"Chappie" (movie critique)

Chappie
Movie Poster

The Travelling Toe and one of the Friday Movie Mavens, braved going to the local multiplex during spring break when all the little munchkins were lined up to see the new release of "Cinderella" and saw instead "Chappie".

This movie is about robots taking over the world - yet again.  There must be a stock menu for screenwriters to pick scenes from that must be included in a movie about robots.

Earnest young software designer, played by Dev Patel, the maker of the  robot "Scouts" who partner with human law enforcement officers to control crime.  Meanwhile he is secretly working on AI (artificial intelligence) to upload to a Scout for a trial.
                                         

Dev Patel

                          check

Older, disgruntled engineer, Hugh Jackman, who's project is left unfunded and seethes with hatred for the young software engineer

Hugh Jackman

                           check

Bad guys, with the caring bad girl in a weird hair cut, needing to make the big score to pay the really bad guy what they owe him and then get out of town

Watkin Tudor Jones
(Ninja)

Yolandi Visser

Jose Pablo Cantillo

             check

(side note: "Ninja" one of the bad guys, has the skinniest legs The Travelling Toe has ever seen and she will not discuss the massive amounts of tattoos on the rest of his body)

Bando Auret
really bad dude

        double check


The female company president only concerned with the bottom line and if the stock is climbing and keeping the stakeholders happy.

Sigourney Weaver

              check


Chappie, the orphaned "Scout" that Dev saves from being crushed and then installs the AI software in it and leaves Chappie with the bad guys who teach him to become a robot "gangsta"...what?????

Sharlto Copley

           check


The movie was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa and there are lots of empty and abandoned buildings to "play" in.  Needless to say, a lot of shooting, gun play, and not so pleasant things take place.  Chaos descends.  Does the hero save the day? Well sort of....but dear readers you will have to see it for yourself at your own risk.  Would suggest if you want to view this movie then rent it at a low price.

Johannesburg, South Africa

The Travelling Toe awards this movie one pinky robotic toe up with a chaser of Pepto.


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

Stefan Jackiw, guest artist, with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

FORTH WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

On a cold, wet Sunday afternoon, the Travelling Toe and friends attended the matinee performance of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.  The orchestra was led by guest conductor, Eugene Tzigane, making his first appearance with the orchestra but hopefully not his last.  He was thoroughly entertaining conducting the orchestra, very intent on the music played and engaging with musicians and audience members as well.

Eugene Tzigane

The program opened up with the orchestra performing Maurice Ravel's "Le tombeau de Couperin".  This piece of music lasting but 16 minutes, packs a lot of emotion into this small time fame.  Impressionism had taken the art world by storm and Ravel used his music to reflect these changes.   According to the program notes, the word tombeau was used in the 17th century to describe a musical piece dedicated to honor the memory of friends lost.  For this piece of music, Ravel dedicated it to six friends who were killed during WWI.

Maurice Ravel

After that selection, the guest violin soloist, Stefan Jackiw, played Erich Wolfgang Korngold's "Violin Concerto in D Major".  Mr. Korngold began composing music at a young age in Austria and soon achieved fame.  Then in 1934, Max Reinhardt persuaded Korngold to come to Hollywood and write musical scores for the movies.   H achieved great success again with scores that were part of several very popular movies - one in particular, was "The Adventures of Robin Hood", starring Errol Flynn.  During this time frame he began working on the violin concerto, finishing it in 1937 with final revisions in 1945.  The great Jascha Heifetz premiered the work on February 15, 1947.  While listening to this piece, one can pick out short themes Korngold used in his movie scores. It was an exciting piece of music to hear.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Mr. Jackiw played the piece with high energy and deep emotion.  During the third movement, he was playing so intensely, The Travelling Toe was worried that his violin might catch fire. Once again the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has struck gold booking this young emerging star who gave the audience an outstanding performance.

Stefan Jackiw

After intermission, the orchestra played Anton Dvorak's "Symphony No. 7 in D Minor.  It was a wonderful piece and the orchestra did a brilliant job in all 3 movements of the piece.  

Anton Dvorak

This was an excellent concert by the musicians, the guest conductor and guest violin artist.   Both Mr. Tzigane and Mr. Jackiw should be engaged as quickly as possible for return performances.


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

"And Then There Were None" at Theater Britain

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
PRESENTED BY
THEATRE BRITAIN

The Travelling Toe and trusty companion ventured outside of their normal comfort zone and traveled to the suburb of Plano, Texas.  This trip was to attend a play presented by Theatre Britain of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None".

Agatha Christie

The play takes place on an island cut off from any communication with the mainland, served only by a daily boat delivering food and telephone service is not available. Two staff members have been hired to be on duty and prepare the food and take care of the guests.  The guests begin to arrive one by one on a special boat engaged to ferry the guests to the manor house.  With the additional 8 guests plus the 2 staff then there are now 10 at the house. When everyone is together having drinks, the Butler was instructed, by the unknown host, to play a record.  When it is played, an eerie voice begins to accuse each person there of murder and that they would all pay the highest price for their treachery, death!  One of the guests notices that there are 10 British soldier toys lined up on the buffet.  As murder commences, one by one the guests are eliminated - as are the toy soldiers.  And then there were 2 left,  suspecting each other.  The final solution is reviled...Who Done It?   Well, dear readers, The Travelling Toe will not divulge the true murderer as you will just have to see this fun play yourself.

Mrs. Christie's book was first published in 1939.  She adapted the book into a stage play in 1943.

For further information:

Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None - Book


Theatre Britain, as it's name implies, presents British plays and even has an old fashioned music hall event planned.  The 2015 season consists of four offerings and they all sound fun.   Certainly it is worth the drive and the price of the ticket.   Additional, we located old town Plano that appears to have numerous  interesting places to explore and have a bite to eat before or after a production.

Theatre Britain

Both The Travelling Toe and trusty companion, agreed that the acting was very good.   British accents were very well maintained throughout  the play.   Since the stage is rather small (which makes it more fun) there is only one set and it was nicely done.   The costumes were reflective of the time period.  Sue Birch did a find job of directing the play.  Kudos to all involved with this production

British Soldier

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

"Into The Woods" (movie critque)

INTO THE WOODS
MOVIE POSTER

The movie "Into The Woods" is based on a successful stage play with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.  It premiered on Broadway November 5, 1987, where it ran for 765 performances and closed September 1989.   A revival was staged on Broadway in 2002.  In 1989 travelling tour groups began their runs.  Also in 1989, over a couple of days the play was filmed and then shown on PBS's American Playhouse.

Stephen Sondheim

James Lapine

Rob Marshall directed the movie.

Rob Marshall
Director

If you know Mr.Sondheim's works, such as " Sweeney Todd", you know that they are not the usual feel good type of plays. There is always some twist to the plot. as the story continues.   Mr, Sondheim has taken the classical fairy tales of Cinderella and her Prince, Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk" and his mother, Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf and Rapunzel and her Prince, added a few other characters and mixed them all up.  

The Travelling Toe and the Friday Movie Mavens thought some of the story lines were a little dark but the acting, costumes, music and setting were very good.  The old fairy tales intertwine with each other and the action of one of the characters affects another as the story unfolds.  

One must mention that Johnny Depp played The Big Bad Wolf and was diabolical in the role.  

The movie was partly produced by the Disney Studios but this is not the usual happy ending for which they are known.

Johnny Depp as
The Big Bad Wolf

This movie has long left the neighborhood multiplexes but Dear Reader you if interested in seeing it for yourself, then  renting it at low price would certainly be worth the few dollars spent.

The Travelling Toe would give this movie a big toe and a pinky toe up with magical fairy dust sprinkled all over them.

INTO THE WOODS - CAST LIST

Meryl Streep as The Witch

Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife

James Corden as The Baker

Anna Kendrick as Cinderella

Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince

Tracey Ullman as Jack's Mother

Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother

Johnny Depp as The Wolf

Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood

Daniel Huttlestone as Jack

MacKenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel

Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince

Tammy Blanchard as Florinda

Lucy Punch as Lucinda

Annette Crosbie as Little Red Riding Hood's Grandmother

Joanna Riding as Cinderella's Mother

Frances de la Tour as the Giant's Wife

Richard Glover as the Steward

Simon Russell Beale as the Baker's Father

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

Weston Gardens - A Vsit in Winter

WESTON GARDENS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS

Who would visit a local garden during the winter months?  The Travelling Toe did along with members of the Westmont Garden Club.  On a bright, sunshiny Saturday afternoon in mid-winter,  the group made their way to Weston Gardens, in Fort Worth.  The gardens are located of the west side of Anglin street and the landscaping and gardening center business is located on the east side of the street.

Weston Gardens

The address is:

8101 Anglin Dr

Fort Worth TX  76140

Weston Gardens can also be found at their Facebook site.  

To assist us with our tour, a local Master Gardener served as our tour guide.  One interesting thing about touring a garden in the winter time is that you get to see the bare bones of the layout of the garden and discuss what is in the soil ready to make an appearance come spring.

Master Gardner Program

Master Gardner Tarrant County

The gardens are owned by Randy and Sue Weston, who purchased the gardens from Norman Moreland.   The original owners and creators of the garden were Leon and Peggy Bandy. The reason the Weston's wanted to own the gardens was so they could live on the property and protect the landscape business and gardens.  

Much of the infrastructure of the gardens is built out of rock from a local rock quarry.  One of the fun things we saw was a beautiful rectangular water lily pond.  Next to it is a walkway, constructed out of the local rock, that is covered in wisteria vines....The Travelling Toe is sure this walkway will be splendid in purple come spring. 

A small creek runs along the back of the property and across the creek is something very interesting to see. It is a "party"  ship constructed out of the local rock.  Mr. and Mrs. Bandy were know for the many parties that they give.   Many guests walked across a swinging bridge to arrive at the ship for fun, food, dancing and a good time.   The band played upstairs on the ship's bridge.  The creek at one time was very clear and sand was brought in to have a beach available for the swimmers and summer parties.  Sad to say due to pollution, it is now murky.

In 1972 during a storm, lighting hit the mast of the rock ship causing a fire and it was almost totally destroyed.  About 3 years ago, the Weston's began to bring the ship back to life.  It would now be a fun place for a party or even a wedding during the spring time.   There are a lot of trees on the property and they provide nice shade.

There is a large barn in garden area and gardening classes are scheduled there often.   The day the Travelling Toe and gardeners were there, a lecture was being held on growing and tending roses.  

One plant was still in bloom when we visited in the dead of winter, several Winter Honeysuckle plants.  It has beautiful small white blossoms and can grow up to 6 - 10 feet and can be bushy. It does add a nice bit to color to any winter garden.

 Winter Honeysuckle

There is no charge to tour the gardens.  So go purchase some spring plants to brighten your garden and walk across the street and enjoy the total experience. 

At the garden center, there is a lovely gift shop with all manner of cute items to take home with you to enhance your gardening experience.  Plus 2 large doggies are there to welcome you. 

 The images below are from postcards The Travelling Toe purchased at the Weston Gardens gift shop.  There are some unusual edging to these postcards because one of the 3 devil dogs who abide with The Travelling Toe has a fondness for all things paper to munch on when bored.  However the bite marks do give the postcards a certain vintage look - do they not?

WESTON GARDENS
ROSES IN FORMAL GARDEN

WESTON GARDENS
TERRACED GARDEN

WESTON GARDENS
LILY POND

"The (curious case of the ) Watson Intelligence" at Stage West

                                                          STAGE WEST
                                                         

Play Program

Stage West


The Traveling Toe and 2 trusty sidekicks on a cold, rainy, overcast day attended the Sunday afternoon performance of a play with an unusual title and interesting content written by Madeleine George. The play, "The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence" debuted off Broadway November 15, 2013.

Madeleine George
playwright

Madeleine George


This play is engaging, if a bit confusing at times, as to what the true point is and yet it seems to say a lot about the need for modern society to communicate all to all.  The characters in the play are depicted in different time periods and are different people but use the same name throughout the play.

The program notes indicate that the time line of the play is set in:

•      March 1876, the date of the first voice communication by wire
•      March 1891, shortly after Watson's return to Baker Street
•       (yes that Watson)
•     March 1931, Watson's interview at Bell Labs
•     February to April 2011, the week of Watson's Jeopardy! tournament and after

Three actors play all the different characters and often move furniture around the set to set the  stage for the next scene. 

Garret Storms plays all Watsons with various accents and demeanors.   He really does a nice job of these roles...sometimes he walks off stage looking like one character and then quickly comes back on  as another Watson.

Allison Pistorius plays all the characters named Eliza and is very engaging in her various roles.     
Aaron Roberts plays the Merrick characters...sometimes you like him and sometimes you don't.

This play is hard to describe as it jumps around from one Watson story to another one.  It is perplexing, entertaining and makes one question will there really be a day when the robots rise up and take over.....well maybe.  Do see this play as it is great fun and you and your seat mates will have much to discuss afterwards.  

One of The Travelling Toes seat mates is very astute in the computer field and was a bit dismayed regarding one scene where a computer is being fixed, incorrectly to address the issue of a lost internet connection.  But she was restrained by The Travelling Toe from jumping up on stage and correcting the errors herself.

The play , directed by Emily Scott Banks, runs through March 22nd.

One side note, since this is a contemporary play, I assume that the playwright thinks that for it to be considered contemporary then the "F" word must be bandied about as often as possible and repeated in various ways in the play.   Perhaps a dictionary or synonym finder would be a good gift for Ms. George.   There are many other words to convey frustration...such as golly, gosh, and pshaw!



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

Lang Lang in concert with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

                           FORTH WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNUAL GALA

Braving a cold, icy Saturday night the Travelling Toe and trusted copilot journeyed (very carefully) to Bass Hall in downtown Fort Worth  for a musical concert.  

Lang Lang with Maestro Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Fort Worth Symphony Symphony 

Forth Worth Symphony Orchestra

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, with  Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya, presented their annual gala concert Saturday night, February 28th, with special guest artist renowned pianist  Lang Lang.

Lang Lang
guest performer 2015

All four pieces on the program were written by famous Russian composers.    The first section from the orchestra was the overture to Mikhail Glinka's opera "Rusian and Ludmila".  This opera is based on one of Pushkin's poems.   It was a spirited and lively piece to start the evening's program.

Mikhail Glinka

Rusian and Ludmila
opera poster

Aleksandr Pushkin
Russian Poet

The second selection, one of The Travelling Toe's favorites, "Vocalise" was composed by beloved Sergie Rachmaninoff.   The piece was played beautifully and the string section out did themselves on this piece.  

Sergie Rachmaninoff

The third piece by played the orchestra was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.   It was his Fantasy Overture to "Romeo and Juliet".  Having just heard the orchestra play a selection from Prokofiev's  ballet score of "Romeo and Juliet", it was interesting to hear the differences in how these two prominent composers interpreted the timeless story of these young lovers.   The two pieces are different but they both convey the same feelings of love found, separation from each other and finally love lost.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

     Sergie Prokofiev

After a very short pause in order to have the Steinway piano rolled onto the stage, the "star" of the gala walked out on stage....Lang Lang.   He was performing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 in B-flat Minor, Op.23.  From the moment he walked onto the stage taking a bow, acknowledging the orchestra, and then the  audience, all were drawn into his rather dramatic interpretation and presentation of this piece.   This Concerto is a much beloved piece in the city of Fort Worth due to it's deep connection to hometown hero Van Cliburn, having played this same piece in Moscow to great acclaim.

Lang Lang was interesting to watch during his performance.  He was very animated with the music, often turning to the orchestra while still playing and even watching them when he was not.  He had many flourishes with his hands and was very expressive in his rendition of this piece.

Was this the best performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concert No 1?, The Travelling Toe can only say that this performance was very much entertaining and seemed to be enjoyed by all the audience members.  Needless to say a standing ovation was given for Lang Lang's performance and he provided a short and sweet encore to end a lovely evening's musical entertainment.

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Annual Gala has been able to attract "top tier" musicians to this lovely event.  Last year, Yo You Ma was in Fort Worth, this year Lang Lang and next year we will be honored to hear Joshua Bell.   So dear readers, we do not have to go "north or east" to see famous classical musicians.....Fort Worth has it all....the city of cowboy and culture.   

YE-HAW!

Yo Yo Ma
guest performer 2014

Joshua Bell
guest performer 2016

Fort Worth, Texas


Fort Worth Texas

Disclaimer:   The Travelling Toe is no a professional musical critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.