Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Christmas carolers
May you be warm, well fed and surrounded by familial love.
Peace to all,
j
Happy Chanukah and Happy Christmas-
December 8th, 2015Ignore the bad reviews including Forbes. I loved Spectre!
November 30th, 2015Ignore the bad reviews including Forbes. I loved SPECTRE!
Yes, another Bond movie, another song (Sam Smith is not memorable for me at all as the singer ;-( another steady girlfriend—wait! What happened to Vesper Lind?
Where have you been? She drowned herself as a traitor to 007. However, (yum, yum) 148 minutes with Daniel Craig is waiting for you at the cinema.
Enter, Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux). A French doctor, no? (so smart and educated too). Just wondering if she graduated at 15 from high school because she didn’t look old enough to have a Phd. Also, turns out, she was the daughter of Mr. White, remember him? He was the one who enslaved Vesper and caused such anguish for our beloved Bond. But wait, there’s more cuz the plot thickens…
First of all, the opening is one of the most “SPECTRE-acular” ever. EVER. An immense undertaking—talk about a cast of thousands. Epic. As in Cleopatra.
A few “Firsts” that I noticed were:
- We got to see Bond’s cool pad—who knew he lived somewhere?
- Dr. Swann told Bond she loved him. Not even Vesper said those three words…
- Daniel Craig is listed as one of the producers—mucho dinero on the back end?
- Although, a mere shortchanged 15 minutes on screen, Monica Bellucci is an absolute knockout. Who gives a $#@% how old she is? Sexy is as sexy does.
- Not really a first, but why do all the bad guys malign the poor reclusive octopus/kraken/giant squid as their logo? Eg.: Hydra from the Avengers, Marvel Agents of Shield, and of course, Spectre.
There were some glaring continuity bloopers, but again, I enjoyed every minute of the cinematic glory of SPECTRE at the Angelika theatre. Even if Craig’s suits looked a tad too small, Guv’ner to be jumping off of the roofs in Mexico City…I would have preferred his shirts were completely torn off in the process than a single buttoned blazer with a fresh crisp white dress shirt. 😉
I read every Ian Fleming book on James Bond, 007 when I was 13 years of age. For me, Craig has depicted the closest portrayal of the character that was penned by Fleming— even more so than the Scottish Sir Sean Connery.
Bravo Barbara Broccoli! Cubby would have been proud how you have brought Bond forward into the new millennium. Or— maybe, not. He didn’t exactly make the Bond girls— poster girls for feminism.
Sigh. Heroes are so hard to find.
That’s all folks!
Peace, j
dia de los muertos, day of the dead, nov 1
November 9th, 2015Dia de los muertos gives new meaning to ”dancing on graves” as it is a South and Central American tradition of honoring those who have gone on before us with altars comprised of favorite things and foods. Celebrations of dining, dancing and musica is also a part of the tradition.
A big celebration which is also known in the Catholic religion as All Saints Day is on the same day.
Which lady used decals? The other two painted their faces…
Betcha’ you couldn’t tell—decals baby!
A typical altar dedicated to a dearly departed…
All my friends drive a low rider…
God bless all the heavenly saints and dearly departed,
jeanne
Questions that make you go, “Hmm”…
October 27th, 2015Opening night at the San Diego Film Festival this year screened the U.S. premiere of “Septembers of Shiraz” starring Adrien Brody and Salma Hayek, a story about a rich family (Brody plays an Iranian Jewish jeweler whose family and he become persecuted under the Ayotollah’s regime). This film for the record, was not my favorite—ever. It felt all the same—not enough shifts in the emotional tone of the story and frankly, the story despite the heavy subject of the very real persecution of Persian Jews in Iran was flat and unemotional for me. It was a lot of telegraphing by music and dialogue of what was to happen next and not enough showing.
The gorgeous Hayek was ill cast in my humble opinion. She did not feel authentic for me as a Persian Jew—her accent still sounded Mexican and her personality did not strike me as a 1970s Middle Eastern woman…and nothing pulled me out of the story faster than those four inch platform designer shoes while everyone was running around in flats on the dusty streets! And I am not talking Elton John platform (apropos for the ’70s —I am talking, ‘short woman complex with a lot of money I will tell the stylist what I want to wear platform shoes’.
Brody’s earnestness and commitment to the character couldn’t save it either. He didn’t seem comfortable in the role and therefore, neither was I comfortable for him.
Fifteen minutes into the movie, Hayek calls her husband, “Baby” and it rang so false, I cringed physically and for the rest of the film, it felt like watching a bad accident. I blame the director, Wayne Blair on this. He couldn’t hear this falsehood…and a few others?
Shohreh Aghdasloo was the only authentic quality in the film other than the perhaps, the Manischewitz (I presume) wine served at Shabbat. Even the location seemed less than par. I think everyone’s heart was in the right place with this story but unfortunately, it really was not only too long but dull performances and dull storytelling.
The Q & A afterward revealed a very shy Adrien Brody which Tonya Mantooth handled with her usual gracious and sensitive dexterity.
My favorite question that made me go, Hmmm—was from a man in the audience directed at Brody:
“Did you use a butt double for your naked scene?”
Well, you can imagine the laughter (relief from the film being over?) that ensued, myself included. Brody’s response was sincere flabbergastedness (I made this word up)…he couldn’t even answer and professed he didn‘t know how to. For the record, the naked scene was a torture scene of Brody in prison which even the torturing couldn’t elicit sympathy. Sigh. I really wanted to respect this film—but it simply couldn’t rise to the powerful true story of “12 Years a Slave” opening two years ago.
Actor Adrien Brody receiving the Cinema Vanguard award at the San Diego Film Festival Tribute
Geena Davis also at the Tribute receiving the inaugural Reframed Humanitarian Award
Social Justice Panel at Sparks Gallery – San Diego Film Festival
From left: Filmmakers, Thomas Morgan, Hayley, Jack Robbins, Leslee Udwin, and Kweku Mandela
Someone in the audience asked if politicians were a good avenue for making change and Ms. Udwin answered they were a complete waste of time and the audience cheered and clapped. That was a question that made me go, ”Hmmm” because I disagreed and contemplated making the disagreement public and then…
The absolute perfect conflict was when Mr. Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s grandson) intervened vehemently by disagreeing and said that politicians were indeed a valuable resource and that they should always be held accountable for being part of any change for the better.
And I applaud his contention and say AMEN, brother!!
That’s all folks. Be well,
jeanne
Jason Segel is a funny yet serious…“superhero of a smaller country”
July 30th, 2015
Actor Jason Segel and eleven time Emmy winner, Tonya Mantooth, SDFF’s Director of Programming
In case you missed the memo, the San Diego Film Festival is here to stay and rocking the Casbah (or Arclight La Jolla in this case). The V.I.P. monthly screenings include a hosted bar, gourmet appetizers and an independent film screening. Which is usually followed by a Q & A with a cast member, director or writer from the film.
The final July screening was called, The End of the Tour, a Sundance Film Institute project.
This film is about a heretofore unpublished five day interview by Rolling Stone’s reporter, David Lipsky with novelist David Foster Wallace. This was an actor’s dream because the entire script was dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. With plenty of unspoken nuances between Jesse Eisenberg (playing Lipsky) and Segel (playing DFW). It was a very cerebral, intense two hours and thirty minutes. Do not expect Jurassic World nor Guardians of the Galaxy.
Speaking of…Segel willingly confessed when he was much younger, he used to playact so much, he once went to school with a Superman costume under his clothes. Apparently, he really, really wanted to be a superhero.
After sharing this story at a first time meeting with James Ponsoldt (director) and Eisenberg (and subsequently at the Q & A with us, the audience)—Well, Captain America, Segel self-admittedly is not—there was a small quiet pause and Eisenberg softly said, “You could be a superhero of a smaller country.”
Needless to say, Segel and Eisenberg got along famously.
Literally. And figuratively.
You can well imagine the hilarious uproar that ensued…it was a full house and superhero fun.
Come join the laughter at the Festival! —j
How would have wordsmith Cousin Jimmy answered?
July 30th, 2015
Hola Summer!! Hola Chef Luisteen!!
We attended a summer fiesta in Santa Luz with the very continental, French Biddyman (an affectionate nickname and another story) where we were served the most exquisite meal.
This taco was so amazingly fresh, sophisticated, and so beautiful—How would have eloquent and wordsmith Cousin Jimmy have answered regarding the meal?
“Yummy and delicious!”
Exotic ingredients included;
- prickly pear cactus (nopales)
- sweet cranberry confit
All the ubiquitous Mexican fixings were offered such as:
- avocado
- cilantro
- radishes
- cucumber
- red onion
Handcrafted tomatillo, chipotle, picante and lime salsas. All minced or sliced for easy eating and heating. The toppings were served on a very user-friendly, cereal bowl-sized handcrafted corn tortilla by Auntie and cooked in rapid speed by her nephew, Chef Luisteen. Chef Luisteen is from Puesto which is a family affair: there is a street food truck and two locations, downtown and La Jolla.
The grill was from Europa and was designed for crepes (a little French slipped in there). The cheese was the first to be heated (looked like a scrambled egg with guest selected toppings added to the cheese). There was steak and chicken for the less adventurous. I had six— one of everything!! (Shh, who’s counting.)
Next fabulous party—Chef Luisteen will be serving it up for us.
Salud, j
San Diego Film Festival is Coming!
June 22nd, 2015Get your passes NOW!
Exciting international and national indie film submissions
are coming in fast and furious from:
- Israel
- Greece
- India
- Philippines
- Los Angeles
- New York
The above mentioned countries and cities are just to name a few. Over 2,000 submissions are being pared down to 100 as I write.
There have been eight films in the previous San Diego Film Festivals that were Oscar nominees (Wild and The Imitation Game –The Imitation Game was also a winner for Best Adapted Screenplay).
And the year before, an Oscar WINNER! (12 Years a Slave). It just keeps getting better and better.
Variety magazine (“the Industry’s” bible) has agreed to partner with SD Film Festival again. Guess what?!
That means more great parties, more movie stars, industry professionals AND…more great films.
See you on the Red Carpet,
-j
SAVE THE COLORADO RIVER UPDATE
May 28th, 2015
Across the Colorado River basin—throughout all 7 states—over 75% of the water diverted out of the Colorado River is for agriculture.
In some states like Colorado, nearly 90% is diverted out for agriculture, with a significant portion of that used for growing hay and corn which is fed to cattle in “Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations” (CAFOs, also known as feedlots) and then the animals go to slaughterhouses where the meat is shipped all over the planet.
Further, some of the hay that is grown in Imperial Irrigation District of Southern California as well as in all of the seven states is shipped to China to feed the burgeoning dairy industry there. Making this even more problematic is that the hay is often shipped free of charge in the ginormous container ships that come tot the U.S. loaded with Chinese retail merchandise and would otherwise go back to China empty.
We already know that the amount of water needed to produce one hamburger is also ginormous compared to the amount of water to support a vegetarian diet. As always, PETA has long advocated a vegan diet which would use less water.”
Campaign Coordinator – Save the Colorado River Campain http://savethecolorado.org
I drove through Brentwood, Los Angeles the other day and what do you think I saw?
Green, green grass on all the mansions front lawns.
Yeah. Some people simply don’t care about the badge of honor: brown grass. Kind of like not caring about carrying the poop bag for your dog walks…
And what ever you may think of PETA or meat—-You gotta love Pamela Anderson’s dedication to a vegan diet!
Blessings,
j
The Glass Slipper
May 11th, 2015
As a former shoe junkie, I certainly loved the story of Cinderella, the glass slipper and her fairy godmother with her magical wand. Who wouldn’t want an entire fabulous, sparkly outfit from head to toe constructed from thin air and for free? Oh wait, movie stars get it for free.
Anyway, throw in a handsome, rich Prince and life is good.
As one of life’s greatest ironies, my youngest daughter’s favorite princess of all the Disney princessess was Cinderella (the gilded shoe doesn’t fall far from the decorative box)…so thanks to Ms. Laurel and Mr. Bernie, we were their sixth row guests of a transformative two hours and twenty-five minutes from reality at the Civic Theatre. Sans the Bibbi-dee, bobbi-dee boo.
Yeah, yeah, I know that feminists would like to reconstruct all fairy tales to have empowered, self-reliant and practical feminine characters who wield pension plans and mergers in the boardroom instead of stilletos and gossamer tulle—and that in reality, a handsome Prince doesn’t show up and rescue one from poverty and abuse but that Cinderella would instead be the founder of a ‘battered women’s’ shelter.
However, the Prince was clueless about the poverty and disadvantaged in his kingdom. (Today, the disadvantaged are the homeless who live under our freeway overpasses. In fairy tales, they are the peasants who live in hovels). It took Cinderella to bring that to his attention. Really? Then he must be a good-looking, tall bimbo.
At least, that is how Rodgers and Hammerstein saw it.
And may I remind you, princesses can only become a queen if they marry a Prince who becomes King or they inherit the throne from a monarch parent. Hear ye, hear ye Cinderella: Sheryl Sandberg has a message, ”LEAN IN”.
The real morale of the story is that Cinderella’s virtues are:
- Forgiveness
- Kindness
- Charity
The tenets of Christianity and a cheerful attitude saved Cinderella’s harsh imprisonment from defeating her. And the fact this is a fairy tale. The good thing is— the Prince saw beyond her fabulous, sparkly outfit (I assume Cinderella was A.D.) and was attracted to her goodness. #whatsinsidethatcounts.
So maybe, he wasn’t such a bimbo. Anyway, I would have had a hard time forgiving that awful gold-digging beast of a Stepmother.
The comic relief in the play came from not the singing birds and mice, but from the plus size stepsister with the mouth from the south, Charlotte (played to the hilt by Aymee Garcia). She got all the laughs with her self absorbed, larger than life personality (no pun intended).
And the real magic was how Wardrobe Supervisor, Donna Landis Peck made Cinderella’s dresses transform magically right on her body. It was a genuine and audible, “OOOH, AAAH” from the audience (self included) when Cinderella was outfitted by Marie, the Fairy Godmother (Kecia Lewis is an amazing singer and stage presence in lavendar taffeta).
Thanks to fairy tales, we left the theatre smiling and feeling happy because all was right in our kingdom. (Psst, the gentleman next to me had a tear running down his face when the Prince rescued Cinderella! It was that good. Either that or he couldn’t wait for it to be over.)
By the way, the starlit glass slipper was designed by Stuart Weitzman. Sigh. Where is my fairy godmother?
Blessings,
j
Brave New Hair
March 13th, 2015So my dear friend Beth Ann has conquered cancer! She like Columbus, took the long way. It was a year ago last month that she started down the yellow brick road back to the land of the living. She is cancer free and done with drugs. Really done with drugs. Like doesn‘t even want to pop Advil.
I on the other hand, have embraced the short “do” so much I have not gone back to long tresses. Now I understand why men are always waiting impatiently. May I just say, it is not the clothes or the shoes, nor the make-up. It is the damn hair-do!
- Up or down?
- Blow-dry or air dry?
- Headband or clips?
- Behind the ears or in front?
- Color or more color (no woman over 50 wants to be fifty shades of any kind of grey)
- Yada-Yada.
When I first went bald, I felt like an Asian Lady Boy—or a Buddhist monk who should be clothed in saffron and burgundy. I could have chanted Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo or whatever…and gave out chrysanthemum leis and no one would have questioned my faith or gender.
Often, people would let me cut to the front of the line as if I might expire before reaching the register. (I was never sure if they thought I had cancer or it was a Pay It Forward act, in any case, I confess I did use the “C” card). Or they would cut me off—afraid to look at me. As if I would contaminate them with a glance. I always accepted the cuts and made sure to run my cart into theirs if they ignored me.
Not really.
But it was an amazing social experiement to be bald. Thank you Beth. I never would have known the freedom and sheer adrenaline to shave one‘s head was similar to natural childbirth. Less pain but lots o‘ adrenaline.
You wore it all with grace and dignity. The baldness and the illness. I am so glad to share more karaoke and laughs with you! Planning for the future is not something to take for granted so planning is back on. I especially love your pixie cut. Very youthful.
Here‘s looking at you kid! God bless you and you ARE blessed.
j
P.S. You too, Julia!!