Vice (Movie 2018)

Vice is not a formulaic bio-pic on the 46^th Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney. It moves back and forth throughout his life to show the connections and importance of events. But something surprising is the tongue in cheek humor and surreal moments to highlight situations. You will hear this film stars Christian Bale. There is no Christian Bale here. It was Dick Cheney. Bale has to be the best actor in the modern era. I have seen some amazing performances this year but this was truly remarkable. We see in Cheney’s younger years no real drive or ambition. But once the taste for power grabbed hold there was no stopping him. This film shows the man to be smart, cunning, and ruthless. Amy Adams held her own in this as  Dick’s wife, Lynne Cheney. And Lynne is a force to be reckoned with herself. The cast all around was great. Sam Rockwell is believable giving us a good ole boy President George W. Bush. Steve Carrell gives a not very likeable Donald Rumsfeld. Tyler Perry plays the conflicted Colin Powell. Of course this also highlights the polarization of our nation with people these days either being far right or left of the aisle. Some will feel either it’s bashing one side or maybe that it didn’t go far enough. But whatever your political view might be I ask put it all aside if just to witness the tremendous talent of Christian Bale.

Patti LaBelle, Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA 12/15/2018

Patti LaBelle laid down some diva soulful grooves this December night in Medford. She came out in a black dress that was short in the front and had a train in the back. She had one costume change during the evening into a silver fringe dress. She started the set with New Attitude. And as she pointed out before she performed it, before Celine Dione had If You Asked Me To, it was a Patti song. She did If Only You Knew and a jazzy cover of Michael McDonald's I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near). Now this may surprise you to hear but my favorite part tonight was when she did her cover of Chris Stapleton's Tennessee Whiskey. She gave that song such feeling and depth. She gave us her hit with Michael McDonald On My Own and a cover from Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes If You Don't Know Me By Now. She had some fun with Lady Marmalade when she brought some  gentlemen from the audience up on stage to sing with her. The night was capped with a powerful rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. At 74 years old Patti can still belt out and hold those high notes.

Donny & Marie Holiday 2018 Tour, Chevalier Theatre Medford, MA 12/04/2018

My childhood met my adulthood at the Chevalier Theatre tonight. When I was a little girl every week I watched The Donny and Marie Show that aired from 1976 to 1979. I had the Marie Osmond doll with her pink and purple tiered dress. And Donny Osmond was one of my first crushes along with Shaun Cassidy from The Hardy Boys Mysteries. The brother and sister duo came out and started the show with We Need A Little Christmas. The stage was beautifully decorated with a large Christmas tree. During the show Marie did numerous costume changes that were sparkly in reds, greens, and whites. We got the usual Christmas songs. Donny and Marie did their sibling comedic jabs like days of old that had us all laughing. They interacted quite a bit with the audience which made it fun and personable. When Marie admitted at one point to having a hot flash on stage and downed a whole bottle of water in front us she joked "And they say Osmonds can't drink." She did a little of her hit Paper Roses. Be still my heart when Donny came out into the crowd and I looked into his eyes. He did his hit Puppy Love. To remember those who serve in our armed services Marie did Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. There were some touching moments in the show. When Marie acknowledged her son Michael who took his own life back in 2010 and then sang the song How Great Thou Art, I teared up. She raised the roof with that performance. Donny did Moon River in honor of the man who gave him and his family their big break, Andy Williams. Donny also did a wonderful rendition of Mary Did You Know. And lest I forget there was A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N Roll. I really had the feeling of being part of tv Christmas special.