Jeanne Powell's Blog
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Jul.02.2012
(c) 2012 Jeanne Powell "The Invisible War" all rights reserved
a stunning documentary about a national tragedy
In November 2011, California Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to reform the way rape crimes are treated in the U.S....
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Jun.12.2012
FOR GREATER GLORY a film review by Jeanne Powell
For Greater Glory is a strange mix of fact and fiction, with lots of gloss and plenty of filters. It has brief moments but ultimately descends into a puddle of petty propaganda.
The Cristero War in Mexico (1926-1929) is obscure to most...
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Apr.03.2012
(c) 2012 Jeanne Powell "Adventures with Angels" all rights reserved
Isn’t it amusing sometimes the way life slides about or lumbers along until some epiphany clears your vision and convinces you that change is necessary, even essential?
It may happen like this. Suppose your ...
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Jan.23.2012
RED TAILS a film review by Jeanne Powell
“Red Tails” from Lucas Studios is being released with many advantages – major funding, well-known actors, a significant online presence and heroes you can believe in. Producer George Lucas is known internationally for adventure films such as “...
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Jan.16.2012
THE IRON LADY a film review by Jeanne Powell
British prime minister Margaret Thatcher portrayed by Meryl Streep, yes – who else? Another bravura performance by one of the four greatest living film actresses in the western world. Compelling performances also are delivered by Jim...
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Jan.10.2012
MAD MONEY a film review by Jeanne Powell
In bringing “Mad Money” to the screen, director Callie Khouri introduces us to a script based on a true story. Knowing that this landmark heist happened in England, and that it was pulled off by three women in working-class jobs, armed only with their wits,...
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Jan.10.2012
New Year's Eve a film review by Jeanne Powell
What can I say about this holiday season romantic comedy, which has too many stars and too little plot? Well, there are a couple of good things, so read on.
Director Gary Marshall gave us “Pretty Woman” in 1990 and a host of television comedies,...
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Dec.27.2011
WAR HORSE a film review by Jeanne Powell
“War Horse” is a spectacular adventure story, with a touch of fantasy, set against the canvas of the Great War (1914-1918).
Director Steven Spielberg’s latest film is adapted from an acclaimed children’s book written by Michael Morpurgo, an award-...
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Dec.19.2011
The Christmas season is approaching and the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre surprises us with a musical gift, one of several gifts their audiences have received this year. In addition to a new artistic director, new directors on the board, and a permanent venue near Union Square, the LHT presents a...
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Dec.04.2011
(c) 2011 Jeanne Powell"Anatomy of a Poem"all rights reserved
In those halcyon days before I discovered coffee actually was drinkable, I used to relax with a cup or two of freshly brewed tea -- frequently the Iron Goddess of Mercy oolong from China. On such afternoons I read the...
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Nov.18.2011
Fela!a stage reviewby Jeanne Powell
Fela! is the story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation all over the world. His life story of courage, passion and controversy is told through Kuti’s captivating music along with the visionary...
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Nov.01.2011
(c) 2011 Jeanne Powell"Helping Us See What Was"all rights reserved
Last Sunday afternoon I was shopping at Whole Foods, taking advantage of its quite reasonably priced "house label" to get maximum value, and I overheard two women talking about a variety of reactions among friends who had...
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Oct.26.2011
ALMOST NOTHING and DAY OF ABSENCE
Beginning its 31st season in San Francisco, the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (LHT) is a story unto itself, rising from a yearlong struggle which nearly closed the doors on this popular institution of artistic and cultural heritage. Despite the deaths of...
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Aug.12.2011
THE HELP a film review by Jeanne Powell
Tate Taylor is another actor turned director, in the tradition of Warren Beatty and Robert Redford, and he gets it right in his first major film, “The Help,” starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, with special appearances by Sissy Spacek...
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Jul.31.2011
Spunk: Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurstona stage reviewby Jeanne Powell
The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco concludes its 26th season with Spunk: Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston, adapted for the stage by George C. Wolfe. Spunk is a collection of Hurston stories first...
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About Jeanne
"You do a beautiful job of reviewing--be it films or lectures. Reading four reviews back to back, so to speak, reinforced my conviction in this regard. I thank you wholeheartedly for keeping me up to date cinematically."
-- Louise M. Jefferson, Ph.D.,...
Connections
Causes Jeanne Powell Supports
Union of Concerned Scientists, VVAW (Vietnam Veterans Against War), Doctors Without Borders, Waterkeeper Alliance, PSR (Physicians for Social Responsibility...
Jeanne’s Favorite Books
The Chalice And The Blade by Riane Eisler; The Alchemist by Paul Coelho.