Travis Simpkins

Monday, January 4, 2021

Irving Berlin. Composer, Lyricist and Freemason. God Bless America. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Irving Berlin

( 1888 - 1989 )

Composer and Lyricist

"God Bless America"

& others in The Great American Songbook

Freemason

Member of

Munn Lodge No. 190

New York City, NY

Mecca Shrine Temple

Valley of New York City

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ

by Travis Simpkins

Irving Berlin - "God Bless America"

For more info, please visit:

irvingberlin.com

Irving Berlin. Composer, Lyricist and Freemason. God Bless America. by Travis Simpkins

Sunday, January 3, 2021

The Little Hours (2017): Aubrey Plaza

The Little Hours. 2017. Aubrey Plaza

Directed by Jeff Baena, very loosely based on a 14th Century novella, The Little Hours (2017) is a good mix of wittiness and occasional "off color" humor. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The plot is summarized: "Medieval nuns Alessandra, Fernanda, and Ginevra lead a simple life in their convent. Their days are spent chafing at monastic routine, spying on one another, and berating the estate's day labourer. After a particularly vicious insult session drives the peasant away, Father Tommasso brings on newly hired hand Massetto, a virile young servant forced into hiding by his angry lord. Introduced to the sisters as a deaf-mute to discourage temptation, Massetto struggles to maintain his cover."

The scene of Witchcraft, Magick and a coven circle in the woods is particularly interesting.

The whole cast does a great job, including Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Alison Brie and Kate Micucci.