SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2014

The schedule has been announced for this year's  CINE-WORLD FILM FESTIVAL.  Opening day is November 1 and  runs through Sunday November 10 with most films playing at Burns Court.  A few will be available at Lakewood Ranch Cinema.    Member passes are available now at Burns Court Cinema or by clicking here and purchasing your pass on line.

Non-members will have to wait until Wednesday when you can also purchase passes.  Single tickets  go on sale Friday, with a wide selection of Domestic and Foreign films to choose from.

  I have researched each film and what follows are my picks for best in show.  There are several others worthy of consideration; however how many movies can you or do you want to see in ten days?   No matter what you pick this is always a fun SARASOTA experience.

August Osage County.. Pulitzer Prize winning  Novel and Tony award winning  best play starring  Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper and Ewan McGregor; these are just some of the stars of this already creating Oscar buzz movie

The Armstrong Lie...Much anticipated documentary on the life of cyclist Lance Armstrong.  This one is considered so good it has been designated "opening night" feature.

Oh Boy...Winner of this year's German equivalent to the Academy Awards,  this slacker drama comedy is a love letter to Berlin and generation Y experience.

Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom...adapted from Mandela's autobiography, including his 27 years in prison before he was released to become President of South Africa.  Also mentioned as Oscar contender.


Face of Love....starring Annette Bening and Ed Harris along with a cameo from Robin Williams in a story of lost and found love.  How can it be bad with this cast?

Other highly regarded films are James Franco's adaptation of William Faulkner's novel.  Franco wrote, directs and stars in As I Lay Dying.  It opened this past weekend in New York with a very good NY Times review.

 
One Chance reunites the creative team of The Devil Wears Prada along with screen writing team of The Bucket list to tell the story of a Britain's Got Talent contest winner.  Lot's of music.  Sounds entertaining.

Like Father, Like Son...From Japan, a father learns his son of six years is not his own due to clerical error.  He is forced to choose his biological son or the one he has raised since birth.  This one closes the Festival.
Again, I encourage you to click here to view the entire list and purchase tickets on line.

Saturday night is a special one if you like BLUES, as Florida Blue presents Blues and Musical Festival at the SARASOTA Fairgrounds featuring Kenny Wayne Sheperd Band, Rick Estrin and Little Charlie.  Doors open at 11 with music beginning at 12.  Tickets are $27 when purchased in advance and $32 at the door.  VIP seating is available at $75.  While folding chairs and blankets are welcome, food is not.   Food beer-wine will be on sale at the Fairgrounds.  Partial proceeds go to all faiths food bank. Tickets can be purchased here. 

This past summer George Miles and family travelled throughout Italy.  He writes..."we ate at some of the finest restaurants in each city we visited, but the one dining experience that was truly outstanding was the Antica Pesa in Rome.  Opened in 1922 by the Panella family, now four generations later it is operated by four Panella brothers growing to three restaurants in Italy and one in Brooklyn, USA!!  In early August we ate at the one in Brooklyn, and thought it fabulous, considering I did not have to pay for airline tickets to NY.  I thought we were unique visiting both restaurants until I heard Lebron James was doing the same on his honeymoon and first Miami Heat game in Brooklyn...." That's George with Janet, Tammy and Taylor with one of the Panella brothers.

Continuing a review of some of my favorite SARASOTA restaurants as we get closer to the return of many readers, I strongly recommend Yummy House.  Since opening last year to immediate success, Yummy has quietly improved its food and service to the point of being the go to restaurant for Chinese Cuisine.  I have never met a dish there I didn't like, but there are so many items on the menu it will take a few visits to find your favorites.  During season which starts any minute you will either have to have patience since the turnover is quick or attempt to reserve by calling 351-1688.

By now you are surely aware of my fondness for JPAN.  With 2 locations, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, they have grown to one of the area's biggest and BEST when it comes to sushi and Japanese.   In fact, it is the Japanese side of the menu that keeps growing.  All sorts of creative dishes await from fried rice to fish to chicken.  Reservations are a must, and if you like outside dinning as most of us who live here do, you won't find a better place than Main St. in Lakewood Ranch.


Going from Asian to Mexican is quite a transition, but I am doing it anyway.  El Toro Bravo buried in a shopping center that houses one of our best bakeries, Piasanos, is as authentic as it comes in Sarasota to Mexican.  The place is small, full of locals, serves great food from a huge menu and offers its Mexican beer in frozen mugs all for a reasonable price.  You can find it on Stickney Point Road west of Swift.  They take reservations, and are very crowded Friday and Saturdays.  It's best to go during the week.

All three restaurants are open for lunch and offer specials for the budget conscious.  The service is swift and you can eat in less than an hour or take more time as your schedule allows.  They come with my hearty recommendation.   As you know from previous blogs, I eat at all three quite often.

Still another restaurant gaining in popularity is rev-el-ry Pub & Grill.  Located in the Publix shopping center off University and Lockwood Ridge. Only open a short time, it has gone from dinner only to addition of lunch, Sunday football and starting next Sunday (10/27)brunch from  10:30am-2:00pm.   Their initial Sunday menu will be small, but grow as demand increases.   Even more exciting news next week.  Word of mouth will fill this place in a few months so I suggest you visit NOW.  John and Angela bring a family atmosphere to your dining experience. 

WBTT begins its winter season next month with an old favorite PURLIE, and continues with The Whipping Man, Harry and Lena and Bubbling Brown Sugar.  Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now. For more information and to purchase tickets click here. I am especially looking forward to Harry and Lena, as they were two of my favorites.  I remember seeing Harry Belafonte performing in Chicago when I was a nineteen year old in college.  Saw his show twice that evening, and every song, ad-lib and nuance was identical in each performance.  All rehearsed with no spontaneity.....still loved the man.

JIM'S RANT is directed to anyone who drives through THE DISTRICT AT UTC, you know, the area immediately in front of Target, ULTA, Bed Bath and Beyond.....etc.  Are you not aware of the stop signs posted in front of each store???  They are there for a purpose...STOP.  It is a wonder no one to my knowledge has been hit walking to their car. 

Thanks to George for his contribution this week and to Tracy for her editing.  See you next week with more from SARASOTA....JIM

Read my review next week of this fantastic show kicking off the Cabaret season at FST.....