Jacob and His Twelve Sons at the Meadows Museum

Jacob And His Twelve Sons
Meadows Museum

Recently, the Meadows Museum, located on the SMU campus, had an exciting exhibit on display in one of the upper galleries. It was titled "Zurbaran: Jacob And His Twelve Sons".

The 13 paintings were by Francisco de Zurbaran, a Spanish painter who made the majority of his living painting religious paintings for monastic orders. But as often happens, painters fall out of favor, as did Francisco.  So in 1647 he began painting for the Spanish speaking colonies of South America. Of those early exported paintings, one is currently in Lima, Peru and the other is in Puebla, Mexico.

Francisco del Zurbaran
1598-1664

The collection is described in the Meadows exhibit pamphlet as follows:

In creating one of his most monumental series Spanish Golden Age master Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664), was inspired by the Biblical text Genesis 49, in which Jacob, Patriarch of the Israelites, gathers his twelve sons and delivers a prophetic blessing for each one. "Jacob And His Twelve Sons" consists of a total of thirteen canvases with all but one remaining in the collection of a single owner at Auckland Castle, County Durham, since 1756.  This is the first time the majority of the paintings in this exhibition will be presented in America - indeed it is the first time any such series of paintings by Zurbaran has been presented as a whole in the United States.

Auckland Castle

The paintings are rather large and absolutely beautiful. They are not displayed in birth order, but each painting has the name of the subject written at the bottom of the painting along with their order of birth.  Also, he painted each of them with symbols representing their Blessing from Jacob as noted in Genesis 49.  A few examples:

Reuben, the oldest, is painted in a noble costume.

Simon is portrayed as an uncivilized man in animal skins and armed with a sword and 

a club-like stick.

Issachar, who seems to be the most humble of the brothers, is portrayed as a farm worker.

Jacob, a favorite of course, is shown in very rich attire.

Jacob himself, is painted all bent over with a long greying beard.

Jacob

What a wonderful and exciting exhibit. The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend were so happy that we were able to enjoy this extraordinary exhibit.  It was worth the trip even dodging all the road construction along the Dallas freeways!

Meadows Museum

"Game Night" (movie critique)

GAME NIGHT
movie poster

A Dear Friend and The Travelling Toe decided to see the funny movie "Game Night" at the local Movie Tavern. We both felt the need for some laughs in our world!

Below is a synsopos of the movie from the internet:

Max and Annie's weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max's brother Brooks arranges a murder mystery party -- complete with fake thugs and federal agents. So when Brooks gets kidnapped, it's all supposed to be part of the game. As the competitors set out to solve the case, they start to learn that neither the game nor Brooks are what they seem to be. The friends soon find themselves in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn over the course of one chaotic night.

CAST:

Jason Bateman
Max

Rachel McAdams
Annie

Billy Magnussen
Ryan

Sharon Horgan
Sarah

Lamore Morris
Kevin

Kylie Bunbury
Michelle

Jessie Plemons
Gary

Kyle Chandler
Brooks

Michael C Hall
The Bulgarin

This was one of those funny movies where you leave your mind along with reality and common sense at the door but the movie does deliver laughs along the way.

The Travelling Toe awards this movie one 3rd toe up with your very own library of board games so you can have game night too!!

"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!!!