"Red Sparrow" (movie critique)

RED SPARROW
movie poster

The Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe decided to see the new movie "Red Sparrow" that was just recently released. 

The movie is full of spies, double agents and a lot brutality.  However, for once the super spy in the middle of the plot is one tough women, although she is Russian.  

Here is an overview of the movie from the internet:

Prima ballerina Dominika Egorova faces a bleak and uncertain future after she suffers an injury that ends her career. She soon turns to Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people to use their minds and bodies as weapons. Egorova emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow after completing the sadistic training process. As she comes to terms with her new abilities, Dominika meets a CIA agent who tries to convince her that he is the only person she can trust.

Dear Readers if you decide to see this movie be aware that it has nudity, bad language and vicious torture and fight scenes.....some you see and some are off camera.

Recently The New York Times published an article about how Jennifer Lawrence was trained to appear be a professional ballerina.  Even thought a  body double of a prima ballerina was used for most of the ballet scenes Jennifer still had to made it appear she was dancing with her partner in some scenes.  The ballet was filmed at the Hungarian State Opera House. The ballet featured, inspired by "The Firebird" was danced by the Hungarian National Ballet troupe.  The ballet costume, make-up and hair designed for Jennifer fit a true ballerina.

Did we like the movie....did we enjoy the movie?  That is so hard to answer as some scenes were a bit hard to take but the storyline was very good.  It was intriguing to see who was going to double cross who!!

CAST:

Jennifer Lawrence
Dominika Egorova

Joel Edgerton
Nate Nash

Matthias Schoenaerts
Ivan Egorova
(her uncle)

Joely Richardson
Nina Egorova
(her mother)

Jeremy Irons
General Kochnoi

Charlotte Rampling
Headmistress 
Spy School

The movie is based on a trilology of Red Sparrow 

books written by Jason Matthews.

The Travelling Toe awards this movie 1 second toe up 

with your very own pair of ballet shoes so you can dance

your way into spy school.

February FWSO Symphonic Concert

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
program

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presented a symphonic concert that featured guest 
conductor Andrew Gourlay.  

Andrew Gourlay
Guest Conductor

Violinist, William Hagen, was the featured guest artist.  He has worn numerous competitions and is currently performing with various orchestras throughout the USA and, abroad as well.  For the current concert, Mr. Hagen performed "Violin Concerto in D Major", composed by Johannes Brahmas.  According to the program notes by Ken Meltzer, "the concerto in three movements is a masterful synthesis of Classical form, Romantic passion and virtuoso fireworks". Mr. Hagen performed on the 1735 "Sennhauser" Guarneri del Gesu violin.

Johannes Brahms
1833-1897

Mr. Hagen and his rare violin, along with the FWSO, produced a most wonderful and exhilaranting performance.  Audience members were most appreciative and after a standing ovation and prolonged applause, Mr.Hagen returned to the stage for an encore which was a lovely piece by J.S.Bach.

William Hagen
guest soloist

After a short intermission, orchestra members and Maestro Gourlay, returned to the stage and prepared to begin the second half of the program

Sergei Rachmaninoff
1873-1943

The first piece, written by Sergei Rachmaninoff, was titled "The Isle Of The Dead".
Mr. Meltzer, provided these notes about the piece:

The Isle of the Dead is Rachmaninoff's musical depiction pf paintings of the same name by the Swiss artist, Arnold Bocklin.  The paintings portray a boatman rowing a coffin to a mysterious, rock island laden with cypress trees".  

Isle Of The Dead
paiting

This was indeed a beautiful and stirring piece.  But The Travelling Toe must admit a deep fondness for Rachmaninoff's music.

Igor Stravinsky
 1882- 1972

The final piece of the concert was "Suite From The Firebird" which was written by Igor Stravinsky. He wrote the piece for Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballet Russe  Exciting ballet programs are often performed to this dramatic piece of music.

What an exciting and captivating concert!

Hopefully, both Mr. Gourlay and Mr.Hagen will return to Fort Worth soon!



Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
   

"Samson" (movie critique)

SAMSON
movie poster

It was Friday movie time, so the group elected to see the new movie "Samson" based on the illustrious character from the Bible.

Just so you know, this movie like most made from a "book" does not follow the narrative faithfully, but it does touch on the major points of the story. A paramount part of the basic story-line is that Samson was dedicated to God as a child and in order for him to retain his strength he must not to drink wine or cut his hair, among several other rules he was to follow. But did he follow those rules?  Well, what do you think?  Doubtful..right????

An overview of the movie from the internet if as follows:

When his youthful ambition leads to a tragic marriage, the all-powerful Samson embarks on a quest for vengeance that brings him into direct conflict with the Philistine army. As his brother mounts a tribal rebellion, Samson's relationship with a Philistine temptress and his final surrender to God will help turn imprisonment into a final victory.

Here is another movie were the "bad boy" is the more dynamic character.  Jackson Rathbone who played Prince Rallah, just oozed evil, meanness and savageness.

There was previous movie made on the story of Samson back in 1949. It was directed by, the esteemed director, Cecil B. DeMille. It stared Victor Mature as Samson and Heddy Lamar as Delilah. The Travelling Toe must admit that she saw this original movie in a downtown Fort Worth movie theater probably in 1950.

SAMSON AND DELILAH
1949 movie poster

CAST

Taylor James
Samson

Caitlain Leahy
Delilah

Jackson Rathbone
Prince Rallah

Billy Zane
king Balek

Lindsay Wagner
Zealphonis
Samson's mother

Rutger Hauer
Manoah
Samson's father

Greg Kriek
Caleb
Samson's brother

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 2 pinkie toes up with your very own yummy honeycomb!....or is it????

"Black Panther" (movie critique)

BLACK PANTHER
movie poster

Yes Dear Readers, the Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe did go see the new super hero movie "Black Panther" the Friday it was released.. The movie is a product of the Marvel Comics studio. The movie was a tad long but the story-line was very intriguing and full of action and character interaction. The costumes, music, makeup, set designs and locations were beautiful.  But why does it seem to be that the "bad guy" has the juicier role?  Michael B Jordan was chewing up the screen as the evil outcast cousin who wants his rightful place in ruling Wakanda.  Additionally Andy Serkis was pure evil as the monstrous Klaw! But another exciting part of the film was that women were the trained warriors that guarded the King. They were tough, strong, loyal and could kick any man's tailbone!!  And just have to say, Angela Bassett is even more beautiful each time we see in her a film or on her new TV show...."9-1-1".

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

  

After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king -- and as Black Panther -- gets tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

CAST:

Chadwick Boseman
Black Panther

Michael B Jordan
Erik "Killmonger" Stevens

Lupta Nyong'o'-
Nakia

Danai Gurira
Okoye

Forest Whitaker
Zuri

Angela Bassett
Ramonda

Martin Freeman
FBI Everett K Ross

Andy Serkis
Klaw

We all enjoyed the movie and hope that the Marvel Studio

will add a few more movies from this franchise.

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 2 big toes up with you very own heart shaped flowers so you can have super hero powers!!!

"The 15:17 Train To Paris" (movie critique)

THE 15:17 TRAIN TO PARIS
movie poster

A couple of weeks ago a Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe decided to see the new movie, "The 15:17 Train To Paris",  directed by Clint Eastwood.  The movie is based on true events and starred the young men who were the focus of the story.  It was based on the book they wrote with Jeffery E Stein, "The True Story Of A Terrorist, A Train And The Three American Heroes".  The three young men are Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone.  They played themselves in the movie 

A Terrorist, A Train, And Three
American Heroes
book

Here is just a short overview of the movie story line. 

The movie begins in Sacramento CA, where all three of the boys live.  They become friends as they are all sent to the principal's office way too many times.  They enjoy playing video games especially military games together. As they grow older each boy takes a different path, but they remain in contact via various technology outlets. Spencer always had a dream to be in the military.  He finally achieves his goal through hard work, determination over some set-backs and joins the Air Force.  With Spencer at an Air Force base in Texas, Alek in the Army in the Middle East and Anthony in college, they made plans to meet in Europe for a vacation and to see the sites.  When they decide to take the train to visit Paris, that is where the action takes place.  As the train makes it's way towards Paris, a terrorist, who has been hiding in one of the toilet's, bursts out with an assault rife and begins attacking passengers on the trains.  When Spencer sees the terrorist coming towards their train car, he jumps into action and subdues the terrorist.  Alek comes to help Spencer and knocks out the terrorist and Antony begins to help wounded passengers.  Needless to say, the three young men are all honored for their heroism on that day.

SPENCER STONE

ALEK SKARLATOS

ANTHONY SADLER

The Travelling Toe awards this movie one 3rd toe up with Stars and Stripes!

"This Random World" presented by Circle Theatre

THIS RANDOM WORLD
play program

A Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe attended the Saturday afternoon performance of "This Random World" at Circle Theatre, which is located in downtown Fort Worth.

The play was written by Steven Dietz.  He has written over 30 plays and has won numerous awards for his work.

STEVEN DIETZ
playwright

A description of the play from Circle Theatre's web site is as follows:

Each character’s journey overlaps one another, be it an ailing woman who plans one final trip, a daughter planning one great escape or a son falling prey to a prank gone wrong. This funny and intimate play explores the lives that may be happening just out of reach of our own. Does serendipity bring us together or is that only a myth?

cast
This Random World

Jovan Caamano

                                  Gary

Catherine D Dubord

                                  Claire

Desiree Fultz

                                  Beth Ward

Kyle Ignecz

                                 Tim Ward

Camille Monae

                                 Rhonda

Libby Villari

                                 Scottie Ward

Crystal Williams

                                 Bernadette

The play was 90 minutes and presented without an intermission. The stage was bare of any scenery allowing each of the stories to unfold as they moved from person to person.

We both found the play to be interesting and engaging. Mr. Dietz  wrapped up the stories at the end ensuring that play goers would understand how all the stories intertwined.

Circle Theatre

"Like A Billion Likes" presented by Stage West

LIKE A BILLION LIKES
play program

The Travelling Toe and two Dear Friends attended the Sunday matinee performance of "Like A Billion Likes" at Stage West in Fort Worth.

The author of this play, Erik Forrest Jackson, won Stage West's 2016 Southwest Playwright Contest for this play.  Mr.Jackson has a varied resume that includes adapting the TV series "Cheers" for a live stage event as well as "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" that features the songs of Neil Sedaka.

Erik Forrest Jackson

Overview of the Play from Stage West's Web Site:

Misty Riggs is a nobody. No, really, she is - that’s an undisputed fact. But just as she’s starting sophomore year, she gets the notion she should try to stand out somehow before it’s too late. Misty’s gambit only cements her loserdom, and after one blow too many, she makes a final, desperate bid for glory - the terrible culmination of her burning desire to be recognized for something, anything, no matter how she achieves it.

The play was 90 minutes long without an intermission. It was an interesting play highlighting how far someone would go to obtain craved attention.

STAGE WEST
cast

Mikaela Krantz

                           Alix Benson

Delaney Milbourn

                          Misty Riggs

Aaron Roberts

                        Perry Segars

Dana Schultes

                         Colleen Benson

Evan Michael Woods

                         Jacey Collier

Stage West