Sunday, December 30, 2012

Guilt Trip ! ....

So.... now I'm on a new 'kick' =
 Movies,... Movies,... Movies !
Can never get too much of a good thing on these cold winter days.
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Today's outting...
 
** GUILT TRIP **
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Andy Brewster (Seth Rogen) is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, and who better to accompany him than his overbearing mother Joyce (Barbara Streisand). After deciding to start his adventure with a quick visit at mom's, Andy is guilted into bringing her along for the ride. 
 
Across 3,000 miles of ever-changing landscape, he is constantly aggravated by her antics, but over time he comes to realize that their lives have more in common than he originally thought.
 
 His mother's advice might end up being exactly what he needs.
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A fun morning at the   Hanover. 
There is a message, some laughs, touching moments, and........ Barbra !
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(text and photos courtesy of Patriot Cinemas)

Monday, December 24, 2012

Off to the MOVIES !

...... OK, so I haven't been to the movie theatre in a long (a very long) time. I'm glad I chose this movie to re acquaint myself with Dolby sound, and stale popcorn.
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LINCOLN
 
"In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and end slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choice durning this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come."
 Touchstone Pictures
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Steven Spielberg's  Lincoln isn't a biographical chronicle of Abraham Lincoln's life in office but rather a political drama about the passing of the 13th Amendment and the end of the Civil War.
 
It's 1865. President Abraham Lincoln has just been reelected, and it's clear that the Confederacy isn't likely to survive another spring in the ongoing Civil War. But before Lincoln can embrace the likelihood of the South's surrender, he wants -- seemingly more than anything -- to pass the 13th Amendment and definitively outlaw slavery in the entire Union. With the help of Secretary of State William Seward, Lincoln hires three political negotiators to convince at least 20 of the House of Representatives' Democrats (who staunchly oppose the amendment) to vote for the bill (usually in exchange for patronage positions). Meanwhile, in his personal life, Lincoln faces more issues of compromise and sacrifice with his emotional wife, Mary, and his desperate-to-enlist son, Robert
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Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's award-winning book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, LINCOLN is more about the political intrigue of Lincoln's final months than a "biopic" about his personal life. Day-Lewis' performance is a brilliant character study of a legendary man, his President Lincoln is an introspective man who tells stories that sound like parables and who exudes a powerful dignity, even in silence. As Mary Todd Lincoln, Field makes a passionate case for the First Lady's instability, stemming from the overwhelming grief of losing son Willie.
But one of the most startling performances in the film, which is so eloquently scripted by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner, is courtesy of  Tommy Lee Jones as Stevens. The uncompromising abolitionist congressman wants complete racial equality -- not just the legal extinction of slavery -- but even he knows that change sometimes comes in baby steps, not revolution. There's no better film to watch to pay witness to how even our country's greatest historical leaders still had to make quid pro quo overtures across party lines to move forward.

Common Sense Media says

"Outstanding drama about revered leader's political genius."
 
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For more information about LINCOLN
visit:
 http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/lincoln


(text and photos courtesy of Patriot Cinemas)
 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Hallelujah !

 
The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
is one of New England’s largest and most successful
community-based choruses.
Now in its 31st season,
the 175-voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship, creative programming, and groundbreaking community outreach.

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2012

Holiday Concert

Hallelujah !

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Along with Family, Friends and Neighbors
I enjoyed the
Boston Gay Men’s Chorus’s
joyful celebration of diverse holiday traditions.

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A cheerful audience enjoyed music honoring

Chanukah, the Native American solstice and

traditional Christmas carols

along with some favorite
 
pop tunes of the season.
 
This was a don’t miss

Boston’s other holiday tradition!

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Under the dynamic leadership of
Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III,
the BGMC sings a wide spectrum of classical and popular music with excellence and builds bridges to all people by providing a positive,
affirming image of the gay and lesbian community.

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The BGMC sings a diverse repertoire encompassing virtually all periods and styles of music, from classical masterpieces to popular entertainment.

The Chorus also has a distinguished history of creating new music for itself, commissioning more than a dozen works from nationally prominent composers including Daniel Pinkham, David Conte, Conrad Susa, and Libby Larsen.

In addition,

the BGMC has given numerous local premieres.