"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (movie critique)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
movie poster

One movie that the Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe recently saw was "Rogue One: A Stars Wars Story".  This is a stand alone Star Wars movie that can be considered a prequel to the 1977 "Stars Wars" movie.  The ending scene sets that up, but no spoilers will be noted.

The synopsis of the from the internet is as follows:

Former scientist Galen Erso lives on a farm with his wife and young daughter Jyn. His peaceful existence comes crashing down when the evil Orson Krennick takes him away from his beloved family. Many years later, Galen is now the Empire's lead engineer for the most powerful weapon in the galaxy, the Death Star. Knowing that her father holds the key to its destruction, a vengeful Jyn joins forces with a spy and other resistance fighters to steal the space station's plans for the Rebel Alliance.

After the movie, most of the discussion centered on the topic that some of the fight scenes were a tad too long. Also Dear Readers if you decide to go see this movie do not be startled as once again Peter Cushing takes control of the Death Star.  Mr. Cushing has been gone for some years but thanks to CGI techniques, he is able to make another appearance. 

Peter Cushing

Additionally, Lord Darth Vader arrives on the scene to take command and he is once again voiced by James Earl Jones. 

James Earl Jones

The bad guy, was played Ben Mendelsohn who was excellently evil in his role. And for once Mads Mikkelsen played the good guy when he is normally the bad guy

CAST:

Felicity Jones
Jyn Erso

Diego Luna
Cassian Andor

Ben Mendelsohn
Orso Krennic

Mads Mikkelsen
Galen Erso

Donnie Yen
Chirrut Imwe 

Jiang Wen
Baze Malbus

Forrest Whitaker
Saw Gerrera

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 2 middle toes up with a K-250 Empire/Rebel droid to help around the house. 

The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes.

"Meet Me In St Louis" presented by the Granbury Opera House

MEET ME IN ST.LOUIS
play program

The Travelling Toe and 7 other Dear Friends journeyed to the cute town of Granbury to attend the Sunday afternoon performance of "Meet Me In St.Louis".  It was presented by the Granbury Theatre Company and was on stage at the beautifully restored Granbury Opera House.  An excellent live band accompanied the actors.

The stage play is an adaptation of the much beloved movie musical that starred Judy Garland.  In the movie, she sings the beautiful icon holiday song "Have Yourself  A Merry Little Christmas".

Meet Me In St.Louis
movie poster

The story is set in 1903 with the large Smith family happily at home in St. Louis.  Plus they are all looking forward to the 1904 "The Louisiana Purchase Exposition" - aka as the 
"St. Louis World's Fair' that will be right in their own hometown.  But Father Smith is offered a  promotion to a prestigious position with his firm but it is in New York City.  This news throws the family into a frizzy as the rest of the family wants to stay "home".  So does the Smith family have to move to New York City or do they get to stay in St.Louis and see the World's Fair?  Well, Dear Readers, go see the play or download the movie to find out, plus it will give you a touch of happy holiday warmth!  

This photo of the cast was on display in the lobby.  The Travelling Toe is not the best photographer and there is a glare on it.  Whoops!

Granbury Theatre Company

Granbury Opera House

"Allied" (movie critique)

ALLIED
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend went to the local Movie Tavern to see "Allied".  This movie is set during the beginning of WWII with the action taking place in Casablanca then moves to England.

Max Vatan a Canadian RAF agent, parachutes into Morocco making his way into Casablanca.  There he meets up with a French Resistance mole, Marianne Beausejour. She has made friends with many of the the Germans and works for one of the commanding officers. Marianne and Max pose as a married couple and make every appearance of being that. As they work together and live together in a dangerous environment, their relationship becomes more dynamic.  They go out to the dessert to review the attack plans and a sand storm comes up and so does their libdos.  Since this was in the 1940's car seats didn't recline but they still managed to get the job done. (he he he)

That evening at a party, Max and Marianne make their move and kill the German ambassador....along with a bunch of others.  But they make it out alive and we see them next, safe in England.  They decide to get married and settle in Hampstead. Soon they have a baby girl they call Anna. However not all is bliss.  Max is called into headquarters by his commanding officer.  A special operations officer tells Max that Anna is not who she says she is because she is really a spy. The real Marianne Beausejour was killed in France. Max is ordered to find out the truth and if she is a spy, he is ordered to kill her.

Well, Dear Readers, The Travelling Toe will leave the narrative there.  You will have to see the movie yourself in order to learn what the truth really is!


CAST:

Brad Pitt
Max Vatan

Marion Cotillard
Marianne Beausejour

Jared Harris
Commander Frank Heslop

Simon McBurney
SOE Officer

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a Enfield No2 MK1,,,,the gun for spies in WWII.

Disclaimer:  The Travelling Toe is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.

Day Trip to McKinney TX

McKinney, TX

Recently, The Travelling Toe and the three Day Trip Divas, hit the freeway system to journey to the cute town of McKinney.  It has a well deserved reputation for decorating the downtown area for holidays and Christmas in particular.  We were in a festive mood and felt the need for some retail therapy.

Street scenes:

We walked the town square centered around the old Colin County Courthouse.  It now houses the McKinney Performing Arts Center.  









McKinney Performing Arts Center

Texas Historic
designation 

Christmas tree on
courthouse square

One shop we visited was "Fair & Square".  They import products from over 40 developing countries ensuring that the artisans and farmers are empowered to help them and their families work out of the poverty cycle.  The store is full of interesting, unusual and fun things.  

The countries that the shop imports goods and products from are shown on this world map. 


We also visited other boutiques and galleries including the Antique Company Mall.  

Keeping hunger at bay, we stopped at Spoons Cafe for a nice lunch.  The "greeter" below was so life-like it was hard not to ask her for menus!

Lovely Greeter at Spoons Cafe

After more pursing around the square, it was time for a late dessert and pie was the choice for us all.  After those calories were consumed it was time to go.  We only scratched the surface of this historic downtown district and the other interesting tourist spots that McKinney has to offer. We will have to make a return trip to discover all the additional attractions.

Adios

                                                           

14th Annual Presentation of "Simple Elegance" at FUMC - Hurst

On Monday evening  November 28th, The Travelling Toe along with several friends attended the 14th annual presentation of "Simple Elegance".  The holiday evening for women is held each year on the first Monday of Advent in the Fellowship Hall of         
FUMC - Hurst. 

Ladies of the church sign up to sponsor and decorate a table and serve a dessert to their "guests".  Each year The Travelling Toe has attended, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the creative abilities of these hostess.  When you think you have seen all the holiday themed tablescapes possible, new ones arrive each year.  

Guests purchase a ticket at $10.00 to sit at one of the tables.  This year there were over 40 tables decorated!  The mission chosen this year was to support the ESL (English as a Second Language) programs that the church sponsors.  These funds will be used to provide biligual dictionaries and Bibles as well as utilizing online English programs.  

Here is the table that our hostess and dear friend Susan decorated.  She has participated  in this event for several years and we eagerly look forward to her decorations....OK and her dessert too.  These year she made and served us Italian Cream Cake....oh yummy!

Susan's elegant table setting

Italian Cream Cake
yumo!!!!

Since there were over 40 tables, The Travelling Toe will only share a few of them so you Dear Reader can see the diversity of tablescapes!

After dessert, the group was entrained by a singer accompanied by a pianist who sang various Christmas songs.  Additionally another member provided interesting background tidbits on the song and perhaps the person who wrote it.  One in particular was a surprise. The beautiful poem that make the lyrics for the carol "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  He was tending to his son injured in the Civil War when he heard the church bells begin to chime  NO wonder the lyrics to this carol are about hope, love and comfort.

The evening ended with the group standing and singing "Silent Night" together.
What a joyous way to begin the Advent Season!!!!!

"Pure Harmony" 2016 Christmas Show presented by Vocal Majority

2016 Christmas Show
Vocal Majority
program

On a recent Sunday afternoon, The Travelling Toe with 2 friends headed out to the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX to attend the Christmas Show presented by the Vocal Majority.  

Eisemann Center


The Vocal Majority is made up of more than 150 men from all walks of life who love to sing. The group is know for it's beautiful synchronized tones....think Barbershop harmonies! They have won many awards in district, national and international competitions. Currently they have released more than 25 albums/CD's and a Christmas DVD.  

Vocal Majority

The first act featured a scene of travellers stuck in an airport, with  the chorus adding merriment and Christmas Spirit to the traveller's woes.  The Brian Piper Quartet provided musical accompaniment for this first part. All the songs were outstanding with tight harmonies and exceptional solos.  The group did a rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and it was a heartwarming and tear shedding performance. One of the fun songs they sang was "Text Me Merry Christmas" with all the choir members using their cell phones to take selfies...very funny and so often true!

The second act was the Vocal Majority singing without musical accompaniment.  Their rendition of "Silent Night" was so sweet and tender.  Additionally their performance of "The Little Drummer Boy" was one of the best The Travelling Toe has ever heard.

The show began wrapping up the afternoon with the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah".  The last song of the performance was "The Secret of Christmas" with former and Emeritus members being invited to join the choir on stage to perform this closing number.

This was a fun and enjoyable show. It really set  a joyful mood for the Christmas season.  It certainly was worth the price of ticket.  

Manchester By The Sea (movie critique)

MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
movie poster

Recently a Dear Friend rolled by to pick up The Travelling Toe and we headed East via highways, byways, detours and ongoing road construction towards Dallas in order to see a movie at the Angelika Movie Theater.  The movie we wanted to see "Manchester By The Sea" was not playing at the local movie theaters.  

As the plot of this movie is told in flashbacks along with current interactions and repercussions, the following plot overview is via the internet:

Lee Chandler is a brooding, irritable loner who works as a handyman for a Boston apartment block. One damp winter day he gets a call summoning him to his hometown, north of the city. His brother's heart has given out suddenly, and he's been named guardian to his 16-year-old nephew. As if losing his only sibling and doubts about raising a teenager weren't enough, his return to the past re-opens an unspeakable tragedy.

This is not a movie for everyone.  The "F" word is used with abandonment by both adults and teens, plus with the sexual content, it earns the movie an "R" rating.

CAST:

Casey Affleck
Lee Chandler

Kyle Chandler
Joe Chandler

Michelle Williams
Randi Chandler

Lucas Hedges
Patrick Chandler

The movie stars the "other" Affleck brother, Casey who does an amazing job as the brooding introspective protagonist full of conflicting emotions about being back home in Manchester.  There seems to be a lot of Oscar "buzz" about Casey for this role and it is well deserved.

SIDE NOTE: Just to enlighten you Dear Reader, the Manchester in this movie is the one in Massachusetts not the one across the pond. One other point of interest is that Matt Damon is one of the producers of the movie.

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a patch for sea sickness as some of the scenes are shot on a fishing boat.

Disclaimer:  The Travelling Toe is not a processional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.