"Wild" (movie critique)

Wild
movie poster

"Wild" is a movie based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail"

Cheryl Strayed

Cheryl Strayed


Wild:From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

book jacket

The Travelling Toe has not read Ms. Strayed's book so this critique will be on the movie only.

Cheryl, played by Reese Witherspoon, driven by self destructive behavior due the loss of her beloved mother (Laura Dern), becomes promiscuous which ends her marriage and then heads into drug use.

Reese Witherspoon

Laura Dern

She finally decides that she must regain control of her life and start again.  

As a young adult, Cheryl had heard about the Pacific Crest Tail and was mesmerized about it. This trail spans a thousand miles from Mexico to Canada.  Cheryl decides, with little to no hiking experience, that this adventure will ultimately save her life.

Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Trail Association

Cheryl begins her journey in the hot, dry dessert with her backpack overloaded and alone.   Along the way she learns how to cope with adversity and adapt to what is happening around and to her.   She comes across people who are kind and caring to her - from a farmer, to a Forest Ranger to a store owner and a few other hikers along the way as well.

One of The Travelling Toe's favorite scenes was the young reporter, who driving by saw her and pulled off the road and rushed to give  her food.  The reason being is that he wanted to interview her for his newspaper "The Hobo Times" as there are few female hobos and he wanted her perspective on being a hobo.   

Other interesting tidbits we movie goers learned, was that packages could be sent ahead to ranger stations and stores along the way so that supplies could be replenished and it was also a safe place to rest up for the next leg of the trail ahead.  This is a dangerous trail for anyone and many quit along the way.   Cheryl maintained a journal of her insights during the journey and it later became the foundation for her successful book.

You Go Girl!

The Travelling Toe  and the Friday Movie Mavens did like the movie because Cheryl could have quit and given up but she continued on her journey of self discovery.  It is worth seeing.

The movie carries a "R" rating due to sex scenes and drug use.  

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 2 middle toes up with 2 heel blisters and 2 pairs of new shoelaces.



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



  

Still Alice (movie critique)

Still Alice
Movie Poster

Dr. Alice Howland, played by Julianne Moore, is an esteemed linguistics professor at Columbia University. She is married to Dr John Howland, played Alec Baldwin, and they have 3 grown children.  They both have busy and very demanding careers while also supporting their children.  

Julianne Moore

Alec Baldwin

As the movie evolves, we see Alice first begin to stumble over words or forget how to pronounce a word, which is perplexing because words are the foundation of her career.   Then while out jogging, she becomes disoriented and not sure where she is - even though she is on familiar turf, the college campus.  Fearing a brain tumor, Alice seeks professional help from a neurologist.  After a MIR, a PET scan and verbal tests are done the doctor confirms that Alice has early on set Alzheimer disease.  It was determined that more than likely she inherited the gene from her father and she could have passed it on to her 3 children.   They in turn will need to have the same genetics test to determine if their DNA does contain this gene.  

Alice works hard to hold on to herself.   Finding ways to do workarounds when she has to give a speech.  She finally has to "resign" from teaching and forge a new path for herself.  But the disease is unrelenting.   She slowly disappears a bit each day.  Her husband has a better job offer and takes it leaving her in the hands of her younger daughter, played by Kristine Stewart (no comment on her acting skills).

Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore 

The Travelling Toe can certainly understand why Julianne was  awarded the 2015 Oscar for this role.   It is a powerful movie and she is outstanding in a role that would be hard for anyone to embrace.

Julianne with Oscar

Oscar Award

This movie may not appeal to everyone but The Travelling Toe and friend saw it on a cold, windy weekday afternoon and the theater had a good crowd. The movie is based on the book "Still Alice" written by Lisa Genova.  It can be found on the Amazon link.

Perhaps the movie will spark more focus on funding for medical research that this disease sorely needs.   With the aging world population more is needed to fight this disease.

Lisa Genova

Still Alice Book Cover

Amazon

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 Big Toes up with sparkly nail polish - because what is life without whimsy and Alice would like that!!!


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

Moody Mansion

Moody Mansion
Galveston Island

On a recent visit to Galveston Island, The Travelling Toe and friends lined up for a tour of the famous Moody Mansion.   

It is a palatial residence located on the main street of Galveston Island, Broadway, which runs the length of the island.  The mansion originally built in the late 1800's by the wealthy Moody family, has been restored to reflect that time period.  It is reported to be the first home in Texas built on a steel frame.  Throughout the  house are magnificent stained glass windows.  We opted for the guided tour and our tour guide was very informative about the house and the family who lived in it and their influence on Galveston society and various business ventures.  

We all thought the tour was very informative and interesting and worth the small price paid.

After the tour, the Four Amigos went to the lovely gift shop which is in a small building located behind the mansion.  There you also purchase your ticket for the tour.  The selection of items to purchase was somewhat limited but The Travelling Toe always seems to find some treasure to take back home as a souvenir of the trip.


 Moody Mansion


Galveston Island

McFarland USA (movie critique)

McFarland USA
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and the Friday Movie Mavens went to the multiplex at the mall to see the movie, "McFarland USA".  This Disney movie is based on true events.

Jim White, played by Kevin Costner, is a high school football coach who is at the end of all his second chances.   He takes an assistant coaching job at McFarland High School in McFarland, CA.  Jim must moves his wife and two daughters to this small, rural Hispanic town in the California farm country.  It becomes a big adjustment for him and his family.  He finds that most of the families, including the children, are "pickers" - picking the fruits and vegetables that we all eat.   The kids often must get up early and help pick the produce then run to school and then go back to pick more in order to help support their families.  

Coach White clashes with the senior football coach and most forge a different coaching career path as a PE teacher.  Seeing the young boys running laps and not even being out of breath, he beings to form an idea of putting together a cross county team - even though he has no experience in it.  As they begin competing, the McFarland "Cougars" are often the underdogs in a sport considered to be for only elite schools.

In the process of building the team, the coach and his family build a home and begin to make friends in the Hispanic community - where family is everything.

Kevin Costner, as the coach, does a fine job of playing a guy struggling to find himself in an foreign environment.  In turn, he helps build a team that the whole community supports and is proud of.

This is a fun and heart warming movie - so what else would you expect from Disney? The ending is predictable but then you see all the coming victories that the school has win since the beginning of the cross country team - it is not just a one time event.  The team sport has proven it is there to stay.

City of McFarland

City of McFarland CA



At the very end of the movie, the real Jim White and his original team members are shown running with the new cross county team kids.   What a lovely moment.   Most of those young men went on to college, most graduated and all have returned back to McFarland as teachers, coaches, a police detective, and city supervisor.   They all continue to give back to the community that supported and cheered them on.

Niki Caro
Director

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

"Once" at Bass Hall, presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth

                                                               "Once"
                                                             stage show poster                                                  

The Travelling Toe and a friend braved getting out on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon to attend a performance at Bass Hall of the popular musical "Once".  

The play is based on an Irish indie film from 2006.  The jest of the story line is that an Irish street musician loses his girl friends and is struggling with this lose and his stalled musical career.   By chance, he meets a young, vibrant girl from the Czech Republic, who is also a musician.   As their relationship grows, she encourages him to make a CD.  But their relationship is complicated as he still has feelings for his former girl friend and she has a young daughter living with her plus a husband back in the Czech Republic.  

Once
Movie Poster

No one is "named" in the cast - only guy, girl, resemble, company, etc. is listed in the program.


                                                                   List of Cast for
                                                                      "Once"
                                                                       at Bass Hall

The staging of this musical is very inventive and exciting.  All the ensemble musicians are on stage at all times.   Sometimes they play a part on the stage and other times they are sitting in chairs on the sidelines providing musical and vocal accompaniment. The cast was amazing. Many played a variety of instrument, sang, acted and even set the stage by moving tables, chairs and even an entire drum set.

As this is an Irish based piece, the music is often sad and aching covering the emotion of the story.   Other times it is very loud, boisterous, and fun and you will find yourself tapping your foot with the beat.

This is not a happy ending play  where all ends well but who is to say it didn't end the way it should have.

The Travelling Toe did enjoy the musical very much with the selection "Falling Softly" being a favorite song.  Sometimes the thick Irish brogue was a tad difficult to understand but otherwise it was a totally enjoyably performance.

"Asher Lev" at Circle Theater

                                                                    Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre


The The Travelling Toe and a friend attended a Saturday matinee performance at Circle Theater in downtown Fort Worth of their current production.  The play, "Asher Lev", is based on a book of the same name written the late Chaim Potok.   Mr Potok also wrote "The Chosen", which was later made into a movie.  Aaron Posner is the playwright who adapted the book into the play.   

Aaron Posner
Playwright

Chaim Potok
Author

The play centers on a young Jewish man, Asher Lev, who tells the story of the struggles that he faces in his quest to be come an artist.

Asher is born into an Orthodox Jewish home and his father is part of the local Rabbinical hierarchy and work as instructed by the Rabbi to help Jewish people both here and abroad.   But young Asher has a thirst for art and is always drawing.   His father does not understand this behavior and encourages him to forget art and drawing and to pay attention to his Hebrew studies.   Asher tries to explain his overwhelming need to draw and express himself in his drawings.  When Asher's father finds nude drawings that Asher did while on a trip to a local museum, his father becomes increasing distraught.   Ashe's mother is often caught between her husband and her son who she loves and supports but she also stay true to her Jewish faith.

A conference is held with Asher and the Rabbi.  Asher explains his love of art and his need to draw.  The Rabbi then sets up an appointment for Asher to meet a famous Jewish artist, Jacob Choen.   Jacob tells Asher that as an artist you must be truthful to your art.  He becomes a mentor to Asher and helps him towards a successful career.

A chasm opens up between Asher and his father.   Asher becomes a famous artist.  His parents come to one of his shows at a gallery and there is a painting that forever changes their relationship.  The Travelling Toe will not revel any more as you will need to see this play to find out what happens.  This is not a happy feel-good play but it is strong in emotions and the breaking of family ties.

The play is told my 3 actors.  All the male characters are played by beloved metroplex  actor, David Coffee.  The female characters are  played by Lisa Fairchild, who is also excellent in all her roles.  Asher is play by Sam Swanson.  He has much, often completed, dialogue and must also convey many different emotions in the play.  All 3 deserve bravos for their performances.

Pablo Sainz Villegas Guest Artist with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Music Director
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

The Travelling Toe recently attended the Sunday matinee performance of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.  Music Director, Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducted the orchestra in the three selections of the program titled "Romeo and Juliet" in honor of Valentine's Day weekend.


Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

Bass Hall

Johann Strauss II

Die Fledermaus
operetta

The first selection was the overture to the operetta "Die Fledermaus" by 
Johann Strauss II.  The operetta premiered April 15, 1874 in Vienna.   It is a fun operetta and is often performed during the New Year's holiday as that is the time period when the operetta takes place.

Joaquin Rodrigo

Joaquin Rodrigo


The second selection was a presentation by guest artist guitarist, Pablo Sainz Villegas.  He performed Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez".  Mr. Villegas played the guitar with such grace and emotion.   He has such long, thin, expressive fingers.  As he played the first section of the piece, allegro con spirito, The Travelling Toe could see flamenco dancers in their colorful dresses twirling around, castanets in hand.   The second movement, an adagio, a slow lovely melody would melt any heart.  The guitar and the English horn have a duet and it is dreamy and stirring to hear.   The final movement, was again fast paced.  Mr. Villegas played brilliantly and after completing the last note, the audience members immediately stood and cheered.   The response to his performance was overwhelming.  After acknowledging the ovations, he did play an encore and it was again magnificent.   The audience would not let him leave and so he had to play a second encore.  How he moves around on the strings and uses them to make different sounds is amazing.   The only reason he was not called back for a 3rd time is that most audience members had to make a bee-line to the restrooms and get a drink.  The Travelling Toe and seat mates were thoroughly entranced with him and sincerely hope the FWSO will engage him again soon.

Pablo Sainz Villegas

Pablo Sainz Villegas

(as a side note you can find Mr. Villegas on You Tube and also purchase his CD's)

After the intermission, the orchestra played selections from Sergie Prokofiev's "Suite from Romeo and Juliet".   This music has been used quite often for the ballet productions of Romeo and Juliet and we found the music quite familiar.  The orchestra did a fabulous job of playing the selections and painting the picture of the story of these 2 star-crossed lovers.

Sergei Prokofiev

Romeo and Juliet

This was indeed one of the best concerts of the current season.

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

Kingsman:The Secret Service (movie critique)

Kingsman:The Secret Service
Movie Poster

The Travelling Toe and friend journeyed to the local movie house and saw the movie "Kingsman:The Secret Service".  The movie directed by Matthew Vaughn, is based on the graphic novel "The Secret Service" by Mark Millar and David Gibbons.  

Matthew Vaughn

This movie has a touch of the old James Bond spy movies with all the cool weapons (such as rings that can give an enemy a shock,  cigarette lighters that are hand grenades, pens that deploy a bomb and bullet proof umbrellas).   

The movie centers around a British secret service organization based on names from King Arthur's round table knights.  The head of the Kingsman group is known as Arthur and is played by the damper Michael Caine.  Colin Firth, is Galahad and the Travelling Toe must admit that Colin does give a person heart palpitations as he is looking trim and fit and debonair in his impeccably tailored Saville Row double-breasted suits.  

Colin Firth

Michael Caine

The spy organization is looking to replace a recently "opened" position (and you will have to see how this happens yourself as The Travelling Toe will not spoil the shocking surprise).  The unlucky agent taken out, Lancelot, was played by Jack Davenport.  

Jack Davenport

To replenish their ranks, each Kingsman puts forth a candidate who enters the extreme competitive program.  Galahad, suggests a street-wise thug named Eggy, played by Taron Egerton.   The reason being that Galahad owes Eggy's late father a debt and sees this as an opportunity to help the young man out of street crime and into the elite agency.  As the competitive training continues, a twisted internet billionaire enacts a plot for global domination.  He plans to do this through culling out part of the earth's population by downloading software into electronic devices such cell phones and internet connections that make people turn on each other.  The evil genesis, Richmond Valentine,  is played by the ever hard working actor Samuel L Jackson, who plays the character with a funny lisp...and still not sure why.   Also The Travelling Toe wished he knew how to wear a hat...it was off angle on each shot.  

Taron Egerton

Samuel L Jackson

Mark Strong, a wonderful British actor, plays Merlin, who is the "Q" of the Kingsman and trains and schools the recruits as well as providing them with all those handy cool weapons.  

Mark Strong

One scene in the movie shows Galahad going to a church in Kentucky where the congregation is totally whacked out with hate for anyone else unlike them.   When Valentine queues the program on the satellite dish, the congregation does wild, attacking each other. Galahad with his trusty bullet proof umbrella and other assorted weapons takes them all out. Just a side comment, to ask the director why do the hate mongers have to be located in a southern church?  Obliviously it is OK to make fun and to stereotype those of us located in the South.....just asking.

The movie is fun and exciting but it does have a high body count, full of punches, roundhouse kicks, gun shots, bombs, knives and other assorted fighting techniques.

One last mention, Mark Hamill has a small role in the movie as well.  

Mark Hamill

This is one movie were the bad guys do lose their heads during Valentine's final solution.

The movie is rated "R" due to strong violence, strong language, and some sexual content.

The Travelling Toe gives it 2 middle toes up with a black bullet proof umbrella for protection.  


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

FiftyShades of Grey (movie critique)

Fifty Shades of Grey
The Movie

The Travelling Toe must admit she went to the local cinema, (in disguise), with a friend to see "Fifty Shades of Grey"   As the Travelling Toe had not read the very successful trilogy of books the movie is based on, only a second hand viewpoint of what the movie might encompass was known.  So therefore this critique will be based solely on the movie itself.

E L James


Fifty Shades Trilogy (Fifty Shades of Grey / Fifty Shades Darker / Fifty Shades Freed)


The story beings with an young woman, Anastasia Steele, dressed rather like a frump, who must interview the very rich, young, mysterious entrepreneur Christian Grey.  During the brief and embarrassing interview, Christian begins to take a shine to Ana and slowly draws her into his world.  

After Ana proves that she can handle herself in perilous situations such as a trip in a glider, he finally decides he can trust her.   Christian takes Ana to his penthouse and shows her his "playroom" and describes what takes place there.  He does tell her that in order for the relationship to continue Ana will be required to sign a non-disclosure contract to ensure privacy. 

Now dear readers, The Travelling Toe must confess that what her eyes saw in that playroom defile description and can not be fully explained and will not try...OK...back to the story.

Ana has come to care for Christian and wants a normal relationship and requests that Christian set up a business meeting.   The meeting is to go over the contract and make changes to it as to the things that she is willing or unwilling to endure.  You will have to see this movie yourself to determine if Ana's contract negotiations were successful or not.

Christian Grey, played by charming Irish man, Jamie Dornan, is very handsome and imperfectly dressed and groomed at all times.   He must be in control in all aspects of his life both business and personal.

Jamie Dornan

Ana, played by Dakota Johnson, is fine in her role and plays the innocent or maybe not so innocent  young woman very well.   The Travelling Toe does hope that they kept the set nice and warm as one could be worried about the many scenes she had with few to no clothes.

Dakota Johnson

A few other mentions, Marcia Gay Hardin plays Christian's mother.  Max Martini, who we often see play the bad guy, is Christian's  majordomo and chauffeur.  Ana's mother was played by Jennifer Ehle.  If she has such a familiar face it is because she first stole our hearts as Elizabeth Bennett in the 1995 BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice".  

Marcia Gay Hardin

Max Martini

Jennifer Ehle

The movie is rated "R" for graphic nudity, adult themes and unusual behavior- whatever that means.

As for The Travelling Toe, after leaving the movie theater a stop was made at the local mega store for some AA batteries.  The rating of 2 pinky toes wrapped in a grey silk tie is awarded to this movie.

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

Tree Sculptures - Galveston, Texas

While on a short vacation trip to Galveston Island, The Travelling Toe and constant companions opted to take a tram tour of the historic area of the island.  We picked up the tram tour at the Visitor's Center located in Ashton Villa.  

Aston Villa/ Galveston Visitors Center

Galveston Island Historic Tours

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Tram Tour
Galveston Island

During the tour, we were excited to see all the fun tree sculptures scattered around town.  Out of a devastating event, beauty, art and fun was created.  Hurricane Ike hit Galveston on September 13, 2008.   Due to the high winds and storm surge, many old trees were lost.   However, many homeowners decided not to chop down the dead trees but instead employed 3 tree sculptors to create works of art.  With chainsaws in hand, creative sculptures came to life.   Currently there appear to be about 36 of the tree sculptures to view.  

The sculptors and homeowner seemed to utilize a sense of humor with several of the tree sculptures that we saw.  At the home, where Hollywood director King Vidor lived as a child, you will find The Tin Man and Toto from The Wizard of Oz as he had directed the movie.   At the fire station, there is the ever watchful and faithful Dalmatian and close by is a fire plug flowing with water.  Also on the tour is a Great Dane, guitar, owl, squirrel with acorn and even Sponge Bob. Our favorite story centered on the beautiful mermaid who is often dressed for the appropriate holiday or occasion.   The homeowner named her "Tina'...and you ask why????  because "Ike" took her out!  She had on a lovely strand of pearls when we meet her.

Dalmatian

Squirrel with Acorn

The Tin Man

The three sculptors who carved the majority of the figures were Dayle Lewis, Earl Jones, and Jim Phillips.

If you are in Galveston for a visit do take the time to see these wonderful pieces of work.  You can see them on the tram tour like we did or pick up a map at the Visitors Center and make you own tour.   They just request that all visitors be respectful of the homeowner and their property.

Geisha