"Alice Through The Looking Glass" (movie critique)

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
movie poster

The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend decided that we just had to see "Alice Through The Looking Glass" having seen the first movie, "Alice in Wonderland", in 2010.  Johnny Depp plays the Mad Hatter with relish and very bushy eyebrows!

This film starts closely to the time where "Alice" left off when she decided not to marry her unbearable fiancee,and to go on adventures on her father's ship.  When she finally returns to home port, she learns that her mother has had to sell her shares in the company and Alice must either sell her father's boat or her mother will forfeit her house. 

While all this turmoil is going on, Alice follows a beautiful blue butterfly to a magical looking glass (large mirror) which she passes into and immediately finds herself back in Underland. She lands at the tea table with the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat and the caterpillar, but no Mad Hatter!  Alice finds out he has been acting even madder than usual.  He found something that makes him believe that his family is still alive somewhere and he must find them.  In order to help the Mad Hatter, Alice must go back in time. To do that she has to find the Master Keeper of Time, who rules over all time. and  steal the Chronosphere.  It will allow her to travel back in time and find the Hatter's family.  Her journey allows her to see what happened to friends and foes alike during different times in their lives.  So, she is now in a race to save the Hatter before time does run out for him.

So Dear Readers, does Alice find the Hatter's family in time to save him?  When Alice has to return to the real world, what becomes of her mother, her ship and her future?  Well, you will just have to find out for yourself won't you!!!!


 CAST

Mia Wasikowska
Alice

Johnny Depp
Mad Hatter

Anne Hathaway
White Queen

Helena Bonham Carter
Red Queen

Sacha Baron Cohen
Time

Alan Rickman
Caterpillar

Stephen Fry
Cheshire Cat

Michael Sheen
White Rabbit

  

              

Matt Lucas
Tweedledum/Tweedledee

Side Note:

The film was dedicated to the memory of Alan Rickman, an actor who is treasured and missed.


The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a Mad Hatter Top Hat - because of the costumes, the unreal world that was fun and entertaining to be a part of, the 
make-up,especially Johnny Depp's.  It was just a fun, casual romp of a Fairy Tale fantasy.

"Love And Friendship" (movie critique)

LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
movie poster

Recently The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend hopped down to the local movie house to see a period flick, "Love and Friendship  Jane Austen wrote the novel which was published as "Lady Susan".  However, Whit Stillman, screenwriter, producer, and director, changed the title to reflect the same connection to her other books and films,  "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility".  

JANE AUSTEN
1775-1817

The movie is described in publicity communications as follows: Love and Friendship is an adaptation of Jane Austen's novella "Lady Susan". Set in the 1790s, the film follows the title character, a beautiful, manipulative young widow (Kate Beckinsale) as she arrives in Churchill, to wait out colorful rumors about her dalliances circulating through polite society. While there, she embarks upon securing a husband for her daughter and herself, but the Churchill waters are troubled when handsome, eligible Reginald DeCourcy (Xavier Samuel) and cheerful Sir James Martin (Tom Bennett) arrive. After a series of dramatic turns, Lady Susan ultimately risks destruction when her jealous rival comes to call, uncovering a revelation that leads to the denouement of denouements. WHIT STILLMAN screenwriter, producer, director The gossiping scenes between Lady Susan and her American friend Alicia Johnson are juicy indeed. Stephen Fry who plays Mr.Johnson has told Alicia she must break off contact with the notorious Lady Susan and when she is caught, he reminds her that the voyage across the North Atlantic at this time of year can be rather chilly.  Also Sir James Martin is such a simpleton, he is really funny and actor Tom Bennett, actually breathes some life into that character. Kate Beckinsale was a delight in her role giving an of-hand compliment but somehow it comes out as a put-down...very clever dialogue and she delivers it perfectly! The costumes are luscious, full of silks, satin, lace and other beautiful fabrics. Additionally, the background music really helps set the tone of the story line and reflects the time period that of the tale. Newbridge Estate Ireland CAST Kate Beckinsale Lady Susan Chloe Sevigny Xavier Samuel Reginald DeCourcy -suitor Morfydd Clark Frederica - Lady Susan's daughter Emma Greenwell Catherine Lady Susan's sister-in-law Tom Bennett Sir James Martin James Fleet Sir Reginald DeCourcy Stephen Fry Mr. Johnson The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe with some tea and scones. Disclaimer:  The Travelling to is not a professional critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.

"X-Men: Apocalypse" (movie critique)

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE
movie poster

Well, it was Friday movie time and the Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe decided to see another Sci-Fi epic "X-Men: Apocalypse".  We do love our super hero, fantasy movies! This is Marvel's 9th installment of the X-Men franchise.  

The following is just a very compressed overview of the movie as there are several interconnected stories regarding the different mutants and of them working together for good or evil.

The movie actually starts out in ancient Egypt where En Sabah Nur is the mutant ruler. However he is not beloved by all his subjects.  He is betrayed and left to be entombed under tons of rock and sand.  Generations later, in 1983, devoted followers locate his tomb and bring him back to life.  In 1983, mutants still live on the down low and En Sabah Nur, begins recruiting the best of the worst.  He plans to destroy the world, hence the title of the movie Apocalypse, and re-create it as he wants it.

Back in Westchester, New York, Professor Xavier, and his crew welcome new mutants while helping them hone their special skills.  

X-Men Mansion
The Englefield House in Berkshire, England

As En Sabah Nur, expands his powers, he manages to hack into Xavier's mind when Xavier is trying to find the bad dude.  The baddies attack the school and Xavier is kidnapped.  En Sabah Nur, has connected with Magneto and manages to convince him to help destroy the planet. There is a whole back story of why Erik (Magneto) is so bitter.  But Xavier is able to command some of his powers and connects to Magneto to plead with him to stop the destruction and help save what's left of the planet.  

So Dear Readers, does Xavier and his merry band of mutants save the day and the planet or do the bad guys win?  Well, after all if the good guys don't win then there would not be another movie on the way, now would there?????

Side Note

The Travelling Toe must make a side note of two things this movie goer particularly enjoyed about the movie. In one scene, a strange mutant is released by the good mutants and it turns out to be - who else but Wolverine.  Wow....Hugh Jackman without a shirt!  Be still my beating heart!  Then one musical selection provided a wonderful background to the action going on screen.  It was Beethoven's Seventh Symphony.   Wow...what majestic music.

Hugh Jackman
Wolverine

CAST

James McAvoy
Xavier

Jennifer Lawrence
Raven/Mystique

Tye Sheridan
Cyclops

Nicholas Hoult
Beast

Sophie Turner
Phoenix

Alexander Ship
Storm

Oscar Issac
En Sabah Nur

Michael Fassbender
Magneto

Olivia Munn
Psylocke

One last note, when the credits start rolling, wait a bit as there is a small nugget to watch.

The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a toupee as we find out why Xavier loses his hair in this movie!

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

"Kitchen Witches" presented by On Stage In Bedford

THE KITCHEN WITCHES
play program

The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend attended the Sunday, 3:00 pm matinee performance  of "The Kitchen Witches" presented by On Stage in Bedford.  


On Stage Bedford


The play was written by Caroline Smith, a Canadian playwright.  

On Stage Bedford describes the synopsis of the play as follows:


Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle are two "mature" cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years, ever since Larry Biddle dated one and married the other. When circumstances put them together on a TV show called The Kitchen Witches, the insults are flung harder than the food! Dolly's long-suffering TV-producer son Stephen tries to keep them on track, but as long as Dolly's dressing room is one inch closer to the set than Isobel's, it's a losing battle, and the show becomes a rating smash as Dolly and Isobel top both Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer!


Set Designer Alex Krus did a fabulous setting up a "real" kitchen for the witches to work in. All the actors were very good in their roles. The two lead actresses played off each other very well.  Son and director Stephen only avoids a nervous breakdown by the narrowest margins replying on a huge bottle of Tylenol and nicotine patches to keep him going.  Stage manager Rob, never speaks but adds volumes with his body and facial expressions.

This was a fun, fun, afternoon at a local theater and we both thoroughly enjoyed the production and all the actors!!!!

Support Local Theater!!!


CAST

Stephen Biddle                                                  Andrew Christian

Rob                                                                    Adam Livingston

Dolly Biddle                                                       Lana K Hoover

Isobel Lomax                                                     Sherry Etzel

The Kitchen Witches
set
photo courtesy of
On Stage Bedford

"Mamma Mia!" presented by performing Arts Fort Worth

MAMMA MIA!
play program

Recently, the touring production of "Mamma Mia!" stopped at Bass Hall. The Travelling Toe and a Dear Friend boogied downtown to see it at the Sunday matinee.

Oh my gosh...this is such a fun musical.  If you are like The Travelling Toe and believe that disco has not died, then this production is for you. British playwright Catherine Johnson, wrote the musical based on the songs of ABBA, composed by band mates Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.  It premiered at the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End in April 1999.  A film adaptation, starring Meryl Streep, premiered in 2008.  

The Travelling Toe has seen "Mamma Mia!" several times and has always enjoyed it. The story line and music has not changed but it has been just a tad refreshed and is excellent.

The crux of the story is that Sophie lives on a Greek island with her mother, Donna, who runs a shabby chic taverna. Sophie does not know who her father is and just recently found her mother's secret diary. In it, Donna mentions affairs with 3 different men. Sophie has invited all 3 men to her wedding not telling Donna what she did.  All 3 arrive and through the songs, we learn more about them, Donna, and her friends Tanya and Rosie. The 3 woman made up a singing group called "Donna and the Dynamos".  When Donna sees Sam, Bill and Harry she questions why they are there for Sophie's wedding. So with all this drama going on will the wedding go on or not??

So Dear Readers, if you have seen the play or the movie you know how it ends, but for those not knowing, The Travelling Toe will not spoil it for you.  Go rent the movie...it's fun or better yet, go see the live play - it's even better!



                                            



songs featured

ACT 1

Honey, Honey

Money, Money, Money

Thank You For The Music

Mamma Mia

Chiquitita

Dancing Queen

Lay All Your Love On Me

Super Trooper

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

The Name Of The Game

Voulez-Vous


ACT 2

Under Attack

One Of Us

SOS

Does Your Mother Know

Knowing Me, Knowing You

Our Last Summer

Slipping Through My Fingers

The Winner Takes It All

Take A Chance On Me

I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do

I Have A Dream


ENCORE - don't miss it....too funny

Mamma Mia

Dancing Queen

Waterloo

ABBA

ABBA were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Wikipedia

"The Nice Guys" (movie critique)

THE NICE GUYS
movie poster

The Friday Movie Mavens and The Travelling Toe decided to see "The Nice Guys" for our weekly movie outing.

"The Nice Guys" stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. The movie is almost like a nod to the private detective film noir movies of the 50's.  However this movie is sent in 1977 Hollywood when drugs and disco were the kings of the scene. There are a couple of other types of double D's that are "revealed" in this movie as well.....(snicker, snicker) 

Holland March is a PI and not very good at it  Jackson Healy is an enforcer who is good with his brass knuckles.  They are each working on a case involving a girl named Amelia. When Jackson determines that Holland is tailing Amelia, Jackson finally corners him in the men's room. This is one funny scene with Holland on the potty and the door opening and closing with Holland trying to draw his gun and dropping his cigarette into his drawers!  This scene is part of the trailers but it really is funnier in the movie. They decide to work together especially when Amelia's mother, Judith Kutner, seeks their assistance in locating Amelia.  During their investigation, they stumble into an alleged suicide of a famous porno star and figure out how Amelia is connected to it.  As they continue to investigate, they discover how high the conspiracy really goes.  Also thrown into the mix is a
hit-man called John Boy - and you will know why when you see him  - and Holland's precocious teenage daughter, Holly.


CAST

Russell Crowe
Jackson Healy

Ryan Gosling
Holland March

Margaret Qualley
Amelia

Kim Bassinger
Judith Kutner

Matt Bomer
John Boy

Angourie Rice
Holly March

This movie was a fum romp but is rated R for language and adult situations. Embarrassing to say, we really liked.

Also in the movie was a brief appearance by Earth, Fire & Wind, singing their mega-hit "Do You Remember The 21st Night of September?"....ba-de-ya!!!!

You Tube - Do You Remember September


The Travelling Toe gives this movie 1 big toe up with a your own disco ball!

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