The Farewell (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Farewell (2019): Family gathers in China when grandmother is diagnosed with cancer. A study in cultural differences dealing with universal feelings. Careful storytelling by Lulu Wang makes it heartfelt without being maudlin. Awkwafina handles a range of acting excellently. A-

Idle Thoughts: From "Never Again" to "I can't believe it's happening here."

Tweets from July, 2019:

• 2019-07-01: "How did we go from 'Never Again' to 'I can't believe it's happening here.'" -- Christopher Weyant"
• 2019-07-01: Richardson, give me one good reason not to follow Portland's lead here. (Link)
• 2019-07-01: @RepLanceGooden Thanks for noticing, at long last, that the economy was in a "boom" under Obama, in fact about twice as long as under the current Republican administration.

After the jump, more idle thoughts.

POTD: Alexander Garden

From 2018 08 20 Moscow

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Alexander Garden in Moscow, Russia. It runs for over 900 yards along the outside of the western wall of the Kremlin. It was constructed after the Napoleonic Wars, when Tsar Alexander I ordered the reconstruction of the parts of the city that had been destroyed by French troops.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019): Quentin Tarantino's take on Manson cult and Sharon Tate murders, with a twist. QT's homage to vintage music, movies, and Hollywood streets. Slow buildup to violence. Brad and Leo (Bradnardo?) make a comfortable pair. Women fare worse. B+

Period. End of Sentence (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes

Period. End of Sentence (2018): Documentary short about how menstruation is a taboo subject in India even today that suppresses girls and women. And how one village's women fight back by creating a business of making and selling sanitary pads. Inspiring. A-

POTD: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

From 2018 08 20 Moscow

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the eternal flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier just outside the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia.

Bonus photo after the jump.

Rolling Thunder Revue (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes

Rolling Thunder Revue (2019): Martin Scorsese's mostly non-fictional documentary of chaotic 1975 tour by Bob Dylan and friends. Some glimpses into Dylan's psyche. Lots of intimate concert footage. Fascinating behind-the-scenes looks at Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. B+

If Not This, Then What?

On Wednesday, I blogged about my opposition to the Richardson City Council's approval of a zoning change request to allow the development of pad site restaurants on the old Richardson Square Mall property at Belt Line Rd and Plano Rd. My article was criticized for not offering alternative solutions. Alternatives weren't the subject of my post, but if you read it and my previous articles linked to, you'll see that I do address just that question. Maybe this standalone article on the question will help.

Dior: From Paris to the World

The Dallas Museum of Art exhibition "Dior: From Paris to the World" showcases almost 200 runway dresses from the House of Dior, from the 1940s until the present day. That's a lot. So many that the DMA has turned over its entire barrel vault and four side galleries for the exhibition. It's pretty much just dresses and the attendance the day we went looked about 10:1 women to men, but I found it well worth the hour we spent inside the exhibit. But, confession: "Project Runway" is one of my guilty pleasures.

More photos after the jump.

Dollar Tree: The Next Generation

The Richardson City Council approved rezoning for the construction of new pad site restaurants and a partitioning of the former Sears store at Richardson Square. I've blogged my opposition to this short-sighted plan again and again. My opposition wasn't softened by the council's deliberations.