It's not standard procedure for a company to modify a popular, award-winning film to make it appropriate for family audiences, but that's what The Weinstein Company has done with The King's Speech.
After April 1st, the PG-13 version will be the only version of the Academy Award-winning historical drama about King George VI in theatres
The aim is to offer families nationwide access to a positive story about stammering and overcoming obstacles and social stigma.
If you prefer to see the original version, be advised.
Read more and see a clip The King's Speech PG 13 Version
Friday, March 25, 2011
Be In Solidarity with the People of Japan
Saturday, March 26
1 p.m.
Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Court
To recognize the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and express support and sympathy, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will hold an event in which participants can Be In Solidarity with the People of Japan.
Mats will be scattered around the court for meditation or thought, haiku poetry will be available to read aloud or silently, and in the Ancient Shinto tradition, long strips of paper will be provided to tie onto trees in the Kansas City Sculpture Park.
Cushions provided in part by Kansas City Upholstery.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Hosts Expression of Solidarity with Japan
1 p.m.
Isamu Noguchi Sculpture Court
To recognize the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and express support and sympathy, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will hold an event in which participants can Be In Solidarity with the People of Japan.
Mats will be scattered around the court for meditation or thought, haiku poetry will be available to read aloud or silently, and in the Ancient Shinto tradition, long strips of paper will be provided to tie onto trees in the Kansas City Sculpture Park.
Cushions provided in part by Kansas City Upholstery.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Hosts Expression of Solidarity with Japan
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Strange Case of the Composer and His Judge: A Novel
Book Review by Reader Maid
My friend Reader Maid based this review on a copy provided by the publisher through an early review program.
The Strange Case of the Composer and His Judge - by Patricia Duncker
The philosophical discourse at the heart of "The Strange Case of the Composer and his Judge" by Patricia Duncker is wrapped in just enough mystery to keep the reader pursuing the answers to the puzzling mass suicides committed by followers of an ecumenical religious order known as the Faith.
The story opens with the discovery of 16 bodies, adults and children, found by hunters in a field in France, the adults arranged in a semi-circle facing the east with the children at their feet. All but one has died by poisoning; the remaining one, Marie-Cécile Laval, has been shot, but no gun is found at the scene.
This second mass "departure," as it is known in the Faith, is much smaller than the one that occurred in Switzerland six years earlier in which sixty-nine teenagers and adults "had either killed themselves, or been assisted on their passage into eternity..." In that departure Marie-Cécile Laval's brother had been the one found shot and, likewise, no gun was found.
Because many of the dead at the Swiss site were French, André Schweigen of the French police was consulted. He in turn consulted with a specialized investigator, Judge Dominique Carpentier, known as "the sect hunter," whose mission is to ferret out pseudo-religious sects and determine what charges, if any, can be brought against them. But the Swiss were not anxious to pursue the case and so the French team made no progress. Now, six years later with a new crime on French soil, the Judge can pursue her investigation against the Faith with renewed vigor.
Together with Schweigen and her assistant, Gaëlle, they discover a coded guidebook to the Faith, as well as its most prominent member, the world-renown German Composer, Friedrich Grosz, who is the godfather of Marie-Thérèse, the daughter of Marie-Cécile Laval, a friend from the Judge's youth. The Judge is determined to discover how all of these people and clues fit together, but there is another complication, one the Judge is not as prepared to handle: both Schweigen and the Composer are hopelessly and unashamedly in love with the Judge.
And so, what begins as a murder investigation enlarges to include an examination of religious sects and the limits of religious freedom, the emotional appeal of opera and--because the Faith is based on the movement of certain stars--the central role of astronomy in many religions. Much like a musical composition, the story starts slowly then builds to a tension-filled crescendo with a fitting and just finale.
Ultimately,"The Strange Case of the Composer and his Judge" is primarily a literary work with the mystery serving more as a transparent framework for the philosophical dialogue that infuses the story. Mystery readers who read widely in other genres will find this an interesting read, as well as readers who enjoyed works like "The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox" and "Olive Kitteridge."
My friend Reader Maid based this review on a copy provided by the publisher through an early review program.
The Strange Case of the Composer and His Judge - by Patricia Duncker
The philosophical discourse at the heart of "The Strange Case of the Composer and his Judge" by Patricia Duncker is wrapped in just enough mystery to keep the reader pursuing the answers to the puzzling mass suicides committed by followers of an ecumenical religious order known as the Faith.
The story opens with the discovery of 16 bodies, adults and children, found by hunters in a field in France, the adults arranged in a semi-circle facing the east with the children at their feet. All but one has died by poisoning; the remaining one, Marie-Cécile Laval, has been shot, but no gun is found at the scene.
This second mass "departure," as it is known in the Faith, is much smaller than the one that occurred in Switzerland six years earlier in which sixty-nine teenagers and adults "had either killed themselves, or been assisted on their passage into eternity..." In that departure Marie-Cécile Laval's brother had been the one found shot and, likewise, no gun was found.
Because many of the dead at the Swiss site were French, André Schweigen of the French police was consulted. He in turn consulted with a specialized investigator, Judge Dominique Carpentier, known as "the sect hunter," whose mission is to ferret out pseudo-religious sects and determine what charges, if any, can be brought against them. But the Swiss were not anxious to pursue the case and so the French team made no progress. Now, six years later with a new crime on French soil, the Judge can pursue her investigation against the Faith with renewed vigor.
Together with Schweigen and her assistant, Gaëlle, they discover a coded guidebook to the Faith, as well as its most prominent member, the world-renown German Composer, Friedrich Grosz, who is the godfather of Marie-Thérèse, the daughter of Marie-Cécile Laval, a friend from the Judge's youth. The Judge is determined to discover how all of these people and clues fit together, but there is another complication, one the Judge is not as prepared to handle: both Schweigen and the Composer are hopelessly and unashamedly in love with the Judge.
And so, what begins as a murder investigation enlarges to include an examination of religious sects and the limits of religious freedom, the emotional appeal of opera and--because the Faith is based on the movement of certain stars--the central role of astronomy in many religions. Much like a musical composition, the story starts slowly then builds to a tension-filled crescendo with a fitting and just finale.
Ultimately,"The Strange Case of the Composer and his Judge" is primarily a literary work with the mystery serving more as a transparent framework for the philosophical dialogue that infuses the story. Mystery readers who read widely in other genres will find this an interesting read, as well as readers who enjoyed works like "The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox" and "Olive Kitteridge."
Friday, March 18, 2011
See Lord of the Dance 3D
I highly recommend Lord of the Dance 3D, but it's only going to be in theaters a week -- and the week started on March 17, 2011.
No time to shilly shally, if you want to see fantastic dancing on the big screen in 3D.
Lord of the Dance 3D is a documentary about the 2010 reincarnation of the dance spectacular Michael Flatley created in 1996. The original premiered in Dublin and the movie emphasizes the show’s return to Dublin. There’s supplementary footage from live performances in London and Berlin, too.
Flatley not only created Lord of the Dance, he's choreographer, stage director, producer, and dance star. No wonder he's been the focus of attention for years. The first time around he was largely bare chested, but at 52, he's wearing shirts and jackets now.
A lot has been written about Flatley's ego, his cockiness, his grandstanding. But let's be fair; he's had quite a bit to be proud of.
When we think of Irish step dancing, most of us think of Riverdance, a production Flatley was involved in from the very beginning. But his dance history begins much earlier.
Born July 16, 1958 in Chicago to Irish immigrant parents, Flatley began dancing at 12 and, at about 17, became the first American, to win the All-Ireland World Championship for Irish dance. If you've seen this competition in action, you know that winning is no mean feat.
While still in high school he produced his own dance show and, after graduation, opened a dance school. Besides dancing, he's a trained amateur boxer and a proficient flute player, having twice won the All-Ireland Competition. (Flatley briefly displays his fluting prowess in Lord of the Dance 3D.)
At 20, he toured with Green Fields of America. In the 1980s he toured with The Chieftains.
In May 1989 (age 30), Flatley set a Guinness Book world record for tapping speed at 28 taps per second. He broke his own record for tapping speed in February 1998 (age 39), by achieving 35 taps per second.
Flatley was named one of National Geographic Society's Living Treasures in 1990, for mastery of a traditional art form by a living person. At the time he was the youngest person ever to have won this distinction.
Flatley choreographed the original Riverdance and led the show to acclaim as the seven-minute intermission act in the Eurovision Song Contest on April 30, 1994. He was 35 by then. When Riverdance developed into a full-length show Flatley starred. It was one of those seminal "overnight" successes.
After leaving Riverdance, Flatley produced, directed, and choreographed Lord of the Dance. Both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance were popular but Flatley and his dancing burst upon the pubic at large in March, 1997 when Lord of the Dance was performed and televised at the Oscars.
Later that year several troupes of dancers were formed to tour Lord of the Dance and in the summers of 1999 and 2000, Flatley contracted with Disney for Lord of the Dance to perform at Epcot in Walt Disney World.
Other successful shows and an autobiography have followed. During the course of Flatley's career, his awards and accolades have been too many to enumerate here. And his career isn’t over yet. It's fair to say that Michael Flatley has earned a certain right to act cocky. Those who find it annoying should just try to ignore it.
Lord of the Dance runs 135 minutes and is rated G.
For a trailer and a review see Michael Flatley - Still Flashy and Fast on His Feet in Lord of the Dance 3D"
You can also download a PDF listing venues - or check your local listings.
No time to shilly shally, if you want to see fantastic dancing on the big screen in 3D.
Lord of the Dance 3D is a documentary about the 2010 reincarnation of the dance spectacular Michael Flatley created in 1996. The original premiered in Dublin and the movie emphasizes the show’s return to Dublin. There’s supplementary footage from live performances in London and Berlin, too.
 |
| Lord of the Dance - Oscar Night - 1997 |
Flatley not only created Lord of the Dance, he's choreographer, stage director, producer, and dance star. No wonder he's been the focus of attention for years. The first time around he was largely bare chested, but at 52, he's wearing shirts and jackets now.
A lot has been written about Flatley's ego, his cockiness, his grandstanding. But let's be fair; he's had quite a bit to be proud of.
When we think of Irish step dancing, most of us think of Riverdance, a production Flatley was involved in from the very beginning. But his dance history begins much earlier.
Born July 16, 1958 in Chicago to Irish immigrant parents, Flatley began dancing at 12 and, at about 17, became the first American, to win the All-Ireland World Championship for Irish dance. If you've seen this competition in action, you know that winning is no mean feat.
While still in high school he produced his own dance show and, after graduation, opened a dance school. Besides dancing, he's a trained amateur boxer and a proficient flute player, having twice won the All-Ireland Competition. (Flatley briefly displays his fluting prowess in Lord of the Dance 3D.)
At 20, he toured with Green Fields of America. In the 1980s he toured with The Chieftains.
In May 1989 (age 30), Flatley set a Guinness Book world record for tapping speed at 28 taps per second. He broke his own record for tapping speed in February 1998 (age 39), by achieving 35 taps per second.
Flatley was named one of National Geographic Society's Living Treasures in 1990, for mastery of a traditional art form by a living person. At the time he was the youngest person ever to have won this distinction.
Flatley choreographed the original Riverdance and led the show to acclaim as the seven-minute intermission act in the Eurovision Song Contest on April 30, 1994. He was 35 by then. When Riverdance developed into a full-length show Flatley starred. It was one of those seminal "overnight" successes.
After leaving Riverdance, Flatley produced, directed, and choreographed Lord of the Dance. Both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance were popular but Flatley and his dancing burst upon the pubic at large in March, 1997 when Lord of the Dance was performed and televised at the Oscars.
Later that year several troupes of dancers were formed to tour Lord of the Dance and in the summers of 1999 and 2000, Flatley contracted with Disney for Lord of the Dance to perform at Epcot in Walt Disney World.
Other successful shows and an autobiography have followed. During the course of Flatley's career, his awards and accolades have been too many to enumerate here. And his career isn’t over yet. It's fair to say that Michael Flatley has earned a certain right to act cocky. Those who find it annoying should just try to ignore it.
Lord of the Dance runs 135 minutes and is rated G.
For a trailer and a review see Michael Flatley - Still Flashy and Fast on His Feet in Lord of the Dance 3D"
You can also download a PDF listing venues - or check your local listings.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Think of a Number: A Novel
Book Review by Reader Maid
This book review by Reader Maid proves that the U.S. is part of the world. Well, I think it proves that, since she favors International Crime Fiction.
Think of a Number: A Novel - by John Verdon
John Verdon's debut novel, "Think of a Number," is a rare treat that contains a fascinating plot and honest characters. I found myself drawn into the puzzle just like with an Agatha Christie novel, and I wasn't disappointed.
At the heart of the plot is the first taunting letter received by recovering alcoholic and new-age guru Mark Mellery that tells him, "Think of any number up to a thousand--the first number that comes to your mind. Picture it. Now see how well I know your secrets. Open the little envelope." When Mark opens the smaller envelope enclosed in the letter he sees the number 658, the very number he had conjured up in his mind. Then he receives another note in the same handwriting, but this one is in rhyming verse.
Mark is terrified. He knows there are periods in his past that he can't remember, people he might have hurt. So he looks up his old college classmate and former detective, David Gurney, now retired from the New York State Police after an illustrious career and living with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York. But even before they can meet, Mark receives another note, also in rhyming verse.
Gurney agrees to look into the matter but, before Gurney can discover the sender, Mark Mellery is murdered and the detective in Gurney needs to know why.
Although the murder mystery is the meat of this story, I found the characters of David and Madeleine Gurney to be people I can believe really live and struggle to love in their farmhouse outside of Walnut Crossing, New York. Dave Gurney's view of his marriage and family ring true, and Madeleine's personality and tensions with her husband come across as real.
I truly hope to meet this couple in another narrative, hopefully in a mystery as engaging as "Think of a Number."
This book review by Reader Maid proves that the U.S. is part of the world. Well, I think it proves that, since she favors International Crime Fiction.
Think of a Number: A Novel - by John Verdon
John Verdon's debut novel, "Think of a Number," is a rare treat that contains a fascinating plot and honest characters. I found myself drawn into the puzzle just like with an Agatha Christie novel, and I wasn't disappointed.
At the heart of the plot is the first taunting letter received by recovering alcoholic and new-age guru Mark Mellery that tells him, "Think of any number up to a thousand--the first number that comes to your mind. Picture it. Now see how well I know your secrets. Open the little envelope." When Mark opens the smaller envelope enclosed in the letter he sees the number 658, the very number he had conjured up in his mind. Then he receives another note in the same handwriting, but this one is in rhyming verse.
Mark is terrified. He knows there are periods in his past that he can't remember, people he might have hurt. So he looks up his old college classmate and former detective, David Gurney, now retired from the New York State Police after an illustrious career and living with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York. But even before they can meet, Mark receives another note, also in rhyming verse.
Gurney agrees to look into the matter but, before Gurney can discover the sender, Mark Mellery is murdered and the detective in Gurney needs to know why.
Although the murder mystery is the meat of this story, I found the characters of David and Madeleine Gurney to be people I can believe really live and struggle to love in their farmhouse outside of Walnut Crossing, New York. Dave Gurney's view of his marriage and family ring true, and Madeleine's personality and tensions with her husband come across as real.
I truly hope to meet this couple in another narrative, hopefully in a mystery as engaging as "Think of a Number."
Monday, March 7, 2011
Olive Kitteridge
Book Review by Reader Maid
Reader Maid reviewed the audio version of this "novel in stories."
Olive Kitteridge - by Elizabeth Strout
The audio version of Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Olive Kitteridge describes it as "a novel in stories," which is a very accurate description of this haunting collection of sketches that capture the most private reflections of the many wounded souls of Crosby, Maine.
Many of the stories feature Olive as a central character but in others she makes only a cameo appearance.
While listening to the narrator reveal the scars and painful longings of those who never managed to "belong," I found myself frequently reminded of the Beatle's song, "All the Lonely People, where do they all come from?" From Olive, a retired math teacher whose father committed suicide, to the aging alcoholic piano player in the local bar abandoned by her married lover, to the young anorexic who starves herself to death, the unifying theme is alienation and loneliness and its impact on those around us.
Strout paints a brutally honest portrait of the ravages and redemptions of love. I have never experienced a novel that got it so right; whether we want to acknowledge its truth or not is another matter.
Reader Maid reviewed the audio version of this "novel in stories."
Olive Kitteridge - by Elizabeth Strout
The audio version of Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Olive Kitteridge describes it as "a novel in stories," which is a very accurate description of this haunting collection of sketches that capture the most private reflections of the many wounded souls of Crosby, Maine.
Many of the stories feature Olive as a central character but in others she makes only a cameo appearance.
While listening to the narrator reveal the scars and painful longings of those who never managed to "belong," I found myself frequently reminded of the Beatle's song, "All the Lonely People, where do they all come from?" From Olive, a retired math teacher whose father committed suicide, to the aging alcoholic piano player in the local bar abandoned by her married lover, to the young anorexic who starves herself to death, the unifying theme is alienation and loneliness and its impact on those around us.
Strout paints a brutally honest portrait of the ravages and redemptions of love. I have never experienced a novel that got it so right; whether we want to acknowledge its truth or not is another matter.
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