Music Review: Bloomer Girl 1944

Music Review: Bloomer Girl

Evelina (Celeste Holm) is caught between family members.  Her father is a manufacturer of hoops for hoop skirts.  Her aunt is a proponent and created of bloomers, a new alternative to the hoop skirt, more comfortable, more practice; but also scandalous.  This musical was first presented on Broadway in 1944 and this is a remastering of the original recording rereleased in 2001.   

This musical is during the U.S. Civil War.  It tells the story of Evelina's intended, who is from the South, helping a slave escape.  This results in many being arrested with Aunt Bloomer being accused of working with the Underground Railroad.  They escape further problems as the war starts, but all the men leave for the war, Evelina still unmarried.  Her boyfriend is headed to fight for the Confederacy.  But he stops in Washington, where he hears President Lincoln, and changes his loyalties, and returns to propose marriage.  Music bi Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.  There are a couple bonus tracks with Bing Crosby singing "The Eagle and Me" and "Evelina".  For some reason one woman sings in a hick style which is very grating.  The computers also did "Wizard of Oz" but I thought the must've sounded like old Disney, Mickey Mouse.

Movie Review: ****The Lake House (2006)

Dr. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) lives at a new lake house, which was the former residence of Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves) and was designed by Alex' estranged father, Simon Wyler (Christopher Plummer).  Some how, the star corresponding through two years of time, Forster being two years ahead of Alex Wyler.  This difference in time streams makes for an interesting show, and an interesting plot twist.  This is one of those shows which leaves any sane person crying, and then crying some more when you don't think you could.  A dog is the character which somehow is in both time streams.

Movie Review: ***^Taken 3 (2014)

This is the third installment of the Taken series.  This time the plot is a bit different.  Instead of someone being taken like the first two films, in this it becomes personal as Bryan Mills' (Liam Neeson) ex-wife (Famke Janssen) is killed and Mills is framed.  In this movie there is much violence and vehicles crashing.  Much of the violence is aimed at the police.  Which makes the final result a bit confusing.  Liam must stay free in order to solve this crime, and the police of course want to bring him in as he is their prime suspect.
I was confused with one aspect of the plot.  His daughter (Maggie Grace) is kidnapped at the end, however I am not sure of the motivation; except that maybe the murderer kidnapper is working for someone.  Anyway, when everything gets resolved, Mills is given a walk.  There is no repercussion from the police after Mills caused multiple accidents, many involving police officers, and assaulted officers on several occasions.

Book Review: The Last Apprentice (3): Night of the Soul Stealer

The Last Apprentice: Night of the Soul Stealer by Joseph Delaney, illustrated by Patrick Arrasmith, Glenwillow Books, New York, 2006.

The winter means a move to Anglezarke Moor, and dealings with different people of the dark.  Anglezarke holds some of the Spook’s secrets, including the witch he loves, who he keeps by keeping her drugged.  Alice, the young witch, travels with them, but does not stay in their home, but with some farmers close by; whose son is delving into the dark arts.  Morgan Hurst wants to unleash the old god Golgoth, because he feels this will give him power; the power to kill others at his will.  But to do so, he must steal a book from the Spook, and recruits Tom the Apprentice to help him, by controlling and torturing the soul of Tom’s recently departed father.  This leads to a climax and a classic confrontation between good and evil.  My only worry is that these books are beginning to delve into witchcraft, and this can be scary.

One comment, there were three or for times I thought "Why did the author write that?"  It seems he states somethings which are already obvious or assumed.

Book Review: Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Louise Darling, Morrow Junior Books, New York, 1955.

This is the first in the Ramona series, but we have already been introduced to the characters in the Henry books.  This is a good book about relationships, specifically sister relationships.  In this case there is a difference in age.  Beezus turns ten in the book, and Ramona is four.  She is in preschool.  Ramona is very head strong, and she is often “naughty.”  She insists on one book being read to her over and over, she sometimes inserts herself in conversation, and she often does things to make messes, or to get her way.  She arranges a party on her own.  She puts a doll in the over in imitation of Hansel and Gretel.  Beezus finds that there are many times she does not love her sister.  She finally comes to terms with this on her birthday when her mother and aunt talk about their relationship growing up.  This is very good in the Beverly Cleary fashion.

Music Review: Best of the Doobie Brothers: Live (1999)

 I have found myself humming and singing this music since I put this CD onto the computer and started playing it.  I could play this music over and over.  Some of this songs are what I grew up with; and I saw this group in concert when I was young.  Some of the enjoyable and familiar tunes are: "Listen to the Music", "Jesus is Just Alright", "What a Fool Believes", "Black Water" and "Long Train Running."  This music has a way to stick with you.  I especially love "Black Water" written by Pat Simmons.
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shinin' on me
Old black water, keep on rollin'
Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shinin' on me
Yeah, keep on shinin' your light
Gonna make everything, pretty mama
Gonna make everything all right
And I ain't got no worries
'Cause I ain't in no hurry at all

And then the A' Capella part:
I'd like to hear some funky Dixieland
Pretty mama come and take me by the hand
By the hand, take me by the hand pretty mama
Come and dance with your daddy all night long
I want to honky tonk, honky tonk, honky tonk
With you all night long

This CD, where it is live, includes a couple of audience participation, and these places drag as the volume is less.   There music includes harmonica and violin along with the regular pieces of drum, guitar keyboard and bass.  I enjoy this type of music much more than what they are making today. 

Movie Review: *^Minions (2015)

This movie sets out to tell us where the Minions come from, who play an important part in the "Despicable Me" movies.  Tony loved it.  But as for my part, I hated it.  I suggested we leave to Sheri, but Tony was having fun.  However he wasn't able to tell me why he liked it.  I think the producers had attention issues because the movie kept jumping form here to there without very clear connection between the plot pieces.  Sandra Bullock voiced the master criminal Scarlet Overkill.  This whole movie was just that, overkill.