This is one of three big summer festivals we celebrate. It's a good time to celebrate all the good things that grow in our area. Peaches and nectarines are coming forth, veggies galore, corn, wheat and of course the blueberries. This began as a blueberry festival for us years ago, and we usually continue that tradition. We also get new Tarot cards today, as it is a cross-quarter day, running opposite to Candlemas in early February. Best of all we have a two day reprieve from the ongoing summer heat and humidity. We've had nine days of 90+ F, and far more than that of 88 and 89 F. Windows are open this morning despite the traffic noise. We will also roast some coffee beans on the back deck later, and open our new patio chairs. The fun never stops around here, let me tell you.
In medical news, the foot continues to heal, but slowly. Twenty minutes of slow walking spread over an entire day causes pain and limping. In worse news for our travel plans Deb has managed to acquire another kidney stone, this time in the opposite kidney. She is positively thrilled about this news. Life goes on. No big travelling until that comes out. There might be another chance for London in late October.
In film news we watched The Ghost Writer, a 2010 thriller directed by Roman Polanski. A writer gets more than he bargained for when he takes over the project of a recent former Prime Minister of the UK's autobiography. The first ghost writer was murdered. That gives us a clue as to the new guy's intelligence. But he gets dumber and dumber as the film goes on. He eventually figures out who is behind horrible torture incidents that the former PM is now being blamed for. Of course we figured out who it was a long time before that. So he figures it out, then actually tells the person he knows what he/she did, and that he knows all about it. And he doesn't tell anyone else, or pass on the evidence to anyone else. Pretty smart guy, isn't he? The ending, as a result, is a sour one. Bad guys win, but only because of the supposed stupidity of the good guy. Up until the final scene the movie was very well directed and somewhat plausible. But the ending spoils things. Would anyone actually be that stupid? Hardly, especially if they had watched any movies in their lifetime, or read a mystery novel or two. If you enjoy watching a pretty good film until it is spoiled in the final thirty seconds, this one is just for you.
The film has left Criterion.
Fantastic Mr. Fox is an animated featured based on a story by Roald Dahl and directed by Wes Anderson. This one is a winner. From 2009 it features the voice talents of many famous actors, and it's fun guessing who they might be while watching (credits are at the end). Mr. Fox used to run pretty wild in his younger days as a chicken thief. But now that he is married and has a wife and cub he promises to turn over a new leaf. However, he can't resist just one more raid. Which turns into three more raids. This starts the adventure that Mr. Fox would later often wish had never begun. The script is fast, furious and funny, and things mostly move along at a merry pace. The designs of the animals and people are more than perfect, and the animation is great fun to behold. Highly recommended, even if, like me, you are really tired of Wes Anderson.
Mapman Mike
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