Fall is just around the corner and there is no better time to grab a ticket on one of the country’s family friendly train trips and enjoy the great Fall weather and seasonal beauty.
First we would like to share the Skunk Train here in our own backyard. Starting at either Fort Bragg in Mendocino, California and through the redwood forests, your choice to stop in the day camp or continue to Willits on the East side of the coastal range.
You’ll often see wild life from the 131 year old train. The line has two tunnels depending on your chosen journey. There are plenty of seasonal themed excursions. skunktrain.com
J&J
Skunk Train, Mendocino 2000The Red Diesel
1. DURANGO & SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD, Colorado. Sit in the open air gondola for a ride through the Old West and the Colorado Rockies along the Animas River. SIDE TRIP: Take a dip in the Trimble Natural Hot Springs or visit nearby Amimas Forks, a preserved ghost town. durangotrain.com
2. WHITE PASS & YUKON ROUTE, Alsaka. Engineers once built tunnels and high trestles to carry prospectors to the Yukon gold fields. Now the narrow-gauge route takes you through spectacular mountain scenery. SIDE TRIP: Get dropped off on a forest trail that ends at a glacier. wpyr.com
3. NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN, California. The wine, the food, the scenery! Need we explain why you will love this 36 miles of tracks? Some trips offer special children’s activities. SIDE TRIP: See Castello Di Amorosa, a family friendly winery in a medieval style castle. It is complete with a moat and a dungeon. winetrain.com
4. CASS SCENIC RAILROAD STATE PARK, West Virginia. Once used to haul timber from the Appalachian Mountains, this steam train now climbs backwoods switchbacks with views of the Monogahela National Forest. SIDE TRIP: Spend the night in Cass, a former lumber town with restored cottages. cassrailroad.com
5. MOUNT WASHINGTON COG RAILWAY, New Hampshire. Hold on to your seats as you head up a steep mountain on the world’s first cog railway, which uses a gear that interlocks with the track. SIDE TRIP: Take a bike ride along the carriage roads at Zealand Trails. the cog.com
6. BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILROAD, Georgia. Begin at a 1905 depot in Blue Ridge, then wind 26 miles through a river valley. Your layover will be in the twin towns od McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Pose for a two state selfie. SIDE TRIP: Rent tubes to float down the Toccoa River. brscenic.com
7. NORTH SHORE SCENIC RAILROAD, Minnesota. This Lake Superior line hugs the shore after passing through downtown Duluth. There is a special music and pizza train with live entertainment and a pie for each passenger. SIDE TRIP: Stop and see the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. northshorescenicrailroad.org
8. TEXAS STATE RAILROAD. Steam locomotives run through the Piney Woods of East Texas between two historic depots. Seasonal themed trips include a teddy bear ride the first Friday in August and a pumpkin patch express in October. SIDE TRIP: See wildlife from your car at the Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari. texasstaterr.com
9. STRASBURG RAILROAD, Pennsylvania. Americas oldest continuously running railroad puffs through bucolic Pennsylvania Dutch country. Take the Pinball Pendolino train and play a vintage machine on board. SIDE TRIP: Create your own ice cream flavor at the Turkey Hill Experience. strasburgrailroad.com
10. GRAND CANYON RAILWAY, Arizona. The 65 mile trip leaves from Williams, AZ. It includes strolling muscians, and ends steps away from the South Rim. SIDE TRIP: Extend you stay with a layover and spend more time enjoying the canyon. thetrain.com
Famed filmmaker Werner Herzog creates a feature documentary worthy of our attention. The focus is on the creation, the present and future of the internet. There is no doubt the world wide web has transformed the planet as we now know it.
This film explores some very different perspectives on the topic. Some of it disturbing, some if it bizarre, some of it enlightening. Mr. Herzog takes us on the internet version of Mr. Toad’s wild ride from invention to a plausible prediction of global disaster.
The interviews are facinating including Spacex/Tesla’s Elon Musk, scientist Leonard Kleinrock, medical scientist Adrien Treuille, hacking expert Kevin Mitnick, self driving car experts Sebastian Thurn and Rajkumar and robot guru Joydeep Biswas.
I came away more than mildly concerned. After all there are so many things that could go wrong…solar flares, global hacking, the implosion of international financial systems. It probably would not be a good idea to pair the latest Planet of the Apes movie as a double feature.
Rating
Ixcanul
Maya/Spanish with English subtitles.
This is a unique and visually satisfying film debut by Guatemalan director Jayro Bustamante. Ixcanul means Volcano in the Mayan language. More specifically the Kaqchikel dialect is spoken by the highlands community of farm workers.
The young are innocent and naive. The adults are driven by ageless customs, and the daily struggle to eck out a living on the remote coffee plantations. By contrast, there are deep rooted indigenous traditions that dictate their actions, family, business and social lives.
It feels like a facinating peek behind the curtain into another world and culture. Largely acted by non-professionals and directed/produced by talent from Guatemala, France, and Spain.
There is a funny scene in the pig pen early on and a powerful ending that will generate conversation. Do seek this one out. It will be a unique movie experience.
Rating
The People vs. Fritz Bauer
If you want to know what Germany was like during the 1950s trying to cope with the postwar Nazi regime, then you will like this film. Watching it was like watching an old news reel. It felt like you were an outside observer of the candid conversations of the government officials of the day.
Best of all, it is based on true events. If you are a history buff, you may already know the story of the search for the war criminal Adolf Eichmann. But this film reveals its plot in layers and they are many. The film itself is a bit bleak at times. Alternatively, it is stunning.
Some of the dialog clips along at a quick pace that can be challenging since the story is told in German with English subtitles. Good acting, some noteworthy nuauces, lots of twists and turns, and a fair amount of energized banter.
This was certainly my favorite pick of the week.
Rating
Equity
The critics were less than kind to this movie and we had a hard time finding this in the theaters even though it was only recently released.
The topic is women in senior positions in investment banks. It is well done. It was believable (mostly). Directed by Meera Menon in her third movie release. Written by Amy Fox, Sarah Megan Thomas, and Alysia Reiner who also costarred along with Anna Gunn.
These characters and the industry they work in require ‘tough as nails’ characters as they navigate the male dominated landscape. The stakes are big and the drama is just as monumental.
On the fun side, I had to chuckle now and then, mentally reflecting on my time with a major financial institution and some of the politically powerful personalities I encountered. I don’t miss it. Try not to miss this film if possible. Its message is laser on target.
This film is based on true events of 2005. Unfortunately the true events were ultimately a cheating of the American taxpayers and a horrid example of beaurocracy run a muck. But that was real and the film is a separate animal.
The good news is the acting is strong and often powerful. The on screen chemistry of leading actors Jonah Hill and Miles Teller is compelling and believable. Director Todd Phillips weaves just the right balance of dark comedy, intrigue and suspense. Bradley Cooper has an important bit part that ultimately brings everything together.
In the mean time, the Miles Teller character marries and has a child. The wife is played by Ana De Armas and wants nothing to do with the deceit and deception. It is an important element in anchoring the story.
Run time is 114 minutes. Rated R for language, drug use and sexual references.
Rating
Ben-Hur
I was a bit surprised with the critics generally dishing this release of Ben-Hur. I thought is was a good, if not great, recreation of the original. It was updated to the latest production standards, honoring the original screenplay and presented a believable balance in the subject matter.
I liked the focus of the wealthy Jewish family living a Royal standard but not Roman. That said, I did not buy for a moment the Morgan Freeman character as the Sheik. That also said, Jack Huston was a good Ben-Hur and Toby Kebbell was an excellent brooding brother.
It will not replace the 1959 original, but personally, I liked the updated production qualities. I found it entertaining and worthy of the time and ticket price.
Rating
Sausage Party
I’m not quite sure where to begin… First let me set the stage. It is an animated story where every item in the supermarket is a real character. At times it is quite funny. Mostly, it is raunchy humor, irreverent, crude and manages to insult just about every type of person in society at one point in the story.
Visually, it is stunning, in more ways than you can imagine. I am still trying to understand who the target audience is. I am pretty sure we were the oldest ones in the theater so maybe there is a hint.
On the upside, the animation quality was excellent. And the cast is virtually a who’s who of Hollywood. Seth Rogen leads the crowd. James Franco, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Selma Hayek, Michael Cera, Paul Rudd, Edward Norton round out only half the cast.
The run time is 1 hour, 29 minutes and is billed as an adventure/comedy. Offensive language and sexual content is off the charts. It is NOT suitable for youngsters.
Rating
Little Men
This is a charming story about the friendship of two young teenage boys, their parents and the dynamics that the adults struggle to resolve. The screenplay is excellent, the acting is spot on, and the plot is loaded with real challenges of modern life.
This film is laser focused on its story line. Director and co-writer Ira Sachs creates a story where neither too much nor too little of anything occurs. Each character is just right. Greg Kinnear delivers one of his best performances. Paulina Garcia delivers an exceptional performance as the business tenant. The two teens, Michael Barbieri and Theo Taplitz capture the ackward times of urban thirteen year olds. I predict we will see these young actors again.
This movie reminds one what is it like to be a kid again. It also reminds us how quickly matters can become complicated. This family drama has a run time of 1 hour 25 minutes. Rated PG. See this one soon as it is currently distributed to independent theaters.
For some reason, Into the Forest failed to attract an audience. It was in and mostly out of theaters quickly. That is a shame because it is based on the popular novel by Jean Hegland.
It is a low budget film about a post-apocalyptic world that delivers powerful performances by its leading ladies, Evan Rachel Wood and Ellen Page, sisters in the story. Their father, played by Callum Keith Rennie, is the glue that holds the family together. They live in an expansive home, deep in the beautiful and remote Canadian forest.
Incrementally, conditions degregate and stress their family bond. It is a very good example that good storytelling, acting and cinematography can deliver a satisfying film experience. Rated R for violence, language and some nudity. Your best bet may be pay per view.
Rating
Hell or High Water
Two brothers in rural West Texas on a bank robbing quest to save the family ranch is both a reflection on the rural evolution in many parts of the country and the strong bonds that bind these families together. It is all delivered with a great script by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) and solid acting by all.
The great cast starts with Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers, Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham as the Texas Rangers. Directed by David Mackenzie. The chemistry between each pair is the best of this seasons so far. It makes the movie work.
There is a also a host of other characters that add seasoning and humor in just the right amounts. You will come away feeling like you watched something more than a modern day Western.
Rating
Florence Foster Jenkins
What is remarkable about this movie is that it is based on a socialite lady in New York’s mid 1940s, her husband, and her dream to be a great opera singer. Like the real life story, the film is riddled with kinks and loopy scenes, sounds and a little slapstick.
Meryl Streep plays Florence whose love of music is her inspiration but she is really a terrible singer. Hugh Grant is the husband, Nina Arianda is the love interest (I know it sounds wrong but it will make sense). Simon Helberg (Big Bang Theory) is hilarious as the pianist. There are stories within the story that ultimately make this a very endearing production.
A couple of interesting notes. 1. The original recording of the Carnegie Hall Concert is the largest selling recording of all time for Carnegie Hall. 2. Another film was released earlier this year by a French production company titled Marguerite. That film is set in Paris but it is the same story. It came and went so fast we missed it. We understand is was quite good.
Rating
Pete’s Dragon
This Disney remake of the 1977 original takes some liberty with the original story. Little Pete is orphaned when loosing his parents and wanders into the woods. Five year old Pete is played by Oakes Fegley with skills beyond his years.
Great photography and solid acting anchor this film. The puppy quality of the giant dragon is just the right alternative to the animated version. David Lowery is the Director and screen writer for the film.
The tilt on the lumber industry is just a bit heavy handed along with some of the acting, but in general this is a charming story, well told, and still inspires the imagination of the child within all of us.
Robert Redford has a bit part as the Grandfather who tells the tales of dragons to the local children. Good performances are worth mentioning for Bryce Dallas Howard as the daughter and Forest Ranger, and little Oona Laurence as her daughter.
Rating
Anthropoid
This is a powerful film based on true events about the Nazi takeover of Czechosolvakia in 1942 and the assassination of the third highest ranking leader of Hiltler’s SS, Reinhard Heydrich.
Anthropoid was apparently the code name of the joint operation between the remnants of the Czech underground and British agents who parachuted behind enemy lines. The acting is believable, though everyone speaks English. (The alternative would have been English, Czech and German with English Subtitles.)
It is generally historically accurate which makes it interesting. It is also told from the Czech/British point of view. The acting is good. Jamie Dornon and Cillian Murphy play the leading British operatives and Toby Jones plays the last leader of the Czech resistance.
It is a long two hours but worth a look for WWII and history buffs. There are a few twists and turns for added intrigue.
This biographic and historical documentary about the life’s work of Norman Lear is a joy to watch. And why not, it recaps a remarkable career of a iconic television producer whose vision of television entertainment literally changed the American culture.
Better yet, this is a truly likable man, with vision, compassion, forward thinking and deep family values. At first though, some of the early clips from All in the Family and The Jeffersons seem harsh and bigoted by today’s standards but upon reflection of the time and place of those shows were bold and groundbreaking. They used humor to drive home tough topics.
Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady skillfully navigate the complex subject matters with a keen focus on Lear as a change agent and ultimately an extraordinary family patriarch. Do see this film. It is a joyful reminder of another era and a remarkable man.
Rating
Don’t Think Twice
This fast paced peek at a small Improv dramedy troop in New York and the challenge they face to grow, compete and thrive. There is a fair amount of time devoted to showing how they remain creative, inspired and relevant to themselves and their craft.
It is both entertaining, exhausting and heartbreaking at moments. It is clear these folks rely on one another with close bonds and inter-dependency. Their creativity is inspiring. But their competitive tendencies come at a price.
You might love this film if you are a comedy or entertainment industry fan. The run time is only 90 minutes, but it feel longer. Not because it isn’t good. It is only because the material comes fast and there is a lot to absorb.
Written and starring, Mike Birbiglia. All talented Keegan-Micheal Key, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci and Tami Sagher round out the troop.
Rating
Indignation
Set in the 1951 under the cloud of the Korean war, a college bound Jewish son of a butcher from Newark, N.J. goes to the conservative Wineburg College, in Ohio. It is a Christian school with only one Jewish fraternity on campus.
The young man Marcus, played by Logan Lerman, is intelligent, articulate, a loner and an atheist. He is captivated by the alluring coed, Olivia, played by Sarah Gidon. Finally there is a date and a bit more.
There are lots of twists and turns, plenty of social and period commentary but the films stays focused on this young mans journey. Sad and satisfying at the same time.
Rating
Suicide Squad
Oh my! Where to begin. We were not going to see this movie, it just looked ridiculous at first. Then we started to hear good things, so we decided give it a look. Now remember this is based on a 1980s DC comic book.
We have 10 bizzare imprisioned criminals each with a unique “superpower” who are recruited by the government to fight evil spirits threatening our destruction.
Yes, it is goofy, crazy, absurd, but on closer look it is inventive, truly unique, and playful in a goofy, crazy, absurd sort of way. At first thought: What is this? By the end, pretty clever. Be assured you have never seen anything quite like this.
It has a nice cast: Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Will Smith, Cara Delevingne, Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman and, drum roll… Viola Davis!
If you like Superhero/Comicbook films, this may be interesting. If not, maybe pass on this one. I liked it much more that John and we are rarely on different pages.
After a recent post on the Wines of France, several subscribers asked about wine produced in Italy, especially since that was one of our most recent travel destinations.
It only took a moment to consider the idea. So after a little research, here is an Italian wine summary by region along with a note on each region’s cuisine.
I cannot think of a better way to explore this list than to seek out a few good wine shops and sample the various regional wines first hand. Although I like the idea of an extended stay in Italy to “research” the wines in person. Something to contemplate no doubt…
Cheers! Enjoy!!
Piedmont
Main Cities: Alba, Asti, Biella, Cuneo, Novara, Turin
Cuisine: The Piedmont Region is the most French of the Italian regions. Lots of butter, cream and dairy products. This is a cheese lovers heaven, where gorgonzola is a favorite. This is also white truffle country. Common ingredients include: rice, polenta, potato gnocchi, agnolotti (little ravioli) and simple flavorful broths. Sweet red peppers, mushrooms, hazelnut and chestnuts round out local favorites. The locals love their breadsticks, mixed fried meats and intense condiments.
Wine Regions: Langhe, Monferrato
Reds wine: Barbaresco, Barbera, Barolo, Dolcetto lead the pack.
White wines: Asti Spumante, Chardonnay, Cortese di Gavi, Moscato d’Asti are among the most popular.
Aosta Valley
Main Cities: Aosta, Cogne
Cuisine: This is a mountainous region that produces a hearty variety of dishes using rice, chestnuts, polenta, potatoes, cabbage and apples. Cured meats are popular. Salted beef and smoked pork (speck) are favorites along with a hearty rye bread and fontina cheese.
Wines: Local wine production is limited. There are excellent Chardonnays and Syrahs from the Les Crete area.
Lombardy
Jim on roof of the Duomo, Milan 1988
Main Cities: Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona, Mantua, Milan, Pavia
Cuisine: Similar to the Piedmont region, small stuffed pasta is popular as is pizzoccheri, a buckwheat and wheat noodle often layered with potatoes, leeks or cabbage and cheese. Meat lovers will like ossobuco or breaded veal chops, beef roasted or slowly braised. There are several cow’s milk cheeses including gorgonzola, grana padano, marscarpone and taleggio. Popular spices are clove, nutmeg, white pepper and cinnamon along with saffron and gremolata (a mix of garlic, parsley and lemon zest).
Red wines: Erbusco, Franciacorta, and Oltrepo Pavese.
White wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Resling
Historical note: Compari, a mildly bitter rose scarlet beverage was first marketed in Milan in the nineteenth century.
Trentino and Alto Adige
Main Cities: Bolzano, Trento
Cuisine: This is a cold mountainous region in Northern Italy where the cuisine is a hearty mix of Lombardy and the Veneto. Polenta, buckwheat, barley, dumplings, cabbage, mushrooms, game, sausages and dark bread are highlights. Spices include cumin, poppy and caraway seeds. Olive oils tend to be lite and cheeses are made in the alpine huts.
White wines: Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Red Wine: Cabernet, Lagrein, Marzemino, Merlot, Terldego.
Veneto
John, the Grand Canal, Venice 1988
Main Cities: Padua, Venice, Verona, Vicenza
Cuisine: It is all about seafood! Fish and shellfish, crab, scampi, cuttlefish (not a personal favorite), salt cod, octopus, eel. Meats include turkey, duck, squab and other game birds. White polenta, rice, beans, artichokes, asparagus, radicchio. Pine nuts, raisins, pomegranate, cinnamon, and cloves. Cheese include asiago, Monte Veronese, and ricotta.
White wines: Bianco di Custoza, Cortese di Gavi, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Soave, Tocai
Red wines: Amarone, Bardolino, Breganze, Cabernet, Corvina, Merlot, Valpolicella.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Main Cities: Gorizia, Trieste, Udine
Cuisine: Influenced by the Slavic table, sauerkraut, sausages, game. Tyrolean and Austrian ingredients: speck, poppy seeds, gulasch, dumplings, paprika, cumin, horseradish, mustard, as well as Venetian foods. This area is famous for its prosciutto, crisp cheese fritters, gnocchi, stuffed cabbage, cured meats, pork dishes and seafood stews.
Red wines: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Refosco, Schioppettino
Liguria
J&J Portofino, Italy 2009
Main Cities: Genoa, Camogli, Imperia, La Spezia, Lerici, Rapello, San Remo, Savona
Cuisine: Ligurian diet is defined by its narrow mountainous coastline. Most meals are seafood oriented. Fish stews and soups, salt cod, calamari, pizza with anchovies. Focaccia, rice, polenta, gnocchi and ravioli with walnut sauce. Creamy ricotta, fruity olive oils, and lots of fresh herbs are common with most dishes.
White wine: Bianco della Cinque Terre, Pigato, Trebbiano, and Vermentino.
Red wines: Cilegolo, Ormeasco, Rossese di Dolceacqua, and Sciacchetra.
Emilia-Romagna
Main Cities: Bologna, Cremona, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Rimini
Cuisine: The “big three” foods are Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, prosciutto di Parma and balsamic vinegar. Cured meats including pork rump, mortadella, and sausages are popular. Butter, cream and braised meats fill many menus.
Several egg based pastas include pappardelle, fettuccine, tortellini, and tortelloni. Polenta, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a creamy mascarpone are considered staples.
White wines: Albana, Pignoletto, Trebbiano
Red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Lambrusco, Sangiovese di Romagna
Tuscany
J&J Pisa 1988
Main Cities: Cortona, Florence, Livorno, Lucca, Pisa, Siena
Cuisine: Simple and straight forward. Lots of beans in the soups, salads and side dishes. A saltless bread is used to thicken soups or in “bread salads”. Game is popular, especially wild boar, hare, pigeon and rabbit. Bistecca alla fiorrentina is a trademark dish, typically a large thick marbled steak with bone in grilled over an open flame.
Porchetta (roast pig) is another mainstay dish, typically served with wild mushrooms, tomatoes, artichokes, fennel or kale. Calamari and tuna are seafood options. Most towns make their own peppery olive oil and pecorino toscano cheeses.
White wines: Trebbiano, Vermentino, Vernaccia
Red wines: Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the “Super Tuscans”, Cepparello, Fontalloro, Grattamacco, Luce, Saffredi, Sassicaia, Solaia, Summus, and Tignanello.
Desert Wine: Vin Santo
Umbria
Gourmet foods, Norcia, Umbria 2009
Main Cities: Assisi, Foligno, Norcia, Orvieto, Perugia, Spoleto
Cuisine: Known for its black truffles, wild mushrooms and a variety of beans. But Pork eclipses all other foods in this region. Porchetta is pig roasted with fennel, rosemary and other fresh herbs. Cured pork products of all kinds are right in line behind. Roasted birds are next in line, pheasants, squab, duck, and guinea fowl are favorites.
The olive oils are a deep green and the most cheeses are produced from sheep’s milk.
White wines: Chardonnay, Grecchetto, Orvieto, Trebbiano
Red wines: Rosso di Montefalco, Sagrantino di Montefalco, Sangiovese, and Toriano.
Note: This is our favorite region in Italy. While we adore Rome, Florence, Venice and Sicily, Umbria feels like home. The good news is it is less expensive and less crowded than most of the popular destinations in Italy. J&J
The Marches
Main Cities: Ancona, Macerata, Pesaro, Urbino
Cuisine: Look to the sea, saffron fish stews, baked sardines, and raw fish. Rabbit, pig, poultry and game follow right behind. Primary seasonings include garlic, rosemary and fennel. Pastas are often stuffed. Olives are also stuffed and fried. Black truffles are popular as are prosciutto and sheep’s milk cheeses or part cow’s milk and part sheep’s milk cheese.
White wines: Trebbiano, Verdicchio
Red Wines: Lacrima, Montepulciano, Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno
Lazio
John, Old Quarter, Central Rome 2016
Main Cities: Frosinone, Rieti, Rome, Viterbo
Cuisine: Primarily a pastoral pallet including sheep, lamb, and pork. Pasta sauces range from tomato based with spices all’amatriciana, egg and cream alla carbonara, cheese and pepper cacio e pepe. Artichokes, peas, asparagus, favas, chicory and celery are the most common vegetables. Antipasti range from fried rice balls filled with mozzarella, toasted bread with olive oil and garlic often followed by grilled meats, cheese and prosciutto.
White wines: Colli Albani, Est, Frascati, Malvasia, Trebbiano
Red wine: Mostly imported from other regions.
Abruzzo and Molise
Main Cities: Avezzano, Chieti, L’Aquila, Pescara, Sulmona, Teramo
Cuisine: Similar to Lazio but also adding lamb stews and lamb pasta. Pecorino cheese is made here. Mozzarella is popular as well. Cured meats and sausages are prolific. Semolina pasta is dominant in this region. Potatoes, sweet red bell peppers and celery are common vegetables. Local saffron is excellent. Clams and fish stew are popular. Soups and stews typically will include lentils, dried beans or farro.
White wines: Trebbiano
Red Wines: Cerasuolo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Campania
Main Cities: Benevento, Capri, Caserta, Naples
Cuisine: With its long coast, seafood stews and salads are common. Steamed clams and mussels are popular. World famous mozzarella di bufala and San Marzano tomatoes are prized ingredients. Some of Italy’s best pasta comes from this region. Stuffed vegetables are a staple. Pizza was born in Naples. Lemoncello is both an apertif and an after dinner drink as lemons are abundant.
White wines: Fiano d’Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Lacrima Christi
Red wines: Aglianico, Falerno, Taurasi
Calabria and Basilicata
Main Cities: Catanzaro, Cosenza, Matera, Potenza, Reggio
Cuisine: Calabrian seafood is bountiful here. Fish Stews, tuna, swordfish. Basilicata is mountainous where pork and pork sausages, lamb stews, soups and pastas include beans and vegetables. Eggplant with tomatoes and mozzarella and double crusted pizzas are common dishes. Burrata, mozzarella and provolone cheeses are the most popular. Garlic, oregano and chiles are added to broccoli and other green vegetables
White wines: imported from other regions.
Red wines: Aglianico del Vulture
Apulia
Main Cities: Altamura, Bari, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, Otranto, Librandi
Cuisine: This is wheat country. No surprise the crusty breads from Altamura, olive bread and pretzel crackers are known throughout Italy. A variety of pastas and abundant vegetables are served together. Seafood is also served raw, in stews and steamed or grilled. Lamb and pork are common and cheeses like aged ricotta, burrata and provolone are served most with meals.
White wines: Bombino Bianco, Chardonnay, Verdeca
Red wines: Aleatico di Puglia, Malvasia Nera, Negroamaro, Primitivo, Salice Salentino
Sicily
Overlooking the vineyards, Sicily, Italy 2016
Main Cities: Agrigento, Catania, Messina, Palermo, Syracuse, Taormina
Cuisine: Close to Africa, the Arabic influence shapes much of Sicilian cooking. Vegetables are central to the diet. Fennel, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, eggplant are seasoned with spices and onions, garlic, pine nuts and raisins. Surrounded by the sea, swordfish, tuna, sardines, octopus, sea urchins, mussels and clams can show up in any number of preparations. A variety of olives, citrus fruits, and nuts are paired with local cheeses from cows and sheep.
White wines: Chardonnay, Catarratto, and Inzolia blends
Red wines: Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Nerello, Nero d’Avola
Fortified and Desert wines: Malvasia di Pantelleria, Marsala, Moscato di Pantelleria
Sardinia
Sardinia 2009
Main Cities: Cagliari, Nuoro, Olbia, Sassari
Cuisine: Sun-dried tomatoes, mint, saffron, fennel and bay leaves are the main flavors added to pastas, seafoods, lamb and pork dishes. A crisp flat bread is a staple for most meals. Sheep’s milk cheeses include ricotta and pecorino. Almonds and honey are common ingredients in deserts.
White wines: Vermentino di Gallura, Vermentino di Sardegna, Vernaccia di Oristano.
What a fascinating film. It is focused mainly on three women and a baby. All but the baby are tormented in one way or another. The poor baby is just there for the ride, sometimes bumpy and tumultuous.
The production is beautifully told and well acted. Tallulah is played by Ellen Page, arguable in her best roll since Juno. Allison Janney is the boyfriend’s mother with emotional baggage. Her performance is brilliant. Tammy Blanchard plays the baby’s Mom whose marriage with the father is deeply strained.
There are lots of sub plots and just enough angst and tension to hold your attention. There were some scenes that left the viewer wondering what happened or how did they get to that moment. Overall though, an excellent film but not perfect.
Rating
Jason Bourne
I was a bit disappointed to hear the first reviews of the new Bourne movie were less than favorable. I’m not sure what they were watching but the first Jason Bourne film in 10 years that we saw was awesome.
The older Matt Damon character looked a bit heavier, weary and weathered, by design I’m guessing. Who wouldn’t after 10 years living off the grid? But the character is also older and wiser.
The technology has gotten better making it more challenging to escape scrutiny. Humm, is there a message there?! In any event, the action, the energy, the twists and turns are all upgraded and classic Bourne. It was the box office leader this weekend pulling in over $50 million. If you are a fan of the franchise, don’t miss this one.
Special Note: We were in Las Vegas earlier this year with some dear friends and stayed at the Aria Hotel while they were filming this movie. Certain parts of the hotel were closed to the public but it was a blast to see the shots in the movie where we saw some of the film sets. What fun that was!
Rating
Nerve
It was interesting to go see this movie, especially given all the brew ha ha with Pokemon Go of late. Add to that, we were clearly the oldest ones in the theater that day. Once again we are reminded we are no longer among most market demographics.
The film is intended to attract teens and 20 somethings for a romp through a real time “game” where the on screen audience is divided into “players” who win money if they succeed and “watchers” who pay to watch. The lead characters, Vee, played by Emma Roberts and team mate, Dave Franco accept challenge after challenge if only always just barely. It’s a clever concept that turns dark quickly.
There are lots of twists and turns and the ending is quite powerful but no leaks here. It’s worth a look on pay per view or a long plane ride. If your family includes the target audience, it is worth a debriefing just for some insightful learning.
Rating
The Kind Words
This Israeli film is an intriguing peek into a seemingly average Israeli family and the many modern challenges they face together. (There are also yummy peeks at Jerusalem, Paris and Marseille.)
There is lots of drama and trauma, anguish and conflict but through it all, this family truly loves each other and remain committed to each other.
The story is somewhat complicated, perhaps a bit challenging for some audiences because the thought processes and cultural values are unique. But these characters are very likable and you feel what they are feeling. The ending is ambiguous but ultimately satisfying.
Hebrew and French with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 58 minutes.
This Woody Allen film is all about the ins and outs of the 1930s Hollywood movie industry. It is mostly focused on the happenings of the successful agent (Steve Carell) and uncle to want-to-be-successful (Jesse Eisenberg) nephew from the Bronx.
First, it is beautifully filmed and generally well acted. It was intriguing to watch as it hops from character to over indulgence, one after another. It’s not perfect. Jesse Eisenberg’s initial dialog is a rapid fire scrabble of words. The script, no doubt, a cathartic effort by Woody Allen. That said, there is a great cast of characters in interesting roles.
That said, it is not boring. It is a wild romp from Hollywood to New York City with a little bit of glam, romance, and a glimpse or two of the underbelly of the time. We are not generally Woody Allen fans, but this film is worthy of a look.
Rating:
Star Trek
It is hard to believe this is the 13th movie in the franchise! It is intelligent, highly entertaining, respectful to its legacy, and fresh in its storytelling.
It is set far enough in the future to play with new film making technology and dazzle audiences visually. The new plot and characters are consistent with the franchise creator Gene Roddenberry originally created depicting a unified “federation of planets” challenged by some really evil life forms.
It was a fun movie to watch. See it on a big screen. Skip the 3D, it is not worth the extra cost. (For some of us wearing glasses, the 3D glasses are actually more annoying than enhancing.)
Rating:
Absolutely Fabulous
Based on the hugely popular BBC America TV sitcom of 1992 to 2012, the movie picks up where the series left off. Not having watched the series, we were put off by the slap stick humor at first.
Eddy Monsoon, played be the show’s writer, Jennifer Saunders, and sidekick Pasty Stone, played by Jane Horrocks, are inseperable pals. In the movie, the trademark jokes and constant flow of booze and drugs felt a bit tired. However, the huge cast of characters giving cameo appearances breathed life into the production and make this movie “absolutely” worth the time.
Be advised, this film will not appeal to everyone. Yes, it’s absurd. Yes, it’s a slap at fashion and excessive wealth. But it became funnier the more outrageous it became. Think Lucy and Ethel on steroids, add a modern Laugh In with a heavy dose of Vodka and Champagne.
This Special Edition post highlights 10 great cities and some of the most famous film locations past and present. These are all great cities made even more enjoyable when connecting film making and discovery travel together.
New York, New York
NYC from the Harbor 2015
Take a Harbor Cruise or the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty like Funny Girl, Barbara Streisand.
Walk the streets of Little Italy and imagine the 1973 Mean Streets of Robert De Nero, Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Imagine King Kong hanging from the top of the Empire State Building, then window shop at Tiffany & Co. (5th Avenue and 58th Street).
On your way uptown, check out the tenements of West Side Story (West 109th Street).
Hollywood, California
Photo: history.com
Step into the footsteps of the stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.Better yet, catch a movie and check out the lavish interior.
Check out the Shrine Auditorium, home of the Oscars.
Stroll the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where Rudolph Valentino and many other early movie stars are buried. The cemetery doubles as a movie theater in the summer months.
Check out one of the many tours of the stars and the studios. And then rent the classic Sunset Boulevard.
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah
Photo: pbase.com
This valley, now part of the Navajo tribal park was the set for numerous cowboy movies of the 20’s and 30’s. Stagecoach was filmed here.
Visit during sunrise and/or sunset for the shades of pink and orange off the cliffs and canyons.
Visit Goulding Trading Post, just west of the park. Its founder convinced John Ford to shoot movies here.
Mumbai, India
Above the Market Square 1989
The Center of Bollywood is in the Juhu district of Mumbai. Over 200 films are made here every year. Each includes the formula of song, dance and melodrama.
Tours/trips to one of the big studios, KR or Filmistan, will let you see the process first hand.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Harbor with Mt. Fuji 2015
Take a taxi to the Park Hyatt Hotel for incredible views of Tokyo and was the set for Lost in Translation with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johannson.
Make a reservation at Gonpachi (at Nishi-Azabu) for dinner like Uma Thurman in Terantino’s Kill Bill.
The New Otani Inn was SPECTRE Headquarters in Sean Connery’s You Only Live Twice.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Golden Bay, New Zealand 2004
Frodo (Elijah Wood), Gandolf (Ian McKellen) and Saruman (Christopher Lee) hailed from Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings series.
See the beauty of Lake Wakatipu, home of Galadriel, played by Cate Blanchett.
The Southern Alps where many of the scenes were shot for the much of the Lord of the Rings films.
Rome, Italy
Vatican, Rome 2016
The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s were featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code movies.
And who can forget Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck in Fellini’s Roma and Roman Holiday?
Paris, France
On the Bank of the River Seine, Paris 2007
The birth of the 1960s New Wave started when Jean-Paul Belmonde roamed the bars of St. Germain and the Champs Elysees in the film Breathless.
Nicole Kidman and Ewen McGregor fell in love at the Moulin Rouge, a favorite movie of ours.
You still can have coffee and a meal at the cafe made famous by Audrey Tautou in the now classic Amelie.
Prague, Czech Republic
Photo: tripadvisor.com
Wesley Snipes chased Vampires through the streets of old town in Blade II.
Tom Cruise watches a car explode from the Charles Bridge in Mission Impossible.
The same Charles Bridge was filmed during a rain storm with Barbra Streisand in Yentl.
Tom Hulce played Mozart, was wed and buried at the Church of Saint Giles in Amadeus.
London, U.K.
St. Paul’s from the Tate Modern 2016
Walk the street of Nothing Hill where Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant fell in love.
Grab a bite at the cafe or the excellent Restaurant at the Tate Modern like Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones Diary.
Cross the Thames to St. Barthomew-the-Great, Smithfield where Joseph Finnes prayed in Shakespeare in Love.
Harry Potter fans will want to visit the reptile house at the zoo and platform 9-3/4, filmed on real life platform 4 at the massive Kings Cross Station.
Note: We have visited all of these cites and most of these locations over the years. We rekindled many great memories while conducting research for this post. J&J
Here is another movie based on true events during the 1980’s. US Customs agent, Robert Mazur, brilliantly portrayed by Bryan Cranston, goes undercover and inside the Medellin Drug cartel.
It is a fast paced, high rolling story about money laundering, drug smuggling, violence, suspicion, coercion and deception.
There are more twists and turns than the best roller coasters. Stellar performances by Cranston, John Leguizamo, Diane Kruger, Juliet Aubrey and a spine tingling role by Yul Vazquez as a creepy money man and killer.
It is not always easy to watch. There are plenty of scenes that will make you cringe from tension or violence. It is quick paced and often very suspenseful. There may be some Oscar material here, just saying…
Rating:
Captain Fantastic
The father of six children sets up home in a remote “off the grid” wilderness where the children are home schooled, taught to think and reason at a sophistacted level well above the norm. They are each well rounded individuals, extremely physically fit, cultured and worldly even though their exposure to the outside world is quite sheltered.
The news their mother’s death sends shock waves through the family which ultimately leads to a road trip to the funeral, several states away in the self contained family bus.
The wife’s parents defy the wishes of their daughter and then threaten to take the children away from their father because they object to how the children are being raised.
It is ultimately a story of adventure, family love, fulfillment, forgiveness and perserverence. It is a unique film, well acted and beautifully produced. It was our favorite of the week and one of the best films of 2016 so far.
Cast includes Vigo Mortensen, Annalise Basso, George MacKay, Frank Langella and Steve Zahn among others.
Rating:
Our Little Sister
This film is about three twenty-something sisters and the arrival of their half sister following the death of their father.
It is meticulously filmed, capturing the rhythm of life just outside of Tokyo and the life the sisters enjoy. It is a peek at a different society that most rarely have the opportunity to observe.
Sometimes funny, then sad, then surprising, even silly. Overall, it is charming and a slowly revealing look at these characters lives.
Note: We were in Japan last October and it brought back nice memories of small town Japanese life.
Japanese with English subtitles (sometimes very fast).
Rating:
Microbe and Gasoline
Two very different 14 year old misfit boys become friends through challenges at school and embark on an adventure after building a mini RV that looks like a playhouse, but powered by a tiny 2 stroke engine they salvaged from a junk yard.
With conflict at home, they decide to escape on a road trip dodging the cops, facing bullies and escape to the countryside. It is clever, charming, touching and inventive.
Microbes Mom is played by the talented Audrey Tautou (of Amelie and DaVinci Code fame). The boys are played by Ange Dargent as Daniel and Theophile Baquet as Theo.
This is not a unique plot nor a ground breaking production. But it is an authentic French production and perspective on a coming of age tale told through excellent performances of talented young actors.
