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by Mark Maxwell Abushady, NYC Film With an opening view of the light-hearted, “leave-it-to-Beaver” type images of marriage, and a relaxed and informal voiceover, Tracie Donahue sets out to discover how we form the images and expectations we have about marriage, why so many marriages fail, and why the ones that succeed do. A number of couples are interviewed about their initial feelings of attraction, the period of deepening emotions, problems and infidelities of body and mind, and reconciliation. Interspersed between these stages are statements and interviews from psychologists, counselors, biochemists, authors, and marriage experts about early childhood role-modeling, the psychological effects of hormone levels and their roles upon the formation of attachments, brain maturity, and differences in stress-handling between the sexes. Although the scientific views of the subject matter could have been dense, the director and author manage to keep their viewpoints and those of the experts readily understandable. Although the film would have benefited from the inclusion of a gay couple, as well as couples who choose to bond outside of the marriage paradigm (the movie, after all, IS titled Secrets to Love, not Secrets to Marriage), the film was enjoyable and brought up many thought-provoking points as to the workings of attraction and bonding. A worthwhile viewing. For My Wife . . .
The title of this film, though accurate, can’t begin to relate the workings of the noble heart of Charlene Strong and the partnership she shared with her great love, Kate Fleming, as revealed in this moving film. Indeed, it is the emotional, deeply compelling, and human side of this story, rather than the legal machinations, that is so very effective. The film follows the story of the tragic death of Charlene’s partner and the denial of rights to Charlene by hospital staff and funeral home workers. Through her experiences, we are made to understand how important the legal underpinnings are to a fair and just life as a couple. Because of the human face Charlene put upon the issue, justice prevailed in her home state. Charlene Strong comes across as a lovely, gentle-spoken, articulate, dignified person who, admirably, wants to turn her and her partner’s tragedy into a legacy of good. In this, she surely succeeded, and I hope the wave she created continues to grow. Included in the film are interviews with several other couples facing life-damaging discriminations, as well as footage of the House of Representatives debate on the Domestic Partnership Bill. Recommended.
Music Doorway to a Dream opens with the lovely, dreamy title piece, then goes on to many more pieces of beauty and subtlety. Ms. Licater’s excellent technique is in evidence throughout this album. Though consisting mainly of Native American flute-style pieces, the artist also performs on Chinese Rosewood Xiao, Zapotec Triple Clay, Anasazi and Alto flutes. There is a beautifully classic Native American sound through the entire album, however, there are interesting turns in melodies and doubling and tripling at times, which give a gentle tug upon the listener’s ear. ‘Wind and Butterfly II,’ ‘Bridges in Time,’ ‘Earth to Sky,’ ‘Divine Love,’ ‘Radiance’ (which incorporates a smooth jazz sound) are especially wonderful, but truly, the whole album shines.
Glastonbury Tor
Having visited Glastonbury this summer, I couldn’t resist giving this offering a listen. Cinematic in quality, the modal motifs sway between early Christian musical paradigms (complete with Latin chanting), and pagan percussive beats, pan pipes and vocal ‘wailing,’ with both at times coexisting as they do in the famed mystical center. The album is essentially one track, as the main motif repeats through the three cuts, and creates a mystic, trance-like atmosphere. The melody – plaintive, searching and timeless in quality – lends itself well to the various permutations Mr. Oldfield puts it through. Glastonbury Tor is a success in musically capturing its subject.
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Secrets to Love
Doorway to a Dream 
