Nureyev and Christo

What do these two artists have in common?  Well, there are documentaries about each one currently playing  in theaters.  The films are both compelling and should not be missed.  Nureyev is essentially a compilation of footage of this extraordinary dancer, who is frequently referred to a the best male dancer ever.  The movie includes many life scenes and dance scenes, including ones with Margot Fonteyn.
Walking on Water shows Christo, uncensored, at work on his project, The Floating Piers, completed in 2016 in a lake in Northern Italy.  It's the latest one of his large scale installations.  There is a joyful feeling about this, as there is with so many others he has done.  As planned, it was taken down after 2 weeks.

Broadchurch

Broadchurch is a British TV series that is most compelling.  It's basically about the killing of a young boy in the coastal town of Broadchurch, England.  Heading the cast are 2 police detectives, magnificantly played by Olivia Coleman and David Tennant.  The cast is large with many very strong performances.  Be prepared for the unexpected ups and downs and episodes that are the equivalent of page-turners of a good book.

Never Look Away & Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration

Never Look Away is a thoroughly engaging story loosely based on the German artist, Gerhard Richter.  A lengthly film, over 3 hours, with the time going by before you know it.  The life of this young artist is shown to be filled with doubt, and paintings that he frequently changes or erases.  In the midst of his early life he falls in love and a captivating love story ensues.  All the while this talented artist is painting, which is shown in close-ups of the works while in progress.  It's the best such depiction I have ever seen on film.
Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration is,  of course, Joni Mitchell and this is a tv movie of her 75th birthday concert, which occured in Los Angeles in November, 2018.  There are many highly acclaimed musicians appearing who are singing mostly her songs.  What a party! An extraordinary highlight, and there are many, is Seal's rendition of Both Sides Now.

BFRinSF

The best fucking restaurant in San Francisco is Heirloom Cafe.
We've been there many times and we've been to a lot of restaurants in our great city.
This one stands out.  Well sourced foods, perfectly prepared, great variety and extraordinary wine, all reasonably priced.
Outstanding staff, always attentive, helpful and never overbearing. 
A part-time cook-owner, although sometimes preppy, keeps it together. ****

2019 WISH

I wish we could get an ADULT in the White House.

On the Basis of Sex

Have you ever come out of a movie theater and just wanted to shout  YES?

Monrovia, Indiana

The well established documentarian, Frederick Wiseman, has produced a clear, untarnished look at a small town in America, in Monrovia, Indiana.  To quote my friend, Brooks Roddan, a writer and publisher, blogging about this film, which I saw with him:
"There's a real beauty to flat landscapes: trees stand out, for instance.  The horizon lines are so clearly delineated that it seems you can see forever.  The sky is often lovely, filled with white puffy clouds...
It is still possible to convey some basic human truths by holding a camera on a Christian preacher as he delivers the eulogy for a beloved mother and wife, whether one happens to be Christian or not."
Barack Obama, my favorite president, once referred, in essence, to some small town people as clinging to religion and guns. That didn't go over so well.  After seeing this film, I have more insight into why Trump became a choice for many.