Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
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The Lewisboro Lightning Never Quit as Their Three Year Journey Ends
In baseball when you start slow, a cold, wet spring always stands at the ready as an explanation. Whether the team will warm with the calendar certainly remains a question. But the uncertainty didn’t rule for Lewisboro Little League Coach Jason Pizer as his twelve year olds got caught in between all the April raindrops.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Unbalanced
Hilary Swank Discusses 'P.S. I Love You'
A few years ago, Hilary Swank appeared at Jacob Burn Film Center with PS I Love You. Here's a look back at the evening. On Monday, December 17, at Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, Hilary Swank appeared as part of the center's annual Silverstar fundraiser. Showcasing her most recent film, P.S. I Love You, Swank rolled in a little late to the nervousness of the audience and the program's organizers. Nonetheless, she played off the delay and let everyone easily settle into the shoes of a busy actress playing double time as promoter. "There was a lot of traffic on that little Saw Mill highway," Swank deflected and brought the audience back to a festive mood.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Mt. Kisco Hosts Undoing Racism Workshop
In the fall of 2014, Reverend Kym McNair, Associate Minister at Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills, was excited to receive an invitation to attend a workshop at Fox Lane on diversity, racism and white privilege. Unfortunately, pushback from a vocal part of the community forced school superintendent, Dr. Jere Hochman to cancel the initiative. At the same time, local clergy like herself decided that engaging in the vitriol was not conducive to advancing the best possible outcome.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Education
Patrick Collins of Katonah Is an Actor with Character
In 1973, Patrick Collins’s Bronx background led him to teaching religion at John F. Kennedy High School in Somers. The Bronx upbringing also played a part in becoming a child actor in shows like The Guiding Light. His mother setting him on that course. But the fling with acting in elementary school didn’t have as much a say on his career path than the 13 plays he did as an undergrad at Villanova.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Men Working at Mt. Kisco Childcare
The sound of children laughing, playing, and learning in daycares is almost completely synonymous with the nurturing touch of women. Put a man in the mix and the needle may seem destined to jump. But Dawn Meyerski of Mt. Kisco Childcare knows from experience that adding men to the music is a notch that definitely proceeds on the side of harmony.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Education
'The Counselor' with Michael Fassbender Is Sure to get Your Attention
You can't watch The Counselor in the typical, play with your iPhone and catch the subtext in between setting off angry Facebook wars. Cameron Diaz cryptically deliberating with Javier Bardem in the New Mexico desert as they spy their pet cougars, a green clad biker racing to nowhere at 200 mph and Michael Fassbender discussing the reflective quality of nitrogen in the diamond he will spring on Penelope Cruz. This is all topped off by the deal the successful lawyer is about to engage in with a Mexican Drug Cartel. Left a bit a miss, you could easily be lulled to sleep amongst a very sedate dialogue. I was and almost turned it off. But that made the Ridley Scott film all the more chilling as I watched a second time, and the beginning and end were seared together in real time.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Criminal
'A Fish Story' Helps the Bereaved Heal the Pain in Pound Ridge
The death of Sam Roberts’ father in 1985 left the Pound Ridge resident an angry young man. On the other hand, it wasn’t long before he started to channel his grief, and a screenplay soon emerged. Reaching the tail end of the story meant a long journey against the current, though, and the film didn't make it into the can until 2013. Successes in a number of film festivals followed, and A Fish Story just secured a distributor. So it can now be found on Netflix and in 3,000 Walmart stores. Of course, having a Hollywood star attached to the credits would certainly make mass consumption much easier. But Roberts has come to realize that the healing nature of the film might not have come across as easily with that type of familiarity.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Sculptor Christopher Green Sees the Potential in Each Piece of Stone
A glimpse into Christopher Green’s art studio might seem akin to stumbling through a rock quarry. “They are all just like boulders. You wouldn’t be able to see the differences,” says the Somers Sculptor. That said, any addition of unvarnished geology to his stash is like a Christmas morning gift. Only the thrill involved in shedding the exterior takes place before he ever puts chisel to the marble, alabaster or limestone encasing.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Journal
Al Pacino Makes Us Believe in and Justice for All
1979's And Justice for All stars Al Pacino as an honest lawyer. In a profession where oath and ambition insulates judges, prosecutors, and attorneys from doing what's right, I hope after all my Star Trek commentary that the world is OK with more science fiction.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
'Hell or High Water' with Jeff Bridges Sets No Limits in the Vastness of Texas
Contrary to popular folklore, Jesse and Frank James did not steal from the rich to give to the poor. On the other hand, they weren’t happy with the outcome of the Civil War and robbed Republican held banks to help unsettle the new order. That said, Jeff Bridges’ latest film, Hell or High Water, has elements of both. The result is a drama that superimposes today’s disenfranchised underbelly of America over a modern day James Gang, which also takes matters into their own hands.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
Season One of 'Star Trek Discovery' Lacks a Bit on the Sci-Fi, but Has Laid a Strong Foundation
I watched Star Trek Discovery in the only manner in which the 23rd century is meant to be viewed—on a TV set. So I just got the DVD from the library, I'm all caught up, and I’ll send payment to CBS at a later date. Maybe not but my commentary is more in accordance with a review and hopefully doesn't spoil. I don’t want to ruin it for those who also doubt the fluidity of streaming and paying for Star Trek.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Futurism
The Ridgefield Playhouse Screens Blazing Saddles, and ‘Oh Dah Do Dah Day,’ There Was Plenty to Rejoice with Burton Gilliam
“Comedy has to walk a thin line, take risks. Comedy is the lecherous little elf whispering into the king’s ear, always telling the truth about human behavior,” Mel Brooks told Maane Khatchatourian of Variety in 2017. The American icon also lamented that our “stupidly politically correct” culture is the death of comedy, and that Blazing Saddles could never be made today. Even so, it’s pretty hard to find anyone online who doesn’t get the joke. A packed audience at the Ridgefield Playhouse seconded the sentiment on the February 22 screening of Blazing Saddles. But the showing wasn’t the only thing that made the audience want to jig it up with some Camp Town Lady.
By Rich Monetti7 years ago in Geeks
