The gang on Yawkey Way alongside Fenway Park in Boston
At the Salem Witch Trials Memorial in Salem
by Sam Juliano
Salem witch sites, ecstatic Red Sox fans and a delightful stroll through the popular Faneuil Hall marketplace in Boston were this past week’s defining highlights during a seven day period where not a single film, play or opera was seen on location. Granted this past week included Election Day (let’s not talk about the expected result of the New Jersey gubernatorial race) and the the two days off for the New Jersey Teacher’s Convention on Thursday and Friday, but the main theme was to sit home and relax, and understand that heat has replaced air conditioning as the mode of indoor comfort.
Here is Melanie’s latest new video of this latest trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-5n0Pi6wX8
The two day trip to New England in our Honda Odyssey began very early on Friday morning. We arrived in Beantown at around 11:00 A.M., and after a short walk around Fenway Park and some picture taking -there were plenty of sports fans wearing their red and blue “B” caps- we proceeded to a nice eatery right outside the campus of Boston University where we met up with out school superintendent and friend Lou DeLisio, who was up bringing clothes to his two daughters who attend the famed academic institution. We enjoyed a tasty lunch (naturally we were identified by our waitress as New Yorkers because of our “accents”) and were informed that a number of New Jerseyans were up in the city because of the extended vacation. When I said “tasty” I referred to the family, as my taste was pretty much non-existent on the trip, with a sore throat and cold at hand.
A good part of the afternoon was spent enjoying the shops in the famed Faneuil Hall, though “Newberry Comics” proved to be our undoing, which five children who love CDs, DVDs, blu-rays, shirts, action figures and comics. We were treated to one of those spontaneous outdoor concerts as the sun went down on a square outside the marketplace as the temperatures dropped, and then got back into the Odyssey for a 35 minute or so highway ride to the mall-crazy town of Burlington, Mass. Wouldn’t you know it we had tire problems, and were advised that our two fronts really needed to be replaced. (the next morning we forked over $670.00 for four new tires, and especially irking decision in view of the fact that the three-year lease on that vehicle expires in April. After checking into the hotel we visited a Barnes and Noble superstore (similar to the ones by us) and ate in a ‘Macaroni Grill.’ By overwhelming decree that decision was a major blunder. We tried to get into the Cheese Factory, but the wait would have been around 75 minutes. We stayed in a fabulous and roomy hotel suite, and in the morning (after the 90 minute delay at Sears’ auto shop) headed up to historic Salem, where we took in the Salem Witch Museum, wax museum, cemetery, witches’ memorial and The House of the Seven Gables. We also enjoyed an indoor guided tour of the Salem Witch Village. My second visit of The House of the Seven Gables was particularly satisfying, as the tour is always fascinating, and Hawthorne’s novel is one of my all-time favorites. The boys spent some time in a Universal Monsters museum right outside the cafeteria on Derby Street where we ate a late lunch. I had my only New England clam chowder of the trip there (as did my son Danny) and though I didn’t taste much I was still pleased for ordering it.
With darkness setting in and a four hour plus ride home facing us, we abandoned plans to go back into Boston on Saturday night, and instead hit the highways for the trek back to the Garden State. We arrived on Spruce Street at around 10:00 P.M. Certainly it was a brief trip, but some great moments, sites and photos for posterity. We had visited Boston back in 2003, but the kids were too young at that time to remember much of it. By the way everyone is talking they wouldn’t mind another trip there to see what we missed during these two days. The extended Christmas break is a possibility.
We did get to see a film in theaters over the extended weekend after all, catching a second screening of 12 YEARS A SLAVE. It was actually the first viewings for the kids, cousins Bobby and Douglas McCartney and our friends the Lucibellos, all of whom were seeing it for the very first time. We opted for the comfortable electrical recliners of the Ridgefield Park Starplex at 7:45 on Sunday night. The film retains it’s five-star rating!
The western countdown is moving forward beautifully, and the Top 20 is now upon us! Thanks again to Dee Dee for her continued management of the side bar and the terrific additions!
With Fairview Superintendent of Schools Lou DeLisio at Scoozie’s, outside of Boston University
God, am I that fat?
Faneuil Hall marketplace in Boston
I have 15 links for this week. Please don’t feel left out if you aren’t among them. If links are done next week may well be your turn. My great friend Jon Warner isn’t here only because at present Films Worth Watching is publishing his excellent western countdown reviews that have already appeared at WitD:
Dean Treadway has posted a spectacular review on “12 Years A Slave” at Filmacability, calling it the “film of the year!” http://filmicability.blogspot.com/2013/11/film-155-12-years-slave.html
At FilmsNoir.net Tony d’Ambra has penned a tremendous review of Visconti’s “Ossessione”: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/ossessione-italy-1942-a-dance-of-death-and-sperm.html
Sachin Gandhi has published a fantastic review of the Sturges western “Bad Day at Black Rock” at Scribbles and Ramblings: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2013/10/bad-day-at-black-rock.htm
Judy Geater has penned a fabulous review of the 1927 silent “The Only Way” at Movie Classics: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/the-only-way-herbert-wilcox-1927/
Samuel Wilson’s superlative review on 12 YEARS A SLAVE has been posted at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2013/11/on-big-screen-12-years-slave-2013.html
Laurie Buchanan is leading up with a soulful post “That’s Not a Bug on My Windshield” at Speaking From the Heart: http://tuesdayswithlaurie.com/2013/11/05/thats-not-a-bug-on-my-windshield/
Murderous Ink has offered up a stupendous piece of scholarship on the wartime German film “Unter Den Brucken” at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2013/11/unter-den-brucken-1945.html
Weeping Sam has published a magnificent tribute to Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground at The Listening Ear that is a must for rock fans: http://listeningear.blogspot.com/2013/11/lou-reed-and-velvet-underground.html
John Greco leads up at Twenty Four Frames with a fascinating post on “E.J. Bellocq, Storyville and Pretty Baby”: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/e-j-bellocq-storyville-and-pretty-baby/
The online studio is open at the Creativepotager’s blog and Terrill Welch’s works of art there are mind-boggling: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/art-waits-for-no-ferry-nor-west-coast-daylight-online-studio-is-open/
Jaimie Grijalba offers up the Horrors of Steven King in a terrific post at Overlook’s Corridor: http://overlookhotelfilm.wordpress.com/2013/11/01/october-overlook-madness-finale-31-a-night-at-the-movies-the-horrors-of-stephen-king-2011/
There is a must-see post by Joel Bocko up at Lost in the Movies on “Filmmaker Documentary Marathon”: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2013/11/filmmaker-documentary-marathon-119.htm
Patricia at Patricia’s Wisdom has published a superb book review on James Sheehan’s “The Alligator Man.”: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2013/11/the-alligator-man-a-legal-thriller-james-sheehan/
Shubhajit Lahiri leads the way at Cinemascope with a brilliant capsule on “Eyes Without A Face”: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2013/11/eyes-without-face-1960.html
Michael Harford’s ravishing collaboration with Paul Hawkins at the Coffee Messiah’s blog is well worth a look-see: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2013/11/week-25-180-collaboration-w-paul-hawkins.html
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What an enjoyable travel blog post Sam. I not surprising haven’t seen much for movies lately. However, I did have the pleasure of connecting with a great many fans and patrons over the weekend. Tomorrow is the youngest grandson’s first birthday. I won’t make the trip to visit in person but am expecting to do a FaceTime call. Other than that, it will be a little downtime until Tuesday. Best for the week to to Sam and thanks for the very much appreciated and unexpected shout out.
Thanks so much for that Terrill. With everything that’s going on with you (and I share your great excitement with the increasing popularity of your work) I can well understand your focus being in the right place. Happy birthday to your youngest grandson! Good to hear you will have a little downtime. Have a great week my friend and many thanks as always.
Hey Sam. Sounds like you had a fun time. Thanks for the plug. Nothing much to report over here. A highlight of sorts was a totally weird precursor to the Mob all-in-the-family melodramas – New York Confidential (1955) with mob-boss Broderick Crawford totally without irony railing against corrupt politicians as “lousy crooks”, while fellow-mobster J. Carroll Naish munches on a salami on rye sandwich and a pickle. Richard Conte’s usual woodenness strangely works well for him as a hit-man with a heart – you have to dig deep. But a young Anne Bancroft steals the show as Crawford’s rebellious daughter, adding some sorely needed depth. Totally subversive with Conte’s demise having a certain pathos.
Thanks so much Tony! We had a very nice time indeed during this brief but fruitful trip at a beautiful time of the year. I have seen NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL and much appreciate the always excellent and dead-on analysis of a solid film. Great point about Conte’s performance, and about the subversive aspect of his demise, one that yields pathos. Bancroft is indeed excellent in the film. Have a great week my friend!
Sam – Clearly Melanie’s got “Film Maker” written all over her! And I love all of the family photos you included; it looks like a great time was had by all! Len is off today so we’re thinking of going to see ABOUT TIME this afternoon. Have a heckofa wonderful week!
Laurie–I will convey those glowing sentiments to Melanie! Thanks as always for the very kind words. Nice that Len had the day off for Veteran’s Day, and hope you do get out to see ABOUT TIME, which I haven’t yet seen. Have a great week my friend!
For such a large family, Sam, you really get around. The Salem witch topic strike a personal note for me because of my own family’s past in that regard (I think I’ve mentioned this to you before).
It was daring of you to take the kids to see 12 Years a Slave – did you talk about it afterwards? I saw both The Butler and 12 Years over the weekend, and the differences between the two are like night and day.
Pierre, we have indeed been circulating quite a bit over the last two years, and we have some more plans on the table. i do well remember you have a family connection to Salem, a fact which I have always found most fascinating! It’s a place that invites follow-up visits for all sorts of reasons. I did indeed speak to the kids before heading in to see 12 YEARS A SLAVE. The two oldest -Melanie and Sammy- at 17 and 16 knew well of the historical and racial implications- but I was more animated with the youngest. You are quite right that the differences between the two films you saw is like night and day. I did appreciate some aspects about THE BUTLER, but I still found that film problematic and uneven. Have a great week my friend! Many thanks as always!
What an amazing trip Sam! And Melanie continues to show her herself as a budding filmmaker. Your kids are the best. Too bad you had to spend so much time in sears, but I can understand the strategy of being safe than sorry. Salem at this time of the year is picturesque. I would have had to eat crow to visit Fenway.
Thanks for the kind words Frank! Melanie has indeed delivered the goods again. The time in Sears was unexpected, but those tires had to be changed. definitely God’s country up there! Have a great week my friend.
Sounds like a fun trip Sam! I too get colds every time the weather changes, it’s the worst for me in the spring, and I am anticipating catching one soon as it gets colder ’round here. The best cure for that, I find, is sweating it out.
Movies I saw this week- Howard Hawks’ incredible RIO BRAVO (Netflix DVD), which I will comment more on when it comes up on the countdown. I predict it will crack the top ten, but I’ve been wrong before. I also saw 12 YEARS A SLAVE (Theaters) which was simply staggering. McQueen’s formalism was jaw-dropping. The performances were electrifying. A supreme achievement that hits on many levels. I continue to chip away at MAD MEN season 4 as well. This is one show that is almost impossible not to binge on, but I have been disciplining myself. That’s all, have a great week!
Mike— It goes like clockwork as far as the weather changes. And for me it seems that every time we go a trip I have some kind of a physical malady. Ugh! In any case the advice to “sweat it out” appears sound. Yes RIO BRAVO will be getting a red carpet treatment at this site soon enough. Thrilled to hear that you adored 12 YEARS A SLAVE, which I am expecting will be winning all kinds of critics’ awards in December. Would you believe I still have not yet tackled MAD MEN? One day though. Glad you are negotiating it with moderation. Thanks again my friend!
No film was seen over 7 days? Sam, did I read that right?
If so, that must be a record. Well done 🙂 A break is always good even if you go and see 14 films this week.
That sounds look a great trip. Glad to read that everyone had a good time. I think you guys have figured out a template for fun road trips although the extra cost with the tires isn’t pleasant.
Thanks for the mention.
Ha Sachin! Well, as it turned out we did see a film over the weekend–I admitted it later in the diary post above. It was a second viewing of 12 YEARS A SLAVE on Sunday with several who hadn’t yet seen it. In any case it may still be a record not seeing a new release or an older film at a repertory house like the Film Forum. Ha on that 14 film possibility! This week will be mild with a Tennessee Williams stage play tomorrow and NEBRASKA on Friday night. Saturday will be a college football game at the Rutgers Stadium. Thanks for the very kind words about the trip my friend! True what you say about the tires though. No fun there. Thanks again!!
My regret about my trip to UK was that I did not know I could make a day trip to Paris, so I didn’t and my regret about 5 years of living in your neck of the woods was that I did not get to Boston (I thought I was too poor though I did lots of NYC)
What a great trip and I am sorry you were feeling a bit under the weather and oh those tires – yikes always something! But no one was injured so you were safe.
I enjoyed the video and all your pictures of your beautiful family – what fun and what energy, I am sure of it
We went down to Portland to hang cabinets at my daughter’s first house and that was fun and our gazing was at sofa showrooms – but we found a great one and a veteran’s day deal.
We did go to the celebration of the remodel of our local bank – one of Tom’s designs and incredibly green building We toasted the event with delights from a new catering business in town and new wine maker ( unsulfurated organic wine)
We ate Soul Food at the TIN SHED (Portland) and after a long dry spell of not eating out – it was over the top good!
Today we are doing a fundraiser for Veteran’s who need Hospice services on their last tours. It has been most enjoyable to meet so many wonderful folks and hear their stories. Tonight all who are able are going to a special showing of 12 Years A Slave. Maybe I will see it in SF for Thanksgiving?
Thank you for the shout out – THE ALLIGATOR MAN was a great read by James Sheehan, I think you will enjoy it and I have to say I think it would make a great movie
Patricia—–
While it was unfortunate you didn’t get up to Boston, you have obviously been to many states and cities, and various climates. Certainly the area where you now live is as beautiful as New England, and similar in a number of ways. If you spent a lot of time in NYC you have experienced the hectic way of living. ha! Thanks for the very kind words about the trip and the family. Much appreciated. Sounds like you had a great time in Portland and the food was good. Quite the worthy fundraiser there! And hope you get your own screening of 12 YEARS A SLAVE no later than Thanksgiving! So you will be heading south then? Nice. I was going to mention if THE ALLIGATOR MAN was being considered as a film. Apparently it would be a great choice. Thanks as always my friend!
Thanks so much for the shout-out on the blogroll! It looks like your trip to Boston and Salem was as much a success as my own trip to that area in August. I went up there to be Jury President for the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, and was so taken by the city, its climate, architechture, smart people, public transit system, and just its immense beauty, that I’m thinking of making a move up there in the spring! It just seemed like a paradise to me!
Dean—-
Kudos on that role as Jury president for the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival. And how right you are about that area – I am no expert to be sure (this was only the second time I’ve been to Salem and Boston) but it’s gorgeous, and no doubt a terrific place to live, and for every reason you cite. I found everyone was so friendly and polite. I hope you pull it off. Thanks as always my friend!
Hey Sam, how are you doing!
First of all, thanks for the link, greatly appreciated. Second, what a trip, highs and lows as always, but a great experience and very fun to read as well.
Anyway, things go as usual, tomorrow I receive my degree as Film Director and everything I hope will get better.
What I saw this week:
– Captain Phillips (2013, Paul Greengrass) **** Good. It maintains a quality of mainstream goodness, at least to make me feel interested in what was going on the whole time, and I guess that’s commendable for a film that is about such a bleak subject. I appreciated a lot of moments here, specially with the Somalian Pirates, how they try to make sense out of them, and make them human beings, with their own problems and tribulations when it comes to the crimes that they almost need to commit for them to survive in the ruthless world in which they live. The final minutes are tense and the film does feel entertaining for most of its length. It just doesn’t achieve a personal connection nor it manages to become something memorable in any of the artistic departments.
– Daigoro vs Goliat (1971, Toshihiro Iijima) ***1/2 Cheesy yet enjoyable film that I saw in youtube and with live comment via twitter at the Drive In Mob experience, as always, great times.
– Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight (2013, Stephen Frears) ***1/2 A bunch of old white christian people discussing the liberties of one black muslim individual, who happens to be Muhammad Ali, one of the most important figures in the modern history, maybe the most important sportsman of the past century. This movie could’ve been worse, much much worse, as what it is right now is pretty much on a borderline of being extremely boring, but the actors in pretty much every role save it from oblivion, The movie moves along quite nicely and it never becomes offensive, though it’s really telling how much whiteness there is in this film, and while I understand where this is coming from, the story would’ve been much more interesting from another viewpoint. The title is really misleading, as there’s no actual Muhammad Ali character.
And that’s all I managed to see, hard times. Have a great week Sam!
Jaimie—-
Thanks very much for the kind words on the trip! Congrats on that fabulous designation as a film director, which no doubt will inspire and motivate you further! I like CAPTAIN PHILLIPS a bit more than you, but I would say your assessment is fair enough. I haven’t seen the Japanese film, but I do see every new film by Stephen Frears. Sounds like you like it reasonably well. I am always a sucker for films/documentaries on Mohammed Ali. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week and weekend.
Sam,
Great photos of you and your family from Massachusetts trip. It looks like the frosty winter is now approaching to New England, and you must have enjoyed the closing days of autumn up there.
This week, I saw a couple of Naruse’s works, a couple of minor film noirs (99 River Street, The Crooked Way, Black Angel) and a couple of episodes from BREAKING BAD 1st season. Barren, dry, dusty landscape of New Mexico. When I made a round-trip to Arizona, New Mexico and back to Colorado with my friend, in August, driving a god-forsaken beaten-up 1968 Ford Galaxie station wagon, I was reminded of the fact that humans are just tiny lousy inhabitants on this planet. This landscape, the very reminder that this is just a planet in the solar system, is so merciless and unforgiving, and any sign of human habitation seemed unwelcome. I guess this background gives so much poetry to otherwise painfully realistic stories of Breaking Bad.
My wife and I visited the Caillebotte Exhibition held in Bridgestone Museum of Art in Tokyo. We are big fans of his art, but his works are very rarely shown, rarer his solo exhibition. We are just glad to see his works, though apparently they couldn’t get our favorite, Les raboteurs de parquet, this time.
Thank you for the mention!
MI
Thanks so much for the very kind words MI. Yes you describe the weather change quite atmospherically there. It is picturesque for sure, and the weather was chilly, though far from unbearable. Certainly, Massachusetts is a beautiful place and we enjoyed our short stay there. That’s a sobering, dead-on appraisal of our place in this landscape, that’s for sure! And you incorporate that perception to the Breaking Bad universe! You have quite a series ahead of you! And what a great August trip you took to those place way back when! I will investigate Caillebotte’s art online today. What a great exhibition you both attended. Thanks as always my friend! Have a terrific week!
HI Sam,
Boston sounds like fun. I have been there once when we went on vacation to Boston and Cape Cod when Holly was about 1.5 years old. Another crazy week for me down in Arkansas. Hardly keeping up with everything with family and all. I have seen some good new movies though.
Captain Phillips was a solid actioner cat and mouse game. Not as good as Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, but well made and well executed. I wasn’t particularly in love with Hanks and his performance….just rather normal IMO. I was really moved by Barkhad Abdi as the Somali Pirate. His was the most moving portrayal in the film and commanded the screen while he was on it. If the academy knows what’s good for them, and they usually don’t, they will nominate him.
Fill the Void: I’m thinking this Israeli melodrama which was released in the US this year, is a masterpiece of mood, relationships, and emotion. It is filmed remarkably well with beautiful photography. Rama Burshtein really makes an impact with her point of view letting us into a world that I am far from familiar with, but which retains a remarkable humanistic universality. This will be a top 10 film for me at year end.
AS for this week, I will be watching Foolish Wives, and Tol’able David, as well as Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake and Naked,
Have a great week Sam!
Jon—-
Cape Cod is a great place to visit for sure. I was there about 40 years ago as a teenager. If we return to Mass in December as we may do, that will definitely be a destination. I doubt your daughter Holly remembers it though. Ha! Hope you are engaged down in Arkansas this week. I liked CAPTAIN PHILLIPS quite a bit, but agree it is not ZERO DARK THIRTY. Well, I did like Hanks, who gave one of his better performances, but yes Abdi was terrific. i don’t think I have seen FILL THE VOID, but am quite intrigued. Wow, you have some seriously great films lined up there for the coming week! Thanks very much as always my friend.
You have seen Fill the Void Sam and gave it 3 stars haha. I read your quick capsule of it earlier today. I like it alot more than you did. It’s an Israeli film.
Yes I have indeed Jon. Broadway Bob and Lucille reminded me last night at a Houlihan’s after our stage production. I had read your comment here on the cell phone and mentioned it to them and they both thought I was “losing it.” Ha! True, i didn’t care for the film as much as you did though, and I did report on it on a past MMD.
How about those Giants? Do you think they still have a shot, even at 3-6?
Peter, it’s a long shot for sure, especially as they have the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions on the schedule. I don’t think they can afford to love more than one game the rest of the way. If they managed that, they’d be 9-7 and would probably make the playoffs. But as I say a long shot at best.
Sam, I loved reading about your trip to Boston. Like your recent trip to England, I almost felt like I was along for the ride.
This week, I took in CLEO DE 5 A 7 and the eighth installment of the Cousins’ doc. I was much more moved this go around with the Varda than I was when I first saw it twenty years ago. I realize it is not for everyone, but I love it as a time capsule of that greart moment in Paris in the early sixties. As for the Cousins, I particularly enjoyed his handling of Ghatak and Tarkovsky. I continue to enjoy the doc very much and am impressed by his unique perspective and ability to give a decent amount of shape to such expansive subject matter.
Here’s to another great week, Sam. Thanks so much for all you do!
Thanks so much for that Jeffrey! I could not possibly receive a better compliment! I completely agree with you on the Cousins segment that covered Ghatak and Tarkovsky, and on the documentary overall. He has a unique perspective and acute focus for such expansive territory indeed. I also had problems with the Varda on first viewing, and need to see it again. Thanks as always my friend! Your input and friendship is deeply appreciated!