PRESIDENT'S CORNER

When in doubt....go to the movies! [Jim Held, Educator]

Whaaaaat?  Quoting myself already?  Scary, isn't it?  Don't we deserve to be a little scared?  After all, you know what tomorrow brings...."something wicked this way comes," was the title of one of my favorite books of stories by Ray Bradbury, not to mention the Scottish play of Shakespeare, where it is intoned by Second Witch after that notable line about "Double-bubble, toilet trouble"...remember that?  As a kid growing up in sourthern California, those of us lucky enough to have a Mexican bodega close by, and some Mexican pals, soon grew to enjoy their Dia de los Muertos holiday that came right after Hlloween.  You had picnics...where?  On your grandmother's grave?  Where else would you go to honor your dead?

This national holiday in Mexico was originally celebrated during the summer but was moved to Octobr 31, November 1, and November 2 to coincide with the Western Christian tridduum of Allhallowtide:  All Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Soul's Day..to honor the dead and help them onward in their spiritual journey.  What we kids remembered best was the necklaces of skulls (marzipan) and little candy coffins, skeletons, more skulls, pastries and things you could share with your pals, by for instance, inviting them to bite off one of the skulls from your necklace.  Fun, fun, fun!

But, I digress.  Moviesl.  Bonnie and I are hopeless addicts, which helps explain why I was willing to take over the newly re-named Fim Forum.  Today, it seems appropriate to remind you of the riches availabe to us right now in one of our local cinemas: "The Martian," with no aliens and lots of fascinating science adventure, "Bridge of Spies," Steven Spielburg's latest with Tom Hanks and the brilliant star of "Wolf Hall," Mark Rylance, who plays the Russian spy Hanks must defend; "Crimson Peak," the latest gothic romance from Mexican auteur, Guillermo del Toro (perfect for this holiday); and....

..on Sturday at noon at the Regal,Tthe Met: Live in HD - series continues as Richard Wagner's Tannhauser, returns to the Met stage for the first time in over a decade on October 31st with an encore performance November 4, 2015.  The amazing Johan Botha, today's leading Wagnerian tenor, takes on the title role opposite Eva-Maria Westbroek as Elisabeth.  During intermission, audiences will enjoy a behind -the- scenes look of what goes into staging an opera from the Met's cast, crew, and production team.

A grandmother pretends she doesan't know who you are on Halloween.  [Erma Bombeck]

All my life I have been a celebrant of Halloween.  For me, it is the most important day of the year, the turning point in the old pagan calendar. [John Burnside]

So kiddies, old and not so old, don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour tomorrow night...2:00 AM on Sunday morning when you get up to...you know....

Jim Held, Creepy President