Lower expectations and a sad goodbye

When a movie gets this much publicity I have to comment. My family and I went to see Avatar last night – a film I had been awaiting with baited breath.

It was a disappointment. You should still go I say, the special effects are worth the trip, but lower your expectations. Somewhere during the editing, I expect, the guts of the story were cut out and you had no idea that there was a real life and death reason for what was happening until the last few moments of the film. It greatly lessened the impact of the film.

Years ago (1992, I looked it up for you) a film came out that said the same thing but better – Fern Gully. Those of you who are parents will remember it, it was animation and we all took our children. It was enchanting and also (without banging you on the head with an anvil) got across the message that we need to take care of Mother Earth.

Avatar showed a wonderful society of aliens on a planet worth preserving under attack from the nasty Earthlings, but never tells us WHY until the last moment of the film.

I found Avatar disappointing but worth the trip. Do let me know what you think.



On another note, tonight is the last night for the famous NYC restaurant and landmark, Tavern on the Green. I have so many wonderful memories of this restaurant. When my child was a toddler we played in the sandbox just next door in Central Park and had afternoon tea and brunch on many occasions at this New York City landmark. Last February when my husband took me, to what is now our yearly trip to NYC (so that I can have at least one week of winter and we can see the theatre shows), we dined at Tavern on the Green in what turned out to be an afternoon Happy Hour and then a glorious and memorable dinner. We had spent the majority of the day walking museums (yes, my husband loves me that much) and then taking a long walk through Central Park ending at Tavern on the Green. They were just between the lunch crowd and the dinner crowd. Instead of sending us away, a table was set up for us in a snug corner and we observed the changing of the guard for the night‘s festivities, and the preparation of the dining rooms while being served cocktails and coffee to thaw us from our long chilly walk. We were then escorted to our table and treated like VIPs for the evening. It was a wonderful experience and one I don’t think we shall ever forget. I give a salute and a curtsey in farewell to this grand old lady of New York City. I regret her passing and know she will be missed.

Ciao and Happy New Year my lovely readers. I wish joy and adventure for us all in the coming year.