Most people don't know this, but I am an accomplished tripper - no not day tripper - falling down, clumsy tripper.
My falls have diminished somewhat over the years, which is good, because it's much harder to get up at my age.
Years ago, the guy I dated at the time witnessed several falls which always included the side effect of my handbag flying off in the distance.
He crowned me the gold medalist of Olympic Purse Tossing - it's not officially recognized by the IOC, but if it were...wow, I'd be helped up to the pedestal, bite the gold medal (surely breaking a tooth), and then trip off in spectacular fashion! I'd be a You Tube sensation!!! After all, I was strongly influenced by the Ministry of Silly Walks. (Don't know your Python? Shame on you!)
The times I fell in front of him were so numerous that he scored them. I got several perfect 10s.
Even though I don't fall much these days, I fell the other day. My elderly father and I were entering a popular chain restaurant. I tripped coming in and went down in the entryway - yep, tossing my designer bag...However, the entryway was small, leading to an interior set of doors, so my purse toss wouldn't qualify.
My father stood there screaming, "Help! help! My daughter's down!" Actually I was on my side like the Andrea Doria, not down like the Titanic.
At any rate, two handsome young men employed by the establishment came and got me to my feet. They were very nice about it, I must say.
Alas, the after-effects of falling are much different at my age than they were in my youth. I was shaking so much I knew I needed sustenance right away. So I said to the waitress after she took our orders, "bring us some chips and salsa, please."
And, like any true Texan, naturalized or native, that did the trick. The shaking stopped with the advantageous application of carbs and the manna of the gods, salsa! Talk about a remedy!
I've spent the last few days with various aches and pains, and a bit of stiffness. But I am better each day. Nothing was broken or even bruised.
But I think I will make that my last hurrah...It's time I gave up the crown of Olympic Purse Tossing. I'll leave it to the younger ones, coming up behind me. My legacy will live on in the annals of tripping history, for being at times spectacular, but never seriously injurious.
Besides this last time was so unique, it's a good time to retire.
I mean, how many people do you know who fall INTO Chili's? Everybody else falls OUT of Chili's, especially after happy hour.
That being said, yes, I am still working on my project, but found time to write this today.
Take care and keep enjoying our wonderful pop culture.
sd
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Just a Quickie...
Hello. I wanted to write and let you know I haven't forgotten my blogs, nor am I moving again, nothing like that.
Instead, I am working on a project that is taking all my time for the next couple of weeks - although I may sneak in a review if my other work is going well.
It's cold here, too, but no precip. It's due to warm up here to the 70s and then the 80s for the next week. That's more like it!
Until I write again, take care, and enjoy our wonderful pop culture. (And yes, that includes the Olympics...I'm partial to the figure skaters and the alpine events...)
Instead, I am working on a project that is taking all my time for the next couple of weeks - although I may sneak in a review if my other work is going well.
It's cold here, too, but no precip. It's due to warm up here to the 70s and then the 80s for the next week. That's more like it!
Until I write again, take care, and enjoy our wonderful pop culture. (And yes, that includes the Olympics...I'm partial to the figure skaters and the alpine events...)
Friday, February 7, 2014
Dixie Cowboy by Dolores J. Wilson
One of my favorite authors, Dolores J. Wilson, has written another winner. Her latest novel is Dixie Cowboy. It is the story of Katlyn Mays, only daughter of the town's wealthiest banker. Her job at the bank includes delivering foreclosure notices to local landowners who are behind on their payments. It is the least favorite duty she has - although to be fair, she doesn't really like her job at all.
On one such visit to notify the landowner of foreclosure, she meets handsome cowboy, Tyler Davis, who is trying to save the Dixie Rooster ranch for his uncle Frank. Needless to say, Katlyn is affected by the meeting so much that she makes a life-changing decision. That's where the fun begins.
Known for writing lively scenes and great humorous dialogue, Ms. Wilson has incorporated her talents into a contemporary love story. The sense of humor is there in her scenes and her dialogue, but the love story of Katy and Tyler is not without its conflicts. The reader is drawn through the story, wondering how the conflicts will be resolved.
The characters are lively, real, and sexy as all get-out. It is a most enjoyable read.
Good job, Ms. Wilson!
Check it out, you'll like it.
Blurb:
Links for purchase:
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Kobo Books
On one such visit to notify the landowner of foreclosure, she meets handsome cowboy, Tyler Davis, who is trying to save the Dixie Rooster ranch for his uncle Frank. Needless to say, Katlyn is affected by the meeting so much that she makes a life-changing decision. That's where the fun begins.
Known for writing lively scenes and great humorous dialogue, Ms. Wilson has incorporated her talents into a contemporary love story. The sense of humor is there in her scenes and her dialogue, but the love story of Katy and Tyler is not without its conflicts. The reader is drawn through the story, wondering how the conflicts will be resolved.
The characters are lively, real, and sexy as all get-out. It is a most enjoyable read.
Good job, Ms. Wilson!
Check it out, you'll like it.
Blurb:
How can a city girl resist a Dixie
cowboy?
Serve those foreclosure
papers, or find another job.
Katlyn Mays never defies
her dad's orders, but how can she bear to evict elderly Frank Davis from his
beautiful Georgia
Her gaze snapped to the
message board on the porch. Hiring: Someone to handle reservations, make
deposits, pay bills, and manage housekeeping staff. The Dixie Rooster is a
working dude ranch.
"Hi, there," Frank Davis said. "I take it you're the reporter from the Cantor Gazette?"
"Hi, there," Frank Davis said. "I take it you're the reporter from the Cantor Gazette?"
Confused, Katy stammered for a second then found her voice. "No, sir. I'm
Katlyn-"
"Tyler
"I'm Tyler Davis." The cowboy shook her hand. "I'll be managing
the ranch until Uncle Frank gets back on his feet."
He held her hand longer than necessary. Blood hummed through her veins.
Captured by his gaze and lost in the crystal blue of his eyes, she felt their
power to the bottom of her stomach.
"Well, Katy," Tyler
Panic forced a knot in
her throat. Impulsively, she ripped the want ad from the message board and then
shook it slightly in Tyler
Dolores Wilson is
multi-published in women's fiction. Her novel BIG HAIR AND FLYING COWS was
nominated for the Publishers Weekly Quill Award as one of the top 100 humorous
books in the United States
Links for purchase:
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Kobo Books
Monday, February 3, 2014
In Memory of Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Actors - Before I expound here, let me share my background with you. I played my first part at the age of 6, in a school pageant. I played the lead, because I was the only one who could remember the lines. For the next fifty years (yep, that's 50) I acted, danced, sang, and directed my way through many productions. My degrees are in theater, both my BA and my MA.
That being said, I know actors, what makes them seek the stage, and how the best ones are made.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman was one of the very best it has ever been my privilege to see. He had the true gift to disappear into the role and become the character. No matter if he played the computer geek in "Twister", the enigmatic priest accused of child molestation in "Doubt", or the very real character of Truman Capote (for which he won his Academy Award), we believed him - lived the pain of the character through him. We recognized our own pain through his work.
Actors, and I'm not talking about a jock-become-action-star, use their own experience - their joy, their pain, their fear, to make their onscreen or onstage characters live. They open their worst memories and pull up their nightmares to become the characters.
Stanislavski called it "the Method" and became famous for developing the process.
In my case, I relived my mother's funeral a year after her passing, night after night during the run of a play. I never had trouble producing actual tears onstage. I had trouble turning them off at times. After each performance I was exhausted. I went home and crashed, only to get up the next day and do it all over again until the play's run ended.
Acting is not easy in any way. It's hard, gut-wrenching work. But some of us are driven to it.
It is a catharsis, but has its own pitfalls. The actor can become mired in his own pain.
Many actors have abysmal childhood memories. They never grow up entirely. They love to become somebody else to completely erase that child who suffered - whether physically, emotionally, or psychically doesn't matter. The lure of the escape into someone else is too strong to ignore.
But that escape, while fun in many ways, is also dangerous. The actor during the course of a play or movie from the first script reading to the final curtain or wrap-up, has to face his/her pain - look at something long since put away and deal with it.
The problem is once that emotional memory is opened and examined, it won't go easily back into the safe little box at the back of one's mind. It is a constant reminder.
That's when actors seek other kinds of pain relief - sex, food, alcohol, or drugs, to name the most popular - sometimes, they use all of them to dull the pain. The trouble is, pain such as this becomes harder and harder to handle. Use of whatever relief they choose becomes escalated, until they can no longer function.
When I heard about Mr. Hoffman's death and the manner of it, I knew. His pain overwhelmed him and he couldn't take it anymore. I'm not saying he knowingly committed suicide. I'm saying he needed more and more help to dull the ever present pain.
He was a truly brilliant actor, with few who could compete at his level. For us, it is a tragedy that his means of coping with the pain in his soul was the means of taking him. But for him, he is finally free. He can soar unencumbered.
I wish I had been able to see his performance as Willy Loman in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman." He won critical acclaim and a Tony nomination. I bet he was shattering the the role - in fact, I know he was.
To Phillip, the adult child, I say, in the poignant words of the old song, "this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you."
Rest in peace.
That being said, I know actors, what makes them seek the stage, and how the best ones are made.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman was one of the very best it has ever been my privilege to see. He had the true gift to disappear into the role and become the character. No matter if he played the computer geek in "Twister", the enigmatic priest accused of child molestation in "Doubt", or the very real character of Truman Capote (for which he won his Academy Award), we believed him - lived the pain of the character through him. We recognized our own pain through his work.
Actors, and I'm not talking about a jock-become-action-star, use their own experience - their joy, their pain, their fear, to make their onscreen or onstage characters live. They open their worst memories and pull up their nightmares to become the characters.
Stanislavski called it "the Method" and became famous for developing the process.
In my case, I relived my mother's funeral a year after her passing, night after night during the run of a play. I never had trouble producing actual tears onstage. I had trouble turning them off at times. After each performance I was exhausted. I went home and crashed, only to get up the next day and do it all over again until the play's run ended.
Acting is not easy in any way. It's hard, gut-wrenching work. But some of us are driven to it.
It is a catharsis, but has its own pitfalls. The actor can become mired in his own pain.
Many actors have abysmal childhood memories. They never grow up entirely. They love to become somebody else to completely erase that child who suffered - whether physically, emotionally, or psychically doesn't matter. The lure of the escape into someone else is too strong to ignore.
But that escape, while fun in many ways, is also dangerous. The actor during the course of a play or movie from the first script reading to the final curtain or wrap-up, has to face his/her pain - look at something long since put away and deal with it.
The problem is once that emotional memory is opened and examined, it won't go easily back into the safe little box at the back of one's mind. It is a constant reminder.
That's when actors seek other kinds of pain relief - sex, food, alcohol, or drugs, to name the most popular - sometimes, they use all of them to dull the pain. The trouble is, pain such as this becomes harder and harder to handle. Use of whatever relief they choose becomes escalated, until they can no longer function.
When I heard about Mr. Hoffman's death and the manner of it, I knew. His pain overwhelmed him and he couldn't take it anymore. I'm not saying he knowingly committed suicide. I'm saying he needed more and more help to dull the ever present pain.
He was a truly brilliant actor, with few who could compete at his level. For us, it is a tragedy that his means of coping with the pain in his soul was the means of taking him. But for him, he is finally free. He can soar unencumbered.
I wish I had been able to see his performance as Willy Loman in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman." He won critical acclaim and a Tony nomination. I bet he was shattering the the role - in fact, I know he was.
To Phillip, the adult child, I say, in the poignant words of the old song, "this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you."
Rest in peace.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Winter Magic by Elizabeth Sinclair
During our cold spell, I had the pleasure of reading Elizabeth Sinclair's new novel, Winter Magic. The fourth book in her popular Hawk's Mountain series, it was an engrossing read. Like her other Hawk's Mountain novels, I read it during the course of one evening.
It is the story of Jonathan Prince, the wealthy son of a prominent family. His father and his aunt want him to settle down and have children of his own. At 34, he has no illusions about why women seek him. He knows he is attractive, but it's his money they all want. How could he possibly trust any woman after his experiences? His elders persuade him to hire a new party planner, named Miranda Cameron, for their annual charity Christmas gala. He has seen Ms. Cameron before. She is an ambitious business woman who drives a red Ferrari. Jonathan is on to his father and his aunt. He knows they hope Miranda will turn out to be Ms. Right. Wrong!! She is just the type he abhors and tries to avoid.
Enter Miranda's twin sister, Andrea, known as Andi. She is a kindergarten teacher who loves her job. She dresses simply and sensibly. Andi treasures her "Teacher of the Year" necklace that she always wears, not designer clothes. Her car is an old battle-scarred orange Volkswagen Beetle. Though identical twins, they are two distinctly different individuals.
When Miranda has a medical emergency, she begs Andi to impersonate her and meet with the formidable Mr. Prince. Andi agrees with great reluctance. The action from that point gets very interesting. Jonathan is drawn to Andi when they meet. He is puzzled about the changes he senses in "Miranda" from their inital meeting. He finally decides that this is a ploy to ingratiate herself and win him.
The longer he works with Andi ("Please call me Andi. All my friends do...") the more drawn to her he becomes.
Winter Magic is a warm, inviting story, filled with the gentle humor indicative of Ms. Sinclair's writing. The love story does not run smoothly, as you can imagine. The reader is drawn along the roller coaster relationship between Jonathan and Andi. Each character harbors their own secrets and doubts about why their courtship will never work.
As always, the characters are superbly drawn. You will care about these people, laugh with them, and root for them.
Winter Magic is narrated by Granny Jo, the matriarch of the series. She is involved in the story's action as well. And for the fans, like me, who wanted to know her story, Ms. Sinclair has obliged us with an epilogue that tells the story of Granny Jo and her beloved husband Earl.
This lovely novel will leave you warm and smiling. The rich story will touch your heart.
Another fine novel, Ms. Sinclair!
Links to purchase:
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
It is the story of Jonathan Prince, the wealthy son of a prominent family. His father and his aunt want him to settle down and have children of his own. At 34, he has no illusions about why women seek him. He knows he is attractive, but it's his money they all want. How could he possibly trust any woman after his experiences? His elders persuade him to hire a new party planner, named Miranda Cameron, for their annual charity Christmas gala. He has seen Ms. Cameron before. She is an ambitious business woman who drives a red Ferrari. Jonathan is on to his father and his aunt. He knows they hope Miranda will turn out to be Ms. Right. Wrong!! She is just the type he abhors and tries to avoid.
Enter Miranda's twin sister, Andrea, known as Andi. She is a kindergarten teacher who loves her job. She dresses simply and sensibly. Andi treasures her "Teacher of the Year" necklace that she always wears, not designer clothes. Her car is an old battle-scarred orange Volkswagen Beetle. Though identical twins, they are two distinctly different individuals.
When Miranda has a medical emergency, she begs Andi to impersonate her and meet with the formidable Mr. Prince. Andi agrees with great reluctance. The action from that point gets very interesting. Jonathan is drawn to Andi when they meet. He is puzzled about the changes he senses in "Miranda" from their inital meeting. He finally decides that this is a ploy to ingratiate herself and win him.
The longer he works with Andi ("Please call me Andi. All my friends do...") the more drawn to her he becomes.
Winter Magic is a warm, inviting story, filled with the gentle humor indicative of Ms. Sinclair's writing. The love story does not run smoothly, as you can imagine. The reader is drawn along the roller coaster relationship between Jonathan and Andi. Each character harbors their own secrets and doubts about why their courtship will never work.
As always, the characters are superbly drawn. You will care about these people, laugh with them, and root for them.
Winter Magic is narrated by Granny Jo, the matriarch of the series. She is involved in the story's action as well. And for the fans, like me, who wanted to know her story, Ms. Sinclair has obliged us with an epilogue that tells the story of Granny Jo and her beloved husband Earl.
This lovely novel will leave you warm and smiling. The rich story will touch your heart.
Another fine novel, Ms. Sinclair!
BLURB:
He’s naughty. She’s nice. Will he believe her
reasons for masquerading as her twin sister, the high-society party planner he
hired to organize his charity fundraising gala? Or will he decide that this
kindergarten teacher is just another beautiful woman who’s willing to lie,
cheat, and seduce her way into his bank account?
Christmas onHawks Mountain
Christmas on
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Welcome to the palm lined tundra
What is with this weather? Places got snow that never had it before. We the people in the southeastern part of the country are not equipped for icy roads and snow pack (no matter now thin it might be.)
Okay, I cheated by lumping myself in with the folks in the above paragraph. I've faced blizzards and below zero temps when my parents lived in Chicago. I vividly remember one Christmas eve, flying in when it was 25 below for the ACTUAL temperature, and 80 below for the windchill - seriously. When we landed, the pilot came on the loudspeaker and said "Welcome to the tundra." We all looked in horror at the snow blowing across the tarmac. Because of the extreme temps, the baggage handlers could only work a few minutes at a time. So we had to wait on the runway for a gate to become available. I had learned long before to carry on my luggage when arriving at O'Hare. Those were the days! There were no security checks, no luggage inspection. You just got to the gate, gave them your boarding pass and they let you go on to the jetway. Unfortunately, our world is no longer that safe, nor are we so complacent in our own security.
But I'm digressing...give me a break, I had freezing drizzle on my windshield a while ago when I went out to lunch.
Anyway, my parents met me at the gate - another thing we miss today. We walked through the terminal and out to the parking garage where Dad had parked. I kid you not,when I walked from the terminal into the parking garage, my nose hairs froze in an instant. If you haven't experienced that particular sensation, count yourself fortunate. It's not something I'd care to repeat. This ominous little "plink" rang in my head when it happened.
As for our current weather conditions, I want to blame Al Gore, but intellectually know it is not his fault. It's climate change - something our planet undergoes every few decades or so. Can you believe Alaska has temps in the 60s and we're all cracking the ice off the palm trees and citrus? I mean, this is FLORIDA. People move here to avoid cold winters. Not this year. The loose translation for the word "Florida" means "land of the flowers." That does not go well with freezing drizzle, snow, or ice storms. People were sledding in Panama City - a town known for its beautiful white sand beaches. Makes me cold just to picture it. Of course, we had diehard surfers here braving the temps in their wetsuits.
And as for the folks in Atlanta, I really feel for them. I've gone through a few ice and/or snowstorms in Texas that were much worse than predicted. I remember one during which I got so bored, I learned to make bagels from scratch. That's a lot of work, by the way. But I was glad for the diversion that kept me from going stir-crazy. I have one hard and fast rule. I never drive on ice. I will brave snow, but never ice. I will walk outside for the sake of my Tzus, despite having hit the sidewalk hard a few times.
The best news about this cold spell is its move away from us. For the next few days, we'll be in the upper 60s moving to the upper 70s. Whew. That's so much better.
Except for having to take one of my Tzus outside at 4:00 this morning in a driving rainstorm with temps in the 30s, the cold hasn't been an inconvience to me this time. After all, when a Tzu says he has to go, you'd better listen. Just wish I had on a warmer nightgown...
I hope all of you are warm and safe with your loved ones. The front is moving away for all of us. Our best friend, a big area of high pressure is moving into the area. That means the cold fronts won't reach us. Whew.
I hope you've all made good use of your time if you were house-bound. Lots of good movies out there these days to download.
Oh, I did watch a strange, but fascinating film on the SyFy channel last weekend. It was called Skyline and for once was a theatrical release from a couple of years ago, not a SyFy original. It centered around an alien invasion, focusing on Los Angeles. I won't tell you more than that about the plot.
I will say, this one is gory, with unexpected action throughout. The aliens reminded me of some of the creatures in the recent film Pacific Rim. But these aliens had a special little quirk unique to them.
Parts of the film were ugly in viewing and in the concept. But if my cryptic notes appeal to you, check it out. I'm sure SyFy will repeat it. The ending has stayed with me ever since I watched it.
That's it for now. I've finally found my printer (missing since my recent move). I just can't find the cable to connect to the computer...It's always something!
I plan to be posting a couple of book reviews in the next few days.
Until then, take care. Thaw out. Be safe.
Okay, I cheated by lumping myself in with the folks in the above paragraph. I've faced blizzards and below zero temps when my parents lived in Chicago. I vividly remember one Christmas eve, flying in when it was 25 below for the ACTUAL temperature, and 80 below for the windchill - seriously. When we landed, the pilot came on the loudspeaker and said "Welcome to the tundra." We all looked in horror at the snow blowing across the tarmac. Because of the extreme temps, the baggage handlers could only work a few minutes at a time. So we had to wait on the runway for a gate to become available. I had learned long before to carry on my luggage when arriving at O'Hare. Those were the days! There were no security checks, no luggage inspection. You just got to the gate, gave them your boarding pass and they let you go on to the jetway. Unfortunately, our world is no longer that safe, nor are we so complacent in our own security.
But I'm digressing...give me a break, I had freezing drizzle on my windshield a while ago when I went out to lunch.
Anyway, my parents met me at the gate - another thing we miss today. We walked through the terminal and out to the parking garage where Dad had parked. I kid you not,when I walked from the terminal into the parking garage, my nose hairs froze in an instant. If you haven't experienced that particular sensation, count yourself fortunate. It's not something I'd care to repeat. This ominous little "plink" rang in my head when it happened.
As for our current weather conditions, I want to blame Al Gore, but intellectually know it is not his fault. It's climate change - something our planet undergoes every few decades or so. Can you believe Alaska has temps in the 60s and we're all cracking the ice off the palm trees and citrus? I mean, this is FLORIDA. People move here to avoid cold winters. Not this year. The loose translation for the word "Florida" means "land of the flowers." That does not go well with freezing drizzle, snow, or ice storms. People were sledding in Panama City - a town known for its beautiful white sand beaches. Makes me cold just to picture it. Of course, we had diehard surfers here braving the temps in their wetsuits.
And as for the folks in Atlanta, I really feel for them. I've gone through a few ice and/or snowstorms in Texas that were much worse than predicted. I remember one during which I got so bored, I learned to make bagels from scratch. That's a lot of work, by the way. But I was glad for the diversion that kept me from going stir-crazy. I have one hard and fast rule. I never drive on ice. I will brave snow, but never ice. I will walk outside for the sake of my Tzus, despite having hit the sidewalk hard a few times.
The best news about this cold spell is its move away from us. For the next few days, we'll be in the upper 60s moving to the upper 70s. Whew. That's so much better.
Except for having to take one of my Tzus outside at 4:00 this morning in a driving rainstorm with temps in the 30s, the cold hasn't been an inconvience to me this time. After all, when a Tzu says he has to go, you'd better listen. Just wish I had on a warmer nightgown...
I hope all of you are warm and safe with your loved ones. The front is moving away for all of us. Our best friend, a big area of high pressure is moving into the area. That means the cold fronts won't reach us. Whew.
I hope you've all made good use of your time if you were house-bound. Lots of good movies out there these days to download.
Oh, I did watch a strange, but fascinating film on the SyFy channel last weekend. It was called Skyline and for once was a theatrical release from a couple of years ago, not a SyFy original. It centered around an alien invasion, focusing on Los Angeles. I won't tell you more than that about the plot.
I will say, this one is gory, with unexpected action throughout. The aliens reminded me of some of the creatures in the recent film Pacific Rim. But these aliens had a special little quirk unique to them.
Parts of the film were ugly in viewing and in the concept. But if my cryptic notes appeal to you, check it out. I'm sure SyFy will repeat it. The ending has stayed with me ever since I watched it.
That's it for now. I've finally found my printer (missing since my recent move). I just can't find the cable to connect to the computer...It's always something!
I plan to be posting a couple of book reviews in the next few days.
Until then, take care. Thaw out. Be safe.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Lee Daniels The Butler
I have been waiting since last Thursday to post my review of this great movie. In the meantime, my phone service (which includes my dsl) died. Turns out the landscapers had dug trenches all over the property without checking where the phone cables were laid. It's finally repaired. So I'm baaaaaccckkk AGAIN! My life recently has had the slogan once used for the 1970s film "Westworld" - "Where nothing can go worngg!" (Too bad Yul Brynner didn't show up in his black gunslinger suit to chase me around with evil intentions! I wouldn't have missed being online at all.)
But as usual, I digress. Last week I watched Lee Daniels' wonderful film, "The Butler." It was loosely based on the life of a real person, an African-American man who grew up in the rural south in ugly times for his people. He became one of the butlers at the White House and served for over thirty years through the administrations of eight presidents.
The film has true elements but is mostly fictional. It is the story of Cecil Gaines, who as a young boy watched his father get shot to death by a cotton plantation owner. Cecil's father objected after the plantation owner raped his wife (Cecil's mother). When the shooting was over, the owner's mother/grandmother (not clear in the film but well played by Vanessa Redgrave) took Cecil into the house to train to be a house servant. Cecil's mother was so traumatized, she wasn't really present for the rest of her days. When he was old enough, Cecil left the place and was on the streets for a while. He finally was given a job in a restaurant. Eventually, he landed a prestigious job in DC at a fancy hotel where all the dignitaries met for cocktails.
He was observed being diplomatically silent during a heated political debate by a White House staffer. As a result, Cecil was hired to be a butler at the White House - one of nine butlers. Gradually, he worked his way up the hierarchy.
He and his wife had two sons. The older one was bookish, serious. The younger one was a happy child delighted by life.
The entire cast is stellar. There is not a mediocre performance among them. Honestly, I was very disappointed at the Oscar nominations for this year. The good cast members of this film were overlooked, despite a lot of Oscar buzz when it opened. At least the Screen Actors' Guild recognized them.
Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines.
Oprah Winfrey plays his wife, Gloria.
Clarence Williams III plays mentor to Cecil as a young man.
David Oyelowo plays Cecil's eldest son.
Elijah Kelley (wonderful in the movie "Hairspray") plays his youngest son.
Nelsan Ellis (aka as Lafayette on "True Blood") plays Martin Luther King.
Yaya DeCosta, the lovely young dancer from Antonio Banderas' film "Take the Lead", plays Cecil's oldest son's love interest - a young radical who bears a striking resemblance to Angela Davis during the years of the black power movement.
The casting of the roles of the presidents and their wives in some cases is inventive, to say the least.
Robin Williams plays Eisenhower. (Robin Williams?!! But he is very true to the character. His performance reminded me what a gifted actor he is.)
James Marsden (also great in "Hairspray") plays JFK. While his appearance only suggests the real man, his vocal impression is the most spot-on I have heard to date.
Liev Schreiber plays LBJ - No, I'm not kidding. The handsome actor does an incredible job as the bigger than life Texan. (Believe me, I can spot a fake Texan a mile away.)
John Cusack plays Nixon, with all the inherent paranoia of his later years. He wears a fake nose to look more like Nixon, but the expressions and voice make the resemblance praise worthy.
Jane Fonda, in a surprising turn, plays Nancy Reagan. I wonder what the real Mrs. Reagan thinks of that casting? Ms. Fonda does a wonderful job in the role.
Alan Rickman, a famed British actor, known best as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films to most Americans, plays Ronald Reagan. He does wear facial prosthetics to look more like the president. He captures the essence of the extrovert in the White House.
The film moves from the Eisenhower administration to the Obama administration. In the story, Gaines works until the first Bush administration. But as retirees, he and his wife are still around for President Obama's election.
The story chronicles the history of Civil Rights with no holds barred. Cecil's eldest son becomes a freedom rider and ultimately a member of the Black Panthers. This causes a rift between Cecil and his son.
Cecil's youngest son believes in his country and joins the military. He goes to Vietnam with disastrous results.
The plot is resolved in a surprising but most believable way. The film has excellent performances throughout. The story will make you laugh and make you cry. It is a rich panoply of our recent history. It tells the real story of the Civil Rights movement and the gains made and not made. All of this is seen through the eyes of the butler, an intelligent man with no formal education.
It's well worth your time. Check it out. It's a great movie.
Remember to have some tissues where you can reach them. You'll need them a time or two.
Until next time, enjoy our rich pop culture.
But as usual, I digress. Last week I watched Lee Daniels' wonderful film, "The Butler." It was loosely based on the life of a real person, an African-American man who grew up in the rural south in ugly times for his people. He became one of the butlers at the White House and served for over thirty years through the administrations of eight presidents.
The film has true elements but is mostly fictional. It is the story of Cecil Gaines, who as a young boy watched his father get shot to death by a cotton plantation owner. Cecil's father objected after the plantation owner raped his wife (Cecil's mother). When the shooting was over, the owner's mother/grandmother (not clear in the film but well played by Vanessa Redgrave) took Cecil into the house to train to be a house servant. Cecil's mother was so traumatized, she wasn't really present for the rest of her days. When he was old enough, Cecil left the place and was on the streets for a while. He finally was given a job in a restaurant. Eventually, he landed a prestigious job in DC at a fancy hotel where all the dignitaries met for cocktails.
He was observed being diplomatically silent during a heated political debate by a White House staffer. As a result, Cecil was hired to be a butler at the White House - one of nine butlers. Gradually, he worked his way up the hierarchy.
He and his wife had two sons. The older one was bookish, serious. The younger one was a happy child delighted by life.
The entire cast is stellar. There is not a mediocre performance among them. Honestly, I was very disappointed at the Oscar nominations for this year. The good cast members of this film were overlooked, despite a lot of Oscar buzz when it opened. At least the Screen Actors' Guild recognized them.
Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines.
Oprah Winfrey plays his wife, Gloria.
Clarence Williams III plays mentor to Cecil as a young man.
David Oyelowo plays Cecil's eldest son.
Elijah Kelley (wonderful in the movie "Hairspray") plays his youngest son.
Nelsan Ellis (aka as Lafayette on "True Blood") plays Martin Luther King.
Yaya DeCosta, the lovely young dancer from Antonio Banderas' film "Take the Lead", plays Cecil's oldest son's love interest - a young radical who bears a striking resemblance to Angela Davis during the years of the black power movement.
The casting of the roles of the presidents and their wives in some cases is inventive, to say the least.
Robin Williams plays Eisenhower. (Robin Williams?!! But he is very true to the character. His performance reminded me what a gifted actor he is.)
James Marsden (also great in "Hairspray") plays JFK. While his appearance only suggests the real man, his vocal impression is the most spot-on I have heard to date.
Liev Schreiber plays LBJ - No, I'm not kidding. The handsome actor does an incredible job as the bigger than life Texan. (Believe me, I can spot a fake Texan a mile away.)
John Cusack plays Nixon, with all the inherent paranoia of his later years. He wears a fake nose to look more like Nixon, but the expressions and voice make the resemblance praise worthy.
Jane Fonda, in a surprising turn, plays Nancy Reagan. I wonder what the real Mrs. Reagan thinks of that casting? Ms. Fonda does a wonderful job in the role.
Alan Rickman, a famed British actor, known best as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films to most Americans, plays Ronald Reagan. He does wear facial prosthetics to look more like the president. He captures the essence of the extrovert in the White House.
The film moves from the Eisenhower administration to the Obama administration. In the story, Gaines works until the first Bush administration. But as retirees, he and his wife are still around for President Obama's election.
The story chronicles the history of Civil Rights with no holds barred. Cecil's eldest son becomes a freedom rider and ultimately a member of the Black Panthers. This causes a rift between Cecil and his son.
Cecil's youngest son believes in his country and joins the military. He goes to Vietnam with disastrous results.
The plot is resolved in a surprising but most believable way. The film has excellent performances throughout. The story will make you laugh and make you cry. It is a rich panoply of our recent history. It tells the real story of the Civil Rights movement and the gains made and not made. All of this is seen through the eyes of the butler, an intelligent man with no formal education.
It's well worth your time. Check it out. It's a great movie.
Remember to have some tissues where you can reach them. You'll need them a time or two.
Until next time, enjoy our rich pop culture.
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