Title: Caleb’s Crossing
Genre: Novel
Grade: A
Notable People: Geraldine Brooks
Review: This is magnificent book that tells the story of the first Native American graduate of Harvard in the mid 1600’s. Beautifully written and fascinating historical saga told from a fictional woman character whose family were the original settlers of Martha’s Vineyard. A little slow to get started- especially with the local language of the era- but a sweeping book once you get hooked.
Title: My Love Will keep
Genre: Record
Grade: A
Notable People: Jonathan Edwards
Review: Long forgotten singer- songwriter from the 70’s has re-emerged with a beautiful album. His high pitched tenor remains a heavenly instrument. Beautiful songs, excellent arrangements, wonderful musicianship. Like the return of an old friend. Interesting translation of The Beatles “She Loves You” and remake of his own standard ”How Long”. A beauty!
Title: Potiche
Genre: Film
Grade: B +
Notable People: Catherine Deneauve, Gerard Depardieu
Review: a very nice French film (subtitled) featuring two aging icons of the French cinema. Superbly acted battle of the sexes and classes in 1970’s rural France. Not a heavy film- just a lot of fun. If you like French cinema- you’ll like this.
Title: You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Genre: Film
Grade: A-
Notable People: Directed by Woody Allen. Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts
Review: If you like Woody- you’ll really like this one. If not – probably not so much. This is his last love affair with London film and he gets great performances from his ensemble f players. It is beyond amazing how he gets people like Anthony Hopkins to begin to sound and whine like Woody himself- they all take on his persona , which is a treat to see from Hannibal Lecter.
Title: Meek’s Cutoff
Genre: Film
Grade: Not Rated
Notable People: Michelle Williams
Review: Too weird to give a rating to. The slowest most thought provoking western in the history of cinema. Story of pioneers lost on their way west to the Pacific; led by a cowboy philosopher (Meks) who know nothing. This is the antithesis of the grandiose awe- inspiring western. Got to have an art house theater nearby to see this one.
Title: Water for Elephants
Genre: Film
Grade: B +
Notable People: Robert Pattinson, Renee Witherspoon, Christopher Waltz
Review: nice adaptation of an excellent novel. Great cinematography that really captures the gypsy life during the Depression. Waltz (who won Academy Award for Tarentino’s Ingloriuos Basterds- is an absolute tour de force. The ending was changed to be more Hollywood- which was a little disappointing. Reece’s role is a real departure for her-pretty gritty. Overall pretty good for a mainstream movie
Title: How to be Clairvoyant
Genre: Record
Grade: A
Notable People: Robbie Robertson
Review: a new album- fist in over a decade from the former leader of The Band. Wonderfully complex lyrics and his usual funky guitar playing and arranging. This is real keeper and features a nice duet with Eric Clapton and vocals by Mavis Staples.
Title: Before the Devil (Knows You’re Dead)
Genre: Film
Grade: B+
Notable People: Directed by Sidney Lumet, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke and Marisa Tomei
Review: Wacked out film about two loser brothers who decide to hold up their parents’ jewelry store. Very good performances. Lumet’s last film before his death.
Title: The Paris Wife
Genre: Novel
Grade: B+
Notable People: Paula McLain (Author)
Review: a very interesting novel in the first person by Hemingway’s first wife- Hadley. Took it to Paris with me; it’s mostly set during the early (pre fame)Paris years and has a notable cast of characters (Gertrude Stein, Scoot Fitzgerald, Sherwood Anderson, Picasso). A sad tale of the end of thier marriage and his falling for his 2nd wife. Well told and very detailed research. This is must for anyone who is fan of EH or Paris.
Title: Stories
Genre: short stories
Grade: B
Notable People: T.C. Boyle (Author)
Review: Twenty years worth of short stories from a master of the form. Not for everyone; these are mostly very dark. Great one about Eisenhower’s secret affair with Khrushchev’s wife. Good bedtime reading; they are short and can be read one at a time.
