Movie Review of Woman in Gold

Review by Gerti

Gustav Klimt is an artist from turn-of-the-century Vienna whose work you either love or hate.  I happen to love it, and saw many canvases in person in a gallery in Vienna when I visited many years ago.  One of Klimt's most famous works is often called "Woman in Gold", just like the name of this movie, but it is actually the portrait of Adele Bloc-Bauer, and this movie is the story of Adele's niece, Maria Altmann, and her fight with Austria to get that popular picture back.

Actress Helen Mirren plays Altmann, an emigre from Austria in the 1930's now residing in America.  She and several lucky members of her family fled when the Nazi's took over Austria and made things difficult for Jewish people.  They left with just the clothes on their backs, and the Nazi's took away their businesses and possessions, which for Maria's family included 5 gorgeous Klimt pictures.

Several decades after WWII, the new Austrian government wanted to make things right for the families who had been robbed by the prewar policies.  Maria spotted an article about it in the New York Times which made her wonder is she could get their families pictures back as well.  Her friend's son is a young and inexperienced lawyer named Randy Schoenberg, played handsomely by Ryan Reynolds.  His family also emigrated from Austria, and they are related to famous composer Arthur Schoenberg, which shows that they are also cultured people.  Randy is captivated by Maria's hard-luck story and plucky personality, and decides to make the trip to Europe to see if he can help reclaim her treasures.

As a young Austrian reporter says, though, the "Woman in Gold" is Austria's Mona Lisa, and that country is very reluctant to return it, despite their desire for good publicity, and justice.  They claim Adele's will says it goes to the Belvedere Gallery, but Randy and Maria prove that since Adele's husband bought the pictures, and he outlived her, it's his will that dictates what happens to them, and he gave the to Maria.  Austria continues to fight, this time using money as a weapon, andRandy has to take the legal case to the US Supreme Court (and win) before Austria finally agree to mediate.  Throughout the movie, Maria wants to come to an agreement with the Austrian museum, but they make it very hard on her, as do her many memories of ther final frantic days in that nation in 1938.

This move will move you to tears, and make you laugh.  It is a fascinating story of how Austria finally makes things right for he elderly American lady.  The acting is top notch, the story is well written and the music beautiful, including some phrases I recognized from a movie adaptation of Jane Austen's "Persuasion."  The film is also visually appealing, with Austria's beautiful urban scenery contrasting sharply with the incomprehensible horrors of its past.  There is a happy ending, with Austria doing the right thing, and it is nice to see Maria vindicated, and Randy getting his career started with such a rousing success.  With no graphic images to frighten younger viewers, I heartily recommend this stunning "Woman in Gold".

Movie Review of Big Eyes by Tim Burton

Reviewed by Gerti 

"Big Eyes" is a Tim Burton film about one of the most famous American woman artists of the 20th century, Margaret Keane.  Her paintings of waifs with the eponymous "big eyes" were everywhere in mid-century America.  I clearly remember them hanging in the office of my family doctor, where they scared the heck out of me!  The effect was made worse by the fact that one of his exam rooms had a waif in a harlequin outfit, and the creep factor was completely off the charts.  So I could hardly wait to see this movie about the paintings and the artist who created them.

Actress Amy Adams stars as that artist, Margaret Keane, who had a bumpy road to fame and fortune, since her husband Walter spent almost a decade pretending to be the person behind the paintbrush.  In the movie, the deceit begins innocently enough, with a bit of confusion between his cityscapes and his wife's waifs occurring during a conversation with a customer.  But this confusion turns into a persistent lie that Walter Keane tells, and since he is more con-man than artist, more salesman than spouse, he tries to convince Margaret that this is how it has to be.  Nobody he says wants woman art.

Walter Keane is played with evil genius by Christoph Waltz.  Keane starts off a charming man, and is able to sweep Margaret off her feet in San Francisco, mere weeks after she had fled there with her daughter from her first unhappy marriage.  They marry quickly so Margaret doesn't lose her daughter to her first husband, who claims she she is unfit to raise the girl as a single mother.  Remember, this was the 1950's.  Mr. Keane goes off the rails after te money and the famous patrons begin to come their way, and while I'm not sure how accurately the movie portrays the lives of the people involved, but it seems he succumbs to alcoholism, which makes him resort to physical violence to control Margaret.

She once again flees with her daughter, this time to Hawaii.  Walter tracks her down, blackmailing her into painting more "big eyes"pictures for him before he'll sign the divorce.  But by now, Margaret is sick of being intimidated, and files a lawsuit against him, telling the world the truth behind the fraud.  Walter fights her, even acting as his own attorney at one point, but like the wise biblical King Solomon, the judge sees the only true test is to have each of the people in the lawsuit paint a picture.  Margaret whips off a "big eyes" picture in less than an hour, and Walter defers, saying he is suffering from an injury which leaves him unable to paint at the moment.  It is a beautiful moment of victory for Margaret!

This is a movie that will not move you to tears, or make you laugh.  It is, however, an interesting story of a couple involved in a stormy relationship which just coincidentally involves some of the first vastly commercial popular art in America.  The acting is top notch, the story well written, and the film visually appealing.  And just on a human level, it is nice to see Margaret finally vindicated.

When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Amy Knackstedt is a widow with three children hoping to start over in Weaverly, Kansas.  But her new neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have an Old Order Mennonite family living next to his apple farm.  Tim left the Mennonite faith years before and didn't want any reminders.  Circumstances keep throwing Tim and Amy together and they form a friendship.  He can't help liking her kids.  It seems like there could be something more between them but can Tim get past his old prejudices to let love in?

This was a very nice story.  The Mennonites reminded me of the Amish.  They seem to live a simpler life, but did use electricity, indoor plumbing, cars, etc.   They did not have every convenience like a washer and dryer or a television. It was a sweet romance.  Those are nice every now and again.

Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason

Reading Level: Adult

From the back of the book:

When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, the FBI sends in Special Agent Samantha Cash to help crack the case. Her methods are invisible, and she never quits until the case is closed.

Homicide detective Connor Wolfe has his hands full. His relationship with his headstrong daughter is in a tailspin, and the string of unsolved murders has the town demanding answers. Connor is running out of ideas and time. Samantha joins Connor in a race against the clock to save the next victim. And the killer starts to get personal.

This is a Christian romance mystery novel. The first in a series called Women of Justice.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Reading Level: Adult

This is an awakening book about a recently widowed Russian immigrant and her daughters who do not understand her, thought they were unloved, and that she had ultimately kept her two daughters from being close. When her husband died, they felt the family would fall apart. He was the glue that kept the family together. However the younger daughter insisted that they could begin to understand their mom by listening to her tales, the only thing that seemed to turn her into quite a different person during the telling and something their Father encouraged them to do before he passed away. How the tales affect their relationship is a wonderful story and a reminder that our families are multi leveled and we need to be detectives to fully understand each other.

Submitted by Donna

The Secret Life of Samantha Mcgregor series by Melody Carlson

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Bad Connection is the first in a four book series about a girl named Samantha Mcgregor. Samantha is not just an ordinary girl, she gets visions from God. When Samantha's classmate Kayla goes missing she doesn't think anything of it. Kayla liked to party and she kept telling everyone she was going to meet her online boyfriend. Then Samantha starts getting visions about Kayla and Kayla is not okay. With the help from her friend Olivia and Detective Ebony Hamilton Samantha is able to make sense of these visions and hopefully find Kayla before it is too late. This is an inspirational fiction book. Don't forget to check out the rest of the series, Beyond Reach, Playing with Fire, and Payback. Each book just got better and better.

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)


A Memory Between Us is the second book in the Wings of Glory series. This book revolves around Major Jack Novak and Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. Jack met Ruth in the first book when she was a nurse to Jack's brother Walt. In the start of this book Jack is wounded and winds up in Ruth's hospital. He is smitten with her from the start but he soon finds out that she is dedicated to her work and doesn't date. Jack thinks no problem and feels like he can persuade her into loving him. The historical aspect of this novel is fascinating. She states on her web page in the FAQ's that the places were all real and even some of the people were real people. Most of the dates are real time as well. It was exciting reading about D-Day and about flight nursing. I think I would rather be in a hospital away from the fighting but the nurses who risked their own lives pulling out our soldiers were incredible. The writing is just incredible and I can't wait for book three.

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

This is book one in a series called Wings of Glory. The second book A Memory Between Us is available at the library. And the third book Blue Skies Tomorrow will come out next August.

A Distant Melody revolves around Allie Miller and Lt. Walter Novak during World War II. Allie is from a wealthy family and she is longing to do more for the war effort. Walt is a B-17 bomber pilot. Allie and Walt meet on a train to a friends wedding. Walt is on leave and Allie has just graduated college. During their week together they become friends and they really understand each other. Walt likes her more than a friend but finds out Allie has a boyfriend her parents intend for her to marry. Despite that Walt asks Allies boyfriend if it is okay that Allie writes him. Baxter agrees. So Walt and Allie start corresponding and their feelings for each other grows. But of course there are many obstacles in their way. I loved this book. It's always nice reading a Faith based book. Love is so pure and the stories are always inspirational. Ms. Sundin has done an excellent job creating such a wonderful story. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and the war story is fascinating. I can't wait to read the next one. It's about Walt's brother Jack.