Valentine’s Day approaches and with it the call for romantic evenings and memorable outings with a treasured friend lover and confidant. For most this means a great dinner followed by or following a movie or performance.
The elegant Edison Ballroom welcomed us with open arms on January 21st for the finale of their amateur dance competition. Having covered the inaugural event we were delighted to view the final competition, we were ecstatic to find our favorite couple had made it to the final show! The tension in the air was barely noticeable as contenders mingled with spectators in between sets.
For as long as there has been fire, man has found fear in the absence of light. Darkness often brings with it an unsettling realization that what is unknown is a far greater threat than what we can see. Vanishing on 7th Street is an apocalyptic vision of director Brad Anderson. The film begins with a black out, an entire city plunged into darkness.
Having been single more than a year now, I had finally made peace with the fact that the odds of getting a surprise on the most romantic day of the year is a lost cause. I had already decided to spend the holiday in my bathrobe and slippers with a half pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a marathon of CSI, when fate shined on me and sent me an invite to the Accessories Council Top Valentine’s Picks Soiree.
As long as I’ve been able to pick up a comb I’ve known Dark and Lovely. From perms to dyes they’ve been a familiar friend over the years. The first time I dyed my hair it was with Dark and Lovely’s spicy cinnamon a red and copper mix that made me feel as glamorous as my idol Mary J. Blige. We at John Simon Daily
The fact is the first three years of your life are for you a blur. Those older than you are the only keepers of your formative years. If you manage to stay alive long enough to reach a ripe old age, chances are you won’t remember the last few years, but its the stuff in between that stays with you. It’s the heartbreaks, life lessons, and relationships that stay with us for the rest of our days. Barney’s Version is the story of Barney Panofsky as seen through his own eyes. Spanning several decades into his life the film shows the start and end of 3 marriages the loss of friendships and changes in career. From the age of 30 and well past middle age the story unfolds in laughs and tears, as you watch in awe of spectacular life.
Barney played by Paul Giamatti, is an unlikely leading man. He’s the practical friend of a tight clique of free-spirited artists who marries twice before meeting the true love of his life at his very own wedding. We follow his life through inter-mitten flashes forward and backward in chronological order simultaneously seeing where he was and ultimately where he ends up. Joining Barney on his life’s journey is his socially inept father and retired police officer Izzy (Dustin Hoffman) as well as the love of his life Clara (Rachelle Lefevre).
At its core, Barney’s version is a love story. It captures a love of life that is as heart-wrenching as it is passionate. Barney may be an unlikely hero as he’s not a dashing ladies man or creative genius, but he is an intensely charming man who leads a fascinating life worth watching.
Barney’s Version hits theaters January 14th in New York and Los Angeles and coming to a theater near you.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation held it 20th Annual “A Magical Evening” Gala this past Wednesday at the opulent Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The evening serves as fund raiser for the foundations major efforts as well as an awards ceremony highlighting the hard work and achievements of its members and friends during the year.
The Holiday season is the time for good will toward others, great memories with loved ones and gaming? Gamers look forward to the holiday season as it is during this short span that most games and console innovations are introduced.