Saturday, December 15, 2018

Lovely Books and Things - 12.15.18

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update

Linking up with:
Stacking the Shelves (details)
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

~*~

HAPPY THINGS:

1. Invited to enjoy a borsht meal during Hanukkah :-)

2. Christmas cards - both sending and receiving (want one? email me with your mailing address)

3. The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian at Marin Theatre. Loved the holiday theme with favorite characters from Pride and Prejudice.


~*~

Library:

Kitchen Confidential
Adventure in the Culinary Underbelly
by Anthony Bourdain
-Food, Memoir | Goodreads

WANTED to learn more about Anthony and his foodie experiences.


Other things book related:



As I am always taken with miniature things, I loved this holiday video from Chronicle Books. Enjoy!


AND watched: on DVD

Remember The Night (2013)
Director: Mitchell Leisen
Writer: Preston Sturges (original screenplay)
Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi
-Comedy, Drama, Romance, Christmas | imdb | my rating: 4

A shoplifter and her prosecuter fall in love, creating tensions in their family lives.

FOUND this a sad story in the end.


AND watched: in theatre

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Director: Josie Rourke
Screenplay: Beau Willimon
Based on book: Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie
-Biography, Drama, History | imdb | my rating: 5

Mary Stuart's attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I, Queen of England, finds her condemned to years of imprisonment before facing execution.

GREAT costumes and location scenes. Interesting to see how both queens handled their lands.


AND watched: for Fall Film Challenge - six degrees from Kevin Bacon (here)

First Man (2018)
Director: Damien Chazelle
Screenplay: Josh Singer
Screenplay/based on book by), James R. Hansen
Stars: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke
-Biography, Drama, History | imdb | my review: 4

A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

Connection: Ryan Gosling starred with Bacon in Crazy Stupid Love
The astronaut perspective was main focus in this film. We get the inside scoop on Neil and his family.

TREATED to a special screening with guest appearances including writer, Josh Singer.


AND watched: in theatre (live)

Dear Evan Hansen
Director: Michael Greif
Book by: Steven Levenson
Music & Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
at the SF Curran Theatre
-Musical | my rating: 5

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says DEAR EVAN HANSEN is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.”The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

DEAR EVAN HANSEN features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman) and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent)


THIS contemporary pieces ties in technology and a serious topic to a kind of extreme. Lots to ponder after watching and enjoying this show.

~*~

* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

Thanks for stopping by :-)
 
Imagination Designs
Images from: Lovelytocu