'Untold History of the United States' by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick

There's a new book out....'The Untold History of the United States' by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick. The two were at the 92nd St Y in NYC last night to talk about the book and the 10 part documentary, to air on Show Time.

This, according to Oliver and Peter, is the history that grade schools and high schools do not teach. Some Universitys do. When you're given part of the story it is possible to paint a whole different picture. And that is what the 1% with all the wealth love to do. Control. Manipulate. Confuse. And keep in the dark. And that is the truth.

Clips from the documentary were shown. Facts about Julius Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb, the Manhattan Project, the Soviet Union and other facts that are not shared openly.

Good for the people who open the doors and windows. The way to change what isn't working is to have an honest look at all the facts. Thank you to Oliver and Peter for all of their hard work in bringing these facts out.

 

'Skyfall' and the Roger Moore James Bond

Thursday night Roger Moore signed his very cool Bond book and talked about his career, the seven Bond movies he was in and other fascinating tidbits. He is very funny. He said the worst part about getting older is, you lose your friends. He said, "Now I've depressed myself," and took a sip of wine. He also talked about skiing and how he stood at the top of the mountain trembling and embarrassing his children when people recognized him as James Bond who did all these fabulous stunts in the movies. He was asked what gadgets had he kept from the Bond movies he was in. He said, "None. They don't work." He was also asked what his favorite Bond film was. He said, "Skyfall. That paid me to say that." It was a very good time with a very elegant man.

The night I went to see 'Skyfall.' It is excellent. If you're a Bond fan, you will love this one. It's almost 3 hours long. Great movie. Directed by Sam Mendes, perfect!!!

The longest running franchise in movie history..... cha cha cha

 

'Exonerated' and 'Life After Death' a book by Damien Echols

Last week I finished the book 'Life After Death' by Damien Echols. I could not put it down. It tells of his life. His innocence. His 18 years on death row. It is beautifully written and poetic. Depending on your own childhood, be it poor, middle, or maybe even wealthy, you will be able to identify with him. He touches the soul because all he had was his memories of childhood and I suspect, no matter what station you came from, you can relate to strong childhood memories of your favorite things. That is why this book is so tragic and beautiful. He takes you along on his mind trip to the past when he sat in a concrete room. I hope he writes more books and shares his experiences as he walks free and discovers more of the outside world; in all its majesty and sorrow.

Just after completing the book about an innocent person convicted of a crime, I find myself at a play: 'Exonerated.' A play about innocent people on death row. 'Exonerated' is playing Off-Broadway with a rotating cast. I saw it yesterday with Marg Helgenberger, Peter Riegert, Joe Morton, Chris Sarandon, Ameila Campbell, JD Williams, April Thompson, Bruce Kronberg, Curtis McClarin, Jim Bracchitta and directed by Bob Balaban.

Read Damien Echols book. Go to the play if you have the chance. And also, Peter Jackson has a documentary coming out next month about this.

It's one thing to sort of know that things like this might happen. It's another to hear the real stories from the people it has happened to.

 

'The Good Mother' and 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'

The week  of the big, bad hurricane and all the Broadway and Off-Broadway shows I can see. Being a Florida gal I can tell you that hurricanes blow. Pun intended. But this is NYC and the show must go on if at all possible. A couple of years ago I saw a play during a blizzard with Alicia Silverstone and Laura Linney. 'Time Stands Still.' It was absolutely no fun getting to that show that day.

Since the transit system isn't still 100% I walked to and from 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' the other night and got to 'The Good Mother' today with no problem.

Tomorrow may be a little tougher. 'Exonerated is a bit farther downtown. I was there about a week ago and met some of the rotating cast; Trudie Styler and Martin Short. Bernadette Peters was there too so we took a group shot. Pics to follow.

'The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' is a fun musical with Chita Rivera. It is the last thing Charles Dickens wrote. He didn't finish it and the audience gets to vote on the ending. It's at Studio 54 and a very good time. Chita is ageless and beautiful and awesome and a show stopper.

 

 

'The Good Mother,' stars Gretchen Mol. She is excellent and I was  engaged and entertained throughout the entire play. I can always tell if I'm really into what's going on on stage. If not, I fidget more and more. I didn't fidget once.