Ex-con artist Dan Quigley is doing all right in this movie racket. But if his criminal past resurfaces, he could end up in the big house.
James Cagney is pulse-quickening Quigley in this pre-Hays Code romp described in its day by the New York Eevening Post
as "a kind of resume of everything Cagney has done to date in the moivies.
By turns, "Lady Killer" is a filmmaking spoof, a crime thriller, a character study.
And with Cagney's vitality out front, it's enormously greater than the sum of parts.
The likable cast includes Mae Clarke, famously grapefruited by Cagney in "The Pablic Enemy" and destined for a notorious donnybrook here.
Kato, you're in Japan enjoying the fire festival, aren't you?
(kato3.gif)
Yes, I am in Gyoda---my birthplace---right now, but the festival was held in last spring.
So you missed it, huh?
Unfortunately, I didn't see it myself, but a friend of mine showed me the above video.
How come you didn't take part in the festival?
Well... I wasn't in Gyoda at the time. The fire festival is held in May every year. I usually take a pre-Christmas vacation in October or November to visit my mother and brothers.
I see... Tell me about the couple in the video. They seem to wear old Japanese costumes.
Yes, they do... The festival is about Konohanasakuya-hime and her husband.
Who is Konohanasakuya-hime?
She is a famous character in Japanese mythology.
Konohanasakuya-hime
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Konohanasakuya-hime (木花咲耶姫) is the blossom-princess and symbol of delicate earthly life.
She is the daughter of the mountain god Ohoyamatsumi.
She is often considered an avatar of Japanese life, especially since her symbol is the sakura (cherry blossom).
Kono-hana is also the goddess of Mount Fuji and all volcanoes.
Kono-hana-hime is the wife of the god Ninigi.
She met him on the seashore and they fell in love.
Ninigi asked Oho-Yama, the father of Kono-hana-hime for her hand in marriage.
Oho-Yama proposed his older daughter, Iwa-Naga-hime, instead, but Ninigi had his heart set on Kono-hana because Iwa-Naga-hime was ugly.
Oho-Yama reluctantly agreed and Ninigi and Ko-no-hana married.
Because Ninigi refused Iwa-Naga-hime, the rock-princess, human lives are said to be short and fleeting, like the sakura blossoms, instead of enduring and long lasting, like stones.
Kono-hana became pregnant in just one night, causing suspicion in Ninigi.
He wondered if this was the child of another kami.
Kono-hana was enraged at Ninigi's accusation and entered a doorless hut, which she then set fire to, declaring that the child would not be hurt if it were truly the offspring of Ninigi.
Inside the hut, Ko-no-hana had three sons, Hoderi, Hosuseri and Hoori.
Shrines have been built on Mount Fuji for Konohanasakuya-hime.
(fuji199.jpg)
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It is believed that she will keep Mount Fuji from erupting, but shrines to her at Kirishima have been repeatedly destroyed by volcanic eruptions.
She is also known for having tore up the Yatsugatake Mountains, because it was higher than Mount Fuji.
SOURCE: "Konohanasakuya-hime" from Wikipedia
I see... Quite interesting... But, Kato, how come you're telling me about this festival?
Diane, have you ever heard that the Japanese emperor was believed to be a living god before the second world war?
Yes, I have. But I can hardly believe that.
Anyway, according to the mythology, the third son or Hoori is supposed to be the ancestor of the current emperor.
Kato, do you believe that?
No, I don't, but my mother used to believe it before the second world war.
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【Himiko's Monologue】
(himiko22.gif)
Canada extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles) in total, making it the world's second-largest country by total area and the fourth-largest country by land area.
Canada's common border with the United States forms the world's longest land border.
Naturally, many wild animals live in the vast land---especially in the northern part of the country.
Some of these animals are shown in this documentary called "Snow Babies," which depicts the first year of baby animals and their families originally broadcast on television as individual episodes in 1996.
Prepare for your heart to melt as the "BBC Eath" program brings you an in-deapth look at adorable baby animals in the beautiful but harsh world of ice and snow.
It is a fascinating and entertaining documentary.
Please take a look at the following trailer.
(snowbabies.jpg)
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
(1001nite.jpg)
(1001nite10.jpg)
The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
「a many years gludge」という言い方は文法的に可笑しいのですわ。。。なぜなら gludge は「不可算名詞」です。。。数えられない名詞ですから many gludge とは言えません。。。それに、many years とは名詞ですから、それを使いたいならば gludge of many years とするべきですわ。。。
父親が、「最近、疲れてるのでちょっとリラックスしないとねぇ〜」と言って、街の酒場にゆくのですよ。。。ディンクは、父親がビリヤードで賭け事でもやるんじゃないかと思って、「あそこにはピリヤード台はないよ」と呼びかけるのですよ。。。すると、父親が Doggone if I didn't forget that! と答えるのですよ。。。Doggone は辞書で調べると、俗語で「呪われた」、「いまいましい」、間投詞として「畜生！」「クソッ！」というように使われると書いてあります。。。この場合、どのように訳すのですか？
略さずに書けば I would be doggone if I didn't forget that! となってぇ、仮定文ですね。。。「いまいましい（クソッ）！ 知らなかったよ！」という意味になりますわ。。。直訳すれば、「もし、その事を忘れてないなら、呪われるかもねぇ〜」ということになります。。。
(gee-whiz)
You said you'd behave. Oh, gee whiz!
(doggone.jpg)
… doggone if I'll go.
この場面では、父親が酒場で また禁酒を破って酒を飲んでいるのですよ。。。それで、ディンクが「お行儀よくする（お酒は飲まない）と言ったじゃないか。オヤ、オヤ、（でも飲んでるんだよね）」と言うのです。。。そのあとで、アパートに帰る途中で父親が… doggone if I'll go.とつぶやくのです。。。この場合、ジューンさんはどのように訳しますか？
略さずに書くと、I'll be doggone if I'll go. となります。。。父親が、すっかり反省しているのですわ。。。「ちくしょう！（もう、あの酒場には）行くもんか！（酒など絶対に飲まないぞ！）」と訳しますわァ。。。
。。。では。次の場面です。。。
(cockeyed.jpg)
You're cockeyed right now.
(cockeyed2.jpg)
What do you mean, I'm cockeyed?
(cockeyed3.jpg)
Just like you were the night when you lost the championship.
ボクシングのプロモーターが父親に向かって You're cockeyed right now. と言うのです。。。cockeyed というのは「斜視の」「やぶにらみの」という意味ですよね。。。
Kato, how come you place my name right beside Hypatia?
Oh ... Diane, do you know who Hypatia is?
Yes, of course, I know. She is a Greek philosopher renowned for her beauty, isn't she?
Oh ..., ma ma mia ... ooh la la ... What an astounding jack-in-the-box!
Kato, what makes you so flabbergasted?
You know, Diane, not many people go to church these days.
I know. I know. But I don't blame them.
Why not?
...'Cause there are so many diversions people are occupied with. Going to movies is more exciting than going to church. Sitting in front of the computer screen is much more fun than sitting on a hard bench in the church.
So, Diane, you don't blame me for not going to church nor going to Buddhist temple, do you?
No, I don't. But why are you talking about church?
Well ... you know, Hypatia was killed by a Christian mob. Since you're a devoted Christian and regular church-goer, you might have known the tragic incidents in the early history of Christianity---the murder of Hypatia, in particular. That's what I thought.
I see..., but, Kato, you aren't a Christian, are you? How on earth have you come to know Hypatia?
Well ...I borrowed a DVD called "Agora" from Vancouver Public Library.
You watched the above movie on May 2, and jotted down the comment in the above, huh?
Yes, I did.
Your comment is too long, Kato. How come you always write a long comment? Make it short and get to the point.
I was thinking about writing an article on this movie. That's why I made it long so that you will know for sure what the movie is all about.
Instead of a long comment, the trailer will do a much better job, won't it?
The trailer is too short. I don't think you get a relatively full account of the story. Let me tell you the outline. I rewrite here the above comment with a number of still photos.
This is a 2009 historical drama directed by Alejandro Amenábar.
Rachel Weisz plays as Hypatia---a female mathematician, philosopher and astronomer in late 4th century Roman Egypt.
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Hypatia investigates the flaws of the geocentric Ptolemaic system and the heliocentric model that challenges it.
Surrounded by religious turmoil and social unrest, Hypatia struggles to save the knowledge of classical antiquity from destruction.
Max Minghella co-stars as Davus, Hypatia's father's slave.
(hypatia15.jpg)
Davus
Oscar Isaac plays as Hypatia's student, and later prefect of Alexandria, Orestes.
(hypatia13.jpg)
(Orestes sitting behind Hypatia)
The film starts in 391 AD.
By the end of the 4th century A.D., the Roman empire was on the verge of collapse.
Yet Alexandria, in the province of Egypt, still retained much of its splendor.
It boasted one of the seven wonders of the ancient world---the legendary lighthouse.
It was also proud of the greatest library on earth.
(hypatia17.jpg)
The library was not only a cultural symbol, but also a religious one, a place where the pagans worshipped their ancestral gods.
The city's long-established pagan cult was now challenged by the Jewish faith and a rapidly spreading religion until recently banned: Christianity.
After the storming of the library, many pagans converted to Christianity and Alexandria enjoyed a time of peace.
Hypatia continued her teaching and research, while her former disciples occupied important posts among the social elite.
The Roman empire finally split into two parts.
Many Christians saw this as a sign of the end of the world and decided to prepare themselves by living holier lives.
The story uses historical fiction to highlight the relationship between religion and science amidst the decline of Greco-Roman polytheism and the Christianization of the Roman empire.
(hypatia18.jpg)
Cyril (Sami Samir)
The leader of the Christians, Cyril (Sami Samir), views Hypatia as having too much influence over Orestes and stages a public ceremony intended to force Orestes to subjugate her.
Hypatia's former pupil, Synesius, now the Bishop of Cyrene, comes to her rescue as a religious authority counterweight, but says he cannot help her unless she accepts Christianity; she refuses.
Hypatia makes a personal discovery, theorizing that the Earth orbits around the Sun in an elliptic, not circular, orbit with the Sun at one of the foci.
Cyril convinces a mob of Christians that Hypatia is a witch and they vow to kill her.
(hypatia16.jpg)
Hypatia among the mob
Davus tries to run ahead to warn Hypatia, but she is captured by the mob.
They strip Hypatia naked and are about to skin her alive until Davus persuades the mob otherwise, and they decide to stone her instead.
When everyone goes outside to collect stones, Davus secretly suffocates her to spare her the pain of being stoned to death and tells the mob that she fainted.
Davus leaves as they begin to stone her.
Hypatia's mutilated body was dragged through the streets and burnt on a pyre.
Orestes disappeared, never to be seen again.
Cyril seized power of Alexandria.
Much later, Cyril was declared a saint and doctor of the Church.
Although none of Hypatia's works survived, it is known that she was an outstanding astronomer and renowned for her mathematical studies for her conic curves.
1200 years later, in the 17th century, the astronomer Johannes Kepler discovered that one of these curves, the eclipse, governs the motion of the planets.
It is thought-provoking and quite fascinating!
Kato, how many more DVDs are you gonna borrow?
I'm trying to watch 1,001 movies in the library.
I see... So, the 1,001st movie will be "One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights)," huh?
You're telling me, Diane.
Tell me, Kato, what impressed you most.
Well ... I'd say Pharos---the lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders.
(pharo3.jpg)
And, of course, Library of Alexandria.
The lighthouse and the library ... is that all?
Well ... lastly, not the least important ... Hypatia herself ... Her talent, beauty and the tragic death.
You see, Diane, she is the last philosopher of the Hellenistic Era. Cyril, the leader of the Christians, convinced a mob of Christians to kill her. And her death, I think, actually started the Dark Age in the Christian world.
Why did he want to kill her in the first place?
Well ... I think Cyril viewed Hypatia as a threat to his own dignity and power. He must have understood that she was much smarter than himself.
So, Cyril's inferiority complex and jealousy killed Hypatia. Is that it?
You're telling me, Diane. Cyril was a self-righteous, bigoted and opinionated man---the kind of guy I hate most in the human history.
Kato, you're quite mad with him because he killed the most beautiful woman at the time, aren't you?
No, not really. Actually, I'm speaking on your behalf.
On my behalf?
Yes, I am. If Hypatia had survived, she would have educated more women, some of whom would probably have gone into politics and gained the right to vote.
Do you really think so, Kato?
Yes, very much so. Unfortunately, the Christian mob killed Hypatia, and the coming of other intelligent and politically-powerful women died with her. Women had to wait for 1500 years to obtain the right to vote.
1500 years?
Yes, Hypatia was killed in 415. The American women voted for the first time in 1920. The Japanese women voted in 1946.
Kato, are you a feminist?
Yes, of course, I am.
(laugh16.gif)
【Himiko's Monologue】
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World refers to remarkable constructions of classical antiquity listed by various authors in guidebooks popular among the ancient Hellenic tourists, particularly in the 1st and 2nd centuries BC.
The most prominent of these, the versions by Antipater of Sidon and an observer identified as Philo of Byzantium, comprise seven works located around the eastern Mediterranean rim.
The original list inspired innumerable versions through the ages, often listing seven entries.
Of the original Seven Wonders, only the Great Pyramid of Giza (the oldest of the ancient wonders) remains intact.
(giza02.jpg)
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office.
Limited voting rights were gained by women in Sweden, Finland and some western U.S. states in the late 19th century.
International organizations were formed to coordinate efforts, especially the International Council of Women (1888) and the International Woman Suffrage Alliance (1904).
In 1893, New Zealand, then a self-governing British colony, granted adult women the right to vote and the self-governing British colony of South Australia did the same in 1895, but also permitted women to run for office.
Australia federated in 1901, and women acquired the right to vote and stand in federal elections from 1902, though uneven restrictions on Aboriginal women voting in national elections were not completely removed until 1962.
The first European country to introduce women's suffrage was the Grand Duchy of Finland, then part of the Russian Empire, which also produced the world's first female members of parliament in the 1907 parliamentary elections.
Norway followed, granting full women's suffrage in 1913.
In most Western countries, women's suffrage came after World War I, with some important late adopters being France in 1944 and Switzerland in 1971.
If Hypatia had survived, women might have gained the right to vote much earlier.
Paul Newmann returns as the quick-witted detective he first played nine years before in "Harper" A cast to reckon with joins him in this mystery based on Ross MacDonald's novel and directed by Stuart Rosenberg. Joanne Woodward plays the New Orleans oil heiress who turns to Harper for help. Young Melanie Griffith is her kittenish dughter. And Tony Franciosa, Coral Browne, Andy Robinson, Murray Hamilton and more keep this movie intrigue as thick as gumbo.
I see... so after you watched, you jotted down the following comment, huh?
Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, this is a 1995 American romantic drama based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller.
The story in the diaries reveals the impact the affair had on the lives of a farm woman and a National Geographic photographer.
The affair took place while her husband and children were at the state fair in Illinois.
(madison09.jpg)
She almost ran away with him to travel the world with him.
After a wrenching period of decision-making, however, she decided to stay at the last minute after considering the bigger picture that includes the consequences leaving would have on the lives of her teenage children and husband, who was a good, loving man.
After all the photographer finds meaning and his true calling as an artist.
It also has deep consequences on the lives of her son and daughter, who are both experiencing marital problems.
(madison02.jpg)
Their mother’s story helped them to find a sense of direction in their lives.
It is an old-fashioned love story with some meanings in terms of the present day context.
Superb are the performances of Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
Diane, have you seen the above movie?
Oh yes, I have. That was quite a popular movie back in those days of the late 1990s simply because the novel, on which the film was based, was a 1992 best-seller. Actually, 60 million copies were sold worldwide.
The Bridges of Madison County (Book)
(madison12.jpg)
It is a 1992 best-selling novel by Robert James Waller that tells the story of a married
but lonely Italian-American woman (war bride) living on a 1960s Madison County, Iowa farm.
While her husband and children are away at the State Fair, she engages in an affair with a National Geographic photographer
from Bellingham, Washington, who is visiting Madison County to create a photographic essay on the covered bridges in the area.
The novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fictional.
However, the author stated in an interview that there were strong similarities between the main character and himself.
The novel is one of the bestselling books of the 20th century, with 60 million copies sold worldwide.
It has also been adapted into a feature film in 1995 and a musical in 2013.
Publication history
It was originally published in the UK under the title Love in Black and White.
A sequel entitled A Thousand Country Roads was published in 2002.
It tells the remainder of the two main characters' story after their four-day affair.
They never meet again, but their lives are interlocked until death.
In 2005, the trilogy was completed with High Plains Tango, which came about when Waller was writing "A Thousand Country Roads" and he realized he had two novels' worth of material.
"High Plains Tango picks up the story of itinerant master carpenter Carlisle McMillan, Robert Kincaid's illegitimate son, who settles in Salamander, S.D.
There his life becomes intertwined with two very different women and almost overrun by the threats of eminent domain."
SOURCE:"The Bridges of Madison County"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sixty million copies, eh? Amazing!
Did you watch the movie on July 3 for the first time?
Yes, I did. Actually, I was quite interested in the movie when it was quite often talked about in those days.
Then why didn't you view the movie back in those days?
Well, I could hardly imagine that Clint Eastwood would take such a melodramatic role. You see, he was quite famous as a "Dirty Harry."
(dirty001.jpg)
He was also famous as a hard-boiled guy in Spaghetti Western or Italian Western such as "For a Few Dollars More" directed by Sergio Leone.
(dirty002.jpg)
I could hardly think that Clint Eastwood would play a protagonist as a ladys' man in "The Bridges of Madison County."
Is that the reason you didn't watch the movie in the 1990s?
Yes, it is. His womanizer-image destroyed my appetite for the movie.
Then how come you watched the movie at this time?
Well, as Clint Eastwood gets older, I'm getting softer on his image.
So how did you like the movie?
As I jotted down the comment, the performances of Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep are superb. I was quite impressed by their acting. The film was made based on a true story, I guess.
No, I don't think so. As noted in the above article of Wikipedia, the novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fictional.
I know, but look at the following article about the author.
Robert James Waller
(waller02.jpg)
Robert James Waller (August 1, 1939 – March 10, 2017) was an American author best known for "The Bridges of Madison County"---an enormously successful book in 1993.
He was also a photographer and musician.
Life
Waller received his BA ('62) and MA ('64) from University of Northern Iowa (then known as Iowa State Teachers College).
He received his PhD in business from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington in 1968.
Later that year he returned to UNI and began teaching management and economics, and in 1977 became a full professor.
He became dean of the College of Business in 1980 and retired from that position in 1986.
It was announced in 2000 that he made a "seven figure" donation to Indiana University.
Several of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list including 1992's "The Bridges of Madison County" which was the top best-seller in 1993.
Both that novel and his 1995 novel, Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, have been made into motion pictures.
Personal life
In 1997, his marriage of 35 years to Georgia ended in divorce.
An article in People Magazine noted, "The parallels between Waller's life and his art (his Bridges heroine, farmwife Francesca, sacrifices her chance for happiness with a globe-hopping photographer in order to stay home and shield her loved ones from small-town scandal) haven't been lost on the locals".
Waller died on March 10, 2017, at his home in Fredericksburg, Texas.
He was 77 and had been battling multiple myeloma.
SOURCE:"Robert James Waller"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You see, the author was divorced in 1997. What do you think made the couple get divorced?
Well, nobody knows for sure. Besides, he's been dead now. The secret was buried with him.
But the author stated in an interview that there were strong similarities between the main character and himself. That's the reason the novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, which has obviously damaged his wife's feeling. Therefore, the couple got divorced, I suppose.
In any case, that's none of your buinsess, Kato.
I know, I know ... But aren't you curious about it? The above Wikipedia article says: The parallels between Waller's life and Francesca's life remains on the locals.
After all, it is anybody's guess.
(dianelin3.jpg)
【Himiko's Monologue】
(himiko22.gif)
Well..., Francesca almost ran away with Robert to travel the world with him.
After a wrenching period of decision-making, however, she decided to stay at the last minute after considering the bigger picture that includes the consequences leaving would have on the lives of her teenage children and husband, who was a good, loving man.
When you view the movie, you might be surprised to see how much damage a scandal would cause in such a rural community in those days.
As a matter of fact, Robert noticed an alienated woman in a local cafe-restaurant when he dropped in.
(madison06.jpg)
The woman sitting beside Robert (played by Clint Eastwood) was ignored by elder waitresses because of her extramarital scandal.
However, the younger waitress reluctantly took an order, but on a second thought, the woman decided to get out because the customers inside all stared at her with most treacherously despising gaze.
She just couldn't stand it.
In those days, you could hardly ignore those contemptuous gazes.
Those rural communities were open in terms of scandal and rumors but closed and close-knit in terms of human relations.
Kato watched "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights" as his 1001th movie.
You might just as well want to view it.
(1001nite.jpg)
(1001nite10.jpg)
The stories in "the Arabian Nights" were collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa.
The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian folklore and literature.
In particular, many tales were originally folk stories from the Caliphate era, while others, especially the frame story, are most probably drawn from the Pahlavi Persian work Hazār Afsān which in turn relied partly on Indian elements.
What is common throughout all the editions of the Nights is the initial frame story of the ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade and the framing device incorporated throughout the tales themselves.
The stories proceed from this original tale.
Some are framed within other tales, while others begin and end of their own accord.
Some editions contain only a few hundred nights, while others include 1,001 or more.
Fascinating information in the above article!
I actually think I know the mysterious and inspirational lady you're talking about.
She looks very much like the photo you displayed and she comes across as intelligent but disturbed at the same time.
Something must have happened to her that affected her more rational behavior, or at least that's how it seems.
I certainly know about Kurosawa as he's been famous and very popular here in Canada now for some time.
The movie "Throne of Blood" looks a bit too gory for me, though.
(kumo905.jpg)
More of a man's film, I'd say.
Interesting story, for sure.
Are you keeping busy ... too busy sometimes?
My boyfriend and I went to the Playhouse Theater on Saturday night and saw a hilarious play "La Cage aux Folles."
(play001.jpg)
(play002.jpg)
I had seen the movie years ago and then there was remake apparently with Robin Williams.
(cage004.jpg)
The Birdcage (1996)
(Movie Trailer)
The movie was better, but the play was still quite marvelous.
Preparing now for Christmas.
Maybe I'll get to Joe Fortes before that time. Hopefully.
Gotta run,
(engbay03.jpg)
Love, Diane ~
(foolw.gif)
Subj:Hi, Diane
What a big crook!
(angel03.gif)
Date: Tues., Dec. 20, 2011 10:11 PM
Pacific Standard Time
From: barclay1720@aol.com
To: diane3760@canada.ca
Hi Diane,
I'm glad to know that you've been happily preparing for the big event---X'mas!
Well..., I'm not a Christian, so X'mas is not such a big event in my life.
However, watching X'mas trees always makes me happy and puts me into a festival mood.
(xmastree2.gif)
Your big crook reminded me of James Herriot's sheep story, in which a dying sheep is miraculously saved simply because she has been sent into a long sleep with a drug so that she couldn't feel pain at all.
Pain and fear would give anyone a bad effect.
That's what James Herriot said in the story.
Well, at least, your big crook gave me a bit of laugh, which made me happy. :)
By the way, the mysterious woman showed up in the afternoon with a DVD today.
She always puzzles me.
What is she doing?
She doesn't have to sit at the online computer at all if she wants to view DVDs.
An offline computer will do.
How come she always sits at the online computer at the same time?
Some day, I might as well ask her.
(sylviex.jpg)
Sylvie had appeared 20 minutes earlier than you did.
You just missed her.
As usual, she seemed happy and satisfied with herself. :) he, he, he, he, he,...
Well, I've just written a story about the "Titanic" movie and my own Titanic-like romance.
Please click the following link:
Date: Wed, Dec 21, 2011 11:27 pm.
Pacific Standard Time
From: diane3760@canada.ca
To: barclay1720@aol.com
Hi, Kato.
Yes, it's a lovely crook isn't it?
I'll have to send you some photos of the cast when we're in full regalia.
I've got an awesome shepherd's outfit which I pretty well put together myself, and the rest of the group are really fun and committed to the play.
Of course, if I had got to be one of the three Kings it'd be an even better costume with more glitter and such, but what's a girl to do.
You've got to dress for the role you've got.
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As it turns out, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is really sick and I've been substituting for her as well as playing my simple role as a shepherd, so it may turn out I get to do both roles on Christmas Eve.
Such fun I haven't had since grade school, really!
It's just filled me with such happiness.
We'll perform the play at 5 PM on Dec. 24th.
Kato, come to my church & see for yourself, just for fun, why don't you?
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By the way, I'm so fascinated with this mysterious lady.
You really should approach her and get to know her, if only to explain to her she can watch her DVD's without booking time on the computer.
She'd probably bless you for this.
Let me know, okay?
Thanks for this information.
I've not got time right now but SOON I'll peruse it.
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Love & Blessings,
Diane ~
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Kato, how come you didn't come to my church to see the play?
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It was down-pouring. Too wet to go out.
I don't think so. It was drizzling, but not definitely down-pouring. You should've come to see the play.
Anyway, I had a good laugh when you showed up at Joe Fortes Library with that giant crook. That was more than enough for me. :) He, he, he, he, he,...
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Don't be silly, Kato...I didn't show up like that.
In any case, I could easily imagine how the play would go. So instead, I was looking for some funny X'mas video clips for a X'mas article.
You're not dependable. You don't show up or you come too late...always like that.
Talking of the play, Diane, you went to the Playhouse Theater to see "La Cage aux Folles," didn't you?
Yes, I did. Did you, Kato?
No, I didn't...but I viewed the "Birdcage" DVD, which you mentioned in the mail.
Oh, did you? I think the movie is better, but the play is still quite marvelous.
La Cage aux Folles
It is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman.
Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, Jean-Michel, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.
The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs.
The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
La Cage aux Folles is the only musical which has won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical twice and the only show that has won a Best Production Tony Award (Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical) for each of its Broadway productions.
A National Tour, based on the 2010 revival, will begin in October 2011 with George Hamilton as Georges and Christopher Sieber as Albin.
Synopsis
Georges, the master of ceremonies, welcomes the audience to his St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles".
The chorus line known as Les Cagelles appear and introduce themselves to the audience.
Georges and his "wife", Albin, have lived happily together for many years in an apartment above La Cage with their black "maid" Jacob.
Albin is a drag queen and the star performer of La Cage aux Folles under the alias of "Zaza".
As Albin prepares to perform, Georges' 24-year-old son Jean-Michel (the offspring of a confused, youthful liaison with a woman named Sybil) arrives home with the news that he is engaged to Anne Dindon.
Georges is reluctant to approve of Jean-Michel's engagement, but Jean-Michel assures his father that he is in love with Anne.
Unfortunately, her father is head of the "Tradition, Family and Morality Party", whose stated goal is to close the local drag clubs.
Anne's parents want to meet their daughter's future in-laws.
Jean-Michel has lied to his fiancée, describing Georges as a retired diplomat, and he pleads with Georges to tell Albin to absent himself (and his flamboyantly gay behaviors) for the visit.
Before Georges can break the news to him, Albin suggests that they hurry back to La Cage to make it in time for the next show.
They arrive in time and Albin takes the stage once more as Zaza.
While Albin is performing, Georges and Jean-Michel quickly redecorate the house.
Georges finally tells Albin of Jean-Michel's plan and expects Albin to explode with fury, but he remains silent.
Albin then re-joins Les Cagelles onstage and tells them to leave.
He then begins to sing alone in defiance of Jean-Michel, stating that he is proud of who he is and refuses to change for anyone.
He angrily throws his wig at Georges and departs in a huff.
The next morning, Georges finds Albin after his abrupt departure and apologizes.
He then suggests to Albin that he dress up for dinner as macho "Uncle Al".
Albin is still upset, but reluctantly agrees to act like a heterosexual for Jean-Michel.
Back at the chastely redesigned apartment, Georges shows "Uncle Al" to Jean-Michel.
Jean-Michel doesn't like the idea and expresses his dislike for Albin's lifestyle.
Georges angrily reminds Jean-Michel of how good of a "mother" Albin has been to him.
They then receive a telegram that Jean-Michel's mother Sybil is not coming and Anne's parents arrive.
Hoping to save the day, Albin appears as Jean-Michel's buxom, forty-year-old mother, in pearls and sensible shoes.
The nervous Jacob burns the dinner, so a trip to a local restaurant, "Chez Jacqueline", belonging to an old friend of Albin and Georges, is quickly arranged.
No one has told Jacqueline of the situation, and she asks Albin (as Zaza) for a song, to which he hesitantly agrees.
Everyone in the restaurant begins to take part in the song, causing Albin to yield to the frenzy of performance and tear off his wig at the song's climax, revealing his true identity.
Back at the apartment, the Dindons plead with their daughter to abandon her fiancé, for they are appalled by his homosexual parents, but she is in love with Jean-Michel and refuses to leave him.
Jean-Michel, deeply ashamed of the way he has treated Albin, asks his forgiveness, which is lovingly granted.
The Dindons prepare to depart, but their way is blocked by Jacqueline, who has arrived with the press, ready to photograph these notorious anti-homosexual activists with Zaza.
Georges and Albin have a proposal: If Anne and Jean-Michel may marry, Georges will help the Dindons escape through La Cage aux Folles next door.
The Dindons do so, dressed in drag as members of the nightclub's revue, and all ends well.
Audition for
"La Cage aux Folles"
SOURCE: "La Cage aux Folles"
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Was the playhouse packed?
Oh, yes, it was with a lot of people. We really enjoyed the play. How about you, Kato?
I didn't see the play, but the "Birdcage" is quite an amusing movie. Nathan Lane, who played as Albert, is a funny guy---actually, the funniest homosexual I've ever seen in my life.
Funniest? In what way?
Well..., he was eating at the table with Robin Williams. He picked up some slimy stuff with a fork, but couldn't manage to hold it, and dropped it. In doing so, he overreacted in such a hilarious way that I laughed to death. He was really a drag queen in the true sense.
I cannot recall such a funny scene.
Anyway, if someone with homophobia see the movie, he or she might change his way of thinking about homosexuality.
Kato, are you a homosexual?
Diane, are you trying to insult me?
Oh, no, I'm quite serious and curious.
Do I look like a drag queen?
Oh, no, you don't. But I've noticed that a wildest-looking man sometimes turns out to be a homosexual.
I'm not against homosexuality, but acting like a drag queen is the last thing I want to do.
You know, Kato, there are quite a few anti-gay activists in Vancouver.
I know that. So the Vancouver School Board is taking an anti-homophobia policy, using film and video to engage youth and educators on issues related to homophobia.
How do you know?
I saw the sign board the other day.
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Where did you find it?
Of course, in Vancouver. Look at the map in the background. Don't ask me such a foolish question.
So the school board is providing anti-homophobia programs, isn't it?
I suppose so. If I was one of the school trustees, I would propose that each student should see "The Birdcage" so that all the students would laugh off homophobia. What would you say, Diane?
Maybe a good idea. I agree with you.
【Himiko's Monologue】
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Wow! ... What a funny drag queen!
As you know, a drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining.
There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once.
Drag queens also vary by class and culture and can vary even within the same city.
Although many drag queens are gay men, there are drag artists of all genders and sexualities who do drag for various reasons or purposes.
Women who dress like men for the same purpose are known as drag kings.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
The Birdcage met with mixed reviews ranging from praise to condemnation in both the mainstream press and the gay press for the portrayals of its gay characters.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) praised the film for "going beyond the stereotypes to see the character's depth and humanity."
The Birdcage opened on March 8, 1996 and grossed 18 million dollars in its opening weekend, topping the box office.
By the end of its 14-week run, the film had grossed 124 million dollars domestically and 61 million internationally, coming down to 185 million worldwide.
So it became quite a popular movie.
If you happen to visit a library in your neighborhood, you might as well borrow the "Birdcage" DVD and view it.
Great story about the Central VPL (Vancouver Public Library) and the old chap.
Of course, you DO look like a librarian.
You've spent so much time in the library that it comes naturally.
I'm surprised more folks don't question you.
It's funny about Sylvie as well.
Yes, I guess she overheard us talking.
You're right in that I at heart really DO like people and love to help out where I can.
It's just part of my nature so not a difficulty.
We're all different, and we all have different gifts, isn't it true?
Such lovely weather these days, isn't it great?
I went for a stroll around Lost Lagoon after supper and ended up on Cathedral Trail.
You must check it out.
Just over the Lost Lagoon bridge between the Lagoon and Second Beach, the park has constructed a lovely cedar boardwalk.
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It looks so new that it still SMELLS deliciously of cedar and the construction is solid and beautiful.
It is meant to protect the environment but delightful to stroll over.
You must do so whenever you're in the area.
... hope you're enjoying this weather.
Let me know if you get to see the new boardwalk, okay?
How's it going with the love life?
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Ciao, Diane ~
Subj:
Yes, yes, yes... I'm going out!
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From: barclay1720@aol.com
to: diane@vancouver.ca
Thurs., June 20, 2013 3:55 P.M.
(Pacific Daylight Saving Time)
Hi Diane,
What a lovely and gorgeous day we have today.
Are you enjoying the sunshine?
I hope you ARE.
Probably, you're jogging around the seawall.
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I'm at the Main Branch now.
I think I'll go to see the new boardwalk this late afternoon once I'm done with my article.
Just before the library gets closed, I'll get out and drop in at the IGA supermarket near the library to buy a bunch of bananas for my supper.
Then, I'll walk to the Rose Garden in Stanley Park.
Probably I'll reach the Garden by 6:30 p.m.
Then I'll take a break and eat my bananas.
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If you've got free time this evening, I'd like to see you at the Rose Garden.
...hope this mail will reach you in time.
Your smiling Bohemian, Kato
with a lot of love
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Subj:
I miss the rendez-vous!
From: diane@vancouver.ca
to: barclay1720@aol.com
Sun., 2013 July 14 10:30 PM
(Pacific Daylight Saving Time)
Hi Kato,
I've just received your mail now, which is too late for me.
It is 10:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.
I certainly miss the rendez-vous on the boardwalk.
I've had a wonderfully exciting and varied weekend, though.
so I can't complain.
...hope you got to see the new cedar boardwalk, kiddo.
Sleep tight.
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Luv, Diane ~
So, Diane, you were quite busy hopping around a number of parties over the last weekend, eh?
Well ... what else can I do? You see, Kato, I at heart really DO like people and love to go out with people. Furthermore, I'd like to help out where I can.
So, Diane, you go to parties and help your friends have a lot of fun, eh?
Kato, you're so sarcastic. I'm not particularly preoccupied with wild parties. To tell you the truth, I embodied a profoundly personal and deeply sincere commitment to my spiritual beliefs.
Oh ...? You sound quite serious, eh?
I taught Sunday School and undertook duties to support my Anglican Church and tried to help others in whatever way I could.
I know ... I know ...
Do you really know that, Kato?
Well ... at least I can see that you're always willing and happy to help others in whatever way you could.
I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Kato, how did you enjoy the boardwalk?
Just before the closing time, I checked the news on the newly constructed boardwalk in the library.
Did you find any?
Yes, I did. I looked into the following CBC news clip.
Check out Stanley Park's first boardwalk
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I was quite excited because the boardwalk reminded me of Oze Marshland in Japan.
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Oze Marshland in Nikko
Wow! What a beautiful view! Have you been over there, Kato?
Yes, of course, I have. That's the reason I got so excited about the new boardwalk in Stanley Park. Suddenly, the old memory about the trip to Oze Marshland came into my mind.
So, naturally, you imagined the same kind of scenery, didn't you?
Yes, I did. I thought that it would be quite romantic if I strolled with you on the boardwalk in Oze Marshland. Anyway, I went to the rose garden in Stanley Park.
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I walked from West End Community Center along the green route to the Rose Garden.
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Rose Garden at Stanley Park
So, while you were waiting for me, you ate a bunch of bananas like a chimpanzee, didn't you?
Yes, that's right. Greatly expecting a romantic rendez-vous, I enjoyed eating my banana supper like a starry-eyed amorous chimp.
I'm really sorry, Kato. If I'd known it well in advance, I could've probably managed to meet you over there.
Anyway, I waited for an extra hour or so, but you didn't show up. That was the first letdown.
Oh ...? What was the second letdown?
Well ... I went over to the stone bridge, then to the new boardwalk. Oh, yes... as you wrote, it still smelled deliciously of cedar. The boardwalk was stoutly built. I was expecting some romantic white flowers.
Lysichiton
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It is a genus in the family Araceae.
These plants are known commonly as skunk cabbage or less often as swamp lantern.
The spelling Lysichitum is also found.
The genus has two species, one found in north-east Asia, the other in north-west America.
Lysichiton has flowers which are typical of those of the family to which it belongs (the arum family or Araceae).
The individual flowers are small and are tightly packed on a fleshy stem called a spadix which is surrounded by a white or yellow but otherwise leaf-like bract called a spathe.
The spathe is hooded or boat-shaped at the top.
Lysichiton has flowers with both male and female parts present (bisexual), unlike many other aroids.
After fertilization, the green fruits become embedded in the spadix; each fruit usually has two seeds but may have up to four.
Several large leaves appear either just before flowering or soon afterwards; each has a short stalk (petiole).
Plants die down to a vertical rhizome in winter.
SOURCE: "Lysichiton"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
To my disappointment, I couldn't find any flowers of lysichiton as I walked along the boradwalk. This was my second letdown. Then came the third letdown.
What was it?
To my sad surprise, the boardwalk ended after I walked for about five minutes.
Yes, yes, yes... the boardwalk is a rather short path. So, Kato, you were quite disappointed, weren't you?
Yes, that's true. I was not satisfied with the short boardwalk, but at least it reminded me of my nostalgic memory and melody.
I can see your nostalgic memory about the trip to Oze Marshland, but what is your nostalgic melody?
Listen to this:
Oze Marshland with Music
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Did you hear a lovely melody?
Yes, I did. It's nice and sweet, isn't it? What is it about?
Here are lyrics for you.
Summer Memories
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I recall as summer comes
Oze Marshland in the far away
Floating in the mist
Gentle silhouette along the boardwalk
Flowers of lysichiton in bloom
Dreaming by the water
Like rhododendron in the twilight
Oh, Oze Marshland in the far away
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I recall as summer comes
My trip in Oze Marshland
Among white flowers
Floating islands
Sweet sweet flowers of lysichiton
Dreaming in full bloom by the water
Nostalgic Oze in my eyes
Oh, Oze Marshland in the far away
Oh, Kato, I wish I could stroll with you on the boardwalk in Oze Marshland
Yes, yes, yes ... some day, some day ...
【Himiko's Monologue】
What beautiful flowers they are!
I like "mizu-bashō" or flowers of lysichiton.
In English, it is usually called "White Skunk Cabbage."
I hate this English name!
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I just don't understand how come any man could come up with "Skunk" to call this beautiful flower.
As you know, a skunk produces the most disgusting and obnoxious fart.
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Oze Marshland (尾瀬ヶ原) is a high altitude marshland in the Oze National Park, Japan.
Approximately 8km² in size, the marshland is well known for the various species of plants, including the "mizu-bashō" (White Skunk Cabbage), "Nikkō-kisuge" (yellow alpine lilies) and "Watasuge" (Eriophorum vaginatum).
The marshland is a popular hiking destination.
When you visit Japan, please drop in at Oze Marshland.
確かに、その前の英文の意味を参考にすれば そのような意味になるでしょう。。。でも、もし徒歩で逃げているとしたら捕まらずに逃げることはできないと思います。。。この場合、パトカーを盗んで、それに乗って逃げているのです。。。たくさんのパトカーに追いかけられて、もう駄目だと犯人は観念したのです。。。切羽詰まって、もう どうにもならないと思った時に、この犯人が言うのが I ditch the cop car. なのです。。。どういう意味になると思いますか？
At least nine people have reportedly choked to death on New Year's rice cakes in Japan, and officials are urging people to chew slowly on the treats.
Sticky rice cakes or "mochi" are an essential part of the Japanese New Year's menu.
But the glutinous mochi, grilled or cooked in broth or with sweet beans, can get stuck in people's throats.
The Yomiuri newspaper reported Friday that at least 128 people were rushed to hospitals after choking on mochi, with nine dying.
The Tokyo Fire Department said Monday that 18 people were taken to city hospitals during the first three days of the year and three males died.
The department advised people to cut mochi in small pieces, chew slowly and learn first aid.
In addition to the Tokyo deaths, three people died in Chiba prefecture, while one each died in Osaka, Aomori and Nagasaki prefectures, the newspaper reported.
In the Nagasaki case, an 80-year-old man choked on a mochi that was in sweet bean soup served for free at a Shinto shrine.
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Japanese customarily visit shrines and temples to welcome the new year, and mochi, sake and other treats are sold or given out.
Kato, I wonder if any of your family in your hometown of Japan has ever chocked to death.
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Oh no, nobody! As far as I know, none of my family have ever choked on mochi before because all the members have been quite slow in eating mochi. Slow-eating is one of my family traits, I suppose.
I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Kato, did you eat some mochi on the New Year's Day?
Yes, I did. To tell you the truth, I ate four pieces of mochi for the first time in 30 years.
Why is that?
Well... As you know, Mayumi's dream has come true and now she is in Vancouver. So Mayumi and I celebrated her new life in Vancouver while eating mochi on the New Year's Day.
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How did you eat mochi?
Actually, I wrote about it the other day.
How to make Zenzai or
"mochi in sweet red-bean soup"
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Zenzai hasn't changed a bit for long, and it is a staple snack of cold season.
In good old days, Zenzai used to wait for you to be eaten on the stove in your living room while you were preoccupied with other things.
But it doesn't seem to go quite so these days.
If you ever want to make Zenzai over the gas stove, you might just as well make a delicious Zenzai.
Boil and make the red beans completely soft.
After throwing out the water, you add 250 ml of water and 200 grams of suger to make a delicious Zenzai
I'll teach you how to boil the red beans and make a Zenzai with an elegant sweetness.
【Ingredients of Zenzai】
• red beans ... 250g
• sugar ... 200g
• water added at the last sweetening process ... 250ml
• a pinch of salt
1) Selection of red beans
for making delicious Zenzai
The basics of make Zenzai
① Tannins or bitterness can be removed by boiling twice.
When this is done, you boil it for the third time and cook for an hour.
② After throwing out the water, you add 250 ml of water and 200 grams of sugar and then boil it.
NOTE: Before the removal of tannins, take a close look at the red beans placed in a pot.
When you find discolored red beans, please remove them.
2) Removal of tannins or astringency
Wash red beans in a pot, and add one litre of water.
Then put it on fire.
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Note: 1) The red beans do not need to be in water before boiling.
It is okay to place the pot on fire as soon as the beans and water come together in the pot.
2) In the first removal of tannins, add a plenty of water, instead of a little bit of water.
Once it boils, throw out the water and then add a plenty of water for the second boiling.
Even after the second boiling, the red beans are still hard.
The red beans become tender in the next step.
3) The basics of boiling red beans
Once it boils for the third time, don't discard the water.
You cook the red beans until they become tender.
You cook them in low heat for at least an hour.
NOTE: 1) While being cooked, the water gets less.
Please add some water so that the red beans always remain under water.
In about an hour, the red beans will become tender so that you could feel the softness with your fingers.
However, if the red beans are fresh, you could make them tender in less than one hour.
Please cook them carefully while checking the softness.
As the red beans become soft, proceed to the next step.
When I made the Zenzai using the fresh red beans, they became soft in about 40 minutes.
4) How to make it sweet
Place the softened red beans in a pot with 250 ml of water and 200 grams of suger as well as a pinch of salt.
The amount of water at this time is 250 ml---no more, no less.
Once it boils, you cook them about 10 minutes in low heat.
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Bake enough pieces of mochi in a toaster or an oven.
Serve a bowl of sweet red-bean soup with two pieces of mochi.
Source: "Zenzai@Overseas" （お汁粉@海外）
The Original in Japanese
(Photos from Denman library)
Ummmm... looks delicious... Why didn't you call me? I would've been delighted to have some mochi with Mayumi.
I thought you were not accustomed to sticky mochi. If you had eaten a piece of mochi, you might have gone to Heaven. So I dared not call you.
Nonsense! I know how to eat mochi. Anyway, do you think, Kato, those people who choked to death on mochi went to Heaven?
Of course, they did because Japanese customarily visit shrines and temples to welcome the new year. So those who died with mochi naturally welcome the new year in Heaven.
No kidding!
Anyway, Diane, I've got something for you to experience a heavenly feeling.
So, you jotted down your comment after viewing it on January 9, huh?
Yes, I did. Galia, a young woman from Jerusalem, got almost killed by the terrorist attack. The bus she rode exploded and she stopped breathing for 7 minutes when she was rescued from the inflamed bus.
Then what happened to Galia?
Well... she wandered in Heaven during those seven minutes.
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It is a thought-provoking film about the soul and body. I'm sure you would like it.
How about the other one---"All That Heaven Allows"?
So, you jotted down your comment after viewing it on January 7, huh?
Yes, I did. It's about Cary Scott, a well-to-do widow, and Ron Kirby, a much younger gardener. Both fall in love. Cary is an affluent widow in suburban New England, whose social life involves her country club peers, college-age children, and a few men vying for her affection.
I see... seems interesting.
Yes, it is. Cary becomes interested in Ron, who turns out an intelligent, down-to-earth and respectful yet passionate younger man.
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Then what happens?
Ron introduces Cary to people who seem to have no need for wealth and status and she responds positively.
Then what follows?
Cary accepts his proposal of marriage, but becomes distressed when her friends and college-age children get angry. Her daughter and son look down upon Ron and his friends, and both children reject their mother for this socially unacceptable arrangement.
Well... it's understandable.
Eventually, bowing to this pressure, Cary breaks off the engagement.
Then what?
When Ron has a life-threatening accident, however, Cary realizes how wrong she had been to allow other people's opinions and superficial social conventions dictate her life choices.
I see... so both reunite, don't they?
Sort of... In those days back in 1955, Cary must have received a lot of pressure and tons of prejudice, I suppose. In any case, it is a fascinating and thought-provoking romance. Diane, this film is your cup of tea.
I think I'll book the DVD. But, Kato, where does Heaven come in?
Well... Ron has a life-threatening accident... So he wanders in Heaven while he's recovering.
Really...?
Well... you might as well wander in Heaven while watching the above movie. I paste here the full movie for you.
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【Himiko's Monologue】
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Wow! What fascinating movies they are!
I'd like to meet a guy like Ron.
What about you?
Rock Hudson was so handsome.
I wish I could meet someone like him in the near future.
Oh, well... there are some other interesting movies.
For example, look at Number 649 in the above list.
It is called "The Shawshank Redemption."
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【Trailer】
Kato jotted down his comment as follows:
This is a 1994 epic American drama written and directed by Frank Darabont.
Adapted from the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover despite his claims of innocence.
During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money laundering operation.
I think this is one of the greatest movies, in which you could feel, as if in realty, that maintaining one's feeling of self-worth is quite important even when placed in a hopeless position.
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This film clearly shows how you can be free, even in prison, or unfree, even in freedom, based on one's outlook on life.
The above comment sounds quite interesting, doesn't it?
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
I enjoyed watching the above "All That Heaven Allows", too.
Another interesting movie is Number 652 in the above list, which is called "Séraphine."
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Kato jotted down his comment:
This is a 2008 French-Belgian film directed by Martin Provost.
It shows the life of Séraphine Louis (1864–1942), who is a French painter in the naïve style.
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Self-taught, she is inspired by her religious faith and by stained-glass church windows and other religious art.
The intensity of her images, both in color and in replicative designs, are sometimes interpreted as a reflection of her own psyche because she walks a tightrope between ecstasy and mental illness.
If Wilhelm Uhde (German art collector and noted art critic) hadn't happened to come up with one of her paintings, she might have remained unnoticed, led a normal life and died as a poor yet religious housekeeper.
