Outside In

When a man is released from prison, he seeks out a high school teacher who supported him during his incarceration. The film Outside In tells the story of a man learning to deal with the world after years in a structured, sheltered world. His maturity level is stifled and he struggles to work on decision making skills and relationships. I liked the story and performances. A good rental.

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

Based on the life of  Gloria Grahame, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is an artful, heartfelt film. Gloria pursues her career and takes up with a much younger man. When she is diagnosed with cancer, she lives in denial and it is her final demise. Her story is poignant. The performances are outstanding. I liked this film.

The Final Year

Since the 2016 election there has been a hole in this country. I liked the Obama administration. I miss the Obama administration. In the documentary The Final Year I got to spend a little time back in that world. It was very comforting. A good documentary about Obama's last year in office.

You Were Never Really Here

The film You Were Never Really Here is as intense emotionally as it is visually. A man takes on some violent thugs to protect young, abused girls. There are a lot of disturbing themes in this film, yet I liked it and thought about it a lot after I saw it.

Tribeca Film Festival 2018

I only had a few days to go to NYC for Tribeca Film Festival this year. Because of travel schedules, I was in NYC on the first few days of the festival. I was sold out of several tickets that fit my schedule, but the one that I was able to get turned out to be the one thing I most wanted to see. 

I arrived in Brooklyn on Tuesday night, dog sitting for my granddogs in DUMBO. Wednesday morning I walked to downtown Brooklyn to TKTS and lucked into a ticket for a show that night. Heading to the financial district I took a stroll through the Occulus and the World Trade Center. Gorgeous structure. Walking north to Tribeca, I found myself on a stool at Tribeca Tavern for their delicious lunch special. After lunch, the sun had come out and I thought I would walk the Brooklyn Bridge to get back to DUMBO. I first stopped in to The Patriot on Chambers and was fortunate that Patience, who I had met last year, was working. Her sunny attitude and a glass of wine were just the fuel I needed to make the bridge walk a piece of cake. Despite the sunshine, the walk was a little brisk and I was going to have a late night so I stopped in to Superfine before I returned to the pups. The bartender, Bowayne delivered my Irish coffee with a "booya" and I knew I had made a wise choice. After hanging out with the dogs, I found my way to Union Square and had a bowl of soup at Smith before the show. At the Daryl Roth Theater I experience In & of Itself. An amazing one man show that culminated on the corner of 51st & 7th to find a Gold Brick. See the show and you'll know why. Finding myself uptown I went by the Monkey Bar which was packed so I satisfied myself with a picture of a funny lamp and headed back to the subway. In Times Square there were no street vendors because of the rain, so back to DUMBO I go.

Though the morning was gloomy on Thursday I took myself to the west Village in search of lunch. At the Olive Tree I found a delicious salad in a quiet place. With time to kill I head to Tribeca and stop in to Reade Street Pub for a quick drink. My film festival event today was the film Tully followed by a discussion panel with Tamara Jenkins and Jason Reitman. A very interesting film and a generous panel after. Dinner was delicious sliders at Mudville 9 and a subway ride home after a satisfying day.

Thanks to morning film times on Friday, I had time to see You Were Never Really Here at The Angelika before meeting Lucy for lunch at Edward's in Tribeca. After a lovely visit and a tasty lunch we go our separate ways and I decide to pop into Reade Street Pub for one last visit. Sitting at the bar is Charles, the house manager from BMCC for Tribeca Film Festival. I see him in the theater every year, and finally introduced myself a few years ago. We have a lively conversation over a few drinks and say goodbye. Such a nice person. On the way home, I make one last stop into Superfine before I return to the pups. The kids return from their travels and Liza, Ryan and I have dinner at Superfine. Liza and I have one last nightcap at 68 Jay, my favorite neighborhood dive.

On Saturday we take Fiona for her first swim lesson at Leman Prep in the Financial District. While Mason goes to speech therapy, Dorlans Tavern in the Seaport fits the bill for lunch. Water taxi is our way home and I happily stay in with the kids while Liza and Ryan meet friends out in the city.

On Sunday I'm up and out to get back to RI for my niece Bridget's bridal shower. A bit of a whirlwind, but a very fun time. Thanks to NYC, the Porter family and friends old and new that joined me along the way. See you next year!

Tully

The strain of motherhood and managing a family is honestly portrayed in the film Tully We meet a woman pregnant with her third child carrying all of the stress and emotion that goes with parenting and birth. This is another film where you will benefit from knowing very little. I can't wait to see it again. I was surprised by how this film seemed to strike a chord with men. At the Q & A most of the questions were from men, and a male film reviewer I liked said that the film made him cry. This is a very interesting film.

In & Of Itself

I am not sure how to describe the show In & Of Itself. This is an off-Broadway performance at the Daryl Roth theater in NYC. Derek DelGaudio gives a one man show that is deep, thoughtful, funny and mid boggling. I am so glad I saw this show and even happier that I made a little follow-up trip to complete the experience. See the show and you'll know what I mean.

Frank Serpico

The 70s film Serpico is as iconic as the man. In the documentary Frank Serpico we hear the story of the real man from the real man. He talks about the actual events of his life, then talks about them in reference to the film. A very interesting, smart, deep man. I liked this documentary.

A Quiet Place

The terror of being found by a monster is a lot. In A Quiet Place the terror of being found because of the sounds you make is even more so. In the wake of a monster invasion a young family has found ways to survive that are both resourceful and creative. The less you know, the better. There are plenty of jump-scares and a lot of suspense. Very well done.

Party Girl

There is more to Party Girl than just a young woman out for a good time. She is trying to find herself and make a difference. When she helps out at the library, she finds a world that opens her eyes to life lessons and creative ways to get things done. There is a tone of whimsy and fun with a real heart and smart ending. I liked this film a lot.

Slums of Beverly Hills

To prepare to see Tamara Jenkins at Tribeca Film Festival in a few weeks I watched her film Slums of Beverly Hills. I was treated to a story of survival in an unconventional family while coming of age. Episodes of sexual awakening and finding identity are strong as a family struggles. The performances are great and the story has a sweet side. I liked this film.