Book Notes: Strout & Winspear

BOOK GROUPS I have been a participant in a book group of some sort almost forever.  In my 20’s, I was part of a group that was made up of English professors and two librarians, me being one of the latter.  All members were female.  I can’t recall the titles we discussed, but I do …

Tidy Times: Films & More

ENJOYABLE CINEMA We ended the Sarasota Film Festival on a high note with two very good films, one a feature and the other a documentary from Argentina. The Congressman.  Starring Treat Williams with George Hamilton, this feature-length film was written by former Long Island representative, Robert Mzarek.  Set in Maine, it’s an old-fashioned film with …

Sarasota Scene: Film Fest

FILMS! We have been immersed in film this week taking advantage of some of the offerings of the Sarasota Film Festival.  One of the things we’ve noted is how difficult it is to make a film that has momentum with a clear dramatic arc that engages and holds the viewer’s attention.  A filmmaker can have a …

Tidy Tidbits: Bits & Bites

THOUGHT-PROVOKING THEATER We were at the first preview performance of Asolo Rep’s production of Disgraced and it was excellent!  Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize winning play is simultaneously hard-hitting and nuanced about issues of race and religion.  Amir, a young lawyer on the track to partner, has hidden and, to a great extent, set aside his Pakistani …