"Wind River" (movie critique)

WIND RIVER
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and The Movie Mavens recently saw the new movie playing at the local multiplex, "Wind River".  The movie was written and directed by Taylor Sheridan. 

Taylor Sheridan
playwright and director

This talented young man gave us "Hell or High Water" last year and this new movie does not disappoint.  We agreed that it is one of the best movies we have seen this year. Hopefully it will be remembered when the Academy Awards make their nominations.

The movie takes place during a Wyoming winter, with blizzards and snow whirling about giving the movie a very stark and cold feeling. Cory Lambert, wildlife officer, is out tracking livestock predators when he comes across a body of a young girl. The Indian Police are called to the scene, but because the young lady is Native American, the FBI must investigate. The agent who arrives at the reservation is from the Las Vegas office and is hardly prepared to handle the case or the extreme weather conditions.  As the case takes it's course we learn more about the family of the young girl who was indeed murdered and raped. Chasing one clue after another they finally discover what they are looking for in a remote part of the area but will anyone survive the outcome of the violent confrontation.

After the movie ends, this notification is displayed on screen:

Missing persons statistics are kept for every demographic except for Native American women whose numbers remain unknown.

This is indeed shameful!!!!!!!


CAST

Jeremy Renner
Cory Lambert

Elizabeth Olsen
Jane Banner

Gil Birmingham
Martin Hanson

Graham Greene
Ben

Jon Bernthal
Matt Rayburn

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 big toes up with a Polaris snowmobile so one has a small chance in a blizzard.

"Sister Act" presented by the Artisan Center Theater

SISTER ACT
play program

The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend attended the Saturday afternoon performance of "Sister Act" presented by Artisan Center Theater.  


Artisan Center Theater

This musical is based on the 1992 movie of the same name, starring Whoopi Goldberg. The musical was first performed in October, 2006 and when it played on the Broadway circuit it received 5 Tony nominations.

The story takes place in the 1970's when Disco was in swing.  Delores Van Cartier is a nightclub headliner with dreams of success.  But it all comes crashing down when she sees her boss, and boyfriend, wack another man.  Delores takes it on the lam and the police decide to hide her at a local nunnery.  Needless to say Delores is a fish out of water with the religious sisters. But through it all they find common ground and they truly become sisters.

The Artisan is a small community theater and they have to be inventive when it comes to stage design and costumes.  They did an excellent job in both categories including adding disco balls to the ceiling!

What a fun performance!

"Home Again" (movie critique)

HOME AGAIN
movie poster

The Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe went to the local Movie Tavern to see the new flick "Home Again".  How does one describe a movie that is not very enjoyable???  Oh, the location was nice.  But do have to admit the 3 young men were nice eye candy for a change ladies!!!

Here is the description of the movie from the internet:

Recently separated from her husband, Alice Kinney decides to start over by moving back to Los Angeles with her two daughters. While celebrating her 40th birthday, Alice meets Harry, George and Teddy, three young filmmakers who need a place to live. Complications soon arise when she agrees to let the men stay in her guesthouse temporarily. As Alice develops a budding romance with Harry, her newfound happiness comes crashing down when her ex shows up with a suitcase in his hand.

Once again a movie about heartache in La La Land with all the phoney angst. 

CAST

Reese Witherspoon
Alice Kinney

Candice Bergen
Lillian Stewart - her mother

Michael Sheen
Austen - soon to be her ex

Nat Wolff
Teddy

Pico Alexander
Harry

Jon Rudntsky
George

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 1 pinkie toe up with a car air freshener as you might need a breath of fresh air as you leave the theater.

"All Saints" (movie critique)

ALL SAINTS
movie poster

A recent movie that The Travelling Toe and the Movie Mavens saw was "All Saints".  This is a lift your spirit-feel good movie.  It is based on true events.

An Episcopalian pastor with his wife and son arrive at their new church home in Smyrna, Tennessee. The Bishop has told Pastor Spurlock that due to a 'dying' congregation, the church must be sold.  But as Spurlock becomes acquainted with the few people still at the church he feels that there is has more it can do for the community.  One Sunday several refugees arrive for worship. They have recently escaped the civil wars in Burma. The refugees are Anglican as the British colonized the country and many converted to that faith. But now the Christians are being persecuted in Burma - which is called Myanmar.  So can Pastor Spurlock, the congregation and the community come together to help save the church and their new neighbors?  See the movie and you will find out.  Also just before the final credits, they do show photos of the real characters in the movie. So do stay for that as there are a few surprises!

CAST:

John Corbett
Michael Spurlock

Cara Bunono
Aimee Spurlock

 

Nelson Lee
Ye Win

Barry Corbin
Forrest

Chondra Pierce
Ruth

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up

with a Tennessee hat like David Keith proudly wore in the movie!

David Keith
Boyd

"Ripcord" presented by Circle Theatre

RIPCHORD
play program

The Travelling Toe and 3 Dear Friends attended the Saturday afternoon production of "Ripcord", at Circle Theatre. The play was written by David Lindsay-Abaire and premiered in 2015 off Broadway.

David Lindsay-Abaire
playwright

The Travelling Toe must admit that is was one of the funniest plays seen lately.

The story centers around 2 women who are sharing a room at a senior retirement facility.  Abby Binder, played by Lois Sonnier Hart, likes her privacy and does not want to share "her" room with anyone.  Abby is rather set in her ways and tends to avoid most of the people at the facility.  On the other hand, her new roomie, Deborah Brown, played by Marilyn Dunne, is happy-to-lucky and loves to talk and visit with others and enjoys life.  Abby keeps trying to get Deborah to move out and Deborah wants Abby's bed by the window. In the mix is their nurse Scotty, an aspiring actor.  So the ladies decide to make a wager with no limits. If Deborah can scare Abby then she will get the bed by the window.  If Abby makes Deborah mad, then she will move out leaving Abby in peace.  Well, Dear Readers, the kid gloves come off and with a variety of devious deeds and dirty tricks they begin to torment each other.  The reason for the name of the play "Ripcord" is that Deborah drugs Abby and takes her skydiving.  Abby begins to wake up as they jump out of the plane.  How this is staged is so funny and creative. If you thought the "Golden Girls" were spiteful then you ain't seen nothing yet until you meet Abby and Deborah!

We all loved this play and laughed so much. The two actresses who played the main roles were fabulous.  What a fun time we had!

Circle Theatre

FWSO Pops Series - Cirque de la Symphonie

FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
POP SERIES
Cirque de la Symphonie

The FWSO Pop series began the 2017-2018 season with a presentation of "Cirque de la Symphonie".  Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe attended the Sunday afternoon production.

Guest conductor, Stuart Chafetz,  lead the orchestra from the podium and did an amazing job in directing the orchestra as well as interacting with the featured artists.

Stuart Chafetz
guest conductor

As each classical piece was played members of the Cirque de la Symphonie performed speciality acts. The artists performed on stage and included aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers and a strongman duo.

Each act was deeply appreciated by audience members and it seemed that everyone enjoyed the show.  What a fun way to spent a hot September afternoon in North Central Texas.  AC is a wonderful thing!

The Travelling Toe must admit a personal favorite was the aerial flyers who only used red silk panels to fly over thrilled audience members at Bass Hall. Outstanding!

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

"Logan Lucky" (movie critique)

LOGAN LUCKY
movie poster

On the last hot day of August in North Central Texas, The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend met at the local Movie Tavern to see "Logan Lucky".  Several friends had seen it and said it was funny and not to miss it - so we didn't.

Here is how the internet describes the movie:

West Virginia family man Jimmy Logan teams up with his one-armed brother Clyde and sister Mellie to steal money from the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Jimmy also recruits demolition expert Joe Bang to help them break into the track's underground system. Complications arise when a mix-up forces the crew to pull off the heist during a popular NASCAR race while also trying to dodge a relentless FBI agent.

Daniel Craig, of James Bond fame, plays Joe Bang who is known for bomb making. The Logans need Joe to help them pull off the heist as they need his expertise with explosives. He agrees to do it if they can smuggle him out of prison and then smuggle him back in the next day without being caught.  Joe has only a short time left to win release and he doesn't want to throw that chance away.  Jimmy Logan agrees to the terms and how that is pulled off is so funny.

Steven Soderbergh is the director of the movie and he achieved a funny, funny flick.....well, at least we thought so.

Steven Soderbergh
director

CAST:

Channing Tatum
Jimmy Logan

Adam Driver
Clyde Logan

Dwight Yoakam
Warden Burns

Riley Keough
Mellie Logan

Daniel Craig
Joe Bang

Katie Holmes
Bobbie Jo Chapman

Hilary Swank
FBI Agent Sarah Grayson

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 1 big toe up, mostly due to the ensemble cast who work together to pull off an impossible cape, along with some Charlotte Motor Speedway souvenirs - so you can blend in with the crowd!!!!

TEXAS PROUD

NOAA map

Dear Readers, as some of you know The Travelling Toe is a proud Texas.  The North Central part of the state is home territory, especially Fort Worth. We all are aware of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and what happened to the coast area of South Texas.  The rain has stopped and the flood waters are receding and now folks will be able to determine the true devastation of the storm.

Many of our South Coastal neighbors are in shelters in Houston and also here in North Texas in the Fort Worth - Dallas area. The needs are many but the outpouring of donations have been so heartwarming seeing how everyone has stepped up to help.  We have seen stories of people being saved by boat, monster truck and helicopters and even the Cajun Navy.  So many people who are true heros.

We hear so much negative news about how a divided a country we are but when a disaster hits we all pull together to help.  A couple of examples is that at one of the local shelters a group of Buddhist monks brought blankest that they weave out of empty water bottles.  A Muslim organization brought cases of water.  

The City of Fort Worth sent first responders and ambulances to the area.  This week a crew of Fort Worth Police Officers drove to Houston to help patrol and give the Houston officers some rest.  Before they left, Mayor Betsy Price hugged each officer and a prayer circle was formed for them as well.

Fort Worth Zoo keepers loaded up boats and construction materials and caravanned to Victoria.  The Texas Zoo there is stranded on an island.  The zookeepers stayed with the animals during Harvey to ensure that the animals would be safe and fed.  The Fort Worth Zookeepers will help with construction projects and attend to the animals so the Victoria folks can finally go check on their homes and families.

Harvey has left but there is still so much to do. How do you rebuilt towns and cities and get the area back to a normal life?  It will take years.  Help is needed now and long term.

if you have a notion to assist there are many charities that can use a donation.  Here a just a few.

Kiddos still need diapers:Texas Diaper Bank

       Salvation Army     always there to help 

                            Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group    addresses ugent needs



And if you are a animal lover, as is The Travelling Toe, The Human Society has been hands on in the area saving as many kitties and doggies and other pets as possible.  Here is their website so you can see what they have been able to achieve in the effective areas


Humane Society Harvey


Plus there are many GOFUNDME fundraisers.  The Texas Zoo needs support and here is there GOFUNDME link for it.


GOFUNDME The Texas Zoo


So thanks from Texas.  We appreciate your thoughts, prayers and donations.  

We continue to be

TEXAS PROUD                            TEXAS STRONG                 TEXAS REBUILD