"Tomorrowland" (movie critique)

TOMORROWLAND
movie poster

In a popular play about several little girls in an orphanage, there is a song about tomorrow - that it is only a day away - well, in the new Disney Studios film "Tomorrowland" is as close as your local movie theater.  The Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe drove to the mall multiplex and entered the world of Tomorrowland.

A young boy, Frank Walker, played by Thomas Robinson, travels by himself to the 1964 World's Fair taking place in New York.   He has invented a jet pack out of vacuum cleaners, which doesn't quite work.  Frank wants to enter his creation into the new invention contest but the head honcho David Nix (Hugh Laurie) tells him his creation is not good enough and to leave. But a strange young girl, Athena (Raffey Cassidy) gives Frank a souvenir fair pin with a "T"on the front of it.  When Frank picks it up he is transported to a new world where rocket ships take off, tall skyscrapers are built, hydro propelled commuter trains run on schedule and the people all look happy and are productive.  But Frank is expelled from "Tomorrowland and the reason why is not learned until later in the movie, 

Thomas Robinson
young Frank

Raffey Cassidy
Athena

Hugh Laurie
Nix

Fast forward to the present and a bright, young girl, Casey (Britt Robertson) lives in Florida with her father and younger brother.  Her father, who is played by Tim McGraw, is soon to be an unemployed NASA engineer.  Casey goes out at night and sabotages the efforts being made to dismantle Cape Canaveral.  But she is caught in one of her escapades and is arrested.   When she is bailed out of jail (and not by her father) and goes to collect her belongings, there is that world's fair pin with a "T" on the front.   When she picks it up she is transported to Tomorrowland.   Then she drops it and comes back to current time.  As she is leaving the police station, Athena shows up and tells her they have to find Frank.  They begin a journey up the east coast to find him.

Britt Robertson
Casey

Pierce Gagnon
younger brother

Tim McGraw
father

So Casey and Athena take off to track down Frank (George Clooney).  By now he has become a disgruntled, unhappy, paranoid recluse.   He reluctantly lets Casey in the then begins to tell her his story.  Out of nowhere robot assassins, sent by Nix, arrive to take them both out of the picture.  Frank and Casey evade them and with Athena make a run to Paris to find a space ship that is actually ensconced in the Eiffel Tower that will take them to Tomorrowland.  

Frank Walker

As the movie moves along, we learn why Frank was expelled from Tomorrowland.

Dear Readers, since this is a Disney film then we know all ends well but you will just have to see it for yourself to find out all the details of the alternate universe of Tomorrowland.

There is a subtle message in the movie that we make our own futures and our destiny is up to each of us.

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up and 1 middle toe up with Mickey Mouse ears.

Side Note:

There really is a Tomorrowland in the Disneyland complex in California.  It has been refurbished several times but still is part of the Disney experience.


Tomorrowland  Disneyland Park

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

"The Liar" presented by Theater 3 - Dallas

THE LIAR
at
Theater 3 - Dallas

Theater 3- Dallas

On a Sunday afternoon, The Travelling Toe with 5 other friends attended the matinee performance of "The Liar" at Theater 3 in Dallas.

David Ives adapted this current rendition of a French play by Pierre Corneille that was first performed in 1644.  One thing that makes the play so much fun is that all the dialogue is delivered in rhymed iambic pentameter. Which just means what they speak all their line in rhymes and sometimes it is a stretch to make it rhyme which leads to lots of laughs. 

DAVID IVES

The play centers on Doronte, who upon his arrival in Paris meets Cliton, who is there seeking employment.   So Doronte hires Cliton to become his valet.   But here is the big issue with these two which becomes important in  their relationship - Doronte can not tell the truth, spinning one lie after another, while Cliton always tells the truth.  So right away these 2 men are bound to be heading for trouble.  

Arriving on scene are 2 beautiful women, Lucrece and Clarice and their maid Isabelle.  In his eagerness to meet the fair ladies, Doronte gets the ladies and their names confused.  He begins to court the woman he thinks is Lucrece but instead it is Clarice.   Well, Clarice already has a fiance, Alcippe who, when he finds out about Doronte, challenges him to a duel.  The duel is so funny with a play by play announcer describing the action as they duel - well sort.  

Cliton becomes enamored with the maid Isabelle and she returns his affection but she has a twin sister, Sabine, who  does not like him at all.   So one time he is meet with kisses and the next time with slaps depending on which twin is there.  

Throw in Doronte's father, Geronte, who insists that Doronte get married or be disinherited.

As Doronte spins one lie after another, he is finally caught in his own web of deceit.

In the end, the trusted valet saves the day.   Additionally as all is made right, a long held secret is revealed.  But The Travelling Toe will not share this secret or the ending as you will just have to see the play yourself.

This fun play was directed by B.J. Cleveland, who is well known within the local community theater circle.  He did an amazing job on setting the action, re-action and interaction of the characters and kept the play from lagging not even one bit.

The costumes by Bruce Richard Coleman were full of lace, frills and lots of color.   They just added the right note to each character.

All the actors were really good in their parts and it is amazing how they could memorize and deliver all the dialogue each character had.

Wonderful production and full of fun.  The Travelling Toe would encourage you to enjoy this French farce for the modern age.   As mother always said, tell the truth as your lies will catch up with you.  

Cast

Zak Reynolds                                                   Doronte

  

Michael Kreitzinger                                         Cliton

Liz Millea                                                          Lucrece

Jenna Anderson                                              Clarice

Suzanna Catherine Fox                                  Isabelle/Sabine

Dustin Curry                                                     Alcippe

Bradley Campbell                                           Geronte

David Goodwin                                               Philiste

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

"I'll See You In My Dreams" (movie critique)

I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS
movie poster

---

Director

Brett Haley

Brett Haley
Director

Producer

Rebecca Green, Brett Haley, Laura D. Smith

Screenwriter

Marc Basch, Brett Haley

Starring

• Blythe Danner as Carol Petersen
• Martin Starr as Lloyd
• Sam Elliott as Bill
• Malin Akerman as Katherine Petersen
• June Squibb as Georgina
• Mary Kay Place
• Reid Scott
• Rhea Perlman
• John Beasley

The Travelling Toe and friend braved the elements on Memorial Day to venture out to the 
Angelika movie theater in Plano.  

Angelika Film Center Plano 

Blythe Danner

Sam Elliot

The movie on the agenda for the day was "I'll See You In My Dreams". The movie starts Blythe Danner (Carol) and Sam Elliot (Bill).  This sweet, lovely movie focuses on Carol a widow, living a quite life in her bungalow in Southern California.   She plays bridge with 3 girlfriends, who are played by June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place.   These 3 friends live in a active senior retirement complex on a golf course.  While these 4 women attempt to play bridge they do more talking, laughing and drinking than tallying up points for the game .

Rhea Perlman

June Squibb

Mary Kay Place

Carol lives a very orderly and insular life.   But after suffering another loss, she slowly begins to  venture out.  OK, being set in Southern California, a pool guy is involved, but not in the way you think. However, a lot of wine is consumed.

Martin Starr
pool guy

Carol is talked into participating in a speed dating event at the club and it just goes to show that dating and finding a connection is hard at any age.  But Carol does find romance and is wooed by the ever handsome Sam Elliot, who still looks mighty fine in a pair of jeans and whose voice could melt a frozen Popsicle on a frosty day.

Carol & Bill on his boat

There are several funny scenes in the movie one of which is when the girls get the munchies (hint, hint,) and make a run to the grocery store for junk food.   A police officer stops them and it shows that with age comes wisdom and a whole lot of moxie!

The Travelling Toe will leave the narrative there should you decide to see this wonderful movie yourself.


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


SIDE NOTE TO HOLLYWOOD:

Hello Hollywood:  

This is an open note to Hollywood directors, producers, screenwriters and other big shots....are you awake????  There is a vastly under served movie market and it is us, the mature crowd. Yes, we qualify for AARP discounts and membership but we also are the generation who spent our youth on Saturday's at the neighborhood movie theater and watched all those black and white cowboy movies, serials, cartoons, newsreels and travel shows.  Then when we became teenagers and young adults we went to the drive-ins for date nights.  Now we go to the local multiplex.  But it is often dismaying to see how seniors are portrayed on screen.   We may have silver in our hair but we have green in our pockets.   So give us some good movies like this one and we will support them!

Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas

CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES
HGTV FIXER UPPER

Are you a fan of the HGTV show "Fixer Upper"?  If so, then you will know who Chip and Joanna Gaines are.   If not, then you really need to watch this fun and interesting show.

HGTV Fixer Upper

This series is set in Waco, Texas and follows the adventures of Chip and Joanna Gaines as they take a house in need of updating and re-do it for some lucky homeowners.  Chip is the muscle and works hard ripping out and adding back.   Joanna is the visionary and designer. They show the potential homeowners 3 houses within their price range and explain what can be done to enhance the house to bring it back to life and have it fit the needs of the new family.   

Magnolia Homes

On a recent trip to visit Waco, The 3 Road Warriors visited Joanna's home furnishings shop, Magnolia Market.  On the day we visited, the little shop and out buildings were crammed full of folks buying lots of fun things.   In the admission of full disclosure, The Travelling Toe must reveal that she and friends did assist with the economic growth of the shop.....well we were there, so we shopped, and brought some goodies home with us!

Magnolia Market

Chip and Joanna have recently purchased some property closer to the downtown area and are in the process of rehabbing the buildings for their shops.  The property has some silos so the name of the new shops will be "Magnolia Silos".  It should be ready to open sometime later in the year.

MAGNOLIA SILOS

So watch the HGTV show and then go to the store.   The Travelling Toe would not lead you astray!

Happy viewing!

"Mad Max Fury Road" (movie critique)

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and a friend who also likes action flicks, boogied over to the neighborhood movie theater to see the latest version of the Mad Max franchise.

In this new release, Tom Hardy plays Mad Max who travels alone on a barren landscape. The movie opens up with Max in his souped up car being chased by a gang of chalk white baddies. Even though Max has impressive driving skills, the gang of "War Boys" captures him. The War Boys use silver paint to fuel a hyper high to keep them going.  After Max is captured, he is used as a blood donor for Nux (Nicholas Holt).  

Tom Hardy
Mad Max

Nicholas Hoult
Nux

The War Boys are led by Immortan Joe who controls the water supply and only releases some when he feels like it causing the groundings to starve and die.

Hugh Keays
boss of the bad guys

Also thrown into the mix is a one armed tank driver Imperator Furiosa played by Charlize Theron.  She drives the war rig a tricked out taker truck and takes off under the direction of the boss to secure gas for his war boys.  However Furiosa has something more precious hidden in the tanker than gas.  She goes rouge to protect her precious cargo.

Charlize Theron
Imperator Furiosa

When Joe finds out what she has done, he goes after her full force including a huge truck with drummers on the back banging away and a bass guitarist strung up on the front cow catcher playing rock music and shooting flames out the neck of his guitar.  

Nux, taking Max with him for his blood supply, joins in the chase.  Along the way Max makes his escape and eventually joins in with Furiosa.  The chase is played out on a barren, sandy landscape.

This films does have lots of jacked up vehicles made from every type of car including one that looks to be a Rolls.   Between the fight scenes, the car chases and multiply weird concoctions of trucks and cars, the stunt choreographers must have been pretty busy on this movie.  

As with all good action movies, things happen along the way that causes lots of tension leading up to an explosive ending.

Is this movie as good as the original Mad Max films with Mel Gibson?  Well dear readers, I will leave that decision to you and as for whether the good guys or the bad guys win this desert showdown, The Travelling Toe will not spoil the ending for you

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up and I pinky toe up, both with a serious case of road rash!!




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

Barry Douglas with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

The Travelling Toe and friends attended the last Sunday matinee performance of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for this season

The program was opened with a contemporary piece, "Rainbow Body", composed by Christopher Theofanidis, who was in attendance for this performance.   He was very gregarious interacting with Miguel Harth-Bedoya explaining his piece of working being performed.  Mr. Theofanidis is a professor at Yale University and is a native Texas.  The piece is based on various chants that he discovered and fascinated him.  During the playing of the music, the strings take on the sounds of vocal chants and sometimes the bassoons play low, long sounds that are reminiscent of Buddhist chants.  It was lovely and uplifting music to hear. 

Christopher Theofanidis

The guest performer for the program was the suave and very accomplished pianist, Barry Douglas. His selection for the program was Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano concerto No 2. It was a lovely rendition being soft and lyrical and then going full force at other times. The Travelling Toe must admit that the Rach 2 is one of her very favorites - as is Mr. Douglas. His performance was very well received by the audience members with a prolonged standing O. Was somewhat disappointed that he did nor provide a small encore as he has done in his past performances at the Bass, but perhaps a plane ride was waiting for him to jet him to his next commitment.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Barry Douglas

The ending piece was written by Mexican composer  Silvestre Revueltas.  The music was originally written for a movie but eventually it was put into concert form and works quite well in that format.  It uses a huge variety of percussion instruments plus one of the brass musician plays a conch shell.  It was a lively and enjoyable section of music that The Travelling Toe and the rest of the audience totally enjoyed.

Silvestre Revueltas

This was a great program to close the 2014-2015 concert season. 
Additionally, Maestro Harth-Bedoya was celebrating his 15th year with the symphony and we, as audience members, received the gift of more music...a free CD recorded by the orchestra.  Wow....how nice is that!!  

Maestro Miguel Harth-Bedoya

Fort Worth is very blessed to have this orchestra and music director in our city!

Forth Worth Symphony Orchestra

"Hot Pursuit" (movie critique)

Hot Pursuit
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and the Friday Movie Mavens attended the early matinee showing of "Hot Pursuit".

This film is another odd couple story of a by the book cop taking a reluctant witness on a road trip.   As often happens, cell phones are "inadvertently" dropped, crushed or run over preventing the couple on the lam from getting help.   The only help this 2 get is from unexpected sources such as a handsome hunk asleep in a pick up truck that they decide to use.  

Reese Witherspoon
cop

Sofia Vergara
witness

Randy
unexpected good guy

Reese Witherspoon plays the cop (Rose Cooper) and Sofia Vergara (Daniella Riva) plays the uncooperative witness who is the widow of a drug boss.   Cooper has to take Riva from San Antonio to Dallas so she can testify against her husband's boss.   But Riva has an agenda of her own.  Throw in some dirty cops out to stop them and the chase is on.

There were a few laughs along the way but for the most part this type of buddy theme has been done before and much better.  Two of them  immediately come to mind "The Heat" and "Midnight Run"

The best part of the movie is the end when the outtakes are shown and they are good for a chuckle.

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 toe nail of fungus.


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

Armstrong Browning Library & Museum - Baylor University, Waco, Texas

ARMSTRONG BROWNING
 LIBRARY & MUSEUM
Baylor University
Waco, Texas

Sculpture in front of library

On a recent day trip to Waco, Texas, The Travelling Toe and the Road Warriors drove to Waco, Texas to visit the best kept literary secret which is the Armstrong Browning Library & Museum. What, dear reader, you ask is this secret?  Well glad you asked. It is a gem of academia nestled in the beautiful college campus of Baylor University and dedicated to all things pertaining to Robert Browning.  Yes, that Robert Browning and his beloved wife Elizabeth Barrett Browning, both Victorian poets, who by now must be considered "honorary" Texans - well, sort of.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Robert Browning

Dr. Joseph Armstrong, became interested in the literature of Robert Browning at an early age and beginning in 1905, collecting books and articles associated with Browning.   Then in 1909, he made his first tip to Italy.   On that trip he became acquainted with Robert "Pin" Browning the only son of Robert and Elizabeth.   Armstrong learned of Pin's death in 1912, and due to family squabbles, his entire estate was auctioned at Sotheby's.   Dr. Armstrong instructed an agent to attend the auction and make a note of what was sold and who purchased it.   Dr Armstrong was resolved to re-assemble as much as he could of the Browning's belongings,   In 1918, Dr. Armstrong donated his small collection to Baylor University.  It is noted at as early as 1925, the assembled works were considered to be the largest single collection of Browning memorable.  

Professor Armstrong

Included in the collection are manuscripts of the poet's work, their personal books, paintings, personal jewelry, including Robert's signet ring, furnishings and other household items such as a tea service.  

When you tour the library and museum it is astonishing how many pieces (both large and small) make up this vast collection.

Armstrong Browning
Library & Museum
floor plan

As the collection grew, it was determined that a separate building needed to be built on campus to house the collection and provide study space for scholars.  Groundbreaking for the existing building was held on May 7, 1948.   The library was finally finished December, 1951.  

As you enter the building, you go through very heavy tall brass doors that depict themes from Browning's poetry.  After you enter be sure to notice all the beautiful stained glass windows in the building.  There are 62 of them and most celebrate the works of Robert and Elizabeth.    On the 3rd floor is a reproduction of the Browning's drawing room from their home in Florence and features many of the famous couple's original furnishings.  Along the corridor of the hallway to the drawing room, the walls are filled with portraits of  Robert Browning from a young man to old age.   It is very interesting to see his progression of age. 

Bronze Entrance Doors

The Brownings
Florence Drawing Room

On the lower floor, you will find the restroom and gift shop.  The gift shop has an nice assortment of items to enjoy and to purchase.   The Travelling Toe and Road Warriors assisted in the economic welfare of the library of some small purchases as a remembrance of our visit.  Also on this floor are display cases of lovely Wedgwood items and a decorative porcelain collection.  They are indeed worth taking the time to view.

So dear readers, there are many things to see and enjoy in Waco, so if you do happen to visit be sure to spare an hour for this amazing literary gem located in the heart of Texas

Elizabeth and Robert

Side note:   There is no fee to visit the museum

Armstrong Browning Library & Museum

"Hamlet" presented by Fort Worth Opera

HAMLET
program

The Travelling Toe and a dear friend attended the Sunday matinee performance of "Hamlet" presented by the Fort Worth Opera.  The opera is based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the Danish Prince - Hamlet.  The opera composed by Ambroise Thomas was completed in 1865.  

William Shakespeare

For this production, the director took a different approach in staging the opera.   The setting of the story is not the Denmark of yore but set more in the time period of the cold war era in an East European country.  This sober time period gives it a rather dark and ominous feel with a grey tone back ground.  Also the chorus members were dressed in costumes reminiscent  of the 50's and mingled with audience members before the opera began.   In the lobby, guarded by fascist looking solders, was the  King displayed in a glass coffin just in case you wanted to pay your respects to him (think Lenin in Moscow).

Ambroise Thomas

Hamlet, played by Wes Mason, is grief stricken over the sudden death of his father the King. And ever more distressing to Hamlet, is that within 2 months of the King's death his mother, Queen Gertrude, has already remarried and to the current King,Claudius, the previous king's brother (Hamlet's uncle).  

Wes Mason
Hamlet

Robynne Redmon plays Queen Gertrude and Kim Josephson plays Kind Claudius.

Robynne Redmon
Queen Gertrude

Kim Josephson
King Claudius

Into all this emotionally charged scene, Hamlet's finance, Ophelia (Talise Trevigne) grows concerned about Hamlet and his cold demeanor towards her.  Where as King Claudius thinks Hamlet is just feeble minded.

Talise Trevigne

Hamlet, walking the ramparts sees a shadow and it is his father's ghost. The dead King tells his son Hamlet, that his wife and brother killed him and that Hamlet must avenge his death.  The former King demands that Hamlet kill Claudius but spare Gertrude and leave her for heaven to judge.  

Hamlet decides to provide a theatrical presentation for the King's party.   Within this play, the acting couple of a king and queen fall asleep in each others arms.   A traitor silently enters the sleeping chambers and poisons the king and then steals the crown and puts it on his own head. King Claudius becomes enraged and orders all the actors gone.

Hamlet continues to reject Ophelia and sings to her the famous lines of Shakespeare's, "get thee to a nunnery".  Because Hamlet rejects her, Ophelia goes mad and while joining a group of peasant women by the river, tells them that she is Hamlet's wife.  Then she spins a story of a young girl who has died from a broken heart and the peasant women can see she is mad.   But before anyone can stop her, Ophelia throws herself into the river and drowns.  Talise has such a beautiful aria in this act and her singing would break anyone's heart. She was just wonderful.

Well, dear readers, as most you know Hamlet bites the dust in the final scene but not before getting revenge for his father's death by killing King Claudius.

And the curtain is lowered.

The Travelling Toe has never seen Hamlet staged as an opera before and this one was very emotionally charged.   All the cast were excellent in their roles and provided a very stirring production.


Fort Worth Opera



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