STARING AT AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY

Folks, today I have a double-bill for your enjoyment. I saw a fabulous play and a really wacky movie. Firstly, the play: I had the privilege to see some of the finest acting I have ever encountered, in the Pulitzer and Tony-award winning Broadway hit, AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY, by TRACY LETTS, starring ESTELLE PARSONS, in a bravura tour de force performance.

This is a theatre piece that puts the fun, in dysfunctional. Just some of the topics this play tackles: suicide, pedophilia, incest and adultery, and that is just act one, of a 31/2 hour show!!!

PARSONS, essays the dowager of a southern clan, which has more problems than heinz has sauces. Throughout, the course of the evening, many truths will be told and many lives will be ruined, leading up to a shattering denouement. To say anymore, would ruin the fun. Let me just say that the ensemble cast, is in every way as dazzling, as Miss PARSONS.

Now, on to the film, my cinephiles. This has got to be one of the most off the wall flicks, I have ever seen. The title of the film is called: THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS, which is the auspicious debut of GEORGE CLOONEY'S writing and producing buddy, GRANT HESLOV.

This movie has a fantastic ensemble cast: GEORGE CLOONEY (how did they ever get him)? EWAN MCGREGOR, JEFF BRIDGES (the dude lives)!!! and KEVIN SPACEY.

The plot, such as it is, is apparently based on the true story of an experimental United States army that did experiments in mind control and stuff like that, during the BUSH, era. It really doesn't matter, what the plot is, because like the best shaggy dog stories, half the fun is how it all unfolds and unfold, it does.

As. for it being funny, let's just say there was a real possibility that I might have choked on my popcorn (isn't that how all movie critics, want to go)?

However, I did survive to see another movie and so until next time, fellow LEBOWSKI'S:

T.T.F.N.