"Same Kind of Different as Me" (movie critique)

SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME
(movie poster)

The Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe went to the local multiplex to see the new movie "Same Kind of Different As Me".  Several of us had read the book that his movie is based on and as Fort Worth is The Travelling Toe's hometown, that was another reason to see the flick.  Plus our Sunday School often financially supports Union Gospel Mission, where this story takes place.

Here is the synopsis of the movie from the internet:

 Successful businessman Ron Hall and his wife, Deborah, discover a renewed sense of purpose when they begin to volunteer at a local mission in Fort Worth, Texas. Their lives change forever when they develop an unlikely friendship with Denver Moore, a homeless man who inspires them to save their struggling marriage.

CAST:

Renee Zellweger
Deborah Hall

Greg Kinnear
Ron Hall

Djimon Hounsou
Denver Moore

Ron Hall wrote the best selling book to tell the story of Deborah's, Denver's and Ron's friendship that takes place at the local homeless community.  The book and movie tells stories of homeless individuals who often end up homeless due to unfortunate circumstance. It is often said that there are many families who are only 1 paycheck away from being homeless.  Ron and Denver often went on book tours together to tell their story of friendship and courage.

Part of the true story is that Denver became a director at Union Gospel Mission and helped others in the area who were homeless and needed meals and other resources.

The Travelling Toe will not rate this movie but instead just make a donation to Union Gospel Mission.  Maybe you could too Dear Readers.

Union Gospel Mission - Tarrant County

"Victoria and Abdul" (movie critique)

VICTORIA & ABDUL
movie poster

Sorry that The Travelling Toe has been away from posting but caregiving duties were required for an older sibling.  One thing about the caregiving uniform, it always fits when you have to wear it again!!


Anywho, we gals saw the most marvelous movie, that is most likely already gone from the theaters.  But is was so good....but how could it not be anything else but good when it stars Judi Dench as Queen Victoria.  It is a sweet story apparently based on true events of an aging Queen who finds new life with a stranger from a foreign land.

the internet provided this synopsis of the movie:

Abdul Karim arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favor with the queen herself. As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity.

CAST:

Judi Dench
Queen Victoria

Ali Fazal
Abdul Karim

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a mango.  (if you see the movie then you will know what the mango was chosen.)

Encore at FUMC - Hurst presents GALS

At First United Methodist Church - Hurst, the senior group called Encour began the 
2017-2018 monthly meetings with a presentation by GALS.  And yes Dear Readers, The Travelling Toe is indeed in that season of life.

GALS means God's Amazing Love Storytellers.

www.galsministry.com


The group is currently seeking to raise funds to build an orphanage in Zambia.  The ladies sell handmade jewelry, books and music to help this endeavor.

The program began by viewing slides highlighting all the horrific events that have taken place so far in 2017:

                                        fires
                                        violence and hate
                                        NFL protests
                                        North Korea threats
                                        Hurricanes
                                        Earthquakes
                                        mass shootings

But also in 2017 there was good news. Thousands participated in a praise, worship and singing event that took place on the National Mall in Washington DC.  The event took place October 6-9.  It was sponsored by Awaking the Dawn.

www.awakinthedawn.org

Do go online and find out more about this amazing event.

The program that GALS presented was centered on Faith.  When horrible things happen Faith tells us that no matter what lies ahead, God is already there for us.

In period costumes, GALS members portrayed several women from the Bible who faced disasters in their own personal lives but sought God's help.

First was:
                                 Jairis' wife who had a sick daughter
                                    find her story in:
                                                              Mark 5:21-43    Matthew 9:18-26    Like 8:40-56

                                Abigail, wife of Nabal
                                   here is her story: 
                                                              1Samuel 17:25
                               
                                Deborah, the Prophetess
                                     her story is found in:
                                                             Judges 4:6-7  

                               Widow of Zarephath, raising of her son
                                     this story is in 1 Kings 17:1-16

The message of faith and God's love can help each of us overcome our own disasters, no matter how big or even how small.







                        

What an inspiring program and message!

Hurst TX Firefighters Annual Steak Dinner Fundraiser

The Travelling Toe and several Sunday School friends, attended the annual steak dinner fundraiser for the Hurst Firefighters.

The dinner is always held in the engine bays at fire station #1.

The Hurst Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association are the organizers of the fundraiser.  The proceeds go to supplement needed equipment for the Fire Fighters.

                                                                        



Outback Steakhouse caters the meal which includes a green salad, green beans, baked potato and steaks cooked to your preference.  

                                                                
                                                                         

The desserts are provided by the volunteers with the Fire Academy and there is no limit of visits to the dessert tables.

Our group always has a fun time at this event which is why we support it each year.



Where you live, does the Fire Department or Police Department have fundraisers?  Do support them as the money raised helps purchase needed equipment that someday could save your life or a loved ones life.

"American Made" (movie critique)

AMERICAN MADE
movie poster

One of the Movie Mavens suggested we see the new Tom Cruise movie, "American Made".  So the group met at the local multiplex for the early showing. It was entertaining and based on true events but hits just the surface of the real life story and adventures of Barry Seal.

 As a fan of the vintage 80's TV series,"Miami Vice", "Crockett" and "Tubbs" were always fighting and taking down the drug dealers in Miami. This movie reveals how the influx of the drug trade made such am impact on the culture at the time.

A synopsis from the internet of the film is as follows:

Barry Seal, a TWA pilot, is recruited by the CIA to provide reconnaissance on the burgeoning communist threat in Central America and soon finds himself in charge of one of the biggest covert CIA operations in the history of the United States. The operation spawns the birth of the Medellin cartel and almost brings down the Reagan White House.

If you are a certain age you will remember the headlines and hearings about the Sandinistas, The Iran-Contra affair, and Colonel Oliver North.  They are all part of this storyline. Colombian bad guy Pablo Escobar, is also featured in the movie

CAST:

Tom Cruise
Barry Seal

Sarah Wright
Lucy Seal

Caleb Landry Jones
JB

Domhnall Gleeson
Schafer (CIA)

Robert Farrior
Oliver North

Mauricio Mejia
Pablo Escobar

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 middle toes up with your own bullet proof vest, because if you double cross the Colombian drug cartels you will need all the protection you can get!!

"Stronger" (movie critique)

STRONGER
movie poster

Apparently, this movie did stay seem to stay long in the local movie theaters, but The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend were able to see it at the local multiplex before it left. This is the story of a young man standing at the finish line of the Boston matheron that Sunday the bombs were unleashed and carnage ensured.  

A synopsis of the story from the internet is as follows:

Jeff Bauman loses both of his legs when two bombs explode during the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. After regaining consciousness in the hospital, Jeff is able to help law enforcement identify one of the suspects, but his own battle is just beginning. With unwavering support from his family and girlfriend, Bauman embarks on a long and heroic journey to physical and emotional rehabilitation.

Jeff is the young man who was shown in a wheelchair being pushed by a man in a cowboy hat.  It took Jeff sometime before he was in the right place to meet his protector and learned his story and why Carlos was there.  

CAST:

Jake Gyllenhaal
Jeff Bauman

Tatiana Maslany
Erin Hurley

Miranda Richardson
Patty Bauman

Clancy Brown
Jeff Bauman Sr

Carlos Sanz
Carlos

Jake did an amazing job in the role. Am sure he had to work on his upper body strength as the role required Jake to get in and out of a wheelchair numerous times. Just be aware that the F-word is used all the time.

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 2 middle toes up with a Boston strong tee shirt.

"Norma" presented by The Metropolitan Opera

NORMA

setting courtesy of the Met Opera

The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend attended the Saturday afternoon live transmission from The Metropolitan Opera in NYC to a local movie theater.  The opera featured was "Norma".
The opera was written by Vincenzo Bellini.  The opera was first performed in Italy in 1831.

Vincenzo Bellini
1801-1835

Synopsis of the opera storyline provided by The Metropolitan Opera is as follows:

The opera is set in Gaul (France) at the beginning of its occupation by the Roman Empire. Almost all of the characters are druids, members of the Gallic priesthood, the only exceptions being the tenors, both of whom are Romans. It is interesting that the Roman Empire, long depicted in European culture as a civilizing force, is here seen as corrupt and exploitative.

Sondra Radvanovsky
Norma

Joseph Calleja
Pollione

Joyce DiDonato
Adalgisa

This is a great way to see Met Opera live.  If the act runs a little long you can leave your movie theater seat for a quick pit stop.  Also the lead roles are interviewed as well as the conductor so one learns more about how the opera takes shape.  Plus views of backstage and how the elevators work moving stage settings in and out were shown. So very interesting!

setting courtesy of the Met Opera
the end for Norma and her lover Pollione

The Metropolitan Opera