"The Intern" (movie critique)

THE INTERN
movie poster

To escape the Fall heat wave in North Central Texas, the Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe, seeking some artificially cold air, went to the local movie multiplex.  The movie we selected to see was "The Intern".

The Travelling Toe is sure that this movie has it detractors (oh the horror - someone in a movie at 70!!).  But it is a cute, charming and funny movie.  But be prepared, it does NOT have any nude scenes, bad language or bombs exploding every 5 minutes.  What it does have is some fine acting by Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway.  

Robert De Niro

Anne Hathaway

The title of the movie certainly echos the plot line. Ben Whitaker (Robert De Niro of course), at 70 and a widower,  is a retired executive and applies for a senior (as in age) intern position at an on-line fashion company. Jules Ostin started the company and in a short time it has exploded in growth.  But she is overworked, overextended and overly exhausted.  Ben is assigned to assist her.  At first, Jules resits any help but after Ben begins driving her to appointments, she starts warming up to him. Jules begins to confide in Ben and they form a friendship.  Along the way Ben develops a romantic relationship with the in-house massage therapist, Fiona, played by Rene Russo. Yes, Dear Readers, even senior citizens enjoy some romance once in a while.

Rene Russo

One of the funniest scenes of the movie is when Ben and his fellow geeks are asked to do Jules a big favor.  Jules accidentally sent her mother an email that would destroy their relationship.  So Ben and the geeks break into the mother's house to delete the email.  And of course, if anything can go wrong it does.  

One bit of disappointment in the story was that Ben finds out that Jules' husband is having an affair.  That plot line was not really necessary  and has used in so many movies.  The writers could have been more inventive than that!

Nancy Meyers
writer, producer, director

Being Golden Girls ourselves, we did find this movie to be entertaining, funny and totally enjoyable.


The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with an AARP card.


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

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Bass Hall

BASS HALL

The Travelling Toe and two friends attended the Sunday matinee performance of the Fort Worth Symphony at Bass Hall.  Maestro Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducted the program.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

MIGUEL HARTH-BEDOYA
Music Director

Miguel Harth-Bedoya

The first selection was "Concerto for Orchestra" written by Witold Lutoslawski.  The piece required a full-force orchestra and a large variety of percussion instruments.  Lutoslawski, a Polish composer in post WWII Poland, had to write music within the guidelines of the Soviet Union. Somehow he was able to write this concerto by using Polish folk songs as a base for his serious musical piece.  The concerto is 28 minutes long with 3 movements.  The third movement has a very dramatic ending.

After the briefest of pauses and re-arrangement of some orchestra members, the second selection was ready to start.  The piece, "Les nuits d'ete, Opus 7", was written by Hector Berlioz for a mezzo-soprano voice.  It was our good fortune that lovely Julie Boulianne was engaged to sing Berlioz's song-cycle.  The words in French and English were printed in the program so that audience members could follow as this marvelous singer serenaded us as well as enjoy Berlioz's text.   The Travelling Toe hopes that Ms. Boulianne will return to us soon for another engagement.

Hector Berlioz

Julie Boulianne
mezzo-soprano

Side Note: The Travelling Toe must do a "girly" thing and mention the lovely dress that Ms. Boulianne worn.  It was made of a beautiful shade of a purple silky fabric with black flowers on it and it  fitted her just perfectly. 


After a 20 minute intermission, the Maestro returned to the podium and the final piece was played,  "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel.  Now Dear Readers, if you have not heard "Bolero" then you must live a pretty lonesome existence.  "Bolero" starts with the violas and cellos strumming and plucking their strings and then slowly other instruments of the orchestra join in, rising to an exciting concendo!  WOW!!  FWSO nailed it!!!  What a great way to finish an already lovely program!


Musicians of the Fort Worth Symphony

"Black Mass" (movie critique)

BLACK MASS
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and a friend took the challenge to see "Black Mass" starring Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger - a true to life infamous career criminal.

The movie starts in 1975 and chronicles Whitey's role in the Irish American Winter Hill Gang in South Boston.  At that time an Italian crime family, with ties to the mafia, were operating  in South Boston as well.  The FBI needed help to take them down.  One FBI Agent, John Connolly, talks Whitey into making a deal to help them get rid of the Italians, which is a win-win situation for them both.  There is history between the two men as Whitey and John grow up in the same neighborhood, plus John continues to be friends with Whitey's brother Billy, who was a State Senator at that time.  

As the story progresses, we see John losing control over the relationship.  Whitey, continues doing what he does best - breaking the law and now with the FBI looking the other way.  

Then a new hard-nosed US Prosecuting Attorney, Fred Wyshak, arrives to finish the job his predecessor could not - which was closing down Whitey's operation.  Wyshak begins to question the information supposedly given by Whitey on the mafia bunch.  Wyshak goes through Connolly's reports and he determines that the information Whitey supposedly gave to the FBI came from other sources including their own wire taps.  Connolly wants to protect Whitey but he is in far to deep himself for that to happen.  When Whitey tries to smuggle guns to Ireland for the IRA, an undercover informant alerts the DEA about the shipment and it is confiscated. Whitey tries to force Connolly to clean up the mess, but Connolly doesn't have any power over the DEA case.  Whitey tracks down the DEA informant and the problem is solved, but just temporarily.

Local media outlets begin to expose the criminal activity associated with Whitey and law enforcement officers who are tied to Whitey..  As the continuing scrutiny focuses on Whitey and his crew, Whitey's henchman begin to rat on him for reduced sentences of their own  As the net starts closing in on Whitey, he takes it on the lam.

He is placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.  There he sits for 12 years,  Whitey is finally captured in Santa Monica in June of 2011.  Doubtful he will ever be released.

Whitey Bulger
bad dude

This movie did have a lot of violence and bad language.  Well, after all it is about a major crime organization who would kill anyone who got in their way.  But all the actors were really exceptional in their roles.  The hair and make up crew did an excellent job of making Johnny Depp look exactly like Whitely, including the bad front tooth

MAIN CHARACTERS:

JOHNNY DEPP
Whitey Bulger

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH
Billy Bulger

JOEL EDGERTON
FBI Agent
John Connolly

COREY STOLL
Fred Wyshak

The Travelling Toe gives this movie one big toe up with black toe nail polish and a band aide, to cover the crime.



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

"Grandma" (movie critique)

GRANDMA
movie poster

A friend and The Travelling Toe went to see "Grandma" at the local multiplex.  We had high expectations for a fun and poignant film.  Perhaps had we noticed the rating for the movie was "R" we would have lowered our expectations.

The very short version of this story is that Sage, (Julia Garner) finds out she is pregnant and decide to end the pregnancy but needs money to have the procedure done. Sage and her mother Judy (Marcia Gay Harden) do not communicate well so she decides to seek help from Grandma Elle (Lily Tomlin).  But her grandma does not have the money having just paid off her life partner Violet's medical bills.  Elle then cut up her credit cards and made a wind chime out of them. So Elle with Sage in hand goes from friend to friend to try to get the money needed. But along the way, all we see is Sage trying to grow-up, accept her situation and her decision and Elle's anger being unleashed on anyone in her sight.

The one scene that has some moxie is when Elle, who is a lesbian, goes to her former boyfriend's home to see if he will give her the money.  Karl, is played the ever handsome Sam Elliott.  But some old wounds can never be healed and they leave without any money. Finally there is no other recourse but to go tell Judy about Sage's pregnancy and the need for money.  Judy does help and support her daughter.

We went to see this movie expecting some laughs since Lily Tomlin was starring in it.  Yes, there were a few - one is  between Sage's boyfriend and Grandma Elle who made interesting use of the hockey stick.  But the consenescence between the 2 of us was that we were decidedly disappointed.  Even the handsome Sam Elliott could not save this movie!


CAST MEMBERS:

Lily Tomlin
Elle

Julia Garner
Sage

Sam Elliott
Karl

Marcia Gay Harden
Judy

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 middle toe up with some leftover patchouli incense sticks.




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

"Everest" (movie critique)

EVEREST
movie poster

A friend and The Travelling Toe recently went to the local multiplex to see the new flick "Everest".  This movie is based on true facts that took place in 1996.

Rob Hall, played by Jason Clarke, is a skilled climber that includes a climb up to Mount Everest.  Rob runs an outfit that takes climbers up the mountain to the top of Everest. .  

Jason Clarke
Rob

At the beginning of the trek, things go pretty much on course with just a few issues - but no real concerns.  As the group continues to climb to the top, they are  delayed for over an hour as they begin the final assault when they discover that guide ropes were not installed on the route up to the top.  Time is of the essence as the climbers must leave the upper part of the mountain no later than 2:00 in order to make it down safely and return to the last base camp. With the delays, oxygen issues and deteriorating weather conditions Rob becomes worried and tires to hurry everyone up to the summit then back down the mountain as quickly as possible.  One of the climbers, Beck, (Josh Brolin), from Dallas, begins to have serious vision problems and can not see well enough to make it to the summit.  Rob tells Beck to wait for them by the trail to be picked up on the way back down.  But due to a serious snow and wind storm. those above Beck, begin to perish.  Beck is thought to be dead as well.  The operations manager even calls Beck's wife to let her know that he did not survive the climb.  But as the storm abates, the sun comes out and somehow it warms Beck up enough that he was able to make it down to the camp.  He desperately needs immediate medical attention due to heavy frostbite.  When his wife, Peach,  learns he is in fact alive but needs  medical assistance without delay, she contacts the American Embassy begging and pleading for help to rescue her husband.  A helicopter is dispatched but it is one scary ride due to the mountains and the prevailing winds. Those chopper pilots were really heroes. to make it safely there and back.  

At the end of the movie,a photo of the group that was taken at the start of the adventure was shown.  Then individual photos were displayed of those that did not survive the climb and those that did.  A photo of Beck and his wife is shown and it was noted that Beck did lose his hands and nose.  As for Rob, his body is still on Everest.

OTHER CAST MEMBERS:

Josh Brolin
Beck

(Beck Weathers)

Jake Gyllenhaal
Scot

Sam Worthington
Guy

John Hawkes
Doug

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a strawberry snow cone.


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

Mount Everest

"On Golden Pond" presented by the Granbury Theatre Company

ON GOLDEN POND
play program





Granbury Theatre Company

The Travelling Toe and 3 other friends attended  the Sunday matinee performance of "On Gold Pond" presented by the Granbury Theatre Company.  The play was performed in the historic Granbury Opera House which has recently undergone a wonderful restoration.  It is a lovely venue to enjoy a live performance.

GRANBURY OPERA HOUSE
COURTHOUSE SQUARE
GRANBURY TX

The play is told in 2 acts with 3 scenes in the first act and 2 scenes in the second act.  The story takes place at Norman and Ethel's summer house situated on Golden Pond.  Norman is rather a curmudgeon but Ethel takes it in her stride.  Their daughter Chelsea with her fiancee, Billy,  and soon to be step-son, Billy Jr., come for a short visit before embarking on a trip to Europe. During the play, unresolved issues between father and daugher pop up.  Plus  we begin to see Norman suffering decline in his health and memory.

Since Chelsea and Billy are headed for an extended trip to Europe, it is decided that Billy Jr will spent the summer with Norman and Ethel.  Along the way Norman and Billy Jr become good friends.  Norman introduces young Billy to classic literature such as "Robinson Crusoe" and "The Count of Monte Christo". And they spend many hours out on the lake fishing.  At the end of summer, Chelsea arrives to pick up Billy to take him home to California.  She then tells her parents that she and Billy Senior were married while in Europe.  
Chelsea and her father have a discussion about old hurts and come to a tentative reconciliation.  Norman and Ethel agree to visit the new family in California.

The Travelling Toe must admit she was a little hesitant to see this play due to a dislike of the movie, but this production was way better than the movie.  All the actors were very good in their parts.  But, Duncan Alexander who played Norman and Tonya Laree, Ethel,, were spot on for their characters.  After the performance both actors come to the lobby and greeted audience members as we exited the theater.  It was a nice treat to be able to tell the actors how much you enjoyed their performance.

What an delightful  afternoon's entertainment of live theater shared with good friends.

Ernest Thompson
playwright

Side Note:  The play was written by Ernest Thompson in 1979.  It was then adapted for the movie and which was released in 1981.

See the play not the movie!

. 

"Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Bass Hall

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
ply program

The Travelling Toe and a friend attended the Sunday matinee performance of "Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" present by Performing Arts Fort Worth at Bass Hall.


Bass Hall


If you remember the story of Joseph from your Sunday School days then you will know the story. Here is a short overview of it to refresh your memory.  Joseph had 11 brothers who were all jealous of him because Joseph was the favorite son of their father, Jacob.  The brothers plot to get rid of Joseph and his dreams by killing him but then decide to sell him to some travelling Ishmaelites instead.  Joseph is sold as a slave in Egypt and through no fault of his own, he lands up in jail.  There he becomes famous for interpreting dreams when his translations come true.  Meanwhile, the Pharaoh has been having troubling dreams but no one can tell him what they mean. Then his butler tells him about Joseph. The Pharaoh sends for Joseph and tells him about the strange dreams he is having each night.  Joseph is able to interpret the dreams and warns Pharaoh that there will be 7 years of bumper crops followed by 7 lean years.  The Pharaoh appoints Joseph as his #2 and puts him in charge of building storehouses for the bumper crops to help get them through the lean years.  

Back in Canaan, the 11 brothers and their families are starving and decide to go to Egypt where they hear there is food to be had.  When they arrive, begging for food, Joseph recognizes them but they do not recognize him.  After some trickery, he finally tells them who he really is.  Jacob is excited to see his son once again.

Happy Ending for all.

The musical was written by the creative team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.  The play tells the story of Joseph very well and has wonderful songs of different styles.  

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tim Rice

The brothers sing a C&W type song, "One More Angel in Heaven",  to tell Jacob that Joseph is dead.  Then when they are starving they sing "Those Canaan Days" in a French cabaret style including berets.

The actor who played Joseph, JC McCann, had a good voice and did justice to his big songs of "Close Every Door" and "Any Dream Will Do".  One other favorite character was Pharaoh, who always enters as a king...well the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis style, with screaming and fainting girls due to his hip action!

JC McCann as
Joseph

The Travelling Toe has seen this musical many times but really enjoyed this performance.  The use of digital projection set design to enhance the stage setting was very well done. It seems that more touring shows are turning to this method more often than not so that multiple large sets do not have to be dismantled and moved from town to town. The singing and dancing by the entire ensemble was impressive and fun. All in all an excellent production!