Month: August 2015

“Straight Outta Compton”—A Rap on Censorship and Racism

Written by diana on August 30, 2015. Posted in movie reviews.

The critically acclaimed film, “Straight Outta Compton” is an unlikely blockbuster for its “R” rating and timely depiction of the mean streets of Compton, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. Although taking place in the mid-eighties, the clashes with the police resonate today. Chronicling the rise of N.W.A. (”niggaz wit attitude”), this biopic of...

“Light, Paper, Process: Reinventing Photography” at the Getty Center [until September 6]

Written by diana on August 26, 2015. Posted in Art, Local travel. 1 Comment on “Light, Paper, Process: Reinventing Photography” at the Getty Center [until September 6]

Light, Paper, Process For anyone who loves photography, “Light, Paper, Process” is mind-blowing. Do you want to know what can be done with a photograph processed the old fashioned way? Before Photoshop? This exhibition features experimental photography from seven artists—Matthew Brandt, Marco Breuer, John Chiara, Chris McCaw, Lisa Oppenheim,...

AL’s Place—A Favorite New Spot in SF

Written by diana on August 16, 2015. Posted in Local travel, Restaurants.

AL stands for Aaron London, the young energetic chef of Ubuntu fame (renowned for vegetarian food in Napa Valley). This newly opened San Francisco restaurant on the corner of 26th and Valencia is a standout. Beautifully presented, but in a very noisy, but pristine white environs, AL’s Place seats only forty-six diners. All the dishes we...

“Patrik 1.5”—“The Kid’s All Right”

Written by diana on August 15, 2015. Posted in movie reviews.

This Swedish sleeper of a film is entertaining and very moving. Sweden is often thought of as the bright light of liberalism, a model for social justice. And less than a month after the passage of the same-sex marriage decision by the Supreme Court, we may think we are catching up. But “Patrik 1.5” shows us even socially liberal...

Shakespeare’s Henry IV – Conflict between Father and Son

Written by diana on August 2, 2015. Posted in Theater: plays and musicals, Travel (Domestic).

Guest blogger: Patricia Robertson Shakespeare has a keen understanding of the human psyche, including family dynamics. This is apparent in the 2015 Michigan Shakespeare Festival (July 11-August 16) production of Henry IV, parts 1 and 2, masterfully combined and abridged into one bringing out the best and highlighting the conflict between...