Wild Wednesday

 Enjoyed another family series program with the Fort Worth Symphony.  

Dan Brown created a book and musical score with an animal theme - Wild Symphony. It was incredibly clever and entertaining. A narrator read each page and Maestro Mouse introduced us to his friends. Then the symphony played the theme music.  

The Ray glided smoothly through the water. The kangaroo had a bounce to the tune. The swans eased gracefully and the music was calming. A beetles tune had a lot of percussion as they scurried. And a fave was The Whale complete with that hollow whale call. 

It was a wonderful hour and I appreciate the hard work of our local orchestra. 

Support the arts y'all!

Book Review - Origin by Dan Brown

It’s tough to read a Dan Brown book featuring his Professor Robert Langdon, and not imagine actor Tom Hanks running around exotic locales figuring  out the mystery. The movie is already on the pages. Origin is no different.  Edmond Kirsch is a genius billionaire and futurist who is about to make a bold announcement that will stun scientists and the world. He was a student of Langdon, and claims his breakthrough will “answer a fundamental question of human existence”.

In a huge presentation, guests are immersed in a multi-media event. But chaos erupts, there’s a murder, and the “discovery teeters on the brink of being lost forever.” (cover blurb). Robert Langdon must escape the Bilbao museum with Ambra Vidal, the museum director and fiancée to the prince of Spain, heir to the throne.  Ambra was a good friend to Edmond and now worried about a conspiracy. Key religious figures are disappearing, and perhaps the Cardinal is to blame. “Navigating the dark corridors of hidden history and extreme religion, Langdon must evade a tormented enemy.” Modern art, symbols, and the usual mumbo-jumbo lead Robert Langdon to clues to uncover answers.

Origin by Dan Brown is an amusing read. It’s breezy and skimmable, a fluff thriller that throws in a lot of blather to make it sound edgy. And it should be another chance for Tom Hanks to run around exotic locales. Thank goodness, he has job security.

Movie Review Madness - Inferno

Tom Hanks is back as Robert Langdon in Inferno.  Tom is good, Inferno is so-so, but I’ll still give it a C  rating due to the running around Italy part.  Such an awesome backdrop.  I can forgive huge plot holes, the Dan Brown book, and even more plot holes.  Italy and Florence in particular are just freaking awesome.  I paid $5 for this movie, so you I can  forgive me.  You, my readers, can wait for streaming. You don’t have to fork out money. But this movie is harmless and entertaining in a ‘I’m sorta half asleep kinda way”.  Nothing wrong with that. No need to think folks – the art, symbolism mumbo jumbo is just that – all crazy talk.

I go to the movies to be entertained and this sufficed for the afternoon I wanted to enjoy. I like Tom Hanks and he was fine enough – he’s sincere and can project concern over a virus that could kill the world. Only he must solve the crazy puzzle to save us all. What better hands to be in than Tom Hanks? Seriously.   I’m not going to discuss the plot or the reason to run around Italy. Just go with it.

Felicity Jones is pretty, a good actress, and had me convinced until a plot twist. Apparently, the box office disagrees.  Where the Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s first big book to movie succeeded, Inferno has totally tanked.  Hey, life moves on. 

Symbols and Such - Philly Style

Open the door to the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, now giving tours. It's an amazing building and the membership included Ben Franklin and George Washington. Frankly, you don't get clear answers to your questions about the Freemasons. Nonetheless, they definitely admire education, hard work, and architecture.

A glimpse into design for the ages. Gasp

I love stained glass and this is glorious.

The temple is quite impressive. I'm writing this to salute Dan Brown's new book The Lost Symbol. Apparently he is saving the world of publishing. After The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, the man can write his own ticket. The Masonic Temple in Philly, long closed to public viewing, is open to tours and willing to expose itself to interest thanks to Dan Brown, et al. The idea of hidden treasure (think Nic Cage in National Treasure) and secret societies is a money making operation. I enjoyed the tour of the Masonic Temple in Philly and plan to read up on the whole operation.