The weather is slowly changing with only an occasional drizzle and just enough sunshine to make Paris glow.
Yesterday was filled walks through Les Halles and the Beaubourg neighborhood, followed by a movie and a casual walk home the Marais.
Today we explored the 9th Arrondissement known for its covered shopping passages, varied shops, the famous Follies Bergeres and a relatively low tourist presence.
We enjoyed a lunch of Moules Marinieres (mussels in a garlicky wine sauce) and Frites with a nice bottle of French Sancerre wine.
It was a delightful day getting reacquainted with a part of the city we have not visited in recent years.
The weather cooperated again today as we racked up 5.3 miles on our health meter. Here are some of our discoveries.
We arrived in Paris midday yesterday via the Eurostar fast train after a pleasant 2-1/2 hour ride from London! What a nice and affordable way to travel from the UK to Europe.
Today we started one of several walking tours on our agenda including the Viaduct des Arts, Bastille to Les Halles, a movie at Les Halles shopping center and entertainment complex. And finally back to our base near the Bastille (11th arrondissement).
What a remarkable film. It’s about space, an astronaut and his father, also an astronaut who is lost in space. It’s powerful, beautiful, challenging, occasionally confusing and arguable the best space film in quite some time. We saw it in a massive IMAX theater with a great Dolby sound system, well worth the extra cost.
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Set in Koreatown, Los Angeles, sister Kasie and brother Carey come together and struggle to care for their dying father.
Both under employed and struggling under weighty demands as caretakers, the two manage to keep their heads above water. It’s a unique story and a hit at both Sundance and the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. English and Korean with English subtitles.
Bonus! Our screening included a Q & A with the lead actress Tiffany Chu.
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It was a unique view of pre-coup Argentina in the 1970s. South America of the era was struggling with establishing a ‘new world’ society.
It delivers its story as an unraveled thriller. It’s also a bio on the corruption and chaos of the time. Spanish with English subtitles.
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Special note: A hearty HELLO to all our viewers! First, we so appreciate your support. We value your comments and feedback.
Our big news of the day is…tomorrow we depart for London and destinations beyond. We will explore much of Europe for the next 5 weeks, including visiting long time friends in Switzerland.
When and if we are able to view films, we will send reviews. If possible we will send pictures along the way. Love to all and cheers! J&J
This French film by Actor/Director Louis Garrel checks most boxes for French films released in the US. Good acting, an interesting screenplay and a “peculiar thicket love quadrangle”. It’s a bit “too much information” as the film softly comes to an end. French with English subtitles.
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Reviews like “charming and quirky” don’t quite describe this drama/comedy. Set in New York City, a compact family who operate a small theater, discover their “thought dead” mother is alive and acting as a soap opera star. It’s wacky but watchable. Judith Light is a hoot.
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The long awaited release of Downton Abbey follows the television series by the same name. It’s set in 1927 in the Yorkshire countryside.
It’s a complex story to describe. Imagine the dynamic of the traditional monarchy, the King, Queen and their court on a tour of the country that instantly spawns conflicts of class, authority, influence, integrity, and arrogance. That said, it does not disappoint! High points: set decoration, cinematography and costume design.
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This is a documentary film about Molly Ivins. She was a national political columnist from Texas and described herself as a Liberal.
She was funny, mean, clever and sincere, often all at the same time. She was enormously popular nation wide. It’s timely given the tumultuous state of current affairs. It’s in very limited release. If possible, don’t miss it.
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This film, based on true events, has managed to attract large audiences, especially young adults. It’s about a group of young strippers in 2007 at a Manhattan strip club catering to Wall Street clientele.
While the story was executed well, it wasn’t long before the topic became tedious. The film relies heavily on the “underdog” factor but there is no apology for the collusion and damage caused. Jennifer Lopez delivers a standout performance.
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Set on a remote mountain in Columbia, South America, this is a bizarre story about eight teenage guerrilla fighters, a cow and an American woman hostage. The group embraces cult rituals and takes instruction by radio.
It’s enormously confusing and quite violent. While the story is occasionally stunning visually, the violence and extreme hazing plunge this film into a bizarre abyss. Spanish with English subtitles and in very limited release.
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What a unique and intriguing documentary film. It’s about a photographer who lived most of his career in a six story, 35,000 square foot former bank building in New York City’s Bowery neighborhood. He agrees to sell the building for $55 million and needs to move.
It’s quirky, often funny, occasionally goofy. It’s sometimes a bit dull but at the same time it can be inspiring and entertaining. We loved it!
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This film was a hit at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival winning the Audience Award. This dramedy is sometimes funny but more times it’s just a peek at someone’s personal mess.
We think it is supposed to be inspiring but it falls flat in the middle and struggles to get back into positive territory.
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This is the story of one mans life from the age of 13 well into his adult years. His mom dies when he is 13 and his immediate family experience is less than ideal.
That said, it’s a unique story with several plot twists that keep it interesting. It’s based on the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. It’s worth a watch.
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We recently spent a weekend with Jeff and Wendy, long time friends of ours. They invited us to their mountain home near the small town of Arnold, near Angels Camp at the 5,000 foot level of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
It’s a bucolic setting with endless rivers, streams, hiking and magnificent forests and scenery.
A high point of our visit was an afternoon strolling the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to one of the largest stands of giant sequoia redwood trees, many dating as old as 2,000 years.
Some of these trees are over 325 feet tall and some have trunks 33 feet in diameter. The Park is popular in good weather. It’s visitor friendly, children friendly and there are ADA facilities throughout.
This is a powerful story delivered by an exceptional cast and a unique script. To be fair it’s flawed by a corruption subplot, too much violence and a supernatural element that fails.
Nonetheless, the story ends with a surprise ending. We felt the overall package deserves larger audiences.
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WOW! For anyone who is a fan of the contemporary music scene, especially the most successful female singers of the 20th century, this is a must see. Linda Ronstadt is an icon among 20th century vocalists.
Add rare footage of performances and insider footage and you can understand why this film is attracting sold out audiences nationwide.
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This is a historical piece that is a bit confusing but ultimately satisfying. It’s loosely based on a famous socialite, Vita and the infamous Virginia Woolf . The collateral fallout and story make it interesting but hardly compelling.
The production quality makes it worth watching but be advised the script drags on and on. On the up side, it is unique, and a fascinating peek at an iconic piece of history.
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This youth inspired reflection on Mexico City in the mid-80’s is filled with all the angst and torment most generations experience at some point in their lives.
This film just happens to benefit from a great cast, the expert mix of revolt, underground nightlife, drugs and sexual liberty. Spanish with English subtitles.
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Wow! What an unexpected revealing look at singer-songwriter David Crosby, a music icon, now in his 70’s. This documentary is jammed with fear, regret, drugs, sex, heartbreak and soul searching.
It’s also a powerful reminder of incredible talent, perseverance and forgiveness. What a roller coaster ride through music history during our lifetime.
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This film is based on true events from the Bush and Blair administrations. The US and the British Intelligence ensnare UN Security Council members with blackmail to approve the invasion of Iraq.
It’s masterful film making and a reminder of a dark chapter in global events. Keira Knightley is superb.
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