by Sam Juliano
On Thursday, March 21st Lucille will be at Engelwood Hospital for a procedure to replace a disc above her spine that has deteriorated due to arthritis. This is the second time this school year she will be under general anesthesia after the partial knee replacement completed back in September. Though I am sure all will be well, I am still of course on edge like the rest of my family. I anticipate speaking to some of my friends by e mail late on Thursday. On a very sad note the dear mother of my lifelong friend Larry Weise, (Bernice) suddenly passed away on Sunday morning of kidney failure connected to severe diabetes. Bernice was 81.
The 1978 winner of the Best Foreign Film Oscar and the National Society of Film Critics choice as Best Film, “Get Out Your Handkerchiefs” is running as the centerpiece of the Bertrand Blier Film Festival. Lucille and I attended Sunday morning’s 11:00 A.M. showing, which showcased a beautiful new print of the courageous film about a menage a trois formed to cure a woman who is the center of the man-woman-man trio of her continued depression. The woman, Solange is highly erotic and her alternating needs are addressed with uncompromising ardor by her husband (Gerard Depardieu) and the man her husband enlists to help her get pregnant. Her relationship with a 13 year-old boy elevates the film into narrative controversy, but this often hysterical farce is unlike any film before or since and its a gem and Blier’s masterpiece.
Lucille, Sammy, Jeremy, Broadway Bob and I watched the Chinese epic “As is Purest White” by master artist Jia Zhangke at the Quad last night. The most mainstream of Jia’s work this mobster romance again showcases the director’s mastery of the urban dynamic in this story of a woman who spends five years in jail saving the life of her gangster boyfriend, whom she travels far and wide to locate after she is discharged. The director’s wife and muse Zhao Tao is a force of nature in this triptych-structured film which is poetic and visceral as it chronicles a changing China.
Ash is Purest White **** 1/2 (Saturday) Quad Cinemas
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (1978) ***** (Sunday) Quad Cinemas
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Sam – I’l Be keeping Lucille in my thoughts on Thursday. Hope all goes well and she has a speedy recovery.
Many thanks my longtime friend for your kindness, generosity and compassion!
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My good friend Karen is having eye surgery this morning A big day for changes as we age. We also lost a friend last night after a Bridal Shower event. Lots of changes and a St. Patrick’s day birthday to celebrate. Today 70′ and sunshine…daffodil in bloom and I am thinking about all these things – deeply wishing all well
I hear ya Patricia my great friend. I hope the surgery for your friend Karen went well. I am deeply saddened to learn of your loss. Hoping your good weather has held up. Thank you so much for the very kind words!!
Wishing Lucille the best on Thursday. I’m sure all will be fine. Please keep me informed Sam.
As you know by now Ricky, the procedure went well. Thank you so much my friend!!!
Sam, best wishes to Lucille. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.
I’ll e-mail you a video on how to speed up the recovery, using the latest scientific breakthroughs.
Which reminds me, I sent you a couple of videos a week ago relating to ‘The Outer Limits’, is your e-mail still the same?
Oooooh Bobby, I must search, it is possible like other e mails I get even from regulars that it went into spam. I’d love to see it and will respond is I succeed today!! I’d love to see that video too. Thank you so much for the very kind words my longtime friend. Yes my e mail is the same!!! TheFountain26@aol.com
Hoping for the best possible outcome. Best wishes to you both!
Duane, as I have responded on FB this morning, all went very well. Your kindness and concern is deeply appreciated my great friend!
My thoughts are with Lucille today. I’m sure all will be well. Please keep me informed Sam, when you have a moment.
Peter, as you know all went very well. Thank you exceedingly for the very kind words my longtime friend!