Movie: NORMAN--The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer

Junebug and I watched a film last night on cable movies on demand.  I remember when the movie came out it interested me.

This movie might not be everyone's cup of tea.  It certainly isn't a film that cost a billion dollars to make and is about comic book characters, animation or films geared for male aggressive pleasure.  If that is your taste I apologize.  I mean no insult.  It's just that in this day and my age there are so few films that appeal to my taste.  This is sort of a dark comedy/drama.  We thought it was great.

Richard Gere plays the lead character (Norman Oppenheimer).  I thought this was one of his best performance.  He should do more character roles.  He has the chops to do it.  The cast is impressive too:  Michael Sheen, Steve Buscemi, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Hank Azaria, Josh Charles and others.

RottenTomato gave it an 89% critic rating which is high.  Although I could care less what critics say. If a movie interests me I'll watch it, just as we did with Norman.

Gere delivers an impressive performance.  IMDb describes the story :  "Norman Oppenheimer is a small time operator who befriends a young politician at a low point in his life. Three years later, when the politician becomes an influential world leader, Norman's life dramatically changes for better and worse (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4191702/)"

It is an impressive ensemble cast performance, a very curious story line, great cinematography and film editing as well as directing.  The ending was absolutely perfect in my opinion.  There are a few moments in the film that seem prescient to the lunatic Donald Trump.  The film was made in 2016 so someone was a little clairvoyant in the Israeli Prime Minister character.   There are many moments when two characters are communicated by phone and the screen juxtaposes both actors side by side.  It looks like they next door to each other.  I know I'm not explaining it well, but I really was impressed.

This is a small little film that delivers on every level.

I have a feeling some of you mayfind it boring.  We didn't.  It was a compelling, piercing, emotional, heartfelt piece of film-making.

Richard Gere is at his finest (although this is not his only commendable performance)!

ME WANT: A FOLDABLE House

It folds (to three times its size) and unfolds itself within seconds with a push of the button.  When "tiny houses" became fashionable I was fascinated.  But many of them are too tiny.  Anything under 500 sq. ft. is barbarism.  This relatively affordable house, at $129,000, can be folded into a box and carried on the back of a heavy transport truck.   It looks like it would be a very nice, not too small house.  The house is manufactured by Ten Fold Engineering.

See the mashable video that shows the structure folding and unfolding at:  http://mashable.com/2017/07/11/ten-fold-engineering-foldable-homes/?utm_cid=hp-r-29#a8qWrNAtFsqJ

Have you ever regretted every moment of your life?

My nominee for the SEXIEST MAN.

I am utterly charmed by Luis Ortiz, who previously appeared full-time on Bravo's Million Dollar Listing of New York.   

He currently appears occasionally however in past years he was one of the principal cast members of the show.

I love this man.  He looks so beautiful.  He is always so perfectly groomed (as are Ryan and Fredrik). But he exudes so much enthusiasm and earnestness, which is my favorite quality in people.  He always appears immaculate.  And he always has a gleam in his eye and his smile breaks your heart.

Tonight, he revisited the show and announced that he was going to move to Paris.  Ryan and Fredrik were critical.  But Luis' passion and enthusiasm made them look like old, warty, crone, witches.  I think they were envious.

I'm not much of a fan for Bravo's programming these days.  The housewives and other brands are so tiresome.  Please make them go away, along with the Kardashians.  I still watch the show Below Deck and Million Dollar Listing of New York.  Occasionally, I'll watch Watch What Happens Live if it doesn't feature all of the housewives.  Andy and most of his show is truly boring and most of his programming is now overdone, redundant and hackneyed.

Luis Ortiz is the biggest star discovered on Bravo.  I wish him much success.  I wish Andy would give Luis his on reality show.  He has the star power and charisma more than anyone on the Bravo network.



I just finished watching the New York Housewives.  With a couple exceptions, these people are truly lunatic.  I find everything about them utterly repugnant.  But Andy Cohen always is gleeful with these people's before.  On his show tonight, he was orgasmic watching one of the drag queen bartenders open her legs whilst laying down in front of Andy and his guest.  Mr. Cohen seems to think he has discovered something unknown.  Been there with the drag queen in 1982.  He delights with glee at how low he can go portraying humans in the lowest form (drag queens excluded but the gyrations were not as shocking as Andy thinks).  Go away Andy.  Or find a new act.  I think you are in some ways responsible for the collapse of the US culture and the election of trump.  Andy seems to always find it all so originally and hysterically funny.  Sorry, dude.  Your not original.  And your rehashing programming for decades is really pathetic.  When I first watched you years ago, I was enthralled.  But you have long gone past your stale date.

INDEPENDENT films: 3 Generations & This Beautiful Fantastic

 I love movies and have for my entire life.  Unfortunately, the film industry's obsession with comic book-themed films that are obscenely over budget (and not interesting) are the overwhelming product that are made these days.

I have always loved independent films.  They aren't very prolific these days.  So I don't see movies very often.

Tonight was an exception.  We watched two movies that were pay per view on tv. They were good in different ways.  But I feel satisfied, which is rare, with our movie viewing experience tonight.

The two indie movies that the Bug (my mom) and I enjoyed tonight are:

3 Generations--Naomi Watts, Susan Sarandon, Elle Fanning and others.  "After Ray [Elle Fanning} decides to transition from female to male, Ray's mother, Maggie [Naomi Watts], must come to terms with the decision while tracking down Ray's biological father to get his legal consent."  Sarandon plays the mother to Naomi Watts and grandmother to Elle Fanning.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4158624/

This Beautiful Fantastic--Starring most notably Tom Wilkinson and Anna Chancellor (she played "Duckface" in 4 Weddings and a Funeral).  "A young woman who dreams of being a children's author makes an unlikely friendship with a cantankerous, rich old widower."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4560008/