Funny how things are intertwined sometimes.
Catching up on my DVR queue again (always), I recently watched the charming documentary, Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven on HBO.
Foodies like me who grew up in and around NYC in the '70s and '80s know Le Cirque restaurant as the legendary and treasured hub of Manhattan's glamorous restaurant scene. The film follows the story of owner Sirio Maccioni and his three sons as they prepare for the closing of Le Cirque, through its re-birth a few years later. Running any family business is tough, but imagine doing it in the worldwide spotlight. The film offers an intimate peek at father-son and sibling dynamics, the struggle to ensure a culinary and cultural legacy, and the shift from the old guard to the new. Plus, the food looks fantastic.
The film reminded me that I had a double Cirque experience several years ago, when I visited Le Cirque's restaurant at the Bellagio before a fantastic performance of Cirque du Soleil's "O" in Las Vegas. I was quite excited recently to attend another Cirque du Soleil performance of their "Kooza" show in my neighborhood. It is just mind-boggling and completely entertaining to watch such an effort come together under the big top.
Quite a circus, indeed.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sundance
I finally made it to Sundance. Not in it, but at it. A day trip to check it out - I like to call it my "Sundance Sampler".
I arrived just in time to check out the new documentary film, Gasland, which ultimately was named Winner of The Special Jury Prize for Documentary at the festival.
The film provides a fightening look at the effects of "fracking", a drilling process for natural gas - the supposed great solution to our energy crisis. Filmmaker Josh Fox finds out fracking is coming to his area of Pennsylvania, and sets off on a multi-state journey to investigate what this means. The results are shocking (or maybe not so shocking if you lean toward corporate cynicism to begin with): Natural gas creeping into the water supply of homes near drillng sites - water that can be lit on fire right out of the faucet, people getting mysteriously sick, crazy gas explosions, toxic sludge and dying animals.
Over 30 states now have this drilling going on and the numbers are expanding - natural gas companies are circling the New York City Watershed like wolves, with the intent to build 20,000 more wells! Check out the film website for more up-to-date information, and spread the word.
The amazing thing about documentaries is that they continue to bring such critical and timely issues to light. And thanks to the folks at Sundance for putting this one at the top of the pile.
I arrived just in time to check out the new documentary film, Gasland, which ultimately was named Winner of The Special Jury Prize for Documentary at the festival.
The film provides a fightening look at the effects of "fracking", a drilling process for natural gas - the supposed great solution to our energy crisis. Filmmaker Josh Fox finds out fracking is coming to his area of Pennsylvania, and sets off on a multi-state journey to investigate what this means. The results are shocking (or maybe not so shocking if you lean toward corporate cynicism to begin with): Natural gas creeping into the water supply of homes near drillng sites - water that can be lit on fire right out of the faucet, people getting mysteriously sick, crazy gas explosions, toxic sludge and dying animals.
Over 30 states now have this drilling going on and the numbers are expanding - natural gas companies are circling the New York City Watershed like wolves, with the intent to build 20,000 more wells! Check out the film website for more up-to-date information, and spread the word.
The amazing thing about documentaries is that they continue to bring such critical and timely issues to light. And thanks to the folks at Sundance for putting this one at the top of the pile.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Mockumentary
I love a good mockumentary, whether via film or tv. Christopher Guest, I bow to you, for such laugh-tastic classics as This is Spinal Tap and Best in Show. And I applaud myself for seeing you on that plane from JFK once and not disturbing you like the crazed fan that I could be.
I recently attended a fun event at The Paley Center for Media in celebration of Parks and Recreation, now in its sophomore season on NBC Thursday nights. I must agree with critics that it is much improved from its abbreviated first season, and applaud NBC for sticking with it. Starring SNL veteran Amy Poehler, the series is a mockumentary sitcom in the vein of (and with some of the creators of) The Office, another favorite (albeit aging) show of mine. It centers around the parks and recreation department of the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana, and is a sweet and funny love letter to city governments across the land. My friends in the local parks and recreation department enjoyed attending the event with me, so I'm taking that as another ringing endorsement. Check it out for an ensemble cast and writing that is coming together nicely.
I am also enjoying the freshman season of Modern Family on ABC Wednesday nights. This mockumentary about a wacky and diverse family has become quite popular this season, striking a fine balance between comedic and relatable family situations.
Check out both shows for a light-hearted television salute to the documentary form.
I recently attended a fun event at The Paley Center for Media in celebration of Parks and Recreation, now in its sophomore season on NBC Thursday nights. I must agree with critics that it is much improved from its abbreviated first season, and applaud NBC for sticking with it. Starring SNL veteran Amy Poehler, the series is a mockumentary sitcom in the vein of (and with some of the creators of) The Office, another favorite (albeit aging) show of mine. It centers around the parks and recreation department of the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana, and is a sweet and funny love letter to city governments across the land. My friends in the local parks and recreation department enjoyed attending the event with me, so I'm taking that as another ringing endorsement. Check it out for an ensemble cast and writing that is coming together nicely.
I am also enjoying the freshman season of Modern Family on ABC Wednesday nights. This mockumentary about a wacky and diverse family has become quite popular this season, striking a fine balance between comedic and relatable family situations.
Check out both shows for a light-hearted television salute to the documentary form.
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