LA TRAVIATA @ THE STATE

Abe and I know very little about opera and have only seen opera twice here in Austin.  This afternoon we had tickets for this live performance from that magnificent opera theater on the harbor in Australia.  We couldn't have been happier to see this performance up close and personal.  We could never afford tickets to the Met back in New York and while we loved the live performance of LA BOHEME at the Bass concert hall last year it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as this performance. I cried, we held hands watching a beautiful love story and it was a terrific way to spend a Sunday afternoon.   And we ran into Juan, our AFS buddy also a film fan of all films in Austin.

But first I auditioned to be an angry mean nun up on campus.  What fun! 

END OF WATCH

Let me first mention that I LOVE cop movies.  I love the working class backgrounds, the lives they live, the machismo/machisma POV they share, their helpfulness to each other in construction of their homes, support of their families and the generous spirit I have seen over and over again as a hospital social worker in crime ridden downtown Brooklyn before it became Yuppie Heaven.  Our Red Hook was a small version of South Central L.A. in the 70 and 80's.  Shaking your heads and thinking "what's up with this?"  I hate violent criminals, crack heads who hurt their babies, gang violence, drug cartels, batterers, pimps, on and on.  And bad cops who are criminals themselves.  And David Ayer does good cop/bad cop films like no one else.  TRAINING DAY had me shivering from Denzell's evil character and Diamonique in the role of Wicked in END OF WATCH is one wicked evil woman who you want to kill yourself!  END OF WATCH is beautifully cast with Jake Gyllenhaal as an intelligent chiseled cop who LOVES getting the bad guy's drugs and weapons.  Michael Pena (with a tilda on the n) is his partner and they share a jousting with each other that's refreshing and intelligent.  The film is shot through Jake's character's video lens as he carries the camera everywhere for a film class he's taking as an elective. These are brave, funny, decent young men and I was relieved to see a film about guys like these two. Guys that would run into a burning building for someone's kid.  I have known men like this and it is obvious that when David Ayer was living on the streets of South Central L.A. as a homeless teen he met a good cop as well!  Don't miss this film!

KUT Volunteer Appreciation Shindig

We got to see the beautiful new KUT space on 26th and Guadalupe at a truly lovely reception they made for the volunteers.  Food from CURRA'S was delicious, music from AUSTIN STEAMERS was foot tappin' good and a pleasure to see the new studios my favorite radio announcers work from.  Always nice to see and chat with Jay Trachtenburg, a former social worker and Bob Branson, the little guy with the big beautiful voice.  Abe joined me and I was so happy to sign up for two more fundraising days in October.  Right before Austin Film Festival begins!  Thank-you Kim and KUT for this lovely shindig!

KOL NIDRE

Tonight begins the observance of Yom Kippur our day of atonement where we review the past year, our ethical choices and promises, evaluate our performance and remember our loved ones who have departed.  We begin a fast after the evening meal.  The matzoh ball soup is on the stove, roasted chicken, sweet potatoes and of course pickles (Jewish veggies!)  Abe and I will attend the beautiful and mournful service up on campus (in a church...I love that!) and tomorrow Liz joins me at Hillel.  The music for tonight's service is absolutely beautiful.  And to all of my friends everywhere I wish you a year filled with good health, fulfilled dreams and world peace!

WHERE DO WE GO NOW

Do not miss this joyous film about women using their creative intelligence to put an end to the religious feuds that have destroyed their sons, fathers and husbands.  The setting is Lebanon and the Christian and Muslim women are determined to put their grieving to an end. The village is removed from the battle place of the larger cities but the word comes back to the men and the women come up with the most ingenious ways to distract them  from killing each other.  The most ingenious plan (my favorite) is when they hire a group of gorgeous, sexy Ukranian strippers to distract their men.  AND get them high to mellow their revengeful souls.  The cooking scenes set to music are luscious and the grieving scene is choreographed like THRILLER (credit to Abe here).

The film is written, directed and starred in by the beautiful Nadine Labaki.  This  film  has a women's touch in all of its creation.  Abe said we should get these women to run the world.  No disagreement there.Watch how the film is made when you rent the dvd.  You will want to thank the heavens for this moment of grace.

THE MASTER

The most masterful aspect of this film is clearly the performances delivered by Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  I cannot comment enough on how breathtaking Joaquin Phoenix is in this role of a mentally tormented soul.  He proves himself to be a physical actor whose body language has a script all of it's own.  His interpretation of his character is shockingly portrayed.  Hoffman delivers as always with incredible power and strength.  Alas, the story line is not one I found as compelling as the performances.  A cult figure, narcissistic, self-centered and pompous finds a following of mostly women (what else is new?) and abuses his power to control.

A funny aside:  In a scene filled with nude females at a party Abe leaned in and said "want a role as an extra?" The only time I laughed.

Conversation at Vulcan

After a fine acting class with Marco Parella I stopped in at Vulcan to get a film for Abe and me this evening.  An elderly actor from BERNIE stopped in and was quite inebriated.  He attempted to flatter and pick up a 90 y.o. woman (that's how old she appeared) who was instructing everyone in the store about what films to see, her experience as a church volunteer with the mentally ill, and an absolute know-it -all.  His attention did not flatter her and she hid with the store personnel.  I loved him!  I want someone to try and pick me up at the local dvd store when I'm 90!  Just don't tell Abe.