Knives Out is a jolly good whodunit. Big cast, plenty of plot curves and twists, a creepy old family manor, and just when you think you know…wait there’s more. This is a very fun flick to enjoy – a nice break from the holiday scramble.

Oliver Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) has the family gathered for his 85^th birthday. Everyone has a selfish reason to be there and they are counting on inheritance money someday. Well, Oliver, a renowned mystery author, is found dead the next morning with his throat slit. Suicide? Or murder? The siblings and spouses gather – Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, along with the nurse (Ana de Armas) to be questioned by police and a hired (by whom?) private investigator, Blanc (played with great fun by Daniel Craig sporting a southern accent).

Who argued with whom? Who stormed out? Who’s been double dipping? Who manages the publishing company and wants to expand to movies and tv? Who’s self-made but still seeks daddy’s approval? Oh the knives are out everywhere, along with footprints in the mud, dogs barking in the middle of the night, and Oliver’s mother (yes, she must be over 100) who seems to always be at the right window at the right time. What did she see?

Daniel Craig is a hoot pondering the clues, questioning the red herrings, and keeping this self-absorbed selfish family (all well-acted and great to see in combinations) on its toes. Knives Out is quite clever, very entertaining, and might make you appreciate your own family, however modest your gatherings, even more. I can tell you it was not Mr. Mustard in the library with the candlestick. Enjoy!

Book Review - We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter is quite a family saga based on a true story. Full of hope, luck, destruction, love, and perseverance – this book features three generations of the Kurc family. 1939 Poland, in the hometown of Radom, dark clouds are circling Jewish families.  Cover blurb: Soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable, and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety.

The sweep and scope of the book take you to Paris jazz clubs and the Siberian gulag, along with South America.  As you read this book you’ll hold your breath for this family – Sol and Nechuma, Genek, Mila with baby Felicia, Addy, Jacob and Bella, along with Halina and Adam. As you read one story line, you will be eager to turn pages to read about someone else and then meanwhile, you are concerned for another couple.  Communications break down and each person worries for the safety of their kin. Fortunately, their strong faith and love truly binds them and no matter the lack of food,  the evil they face, and the depth of despair they face,  their goal is to reunite.

Georgia Hunter writes a compelling story and weaves the plotlines well. We are the lucky ones to get to meet the Kurc family and root for their survival. We Were the Lucky Ones is rooted in truth, and that makes it an even better read.

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Edition

It's not just the front yard folks. The back is the best - it's for us to see and enjoy.

The icicle lights are a new edition - they flash, change colors - fabulous!

Oh yeah, it's Christmas season in Bedford TX

Thanks Ray!

Theater - Dear Evan Hansen

Black Friday - I spent the afternoon at the theater in Dallas - Fair Park Music Hall. The Dallas Musicals presented the touring production of the Tony Award winning Dear Evan Hansen, and it was a treat.

A lonely teenager lies and ups his celebrity quotient in school as the unknown before "best" friend of the kid (Connor Murphy) who committed suicide. But it was his (Evan's) letter, his own cry for help to himself, that the parents think was Connor's last words. In truth, Connor bullied Evan. Evan adored Connor's sister Zoe from afar.

Evan's single mom works a lot and goes to school, and, while she cares deeply, just isn't around much. Connor's folks grab hold of Evan as a conduit to their son's life. Evan hangs on to them as a lifeline of how a family "should" be.

This is a serious, angsty subject dealt with in current form - social media slides on the screen, a spare stage, and melodic tunes with strong lyrics - "When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around, do you ever really crash, or even make a sound?" The pressure for kids these days is apparent in this very current musical.

 I was extremely impressed by the matinee understudy, San Primack. His voice was clear as a bell. Everyone was quite good and Dear Evan Hansen will stick with you.

December Movie Review Madness - Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

“We can all use a little kindness”.  This is the lead on the movie poster for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and it’s very appropriate for our world today.  Last year’s documentary on Fred Rogers was superb and truly gave us a lot of insight into the man who created Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. What more needs  to be said? This new movie is based on a true story and is an added bonus salute to the man, the myth, the down to earth hero.

We actually see more of Lloyd (played by a very sincere troubled Matthew Rhys). He’s a journalist who’s known for unearthing the dirt, the real scoop on folks who seem too good to be true. He’s assigned a small (400 word) Esquire Magazine puff piece on Fred Rogers. Lloyd has anger issues from his past and he’s currently a new father, on a new path with his wife (the very intensely good Susan Kelechi Watson). He’s loaded for bear, ready to find the chinks in the Mr. Rogers armor. Instead he’s disarmed by this sweet sincere man (played by our American acting saint Tom Hanks) who seems genuinely interested to know Lloyd. He can’t believe what he’s experiencing. It’s as if he’s on the interview block. Fred Rogers manages to get under his skin, make him question himself, make him face himself.

Mr. Fred Rogers,  as embodied by Tom Hanks is the real deal. He’s no saint. He’s a man. But he’s someone in the moment. He’s someone who genuinely likes people, is interested, and takes the time to truly listen, to truly think, and to truly care – for young and old alike. As we learned from the documentary and we see in this portrayal – he respected children and knew kids deal with very grownup type issues, but in their own way. He guides. He’s there. He pulls you in and you are his neighbor and friend – a word he does not take lightly.

Bring tissues. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is sniffle worthy in a good way. We do need some kindness these days. This is a good family movie for our holiday season.

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Countdown Edition

My hubby elf, Ray, was home this Thanksgiving weekend (not deer hunting. Bambi, you're welcome)

He used almost every extension cord he owns to throw down the neighborhood gauntlet.

Tis the season in Bedford,  TX.

December Movie Review Madness - Ford v Ferrari

Strap in. Put your helmet on and gird your loins. Ford v Ferrari is an A-rated movie with a  lot of zoom.

Henry Ford II (the incomparable Tracy Letts) has been insulted by Enzo Ferrari and he’s opened his check book. He wants a Ford race car to win the Le Mans 24 hour race. Who’s the man to do this? Carroll Shelby (perfect performance by a spot on Matt Damon) is a racing genius. He won the Le Mans. He designs cars. He has a vision. Who can drive a winning car? Shelby vouches for the “difficult” Limey  -Ken Miles (another genius role done by Christian Bale). Miles breathes the air of racing. He can sense one tic, one engine miss, one esoteric nuance that embodies a vehicle.

But within Ford you have the suits and Josh Lucas plays the biggest jerk of all. He wants the marketing power,  he wants the limelight. Shelby says this can’t be done by committee and he takes Henry Ford II for the ride of his life. The man is crying and gives carte blanche. Miles wins races and proves he’s worthy of being on the team. Shelby keeps him reigned in just enough.  The movie keeps us on edge with lots of oomph as we enter Le Mans.

Ford v Ferrari is really good and you don’t have to know or care about racing. It’s about art vs. commerce, devotion vs. cynicism, inspiration vs. deadness, and it involves some crazy. Men who can’t help but be outside the box with a passion. And wow – the acting chemistry works. The cinematography works. Your heart will accelerate as Miles shifts through some nutso driving. And you’ll root for Ford Motor Company (America!) to win the darn race.

It’s holiday movie season and this one is a winner. Zoom Zoom