Spring has finally sprung in Northern California. After the rainy season of over 30-1/2 inches of rain, we are finally getting sunshine and warmer temps. (Today, it is 83 with a nice breeze!)
SATURDAY: The sunshine and good weather always gets us out of the house. This last weekend we spent Saturday in Lincoln Park and the Legion of Honor fine arts museum housing a special exhibit: Claude Monet, the Early Days (our second visit). Over 50 pieces from around the world on tour. Do see it if it makes it near you. Here are some photos (all but 8 pieces were allowed for non-flash photos!!).
Pristine vintage automobiles in the parking lot.One of our favorite, Monet.Urs Fischer, guest artist, contributes contemporary art to each gallery. These eyes are about 3 feet in diameter and more than a bit creepy!Rodin’s Thinker greets visitors in the Courtyard.Monet’s first public painting and one of our favorites.Our Christmas card from a couple of years ago! It’s awesome in full size.Another of our favorites. The sky and shadows are incredible.
SUNDAY: Warm breeze, clear skies, light traffic, perfect for a drive to Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County.
Hi from J&J. North Beach. We had the beach all to ourselves!Lots of waves and sand for miles. That is the National Seashore in the distance, as far as you can see.Everything, everywhere is green and growing.Stinson Beach from the headlands in the morning.Happy Spring to all! J&J
We hope you enjoyed. Let us know about your spring plans/travels. J&J
It is a bit odd to see such a powerful story about the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians at the end of World War I mixed with the romance of a love triangle.
While watching I kept thinking ‘didn’t we just see this movie’? And we were right, The Ottoman Lieutenant was released and we reviewed March of this year. Same story, just genocide light. That is not uncommon in Hollywood.
This production by Open Road Films has a bigger budget, $90 million and a much bigger cast. Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jean Reno, and James Cromwell are the most notable actors but there are at least as many more who gave strong performances.
Yet this film seems to have stirred up more chatter than usual. Romance versus brutality, genocide versus melodrama. It is a story that is still controversial today.
It is rated PG-13 but we caution it is not suitable for young children. It is listed as a Drama/History and runs a long 2 hours 15 minutes.
Rating
Lost City of Z
This movie was based on true events about the British Major and Explorer, Percy Fawcett who made three attempts to find a lost city in the Amazon. The last trip in 1925.
The acting is quite good, highlighted by Charlie Hunnam as the Major, Robert Patterson as the fellow explorer, Sienna Miller as the wife.
There is a surprise ending that we will not share in this review. Once again, true stories are often the most powerful. This one is interesting, unique and worth a watch. Rated PG-13 with some cautions. It is another long film running 140 minutes.
Rating
Cezanne and I (Cezanne et Moi)
This film is about the turbulent friendship between the writer Emile Zola and the Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne from the time they were young schoolboys together until late in life when both enjoyed a global reputation.
The production toggles from sumptuous and sensuous to indifference and protagonist. Cezanne, played by Guillaume Gallienne, is often moody and hateful. In balance, Zola is played by Guillaume Canet, whose character is patient, supportive and tolerant.
The critics were impressed, audiences not so much. It is really a shame. It is beautifully filmed but the brash, mostly hateful and often cruel Cezanne character was annoying in most scenes. In the end it was difficult to marvel at his life’s work. Now considered a visionary and a genius, I will remember the mean and tortured artist that was Paul Cezanne.
Rated R for language, sexual references and nudity, listed as a Drama, it runs 117 minutes. French with English subtitles.
This film is set in the near future where humans are “cyber-enhanced”. The lead character is named Major, played by Scarlett Johansson. She is the most advanced “model” now on a crusade to stop the bad guys until she discovers most of the guys are bad guys.
The other actors include Takeshi Kitano as a warlord, Juliette Binoche as the Doctor, and Michael Pitt as one of a dozen bad guys.
The story is thought provoking but the production is excessively futuristic. It is cluttered with too many future tech concepts seemingly intended to draw a cyber savvy audience.
It is the product of $110 million budget by Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks. It is rated PG13 and listed as a Fantasy/Mystery running 2 hours long.
Rating
Norman (The full title is Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer)
It seems most people and many critics loved this film. It was entertaining and unique but there was something about the characters that just didn’t work for me. I found the lead character sad and desperate.
Richard Gere plays the lead character to great fan fare, as Norman Oppenheimer, a “fixer” of sorts for all things apparently broken. I wanted to scream at Norman: “Get a real job”, better yet “get a life!”. There was no shortage of talented actors: Michael Sheen, Dan Stevens, Steve Buscemi, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lior Ashkenazi and many more deliver good to excellent performances.
It is listed as a Drama/Thriller by Sony Pictures Classics. Rated R and runs 1 hour, 57 minutes.
Rating
Born in China
This is our pick of the week! It is visually stunning. It exposes areas of China rarely seen by most humans. It focuses mainly on three different animal “families”; a mother Panda and her cub, a snow leopard and her two growing cubs, and a snub nosed golden monkey family.
There are plenty of other visuals as well but the focus on these three family groups are core to the films appeal. It is narrated by John Krasinski, produced by Disneynature and Directed by Lu Chuan.
It is rated G and listed as a documentary with a run time of 1 hour 16 minutes.
Greetings all! Sorry for the delay on Part 2. I’ll blame an overly active travel agenda and copious domestic demands that burned through the better part of a week.
This post will focus on various updates regarding lodging and eating establishments. I hope you will enjoy.
J&J
JW Marriott, Guanacaste
Now that our week has come to a close, it seemed appropriate to share some observations and comments.
First, accommodations. It seems most rooms, with the exception of a variety of suites, are more or less the same size, most with either a pool view, an ocean view or both. So a king room is the same size as a room with two doubles. The latter room came as a bit of a surprise since the rooms appeared large enough to accommodate the incrementally larger queen beds instead of the cramped double beds (at least for most adults).
You can see from the photos, a wonderfully large bathroom with a large soaking tub and an assortment of towels and goodies within easy reach. There is a comfortable stall shower with dual water options, a telescoping panel that allows for either privacy or a full view of the terrace and view beyond.
All rooms also have an over sized terrace with a table and chairs along with a settee, side table and a lap blanket. The balconies also come equipped with multiple speed ceiling fans and a retractable wall to wall, floor to ceiling perforated mesh screen that keeps bugs and birds at bay.
Food options were somewhat disappointing at the hotel. While there were several options available, i.e. Steakhouse, Italian, Asian, and poolside, much of the offerings were limited or repeated on many menus. The breakfast offerings, however, were extensive and satisfying with a wide choice of baked goods, juices, fruits, an egg station and all the usual morning goodies. Much to our surprise, the room service menu was also quite extensive and the food quality very good.
The bar service, as you might expect, was very good, plenty of staff and stations at hand to satisfy the large number of guests during peek service hours.
And speaking of service, the staff were well trained seasoned professionals. There were a couple of bad eggs. I will share that shortfall with the hotel directly in due time.
Eateries
Green Papaya Taco, #40, 50309, Corona Street, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
John, Jim, William, Matthew, Jennifer, Lucy
This cozy and casual taco bar is slightly off the main drag but has a loyal following of customers. There is an air conditioned inside space and a popular outside space with swings. But it is the quality of the ingredients that makes the food shine. Portions are generous and prices are very reasonable.
Rating
Nari Pizza and Pasta, Calle Central, Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, Tamarindo 50309, Costa Rica
This pizza and pasta restaurant is on the main street of Tamarindo serving excellent wafer thin pizzas and authentic pastas. We also liked their bruschetta and salads. The pizzas are cooked in a wood burning oven. There is a small air conditioned room downstairs but most tables are open air. The large upstairs area is popular in the evenings. Beer, wine and a full bar are available.
Rating
Walter’s Place, Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
Walter’s sunset on the beach
This popular beach restaurant serves more customers on the beach than inside. It is very popular around sunset and hosts excellent live music evenings. We stopped for cocktails and nachos that were excellent. The main courses we saw from the kitchen looked great but we already reserved a table elsewhere. Next time!
Rating:
Volcano Brewing Company, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Matthew, Jim , John, Jennifer
This is another popular beach front restaurant with a very popular bar. Cocktails, wine and beer are served inside or out (mostly out). The food was delicious, moist roast chicken with crispy skin, awesome soft or crispy tacos filled with your choice of ingredients. Again, very reasonable prices.
Rating
Beach Box, Playa Avellenas, Costa Rica (sorry, no picture)
Hands down, this was our favorite spot for tacos and burritos. This tiny beach side cafe served killer tacos, burritos, chips and salsa, fresh fruit juices and ice cold beer. It’s a bit off the beaten path but worth the rough road ride.
Rating
Last but not least…what could be better than the sheer joy of being with the ones we love?!
This unique documentary explores foods of Israel from many different perspectives: French, Italian, Russian, Lebanese, Persian, Moroccan and others. It is also an inside tour of the diverse peoples, histories and their culinary cultures and evolution.
Philadelphia chef Michael Solomonov leads the audience on a whirl wind tour of Israel to explore the origins and future of the ever changing food scene and its frontier state of mind.
If you are a foodie or a food focused international traveler you will enjoy this film. It is not rated and runs a hefty 2 hours.
Rating
Boss Baby
We had low expectations when we first saw the preview of this film. Our screening in the theater casted a very different opine with us. We were struck by the sophisticated screenplay, the quick witted narration that young and old in the audience instantly reacted to.
The cast is surprisingly small. Alec Balwin is the perfect Boss Baby, Lisa Kudrow and Jimmy Kimmel are the parents. Steve Buscemi and Tobey Maguire round out the key characters.
Critics place this movie in the middle of the pack. Sometimes funny, sometimes generic, often detached from reality. Newsflash, it is, duh, a twist on cartoons! We found it inventive and refreshing and most importantly, consistently funny.
Genre is Comedy/Animation, rated PG. Run time is 1 hour, 38 minutes.
Rating
Going in Style
This is yet another whimsical farce about retired workers confronted with evaporating pension benefits who then decide to rob a bank to get even. If it were not for the great cast, including Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin it would be just another formula mish mash.
There were also a few scenes that added a little sparkle including bit parts from Christopher Lloyd, Matt Dillion and an outrageously funny cameo by Ann-Margret.
Listed as a Crime/Comedy running 1 hour, 36 minutes.
April brings Spring break for many Mid Westerners and we have enjoyed many years with John’s sister, her husband and their two wonderful children, Lucy and William.
This year we decided on Costa Rica. We flew the five hour flight from Chicago nonstop to Liberia, Costa Rica’s newest international airport. It is in Northwest Costa Rica and serves the growing tourist destinations of that region. We spotted several airlines at the airport: United, Southwest, Delta, and American, along with many private jets.
Entering Costa Rica air space.
Taxis, shuttles, buses and private car services are available from the airport. We decided on a rental car. It is arguably best to book your car from a known rental company in the US. Do some home work. The airport does not have rental cars on site. Several companies serve the airport via shuttle service to the rental car lots in the area. Drive time to our resort from airport was about 80 minutes.
Note: some travel agencies offer prepaid transfers to the hotel/resorts. After arrival to the hotel we learned there was an Avis agency at our hotel. There was no such information on the hotel website regarding that agency.
JW Marriott Resort, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
We chose the JW Marriott resort in the state of Guanacaste as our base for our seven night stay. It is a full service resort with several restaurants and bars, a massive pool complex open 24 hours a day, luxury equipped extra large rooms with large balconies and/or patios. Service is excellent as you would expect from a five star property. It makes a great base to explore the Northern part of Costa Rica.
Pool complex by day. The beach is just beyond. Note, the surf can vary significantly depending on the time of day.Pool by night.Fellow sunbatherPoolside refreshment!Sugar thief!Lucy and William catching some rays at the pool.
Tamarindo
This is a nice day trip to the small town of Tamarindo, which hosts numerous restaurants, shopping and activities for tourists of all ages and interests. Touted as the top “surf and party destination”. We went for shopping and dinner at Nari, a pizza and pasta restaurant on two levels with indoor and outdoor options, part of a larger hotel complex.
Sunset from the beach at the popular town of Taramindo.
We all know a Wilson or two. That overly chatty, often foulmouthed person that just spews every thought that comes into his/her mind. Some thoughts sound reasonable, others range from absurd to vulgar to virtually insane.
This film is a character study of the Wilson’s out there in the world. Bobbling through life like corks in a river. No filters, some thoughts profound and truthful, others caustic and insensitive.
Woody Harrelson is Wilson. Laura Dern plays his ex-wife whose world seems like one long train wreck. Judy Greer is the young love interest that ultimately brings stability to the Wilson character.
On the down side, Wilson is his own worst enemy. One poor decision follows another to the point where this viewer really lost interest in the character. It is listed as a comedy but it is really a retrospective on so many of the sad, lonely misguided Wilson’s out there in the world. Run time is 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Rating:
The Sense of an Ending
We were looking forward to this film. We are both long time fans of Jim Broadbent and British themed movies. Others in the cast were Charlotte Rampling whose performance was a bit lackluster. On the bright side, Emily Walter was superb as the ex-wife.
By the end of the movie it wasn’t clear who had done what to whom, why, or when. There was intrigue and emotional content but we are guessing the book read better than the film.
It is rated PG-13 and the genre is listed as a Drama that runs 1 hour, 48 minutes.
Rating:
The Zookeeper’s Wife
Our favorite film of the week. First, it is a true story about the Jewish people of Warsaw, Poland towards the end of World War II where the zoo owners saved over 300 people from Nazi death camps. A serious topic to be sure, softened by great acting and talented film making by Director Niki Caro.
Jessica Chastain is brilliant as the Zookeeper’s wife. The German actor Daniel Bruhl plays the sinister German Commander. The zookeeper’s husband is played by Belgian (actor, playwright, screenwriter, theater and film director) Johan Heldenbergh.
Of course, there is another cast of characters that fill a needed gap, the animals. There is just the right mix of tension, terror and the chemistry between critters and people.
It is rated PG-13, listed as a Drama/History. It runs 2 hours, 6 minutes.
Rating
In Search of Israeli Cuisine
This documentary film is focused on the current food trends in Israel. Israeli- born chef of Zahav restaurant in Philadelphia, Michael Solomonov, takes us on a tour of the vast and diverse food scene that is catching the worlds attention.
The film is like taking a mini journey to Israel through the kitchens of chefs from Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, France, Italy and Russia. It is a unique look at contemporary Israel through fresh eyes: farm to table and sustainable, organic food as a universal neutral zone. It is a fascinating peek behind the curtain of Israel from a perspective we can all relate to. It made us want to travel back to Israel too!
The film runs two hours. Good news, it is mostly in English but there are a few excerpts in Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles.
It has been a busy couple of weeks since London. Two big museum shows. Monet: the Early Years at the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park was outstanding, made better by enjoying it with new friends from our recent trip to India.
Next was the Diebenkorn and Matisse exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and was a delight. If you are in the area, both are well worth a look.
We are still getting caught up on films. Here are the first few. More tomorrow.
We will hit the road again on Monday for a family visit in Wisconsin and a quick trip to Costa Rica. We will post from the road as time permits. Enjoy!
J&J
T2 Trainspotting
Remember Trainspotting from 20 years ago? It was touted as “visionary” and “groundbreaking”. Perhaps, but I recall it was confusing. Well T2 is hateful, sad, self destructive and caustic.
It is set twenty years later and this chapter is produced with an modern energetic look. Still listed as a Drama/Comedy. OK, Drama, yes (wayyy too much drama); comedy, well maybe to some viewers. We found very little to laugh at and most of the time we did not know what on earth was happening, nor why. More importantly, we didn’t really care. We were relieved when it was over.
On the upside, the cast was good: Ewan McGregor headlined, Johnny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner and Anjela Nedyalkova all giving solid performances. Unfortunately, we didn’t care much for the characters themselves.
Let’s wrap it up by saying ‘This is not the Britain we know and love!’ Rated R for violence and language. Two hours running time.
Rating
Frantz
Wow! Clearly this is our pick of the week. Set in Germany (and Paris) in post World War I, a young German woman and his parents grieve the loss of her fiance and their son when a young French soldier comes looking for Frantz’s grave.
During this period, the anguish of war is still fresh and painful. The French and Germans did not like each other much and at times it was difficult, even uncomfortable, to watch.
It is a beautiful film by the prolific French Director, Francois Ozon. There is an excellent cast including Pierre Niney, the French soldier; Paula Beer, the Fiance; Ernst Stotzner as Doktor (the father), Marie Gruber (the mother); and a bit part by Anton von Lucke as Frantz.
Overall, it is an instant classic period film with fascinating twists and turns. The genre is Drama/History and runs 1 hour, 53 minutes. French and German with English subtitles. Rated PG-13.
Rating
Raw
The critics overall LOVED this film. Comments like “classy looking” (translation: shocking and gross), and “deliciously fevered” (translation: cannibal horror). My favorite “playfully queasy and artfully gory” (translation: “it’s fun to have your stomach turn” and “blood and guts can be appealing under the right conditions…not”).
This is a French language film about two sisters attending veterinary college. The exhaustive hazing of new students is expansive and gross beyond anything we have seen at the movies before. Granted, this is unique. In fact, it makes one want to be a different species.
It does have a good cast of talented young actors. It was written and directed by a talented young female director Julia Ducournau. I’m thinking we were not meant to take it seriously. Rated R for gross images, violence, and lots and lots of blood. Listed as a Drama/Horror and runs 1 hour, 39 minutes with s surprise ending.
Thanks to heavily discounted United Airlines fares on the San Francisco to London Heathrow route we were able to spend a week in London last week.
The weather forecast was for rain everyday but on arrival we were pleased the forecasters were wrong. We had sunshine everyday except our last day.
We saw three musicals, three movies, a day at Hampton Court Palace and the rest of the time exploring new parts of town and new restaurants.
We hope you enjoy the photos below and some of the suggestions we offer for your next visit.
J&J
Mercury’s statue at Piccadilly Circus.Morning view of Parliament from Piccadilly Circus.
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the town of Hampton, Richmond upon Thames. It is 11.7 miles from Central London. We took the Underground to the Waterloo Station where we boarded a Southwest train to Hampton, about 30 minutes away.
Note: We used London’s Oyster card which can be “recharged” with British Pounds at any subway or train station. The Oyster card can be used to and from the airport, buses, subways, and railways. Greater London is divided into 6 transit zones. For example: Central London is Zone 1, Hampton is Zone 6.
Entrance courtyard to Henry VIII Tudor style palace dating to 1514.Labyrinth of service areas to support the Tudor portion of the palace.Henry VIII and the Great Hall below.
200 years later, the Stuarts occupied the palace with extensive additions for William III.The Stuart’s expansion nearly doubles the size of the Palace.Self portrait in William III throne room.Lunch suggestion. Prince of Wales (pub), 23 Bridge Street, Hampton Court, East Molesey KT8 9EU www.princeofwaleskt8.co.uk
The Wallace Collection
We finally had time to visit one of our favorite art museums in central London. It is open 7 days a week. It’s free, and set in a historic London Townhouse with an incredible collection of old masters, furniture, porcelains and armory.
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN, United Kingdom. www.wallacecollection.org
Theatre
Theater in London is always a high point for any visit. Shows are plentiful, prices are affordable (especially when compared to US prices).
We like to use the TKTS kiosk in Leicester Square. It is owned and operated by the Society of London Theaters. That means there is no middle man so prices are comparatively affordable.
We saw three matinees the week we were there.
Kinky Boots in the Adelphi Theater, based on real events this musical is funny, charming, clever and relevant. The show runs 2 hours, 30 minutes. Our seats were right of center stage about 10 rows back and cost about £45 each.
Rating.
Beautiful – Carol King Musical played in the Aldrich Theater is based on the life of Carol King. It is very entertaining, engaging, often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking and always entertaining. The run time is 2 hours, 25 minutes. The encore will get you on your feet! Our seats were in the rear third of the orchestra section but with a great view of the stage. Our tickets cost just under £40 each.
Rating.
Dreamgirls played at the gorgeous Savoy Theater. The famed Broadway production has been around for years but we had never seen it. It was a spectacular show with a super talented cast. It is a modern day classic story and a great production. Run time was 2 hours, 40 minutes. Our seats were third row on the left, an awesome view. The tickets were £50 each.
Rating
Note: Plane tickets to London are still affordable. British Airways just announced new nonstop service Oakland to London Gatwick for $503 round trip. Other cities pairs are even less!!
This is a charming documentary about the thousands of cats that have roamed the streets of Istanbul for centuries. (It is also a delightful reminder of how nice Istanbul can be in good weather and calm political periods.)
Cat people will find this movie enchanting since it showcases the behavior cats demonstrate when they co-exist with people in the broader society rather than being kept as mere pets.
It is also a social commentary about the people who exhibit random acts of kindness caring for these independent yet dependent felines.
It is unrated and runs 1 hour, 20 minutes. The cinematography and musical score make it worth a look.
Rating
The Belko Experiment
This is a horrific film! If you like the recent The Purgetrio of slash movies you will undoubtedly love this movie too. This one is set in a remote area of Bogata, Columbia in a midrise office building where the 80 employees are suddenly trapped inside.
It is rated R for extreme violence and gruesome scenes for gore sake. The violence is relentless and meaningless. It is listed as an Action/Thriller and runs an exhausting 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Critics have noted commentaries of social behavior and Corporate banality but I say poppycock. Blood and gore for shock effect is simply just a waste of time and resources. John gets a big raspberry for picking this one!
Rating
Life
Hmm…Astronauts aboard an International Space Station discover a new life form for the first time ever! They quickly realize this life form is dangerous and evolving rapidly. Duh! I’m not a scientist or an astronaut and I could have told you that, and more.
It is a shame really because this was a well acted, well produced film about a relevant topic that just missed its target.
Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Furguson, Hiroyuki Sanada and Ariyon Bakare round out a good solid cast.
Fortunately there are enough surprises to make it worth while and a surprise ending that is thought provoking. It is listed as a SciFi/Thriller. Rated R for some unnerving scenes and may not be suitable for little ones. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes.
