Travis Simpkins

Sunday, May 10, 2015

National Treasure (2004): Freemason Symbols and the Declaration of Independence

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, National Treasure (2004) adds a family-friendly element to the museum heist and treasure hunt genres. The story centers on Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and cryptographer who is on a quest to find the world's most valuable treasure… collected over centuries by Secret Societies and the Knights Templar, and then taken to the US and hidden by the Freemasons in the 18th Century. Clues and Masonic Symbols lead Gates to the conclusion that the Founding Fathers made a secret treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Now, Gates must steal the document from the highly secure National Archives before the bad guys get it first. An implausible storyline doesn't hinder this fun tale… traveling from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia to New York and Boston. Full of adventure and history, the film is entertaining and a cut above the usual dull family fare. The cast does a good job, including Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Sean Bean, Christopher Plummer, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight.

Christopher Plummer: National Treasure. The Freemasons

The Secret lies with Charlotte: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

: National Treasure. The Freemasons

The Declaration of Independence: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

George Washington Medal: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage and the Declaration of Independence: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Sean Bean: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Sean Bean: National Treasure. The Freemasons

: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage and the Declaration of Independence: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Jon Voight: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Sean Bean: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage and the Declaration of Independence: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Harvey Keitel: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Jon Voight and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol : National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

The All Seeing Eye: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage and Harvey Keitel: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Ancient Treasure: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Ferrari: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Ancient Treasure: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger, Nicolas Cage and Jon Voight: National Treasure. The Freemasons

"National Treasure"- movie trailer

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Tom Mashberg, Reporter for The New York Times. by Travis Simpkins

Tom Mashberg, 2015. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Tom Mashberg

Journalist / Author

Investigative Reporter for The New York Times

former Sunday editor for the Boston Herald

by Travis Simpkins

Tom Mashberg in "Stolen": Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

For more info, please visit:

nytimes.com/gardner-heist

Tom Mashberg. by Travis Simpkins. Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt

The Monuments Men (2014): George Clooney as George Stout

Directed by and starring George Clooney, based on the book by Robert M. Edsel, The Monuments Men (2014) tells the true story of a group of aging museum officials, conservators and art aficionados charged with rescuing art masterpieces from the Nazis during World War II… with Jan van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece being the main focus of the rescue operation. The real names of the participants were changed so that some liberties could be taken without causing offense. In real life, the group was led by George Stout, a conservator at Harvard University's Fogg Museum, who later went on to become director of the Worcester Art Museum and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Depicting the valiant planning and efforts undertaken in rescuing Europe's great masterpieces from the greedy hands of the Nazis, the film showcases the noble acts of the brave men that risked all to preserve history for future generations. The reproduction art used as props in the film are good by Hollywood standards, and the muted cinematography adds to the 1940's atmosphere. George Clooney does a good job capturing the look and demeanor of George Stout. The cast is thoroughly wonderful, including George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin and Bob Balaban.