Fare Thee Well: David Elliott

IF by: Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about don’t deal lies, Or being hated don’t give way to hating And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream — and not make dreams your master, If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those too imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools. Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap or all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And hold on when there is nothing in you Except the will which says to them, ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you. If all men count on you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds worth of distance run, Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it, And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son! [and...you certainly are!!] SUCCESS by: Ralph Waldo Emerson “To laugh often and much; to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” THESE SHOULD BE IN POETIC FORMATS.
— June 16, 2012 5:14 p.m.

David Elliott's Final Column

Dear David, This is a sad, sad day for movies and sensitive, intelligent, creative, inquisitive human beings... almost unbearable.
— June 13, 2012 3:34 p.m.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Hums and Bustles in a Fine Sari

Thank you, Mr. Elliott, for another beautifully-written review. This time it's a movie that features a country I love and a plot that focuses on new vistas -- a welcome remedy for current challenges in our society. As an English teacher, I often use your movie reviews in my classroom to inspire creative writing in various genres. How wonderful to have you in San Diego!
— June 5, 2012 12:49 p.m.

Downton Abbey vs. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: A Tale of Two Actresses

yes -- fabulous actresses! loved the comparisons -- aren't they versatile!? ah, new vistas! thank you for calling attention to them in various forms...
— June 4, 2012 1:49 p.m.

Review: Faust at the Met's Live in HD

What a great review! It discusses Faust from a contemporary, relevant standpoint. And I appreciate the tip about the purse! I think I carry what would be considered "matching luggage" -- enough to shut down an entire row of people seeking seats. I also learned a new word, after thinking "props" was a typo. I looked it up online and it means "proper respect." In the case of director Des McAnuff, that respect is well deserved.
— January 6, 2012 11 p.m.

Interview: Russ Peck, Symphony's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Organist

Valerie Scher's interview with Russ Peck is captivating. I am also fascinated by the YouTube video that follows it even though the musical accompaniment is less appropriate and riveting than the treats in store for San Diego audiences, thanks to the artistry and versatility of Mr. Peck.
— October 24, 2011 8:23 p.m.

The Met’s Live in HD Scales San Diego Movie Screens

This article has whet my appetite for opera, a far better choice than some of the goodies in my refrigerator. Knowing the right people, I have been able to occupy marvelous opera house seats, which enhanced my appreciation of the productions tremendously. Since the Met is now making live transmissions of operas available, we suddenly have something comparable -- and the best of both worlds. Let me count the ways: good seating with wonderful sight lines; expressions, settings, and costume detail visible; excellent acoustics; subtitles clear; reasonable prices as compared to exorbitant; available at local theaters; illuminating interviews included; and the pleasure of contributing to the support of a “venerable -- and vulnerable -- art form.” Also, according to Valerie Scher’s article, we won't be alone: “Consider the stats. Roughly 7 million tickets have been sold since the innovative series began in 2006 and the upcoming lineup is slated for approximately 1,500 theaters in 46 countries.” And, finally, to top it all off -- like whipped cream -- we can wear jeans -- while losing weight in the meantime.
— September 27, 2011 5:13 p.m.

Morgan Freeman: Obama Made Racism Worse in America

As written in the NEW YORK TIMES, [quote] Morgan Freeman accused the Tea Party of being racist while interviewed on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight this past Friday. As for the Tea Party, Freeman told Morgan, "Their stated policy, publicly stated, is to do whatever it takes to see to it that Obama only serves one term. What underlines that? Screw the country. We're going to do whatever we can to get this black man outta here." Attributing the impasse in Washington to a dose of racism has been intimated, but until Morgan Freeman had the courage to enunciate it clearly, this opinion -- with validating quotes -- was only whispered for fear of retribution. And now dear Morgan Freeman is being excoriated on all sides. He claims to be fearless. Bravo and best wishes! Mr. Marks, as a loyal reader of yours, I know you stand with us, but that became temporarily unclear. Keep on keepin' on!
— September 27, 2011 11:43 a.m.

Morgan Freeman: Obama Made Racism Worse in America

THIS HEADLINE IS VERY MISLEADING BECAUSE WHEN TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT, ITS W R O N G!!! I SALUTE MORGAN FREEMAN, WHO MAINTAINS A FEARLESS STANCE, BECAUSE HE SAYS IT LIKE IT IS – THERE IS PREJUDICE AGAINST OBAMA. REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TORTURING HIM SINCE DAY ONE! FOR MEMBERS OF A POLITICAL PARTY TO SAY THAT THEIR HIGHEST PRIORITY IS TO MAKE OBAMA A ONE-TERM PRESIDENT RATHER THAN COMPROMISE ON SOME ISSUES AND EXPOSE THE TRULY EVIL TRICKERY OF WRONGDOERS (MORTAGE COMPANIES, BANKERS, WALL STREET TITANS, CORPORATIONS ETC.) IS SUSPICIOUS. FOR EXAMPLE, as Burton noted, “Republicans are motivated by one thing: to make Obama a one-term president, even at the expense of the economy.” [MEDIA MATTERS -- http://mediamatters.org/blog/201108210012]. OBAMA WAS TOO MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN. HE MUST CHANGE COURSE & LEAD WITH STRENGTH – MAYBE EVEN A METAPHORICAL “PUNCH IN THE NOSE” AS DISCUSSED ON THE PROGRAM. RECALL THE AD, “DON’T LET THEM THROW SAND IN YOUR FACE.” FLEX THOSE MUSCLES, MR. PRESIDENT. SERVE THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTRY. IRRATIONAL BULLIES – BE GONE!
— September 26, 2011 4:42 p.m.

Billy Crystal Ready to Return as Oscars Host

I thought I did, but I also thought I saw a puuthey cat...
— August 17, 2011 9:50 a.m.