"The Post" (movie critique)

THE POST
movie poster

The Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe met at the local multiplex to see the new flick "The Post".  We found this movie to be an interesting slice of history that is part of our adulthood.  A couple of interesting scenes during the movie, Katharine Graham has to attend a board meeting and she opens the door and walks into a room filled with men in suits who want to tell her what she should do. Another scene takes place at Ben Bradlee's house and they are hard a work, when his wife opens the door to take in food and smoke pours out....choke, choke! 

This movie has also been up for several awards.

The internet provided the following overview of the movie:

Katharine Graham is the first female publisher of a major American newspaper -- The Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee, Graham races to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spans three decades and four U.S. presidents. Together, they must overcome their differences as they risk their careers -- and very freedom -- to help bring long-buried truths to light.

CAST:

Meryl Streep
Katharine Graham

Tom Hanks
Ben Bradlee

Sarah Paulson
Tony Bradlee

Bob Odenkirk
Ben Bagdikian

Bruce Greenwood
Robert McNamara

We all enjoyed this movie featuring a strong female lead character.  Meryl did receive top billing on the movie credits.  Also it ends with another chapter of Washington DC intrigue just starting.  Bet you can guess what it was Dear Readers!  A movie was made of that political scandal many years ago.  (1976, "All The President's Men")

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 1 big toe up with your very own look-see of the Washington Post building!

"Lady Bird" (movie critique)

LADY BIRD
movie poster

Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe ventured out to see the award winning movie "Lady Bird'. However, the two of us came out of the theater wondering why it was such a critical success. Perhaps, we were unable to relate to the theme of a spoiled and difficult teenager trying to find her way in life, while all the time having great disdain for her hard-working mother. Still not sure why she changed her name to Lady Bird!  When she turns 18, she buys a pack of cigarettes, some scratch-off  tickets and a "Playgirl" magazine. 

Laurie Metcalf is excellent in her role as the scorned mother and has won several awards for her portrayal of this complicated character.

Here is an overview of the movie from the internet: 

An outspoken teen must navigate a loving but turbulent relationship with her strong-willed mother over the course of an eventful and poignant senior year of high school.

CAST:

Saoirse Ronan
Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson

Laurie Metcalf
Marion McPherson

Tracy Letts
Larry McPherson

Jordan Rodrigues
Miguel McPherson

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 middle toes up with some scratch-off tickets just for you!

"Darkest Hour" (movie critique)

DARKEST HOUR
movie poster

One of the movies that The Travelling Toe saw post plague was "Darkest Hour".  This is a fabulous movie.  Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill is absolutely terrific.  He looks like him, he talks like him and has his mannerisms. Gary has won several awards for this portrayal and hopefully there will be one more coming his way!

Here is an overview of the plot from the internet:

A thrilling and inspiring true story begins at the precipice of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.

If you saw the recent movie "Dunkirk", this movie takes place just a few months before that historic event.  

CAST:

Gary Oldman
Winston Churchill

Kristin Scott
Clementine Scott

Lily James
Elizabeth Layton

Ronald Pickup
Neville Chamberlain

Ben Mendelsohn
King George VI

Samuel West
Sir Anthony Eden

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 big toes with a cigar just like Winston enjoyed!

"The Greatest Showman" (movie critique)

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
movie poster

Dear Readers, The Travelling Toe has been away from the computer keyboard due to a bout with bronchitis that has lingered on for a bit. However before the plague hit, The Travelling Toe and the Movie Mavens did manage to squeeze in a few movies.  One of the movies we saw was "The Greatest Showman".

Have you seen it?  If not, do go and see it. This movie is just pure entertainment and fun.  Of course with Hugh Jackman in the lead that just makes it even better. He is such a great actor plus he can sing and dance as well.  Maybe the greatest showman really is Hugh!

One internet source provided this version of the story's plot line:

Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business & tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

The movie is still playing here in North Central Texas. They are also showing a sing along version as the music is also popular and a big hit!

Is it the true story of P.T. Barnum?  Maybe some parts are and some not.  But this is just a feel good, enjoy the moment movie.  

CAST:

Hugh Jackman
P.T. Barnum

Michelle Williams
Charity Barnum

Zac Efron
Phillip

Zendaya
Anne Wheeler

Rebecca Ferguson
Jenny Lind

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe and 1 little toe up with a sucker...because after all P.T. said that there is a sucker born every minute!

"Salvador Dali: Visions Of Eternity" at the Arlington Museum of Art

Before the holidays were in full swing, The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend visited Arlington Museum of Art.  The exhibit on display was "Salvador Dali: Visions Of Eternity".  Now Dear Readers, The Travelling Toe must admit Salvador is not a favorite and find his Surrealist paintings confusing and sometimes hard to understand.  But this exhibit was completely different than his Surrealist paintings.  

Salvador Dali
1904-1989

In 1957 at the height of his fame, he decided to create paintings dedicated to the poem. "The Divine Comedy" written by Italian, Dante Alighieri. The Italian Government, approached Dali to complete art work in celebration of the 700th anniversary of the birth of Dante. The Government gave him 8 years to complete the installation.  However, when Italians learned that a Spanish artist had been commissioned to produce work in celebration of Dante, they were upset and eventually the Government had to withdraw the commission. However Dali pursued this endeavor. He engaged 2 woodcutters who carved 3,500 woodcuts.  After the woodcut of the illustration was completed, it was then was printed on paper.  Dali would then add watercolor paint to define the subject. He spent 5 years on the project.

Of the 3,500 woodcuts,100 of those woodcut prints were on display at the Arlington Museum of Art.

Dante wrote "The Divine Comedy" between 1308 -1320.  It contains14,233 lines with 3 canticas: Inferno, Purgatory, Paradise.

The Divine Comedy

Dante Alighieri
1308-1320

Of course photography was not allowed in the museum, but if you are interested in seeing what these woodcut prints look like, then go to this web site as a few are on display.

RoGallery



And you can buy prints from eBay


Both The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend agreed that this was an excellent and engaging exhibit.  We had fun looking at each print, reading the text about it to interrupt the picture.  Very enjoyable!!

Arlington Museum

"Plaid Tidings" presented by Theatre Arlington

PLAID TIDINGS
play program

The week before Christmas, on that Sunday afternoon, The Travelling Toe and 2 Dear Friends attended the matinee performance of "Plaid Tidings" at Theatre Arlington.





















This yule-tide musical comedy is based on the wildly successful "Forever Plaid" production.  It features "The Plaids",a male quartet, dedicated to the sounds of the 50's. This is the era of do-woop and in the style of other famous male quarters such as "The Four Aces",            "The Hi-Lo's", "The Four Lads" and "The Four Freshman".

The program describes the stage show as follows:

At first, Frances, Jinx, smudge and Sparky aren't sure why they've returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they're needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world.

This was a fun filled production full of good humor and fabulous songs.  The Plaids have wonderful harmony and were backed up with double bass and piano on stage.

Some of the songs featured were:

Stranger in Paradise

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Besame Mucho/Kiss of Fire

Christmas Calypso

Let it Snow

Joy To The World

I'll Be Home For Christmas

The closing number was "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".  And we did because of this happy holiday themed production.

Theatre Arlington