RECOMMENDATIONS NOVEMBER, 2021
Movies: It is with some relief that I can recommend Dune; The book was wonderful and the first movie so horrible—- this was a movie worth watching with more on the way.
TV/ Streaming—I was surprised at how much I have enjoyed the Baptiste stories on PBS. For the sentimental, this was the last season of Call the Midwife which I like because it very effectively takes me back to my early medical roots. I tear up at almost every show. It has nuns. Enough said.
The Maid is well done (Netflix) but I can’t finish it. It is too painful and irritating to watch the story of someone who should know better repeatedly make bad decisions—over and over and over. I am one of those in the movie theatre that in the midst of murder and mayhem will shout, “No, don’t open the door! You know there is a murderer right behind it.” just before they open the door.
November 19, 2021; the second season of The Great is coming to Hulu. The first season is a loose translation of interesting Russian history, telling the story of Catherine the Great with a decidedly modern spin. The message is a modern or post-modern interpretation with artistic license. This is not actually how things went down but they have great fun (as did I) with the interpretation. Confounding for us historical buffs is the Russian count who clearly is of African heritage. While this is annoying at times, the performance renders it invisible after awhile.
Christmas: I have had a blast writing “my story” in response to a serious of question through the site StoryWorth which was a Christmas gift given to me by my daughters last year. You are sent a question each week and your responses after a year are bound into a volume. The Music Question in this month’s post is my response to “Did you have a favorite song in High School?” Consider purchasing this gift for your kids with the proviso you won’t get mad if they divulge previously unknown stories……….or consider getting it for yourself to give as a gift to your kids. It has been great fun writing a response each Monday this year. Other questions of note: How did you get your first job? What was your mother like, growing up? What was a book that really made a difference for you as an adult? These questions and their answers allow for more depth and elicit more memories than hammering our a chronological story of one’s life…….
Books
East of the Mountains Dave Gutterson For us old folks thinking about the coming years.
Six Frigates Ian Toll. Story of the US Navy’s founding complete with a Mitch McConnel wannabe frontiersman who refused the tax to pay for the fleet since the British Navy was unlikely to cause problems for Kentucky…….
City of Thieves: just a great Russian War Story from WWII except it has a happy ending. Told with humor and irony. Setting: Siege of Leningrad.
Music:
The Northwest has held a treasure for decades: Uncle Bonzai. This group’s songwriter is witty and funny. Occasionally he will compose a lovely sad song and still throw in something that will bring a smile. Songs of note: Penis envy, Where’s my puppy, Doug’s Greatest Christmas Ever, Isaac’s Lament, Fat Boys, Lois Lane, He must have been a genius, A lonely grain of corn, Silent Night, I awoke in Iowa, Just One Angel, Doug’s Birthday Song.
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