Okay.  Let's get started.  Saw a fine feature film the other night:
THE GRAND SEDUCTION  with that incredible character actor
Brendan Gleeson.  It reminded me of the old Classics, such as TIGHT
LITTLE ISLAND  or  WHISKEY GALORE.  The Seduction's story
is ... a little "spit" of a cove is hard-up for work.  If the townspeople
can convince a  Doctor to move in, a Big Company will build a
factory for the people to work.
   How they get the doctor and how they keep him is hilarious.
A lovely film, shot in New Foundland with many odd, familiar
characters.  A Must-See for cinephiles.
  Ken

Rush

   Here goes my "personal picks" for  Awards (often called Oscars).

RUSH--- Ron Howard's masterwork of two men, vying for the top spot in their field.

   The subplot revolves around auto racing on the large scale, but the story of the two

men is totally engrossing.  My favorite scene was when two hitchhikers pick up the

Austrian hero and his girl.  It was hilarious... a perfect place to put a comic gem

before a disastrous crash.  A very underracted film.

SAVING MR. BANKS---  

Let's see... saw a couple of  Goodies recently:  documentary  MILIUS, a brilliant inspection of the
demented  genius writer that I went to school with.  He wrote and/or directed  RED DAWN,
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS,  LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN,
THE WIND AND THE LION,  CONAN THE BARBARIAN and  his Masterwork
APOCALYPSE NOW.  WOW!  What was the first Feature he directed?  Warren Oates and
Richard Dreyfus were in it.  DILLINGER,  I believe.  Correct me if I'm wrong.
   Saw a neat play titled  A CAT NAMED MERCY.  It covered a lot of ground with humor,
heart and good acting.  Mercy killing,  Racism,  our Health Program.  It plays at Teatro 101
on 1st Street opposite the Hollenbeck Police Station.  The image of a lady in black tights
holding a cat puppet and meowing as the Angel of Death. . .  hard to forget.
   Enough for now.  Save me a seat and hold the popcorn.
   Ken      DelConte

29 Jan 2014 Legit Gripe

   Okay.  I have a few personal gripes about the Oscar nominations.
No Robert Redford?  C'mon.  I have never seen a Feature film where
one person commands the screen without any other person.  Even
GRAVITY had two people.
   I have seen theatrical plays where one person plays various parts
and holds one's attention for an hour and a half (Witness  Christopher
Plummer in his one-man play, which is excellent).   Perhaps you have
to be a sailor or even a deck-hand on a boat or ship to appreciate all
that Robert Redford did.  He was incredible.
   And then  RUSH, Ron Howard's latest masterwork.  It should've been
Best Picture, Best Director, Best Music, Best Sound.  It concerned two
men vying for the top spot in their field.  Auto racing was the subplot.
To me, it topped  APOLLO  that Director Howard did years ago.
     More later.  Computer is giving me trouble.
   Ken