We actually had four clear nights in a row, but the first two were windy and cold. However, Sunday and Monday were perfect for observing, and so I headed out both nights for rare February sessions. Winter constellations can be seen late at night in late autumn, or early in Spring skies. But the best time to view them is in the winter. Double and triple star systems, galaxies, clusters, and nebula popped into my viewfinder one after another, and even though the nights were cold and a wee bit breezy, I was able to log six hours of observing over two nights, in relative comfort. I am currently working in Perseus and Canis Major. So much to see, so little time.
We are making tentative plans for an upcoming road trip. Not as far as New Mexico, but it will include some prehistoric archeological sites that are new to us, as well as a new art museum for us, and a major one not visited for too many years. Details forthcoming in later posts.
In other news, there has been zero progress in dispersing Deb's mom's estate, as we still await needed documents from the bank. The lawyer is ready, we are ready, but nothing is happening. It's been months now, and nothing. Very discouraging. Almost as if the bank wanted to keep the money.
In movie news, there are some of mine and some of Deb's to report. Melo is a film by Alain Resnais from 1986, based directly on a 1929 play by Henri Berstein. A supposedly happily married couple play dinner host to a touring violinist, an old friend of the husband. Before long the violinist and friend's wife are having an affair, one which totally unhinges the woman whenever he has to go on tour. Iffy theatre at best, there isn't much here from which to make a film. The two lovers act like high school kids most of the time, and quickly become very tiring. An effort to get through.
Les Choses de la Vie is from 1970, directed by Claude Sautet and starring Nichel Piccoli and Romy Schneider. This is a pretty fine example of cinematic story telling, based around a car accident that the lead actor has. Told in real time and by flashback, we piece together the entire day of and aftermath of the single car wreck. The accident itself is incredibly well filmed, and the semi-conscious thoughts of the dying man are perfectly captured by the camera. There is probably more cigarette smoking in this film than in any other movie we have seen. Recommended viewing.
Turning to Deb's two choices, first up was The Secret of Roan Innish, a 1994 film directed by John Sayles. Using Irish seaside folklore as its base, the story is a perfect one for kids and for adults to watch. No guns, no violence, no car chases, and it's slowly paced. Come to think of it, kids would probably get bored, as would adults. Unless they were avid and passionate readers. Anyway, the story is fun, and the little actress is perfect in her role as a city girl visiting her seaside grandparents for the summer (over 1,000 girls were screened for the part). Lovingly filmed in Ireland and filled with Irish music, the film is a sensitive one and overall very beautifully done.
The Automat, from 2021, is yet another example of the extremely high quality documentary films being made lately. Directed by Lisa Hurwitz, the film features Mel Brooks as it details the rise and fall of the restaurant automat franchise in New York and Philadelphia. Having heard of automats, and seen them in old movies, the film was a total delight to watch. There is incredible footage and stills of the restaurants and the clientele, and the film reeks of nostalgia, making me wish these places were still around. Lovingly made, and lots of fun to watch. Another piece of sideline history of New York that should not be missed.
Mapman Mike
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