Monday Moments Movie Review - The Boys in the Boat

In theaters now, director George Clooney does an excellent adaptation from the book The Boys in the Boat.  The two hours fly by faster than a coxswain can shout at his crew. I did read the book (based on a true story) a long time ago and was very happy with this presentation. 

It's the Depression and Joe Rantz (Callum Turner) isn't sure how he can stay at the University of Washington. He's stuffing newspaper in his shoes and living out of a dead car. There's a tryout for junior varsity crew and it gives room and board. What the heck. He proves capable and is picked by Coach Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton) for a ragtag group of eight guys who have to learn to work together and row a winning boat. It's hard work, involves a lot of teamwork and the stakes are high. 

Back in 1936, crew is a huge competitive sport. First they have to beat California, and then aim for the Ivy Leagues back east. They have to beat the varsity for a chance at a regatta. Then the big goal is Berlin - 1936 Olympics - USA team versus European elite, especially Germany under the eye of Hitler.

I enjoyed the pacing of the movie, the actors, and the spirit. I found myself huffing and puffing with the crew, urging them forward. This is a feel good story about hard work, heart, and a team. I highly recommend seeing it in the theater.  
 

Finally Friday - Trip the Light Fantastic

Fire

Neon

Japanese gardens

 More Japanese Garden area. I don't even have pictures of the best part. When you first entered the gardens, they had a zillion little green dots of light. It looked like fireflies. Fog machines spewed mist over the ponds and the lighting fragmented. Truly ethereal. 

If there's a Lightscape production at any gardens near  you at any time- buy tickets and go. Well worth the trek. 

Whatever Wednesday - Oh the Lights

Enjoyed the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Lightscape in December. Ray and I took our time strolling through the magical showcase. Gave Ray too many ideas. I did say it's cheaper to pay admission here, then to try to recreate it in our own backyard. 

Our ladders don't reach high enough

The lights were fantastic in the wooded areas

 More to come in another post.  Frankly, I felt sorry for families hauling kids in wagons through the course. The kids lacked interest - they just wanted  to play with the light-up  candy cane swords the parents bought at concession  stands. 

Ray and I could  take our time, stop and look up and back for all the views and color changes. 

We were the true kids at heart. 

Monday Moments - Pure Imagination

Greetings - Enjoyed  Wonka on the big screen during  the Christmas holidays. It's a prequel to the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory story (by Roald Dahl), and it is amusing. I think I liked it more than Ray. 

Timothee Chalamet plays Willy Wonka with a wide eyed wonder. He does a very good job  and has a pleasant light voice for the musical numbers. He plays delicate, sensitive, and innocent well. Armed with mad chocolate skills he learned  from his late mother, he's ready to become a real chocolatier. 

 However, the secret cartel of chocolate makers will do anything to stop Willy. With perseverance, pluck, and clever friends plus an Oompa Loompa (hilarious Hugh Grant), Willy is wily and surprises await. 

Wonka is colorful and very entertaining for big screen viewing. It's different in a good way, and yes, I wanted some magic truffles at the end. 

Finally Friday - Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard

 High  school friends, Tracy, Olivia, and  Holly were the Godmothers. Their bond survived years. Now they reunite for a luxury sailboat ride in the Caribbean.  Tracy's college age daughter joins the group. With a two man crew they sail into paradise.   (Cue the Jaws like theme forbidding music). 

A small mistake triggers devastating mistakes. These women must battle the elements, modern day piracy, and their own history. 

Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard is a spellbinding adventure and a story about the bonds that hold friend to friend and mothers  to daughters, and how facing our own mortality tests the truth of everything we know. 

Good story. Rich characters.  The author kept  the pages turning. I was worried, concerned, and cared  about these women. 

Whatever Wednesday - Seven Husband of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a very fun and entertaining read. I did figure out the twist before the end and that was okay. 

Evelyn Hugo is ready to tell her story - a glamourous and scandalous  life. She summons an unknown reporter, Monique Grant, to write  this tale. Why? 

Monique is fascinated. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Evelyn was ambitious, ruthless, and had a forbidden love (amongst seven husbands)   Who knew? 

This is a splendid journey through  old  Hollywood.  The author spins quite a tale and intertwines two women's stories so that  both face quite a truth. 

Happy New Year

Rangers won  the freaking World Series in 2023

Wow - do you know how long we have attended really stinky Ranger games? 

Like, forever. 

this batch of guys truly played as a team. 

So fun!

Ray's my sunshine.  We have SO much fun. Here's to more crazy in 2024

Philly Soul

Yep.  Yo!

Every year....

Do not forget Ukraine.  The folks are battling on the front line against Russia.  Read history. Look at WWII.  OMG.  

Exactly.  I've been away from the typewriter (i.e. keyboard).  But every walk has a poem.  Every calm moment I'm thinking.   Hmm. 

 And yes, I told  Ray in bold text to attend  the Rangers WS parade. Even 1500 miles  away he listens  to me.  

Love you Ray. Here's to a healthy, happy 2024.  Where will we go?  What will we do? 

Stay tuned. 

I  wish everyone a very Happy New Year.  Stay safe.  Stay kind. Stay sane.