Isn't It Romantic (Movie 2019)

Isn't It Romantic is a romantic/comedy that lovingly pokes fun at that particular genre of film. Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) stars as Natalie who is informed by her mother while watching Pretty Woman as a child that women who are not the perfect size and look, such as themselves don't have those happy endings like in the movies. Natalie has grown up with that in mind and feels invisible in the world. When she accidentally bangs her head she wakes up in an alternate reality.  She finds herself in the perfect rom/com version of her life. Having the spotlight on her is very uncomfortable for Natalie. But there are lessons to be learned in this reality that she has woken up in. All the cliches are here from romantic/comedies. Of course you have the 2 potential love interests for the heroine. There are video like music and dance sequences. And the fabulous wardrobe and shoes. There are some good laughs and a positive message at the end to boot. All in all a good time. Adam DeVine (Pitch Perfect), Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), and Priyanka Chopra (Quantico) also star.

Green Book (Movie 2018)

Green Book is a motion picture that is inspired by a true story. It is set in 1962 when Dr. Don Shirley who is an African-American virtuoso concert pianist is about to begin a tour of the American deep south. He and his record company realize he will need a driver that could handle the possible situations a black man traveling in the south in the early 60s would run into and get him to his tour dates safely and on time. Hired for the job is Tony “Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) who is an Italian-American from the Bronx and a bouncer. The title of the movie comes from the book given to Tony by Dr. Shirley’s record company. The Negro Motorist Green Book was an actual publication that helped African-Americans navigate the segregated south by listing safe places for them to find food and lodging. Tony is prejudiced himself but a job is a job. During the journey both men learn to see things differently through each other’s eyes.   A striking realization was to see how Dr. Shirley felt like he did not belong anywhere. He had accomplished so much for an African-American at that time which made him feel out of place with his own race and white people did not accept him because he was black. There has been some controversy with this film with some who feel that once again Hollywood has taken away from the black community and literally whitewashed a story about one of their own including some of Dr. Shirley’s family members. I won’t argue with his family on their feelings or opinions because after all it is their family. But I can tell you this movie educated and entertained me. I had never heard about the Negro Motorist Green Book. This chapter of history I had never known. And the characters in the movie are so well drawn out. The acting by Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley has already won him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

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.  

The Girl In The Spider's Web (Movie 2018)

The Girl In The Spider's Web is the follow up to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I had such high expectations for this but it just didn't deliver. Whereas the first had such depth and complexity The Spider's Web was so simplistic and dull. Claire Foy ( The Crown) takes the role this time of Elisabeth Salander. She puts in a decent enough performance though there wasn't much for her to work with. In this film Elisabeth is hired to steal a computer program that can access nuclear weapon codes by the creator of it. But soon the NSA and the Russian underworld come searching for it. There was so much that could have been tapped into here that only touched the surface. They could have played more on the obvious attraction and tension between Elisabeth and Mikael Blomkvist but that was just a glance here or there. They should have expanded more on her sister Camilla. Her character was as good as a cardboard cutout. I couldn't hate her or feel bad for her. There wasn't anything to see or give me any investment in these characters. And I didn't even have the action sequences to fall back on for excitement. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive in a movie trailer. I was promised so much in that preview but it didn't happen.

Paul Anka, Chevalier Theatre Medford, MA 11/04/2018

Tonight the Chevalier Theatre was host to legend Paul Anka. He brought with him not only his hits, but tributes to Frank Sinatra as well as many memories of famous artists he has known throughout his long career. I was lucky to be seated near the right side entrance where he walked in to begin the show. He was wearing a black suit, tie and a red handkerchief in the pocket. He performed You Are My Destiny. He did a faster paced tempo on Diana which I really enjoyed. There was his 1974 #1 hit You're Having My Baby, Lonely Boy, Puppy Love and Put Your Head On My Shoulder. He sang the hits he wrote for others like She's A Lady which Tom Jones is known for and the monster hit for Frank Sinatra My Way. Since this tour is Anka Sings Sinatra: His Songs, My Songs, My Way! he did some other Sinatra hits. He did a poignant cover of It Was A Very Good Year. Before he did Strangers In The Night he recollected how Frank was telling him how he was given this song and he didn't think much of it. Well Frank of course gave in and the rest is music history. Paul paid tribute to his late friend Sammy Davis Jr with Sammy on screen singing the song Paul wrote for him I'm Not Anyone. He finished off the night with New York, New York. Paul Anka has such a powerful voice. The sound of the orchestra transported me right out of Medford. When music is that good it's hard to come back.