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Movie review: “Mamma Mia” showcases young Donna’s life

Fans of the original “Mamma Mia” will be excited to know that many of the old cast are back after 10 years, featured in the new movie, “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” All the leads — Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, even Meryl Streep — bring you back to the wonderful memories in the colorful Greek island.

When Colin Firth was asked why he wanted to make the film, he said, “I was sort of still mulling it and when I started hearing that everyone was coming back,” he continued, “I was gonna see all my old friends again, and you know, the same familiar faces.” He was hugely drawn to that: “There is a sense of family reunion.”

The new movie continues with the life of Sophie after her mom, Donna (played by Meryl Streep) dies, and recalls Donna’s young life, recreating the romances with the  three men who may have been Sophie’s dad.

One of the possible dads, Sam, asks “How can I carry on?” This question also applies to all the characters in the movie and shapes the plot, including daughter Sophie, who figures out that she is just like her mom.

Lily James, who plays young Donna, shows the audience how amazing she as an actress and also as a singer. With the flashbacks to Donna’s life, the beautiful sights and gorgeous pieces of music by the Swedish pop group ABBA, the director creates an imaginative escape. Get ready and join the party!

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Kite festival keeps them coming back

Berkeley’s two-day kite festival showcases huge kites flying over Cesar Chavez Park at the city’s marina. (Photo by Lynne Perri)

BERKELEY, Calif. — On your way to the festival, you observe the plethora of cars, buses, bikes and countless other modes of transportation snaking their way down toward the marina. People visiting with their families, friends and others pour in and out of the festival..

This is free Berkeley Kite Festival, now in its 31st year, which serves as a communal gathering point featuring food, families and dogs.

Alongside the long row of vendors at Cesar Chavez Park stand the booths for the Berkeley Police Department, where officers are directing traffic, passing out stickers and fielding questions.

Maggie Burciha, a San Francisco native, attended the festival for the first time last year and she was back again on opening day in 2018. She said came because of  “just how family-friendly it is.” She has two young boys “and we really enjoy kites,” she said. 

Although the kite festival showcases kites of all sizes and colors both for fun and for competition, there are also dozens of vendors — selling soaps, trinkets, T-shirts and other clothing (and kites) — and activities for younger children, including a playground full of inflatables, a petting zoo and pony rides.

 “We like the vendors,” Burciha said.

Like Burciha, Sandra Braddock arrived with her family in the afternoon. “This is great,” she said.  You get to see a lot of different people here, and different kites, too.”  

Her son was flying a kite and her daughter was sitting next to her with a blanket wrapped around her while Braddock talked about what a wonderful time they had last year.

“It’s windy,” she said, “but perfect for kites.”