo South Lamar.  Talk about a high anxiety moment.  Barack, it's your 20th Anniversary.  Make Michelle proud!

SLEEPLESS NIGHT/Austin Film Society

An incredibly well made action film ended our French Essential Cinema Series at the Alamo South Lamar last evening.  This is a cop film and one of the finest we've ever seen.  After seeing END OF WATCH this week and now this French film I am convinced these cop films (good or bad cops) are among our favorite themes.  Notes provided by David Chisolm (Chale's apprentice) were personal and informative and so we learn that the filmmaker, Frederic Jardin, is one who only previously made comedies.  And the star is a successful stand-up comedian who does all of his own stunts in this extraordinary physical role!  The French have never impressed me as particularly funny so this was an eye opener for me.  I have always turned to them for melancholia but tonight we were at the edge of our seats as a cop does everything imaginable to save his kidnapped son.  The audience was audible in their reactions to the cutthroat suspense of so many actions. And there is some comic respite in restaurant kitchen scenes where you can catch your breath.  But only for a minute.  See this film if you can and prepare to be drawn into extremely interesting characters.