Soon-to-be-elected Bergen County Democratic Chairman Paul Juliano and Governor Phil Murphy at Cliffside Park’s Villa Amalfi on Wednesday night.
by Sam Juliano
A rousing event held at the Villa Amalfi in Cliffside Park on Wednesday night attracted hundreds of the Democratic Party faithful who attended to toast my younger brother Paul Juliano, who will be elected to the top position (the Chairmanship) of New Jersey’s Bergen County, the state’s most populous and controlled unanimously by Democrats on Wednesday of this coming week (the 17th). As my own tribute to Paul -though we speak numerous times every day- is the new Wonders in the Dark site banner which captures Paul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy during the speech ceremony. Many thanks to those who left comments last week and have reached me privately for the exceedingly kind words.
This past week J.D. Lafrance published a splendid review of Robert Altman’s The Gingerbread Man. Essay writer extraordinaire James Clark will have his newest piece set to post in the next few days.
Lucille, Sammy, Jeremy and I took in two music-themed films last night at the Claridge Cinemas in Montclair. Neither was any kind of a masterpiece but I’d still recommend both, especially the country music drama “Wild Rose” which features an electrifying performance by Jessie Buckley as the former prisoner and Scottish mother of two living in Glasgow and dreaming of flying to Nashville. Moderated by Bob Dylan’s son Jakob, the documentary “Echo in the Canyon” examines the Laurel Canyon music scene at the peak of the rock era but is oddly truncated and wandering. Still, those who revere the Beach Boys, Tom Petty, the Byrds, Eric Clapton, the Mamas and the Papas and other acts will as I did find much to admire and be ravishing and modestly enlightened with.
The Queen is a historically-significant documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant introduced audiences to the world of competitive drag. The film go backstage to kiki with the contestants as they rehearse, throw shade, and transform into their drag personas in the lead-up to the big event. The film hasnt dated and is enthralling from start to finish.
Wild Rose **** (Saturday evening) Montclair Claridge Cinemas
Echo in the Canyon **** (Saturday night) Montclair Claridge Cinemas
The Queen **** (Sunday; 10:30 A.M.) IFC Film Center
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Wonders in the Dark 
I have to say I’m tempted by Echo in the Canyon, despite your reservations.
Good luck to your brother Paul!
Methinks you will really like it John! Ignore my reservations! 🙂
Thanks for the very nice words about Paul and have a great week indoors I hope!
I saw Wild Rose and loved it. Glad we are seeing things the same way Sam! Ms. Buckley was fantastic!
Yes she really is fantastic in the film my friend. Many thanks and have a great week.
Kudos to your brother. I know he’ll do a great job!
I’ve seen some interesting films the past two weeks as well: MAIDEN, a wonderful sailing documentary, ABOVE THE SHADOWS, a fascinating fairytale about grief, and OPHELIA, a female-forward look at Hamlet from Ophelia’s point of view. So many other things on the horizon, the 4K restoration of Rivette’s two-part dramatization of the story of Joan of Arc.
Oh, and the Humboldt Park alligator: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/16/20696088/humboldt-park-alligator-caught-after-week-of-searches
Shane and I got caught up in the hoopla and bought t-shirts to commemorate this unusual occurrence in a cold-weather city.
Marilyn, thank you exceedingly for the very kind words about Paul!! Thank you for the splendid round-up of that trio, none of which I have seen to this point, though MAIDEN will be negotiated in a few days. But OPHELIA particularly intrigues as a Bard junkie and ABOVE THE SHADOWS examines a favorite subject. So yeah I’ll be comparing notes with you on all three soon enough!! I plan to but the Rivette 4K restoration on blu ray! Exciting indeed!
I just read the Humboldt Park alligator story!!! Wow!!!! I do hope though that they will find a nice home for it in a zoo. I found it amazing he managed to elude them and how he steered clear of the traps they set. Definitly made that park as festive as Mr. Zuckerman’s farm in “Charlotte’s Web.” If I were there I would have like you and Shane acquired a tee-shirt too! Ha!
Have a great week in the shade my friend!!
Marilyn, I just realized that OPHELIA released in 2018. I never caught it during the theatrical run unfortunately so I must see it online, which will be easy enough.
Sam, your brother Paul of course is a legend in Bergen County. He has helped so many people find jobs as it is and now his new position puts him really in the driver’s seat. He is a credit to his family, his town, county and the state of New Jersey. Best wishes to you all. I’m sure that convention this week will be rocking!
Karen, I will be sure to pass on your wonderful tribute here to Paul! Deeply appreciated in every sense! Yes the convention set for tomorrow will be stupendous and I’ll be there will bells on.
Wishing the best to your brother Paul. That’s quite an honor and that’s an understatement.
It really is a major honor, thank you so much my longtime friend!
Sam – IMDb says it was shown at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, but it was released widely at the end of June this year. I don’t know when the NY area might have gotten it, but look around. I think you still have a chance.
Marilyn, thank you so much! I have found it and it is playing this coming Saturday night at 9:45 at the Roxy Theater in Manhattan. I believe Lucille and I can negotiate this:
https://www.showtimes.com/movie-theaters/roxy-cinema-tribeca-13384/
Awesome! I hope you like it.