PRESIDENT'S CORNER - December 30, 2016 | School of Public Health

As I began to compose this column, word of the passing of Debbie Reynolds followed the passing of her daughter Carrie Fisher only 24 hours earlier. I must agree with the CNN reporter that it makes you believe in dying of a broken heart. Before this news came along, I had intended to remind our readers that the next Turner Classic Movies presentation at our local Regal Hollywood cinema is to be the 1952 classic, “Singin’ in the Rain” that introduced Debbie to us and starred Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor. The film will be shown at 2 and 7 PM on January 15 and 18, 2017. It would be a fine way to remember one of our favorite stars, in addition to watching what many critics consider the best musical every filmed.

Another cinema event was here this week, but as you read this, alas, it has left town. “Manchester by the Sea,” that received the best reviews of any film I have read about this year, was here and gone in ONE week. I know that our cinemas are booked by some office far away, so we have no control over these things, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it. Bonnie and I saw the film this week and absolutely loved it. It is a heart-wrenching story brilliantly acted and filmed. Maybe it will have to be included on the summer Film Forum…hmmmm.

What you CAN go see, all of you that took our August Wilson class, is the new film of “Fences” starring Denzel Washington (who also directed) and Viola Davis. It has had terrific reviews and is playing at both of our cinemas. It really is Wilson’s masterpiece.

Next weekend, on January 7 at 12:55 PM, the MET in HD series will present Verdi’s “Nabucco,” starring Placido Domingo and conducted by Jame Levine at the Regal Hollywood cinema. Nabucco is, of course, Nebuchadnezzer, and the opera tells the story of the conquest of Jerusalem and the enslavement of the Hebrews who sing that wonderful chorus.

So, the year is about to turn to a new chapter, 2017, that promises to be one of those years of either living dangerously or living in very interesting times…you know what I am talking about. I trust we will all do our very best to be excellent citizens, protectors of our republic, and stewards of common sense and decency. We could do far worse than to adopt a policy to “Love one another,” no matter what. I’ll leave you with that this time and wish each of you a Happy New Year!

Jim Held, President