"About Last Night" features Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, James Belushi, and Elizabeth Perkins exploring relationships/dating in the 80's. The film is based on David Marnet's Obie award-winning play, "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" and, if you're offended by nudity, this isn't a film you want to watch. It focuses mainly on the relationship between Danny Martin (Lowe) and Debbie Sullivan (Moore) who meet at a bar, have a one-night stand that turns into something more. Can their moving in together stand the test of time and lead to love? Their best friends and romantic advisers are played by James Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins who provide some comedic relief. The cast was all much younger then but their talent shines through revealing the potential stars they all became.
Although it was a fun movie to watch, I couldn't really identify with it since I was already married and the parent of 3 children by the 80's. I was also raised in a time when sex before marriage was frowned on so this movie was not my dating experience. I can see pros and cons in the freedom that young people now have to explore their relationship before making a permanent commitment. Which do I think is better? I honestly don't know -- what do you think?
pazt
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
"Killer Mousse"
"Killer Mousse" by Melinda Wells is the first book in the Della Cooks Mystery series and it's a light, fun mystery that left me wanting more. Like many of its type it also includes recipes.
Della Carmichael is a former school teacher who is trying to keep her cooking school afloat so accepts a job as a cable TV chef but on her very first show there's a murder. Della sets out to track down the murderer herself because she's desperate to keep her job.
Unfortunately for Della, some of the fellow co-workers she interviews lead to more deaths and, if it weren't for the homicide cop ex-partner of her deceased husband working with the lead homicide detective, she fears she would be in jail. However, Della herself becomes a target and the need to find the killer intensifies.
Along the way Della finds some distracting romance on two fronts and has to make some tough choices. Wells does a good job of fleshing out Della's life including friends, household pets, and new acquaintances so I finished the book feeling like I knew Della and I want to see how her life and romance evolves.
Check out this quick read for yourself -- pazt
Della Carmichael is a former school teacher who is trying to keep her cooking school afloat so accepts a job as a cable TV chef but on her very first show there's a murder. Della sets out to track down the murderer herself because she's desperate to keep her job.
Unfortunately for Della, some of the fellow co-workers she interviews lead to more deaths and, if it weren't for the homicide cop ex-partner of her deceased husband working with the lead homicide detective, she fears she would be in jail. However, Della herself becomes a target and the need to find the killer intensifies.
Along the way Della finds some distracting romance on two fronts and has to make some tough choices. Wells does a good job of fleshing out Della's life including friends, household pets, and new acquaintances so I finished the book feeling like I knew Della and I want to see how her life and romance evolves.
Check out this quick read for yourself -- pazt
Monday, October 3, 2011
Death at the Chateau Bremont
"Death at the Chateau Bremont," A Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery, by M. L. Longworth was just published this year. My spouse picked it up on the "best picks" shelf at our local library then passed it on to me because he thought it was a book I'd enjoy, too.
He was definitely right about that! I thoroughly enjoyed this new mystery (in what I hope will be an ongoing series) which was rich in details about the countryside as well as the cast of characters.
A local nobleman, Etienne de Bremont, falls to his death from the family chateau and Chief Magistrate of Ais, Antoine Verlaque, suspects it might be foul play. When he learns Bremont was a close childhood friend of his ex-girlfriend, Marine, he enlists her help to seek answers from the family that she knows so well -- his brother, Francois -- in debt and maybe in some other trouble, too. Then there's the widow and her sister and the chauteau caretaker and his sister. When another murder occurs, Verlaque's suspicions about the fall possibly being murder are heightened.
In the meantime, Verlaque is enjoying an excuse to spend time once again with Marine, a law professor at the local university. Will they be able to solve the cases? Will they be able to rekindle their romance and work out all the issues that kept it from being a success before?
M. L. Longworth writes well and, although this is her first work of fiction, she has written about the Aix-en-Provence region where the novel is set for the Washington Post, the Times (UK), the Independent (UK) and Bon Appetit magazine. She has authored a bilingual collection of essays, Une Americaine en Provence" that was published in 2004. She divides her time between Aix (where she writes) and Paris (where she teaches writing at New York University.)
If you enjoy a mystery with lots of twists and turns, this one is for you!
pazt
He was definitely right about that! I thoroughly enjoyed this new mystery (in what I hope will be an ongoing series) which was rich in details about the countryside as well as the cast of characters.
A local nobleman, Etienne de Bremont, falls to his death from the family chateau and Chief Magistrate of Ais, Antoine Verlaque, suspects it might be foul play. When he learns Bremont was a close childhood friend of his ex-girlfriend, Marine, he enlists her help to seek answers from the family that she knows so well -- his brother, Francois -- in debt and maybe in some other trouble, too. Then there's the widow and her sister and the chauteau caretaker and his sister. When another murder occurs, Verlaque's suspicions about the fall possibly being murder are heightened.
In the meantime, Verlaque is enjoying an excuse to spend time once again with Marine, a law professor at the local university. Will they be able to solve the cases? Will they be able to rekindle their romance and work out all the issues that kept it from being a success before?
M. L. Longworth writes well and, although this is her first work of fiction, she has written about the Aix-en-Provence region where the novel is set for the Washington Post, the Times (UK), the Independent (UK) and Bon Appetit magazine. She has authored a bilingual collection of essays, Une Americaine en Provence" that was published in 2004. She divides her time between Aix (where she writes) and Paris (where she teaches writing at New York University.)
If you enjoy a mystery with lots of twists and turns, this one is for you!
pazt
Sunday, October 2, 2011
"An Ideal Husband"
An Ideal Husband" is a fun satirical movie (1999) featuring Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, and Jeremy Northam and is based on Oscar Wilde's play. Northam plays the role of Sir Robert Chiltern a wealthy, prinicipled politician in London who is well off and has a wife (Cate Blanchett) who plays a large role in advancing his political career because she believes in his integrity.
Chiltern's best friend, Lord Goring (played by Everett), is a playboy whose father insists he change his ways and marry. Minnie Driver portrays Chiltern's sister, Mabel, who loves to flirt with Lord Goring while turning down the proposals of another man.
All appears well in their world until a Mrs. Cheveley (Julianne Moore) arrives in London and attempts to blackmail Chiltern with some knowledge she has about his past that might ruin his political career and his marriage. In addition (and to complicate matters), his best friend, Lord Goring, also has a past history with Mrs. Cheveley. When Chiltern turns to his friend, Lord Goring for help, his attempts to remedy the situation turn into a comedy of errors.
Will Chiltern save his marriage and keep his priniples, will his sister finally say yes, and will Lord Goring's father prevail in his wish that his son marry and, if so, who is the "lucky" woman?
I found this to be a fun, witty story and the cast of characters certainly helped "make" the movie. If you're looking for some light comedy/satire, check this DVD out.
pazt
Chiltern's best friend, Lord Goring (played by Everett), is a playboy whose father insists he change his ways and marry. Minnie Driver portrays Chiltern's sister, Mabel, who loves to flirt with Lord Goring while turning down the proposals of another man.
All appears well in their world until a Mrs. Cheveley (Julianne Moore) arrives in London and attempts to blackmail Chiltern with some knowledge she has about his past that might ruin his political career and his marriage. In addition (and to complicate matters), his best friend, Lord Goring, also has a past history with Mrs. Cheveley. When Chiltern turns to his friend, Lord Goring for help, his attempts to remedy the situation turn into a comedy of errors.
Will Chiltern save his marriage and keep his priniples, will his sister finally say yes, and will Lord Goring's father prevail in his wish that his son marry and, if so, who is the "lucky" woman?
I found this to be a fun, witty story and the cast of characters certainly helped "make" the movie. If you're looking for some light comedy/satire, check this DVD out.
pazt
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