Tag Archive | "memorial day"

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FLICKS: Memorial Day movies & upcoming events

Posted on 30 May 2019 by LeslieM

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

On the strength of Aladdin, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and, of course, Avengers: Endgame, Memorial Day weekend enjoyed its best box office memory in recent memory. With Godzilla: King of the Monstersopening this weekend, one predicts box office optimism through the July 4th weekend and perhaps until Labor Day weekend. With the economy booking, happy days are here again for the American movie box office.

In honor of Memorial Day weekend, Cinema Dave hosted the John Ford-John Wayne collaboration, The Wings of Eagles, whichdoes not rank as high as other Ford-Wayne masterpieces such as Stagecoach, The Long Voyage Home or The Searchers. Yet, a subpar collaboration between Ford-Wayne is still better than most of the movies on the big screen today.

Based on biological evidence, The Wings of Eagles tells the tale of Frank “Spig” Wead, a Navy man who is a strong advocate for aviation in the Post World War I military culture. Since World War I was supposed to be the war to end all wars, there is a strong pacifist sentiment in America to curtain spending on military science. With strong understanding of public relations and marketing, Commander Wead and his team of Navy Aviators circumnavigate the globe and win the public over to their cause. A bit of a workaholic, Wead returns to his family on leave. When his child cries out one night, Wead falls down a flight of stairs and breaks his neck.

The first half of the movie is full of action and adventure. (The opening sequence was filmed at the Pensacola Naval Base), but the second half is pure drama as a man of action becomes a writer. 

As Frank Wead, John Wayne revealed a vulnerability that was rarely seen. In fact, the actor did not wear his toupee in later scenes featuring the aged Frank Weed. As the director, Admiral John Ford incorporated documentary footage of World War II battles that he was able to use in the climax. Like a fine wine, The Wings of Eagles has aged better than most modern releases and should play in regular rotation on Memorial Day weekends in the future.

Next Thursday, June 6 marks the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion on Normandy Beach in France.  While the Steven Spielberg-Tom Hanks collaboration Saving Private Ryan is the best known film about the subject, The Longest Day is the most historically accurate film. Featuring an international all star cast (including World War II Veterans who actually served in the conflict such as Gert Fröbe (known for Goldfinger) and Eddie Albert), it is based on the book written by historian Cornelius Ryan. In addition to President Trump, the Florida State University’s Marching Chiefs Band will be performing at the ceremony in France.

Locally, the Deerfield Beach Percy White Library will be hosting a D-Day 75 Normandy concert with the Senior Moments Unforgettable Band on Thursday, June 6 at 2 p.m.

Having performed at many local venues including last November’s “Vet Fest,” the Senior Moments Unforgettable Band will feature the music of Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra and patriotic tunes.  On the following Thursday, June 13, historian Sally Ling will speak at the “Percy White Day Celebration.” Ms. Ling will discuss the enigma that is Percy White and talk about the history of the Deerfield Beach Community.

This performance is just one of many free programs that is featured in Broward County Library’s Summer Learning Program. Besides having fun reading and learning, there are opportunities to win prizes by registering for the Summer Learning Program at Deerfield Beach Percy White Library.Registration is free and the best part is you will not receive robocalls afterwards!

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FLICKS: Ma Ma, Weiner & PBS Memorial Day Concert

Posted on 26 May 2016 by LeslieM

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

With The Voice and Dancing with the Stars ending their respective seasons this week, only the NBA Basketball and NHL Hockey playoffs are providing reality television competition. Alice Through the Looking Glass and X-Men: Apocalypse will fill the big screens this weekend; however, two distinct and intimate movies are opening tomorrow with less promotion: the documentary Weiner and the Spanish movie Ma Ma.

Penelope Cruz gives a charismatic, truthful and fully naked performance as Magda, the protagonist of Ma Ma. In fact, the actress is seen topless receiving a routine breast examination. When the gynecologist (Asier Etxeandia ) orders more tests, we learn that Magda has cancer in her right breast.

Magda accepts the results with courage; she is busy dealing with the recent separation from her husband while taking her son, Dani (Teo Planell) to soccer matches. Between bus rides to her chemotherapy treatments, Magda meets Arturo (Luis Tosar), a man of constant sorrow.

With such a plot synopsis, Ma Ma might seem like a stereotypical Spanish melodrama. However, writer/director Julio Medem has created a movie that promotes the culture of life. These dark themes are offset by beautiful cinematography and Penelope Cruz’s life-affirming performance. This beautiful actress allows herself to look weather-beaten; yet, her eyes radiate a spiritual value beyond the physical.

Former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner deserves no award, as witnessed in the documentary Weiner, which also opens tomorrow in local cinemas.

Anthony Weiner was disgraced when he Tweeted a sexually explicit photo of himself to an adult female Twitter follower. The Tweet went viral, scandal ensued and Weiner resigned from Congress.

Perhaps the scandal would have faded as a political footnote, but he decided to run for Mayor of New York. Inviting a documentary camera crew along with him, Weiner faces additional political bombshells as more is revealed about his repeated exhibitionist behavior. Weiner is a case study of political narcissism, with cameos from Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

If today’s political climate is too depressing to watch, take time to watch the PBS National Memorial Day Concert hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. It features entertainment provided by The Beach Boys, Trace Adkins and Renée Fleming, who gladly play second fiddle to the American Military Veterans. Thank a Veteran this Memorial Day Weekend!

 

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The volume of travel during Memorial Day weekend is expected to decline slightly this year

Posted on 23 May 2013 by LeslieM

The motorist organization forecasts a decline of 0.9% in overall travel compared to last year, with 34.8 million Americans making a journey of 50 miles or more.

AAA President Robert Darbelnet blamed the decline on “an up and down economy” and “the impact of the end of the payroll tax holiday on working families.”

A steep decline in projected air travel dragged down the overall forecast. AAA expects holiday air travel to decrease 8%, to 2.3 million travelers this year.

The group said that fliers are suffering from “fee fatigue,” fed up with paying extra for services that were once included in the price of a plane ticket, such as reservation changes, checked baggage, pet travel, food, nonalcoholic drinks, and so on.

 

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