Salome, Strauss

Not a very convincing production.

Recommend with caveats.

Hughie, Eugene O'Neill

Don Giovanni, Mozart

We had the pleasure of seeing the Met's 501st performance of Mozart's fine opera. I was especially interested to see Susan Graham perform role of Donna Elvira; I was disappointed.

Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh

Lots of positive reviews of this film--plus the reputation of Mike Leigh--weren't enough to make me like this film.  The tagline, "The one movie this fall that will put a smile on your face," fell flat as far as I was concerned.  Sally Hawkins' character, Poppy, isn't an indefatigably happy person; she's in complete denial about her situation and the other person's need for boundaries.  Despite several good comic moments, her irritating character made the film much too long for me.

 

WALL-E, Andrew Stanton

For us, at least, a surprisingly good Pixar animated film that featured quiet narration rather than loud noise and visual spectacle to imagine a dysutopia located in the refuge of outer space while showing the tenderness inherent in human activity--even the earth had been degraded by human activity.

Highly recommended.

Breakdancing Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra

What more can I say that the title doesn't?

The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan

Great Batman flick! Suspense is compounded plot twists with dark--and thus unusual--resolutions.

Highly recommended.