Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words
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I was one of the lucky few press who, several months ago, was treated to some early clips of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB. My appetite for more was quickly whetted on seeing just brief glimpses of Sir Ben Kingsley and Rami Malek in all their royal glory, Ben Stiller as history's best friend Larry Daley, and that pee-happy capuchin Dexter (aka Crystal the Monkey). Now having seen the film in its entirety, I can honestly say that my enthusiasm and delight for NIGHT...
The finger of God seems to have descended on Hollywood the past few years with a resurgence in the spectacle of the Old Testament and teaching of the New, on both the big and small screens. Perhaps a commentary on the world itself, perhaps as tool to give hope in desperate times, perhaps divine intervention, but we are none the worse for wear for the experiences given us by Roma Downey's "The Bible" and 'Son of God" or Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" and now, in perhaps the grandest...
As you are reading this very column, be it online or in print, one of the people responsible for this luxury is the very man celebrated in THE IMITATION GAME - Alan Turing. Although director Morten Tyldum focuses on Turing's life in the context of WWII and the genius of his mathematical and codebreaking skills, it is thanks to Turing's work for the Allies during this time at Bletchley Park, the Government Code and Cypher School, that an early version of the device we now know...
As has become crystal clear over the past several years, DreamWorks Animation more than gives Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar a run for their money when it comes to animated features. With it's own distinctive styling of rich, vibrant colors like those seen in "The Croods" or "Turbo", character and background design are drawn with a slightly skewed shaping and outlining that have a touchstone quality to Saturday morning cartoons, while action and adventure is...
The magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez was the inspiration for LA Opera's current production, Florencia en el Amazonas, which plays through December 20. Its creative team consisting of composer Daniel Catán, librettist Marcela Fuentes-Berain. and director Francesca Zambello travelled to Colombia to visit Gabriel García Márquez with the intention of putting together a new opera inspired by his works. He helped the team create a story which became the basis for the libret...
The Verdi Chorus triumphed in their presentation of their fall concerts titled “Distant Lands” this past weekend at the acoustically-sound First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. The chorus is one of the jewels of the Los Angeles opera scene and showed the audience why as they presented two flawless performances. The concerts honored Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s retirement after 40 years of service to Southern California. Musical director/conductor Anne Marie Ketchum had Yaroslavsky, a big lover and supporter of opera...
The game is afoot with THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1, but it's no longer being played as a game within the confines of an electronically controlled and domed "arena". With the release of Katniss Everdeen's arrow as her final move in the "Catching Fire" Quarter Quell, all bets are off. The games are no longer "games" with a single victor (or victors, as in the case of Katniss and Peeta). The game is now very real and must be played by every single citizen in Panem if the...
There's nothing quite like the blend of good storytelling, great performances and a powerful emotional journey all skillfully woven together with a solid singular vision of a strong director to make for a powerful moviegoing experience. This week, we have two such films opening - BEYOND THE LIGHTS from writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood and THE HOMESMAN from writer/director Tommy Lee Jones. Both are examples of superb filmmaking and storytelling. Both more than worth a...
With BIG HERO 6, Walt Disney Animation Studios once again proves why they are heroes to generations and legions of fans the world over. Tapping into the recesses of the Marvel vaults, directors Don Hall and Chris Williams bring this somewhat obscure gem of heroes to life in what is destined to be the newest franchise in the Disney-Marvel universe.....not to mention my pick for Oscar gold. But setting BIG HERO 6 apart from the super heroes and fantasy we have come to know from...
Some guys just have a thing for snakes and it seems that our favorite parseltongue speaking Daniel Radcliffe is no different. In his new film, the devilishly delicious HORNS from director Alexandre Aja, Radcliffe flexes his serpentine skills yet again, this time as the young Ig Perrish. A supernatural thriller that in almost genre-bending fashion melds the battle of good versus evil with tines of fantasy, romance, a noirish murder mystery and even a little gothic flair, this...
Madness and mayhem are the watchwords of the day when it comes to STONEHEARST ASYLUM. Directed by Brad Anderson from a script by Joe Gangemi based on the 1844 story "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Feather " by Edgar Allan Poe, STONEHEARST ASYLUM abounds with twists and turns set against a richly textured and lush, stylized Victorian-era visual palette. Boasting a cast of Sir Ben Kingsley, Sir Michael Caine, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Sturgess and Kate...
Nicholas Sparks. At the mere mention of his name, images of love, romance, peaceful serenity, his beloved Carolina coastline, among others, all vividly spring to mind. So does the idea of second chances and purity of the heart and character. Nicholas Sparks is a storyteller who grabs the heart, touches the soul and evokes powerful emotions within each of us who read his books or see film adaptations of them. And Nicholas Sparks is synonymous with tears and tissues. Now, as...
There's something for everyone in theatres this week with no less than 25 new feature releases with everything from an outstanding "must see" political thriller KILL THE MESSENGER based on true life events and investigative reporter Gary Webb to an origin story for everyone's favorite vampyre with DRACULA UNTOLD and a commanding performance by the oh-so-sexy Luke Evans making him the hottest impaler ever. Writer/director Gabe Ibanez delivers a spellbinding and thought-provokin...
Simon Bolivar is a name known throughout the world. A military leader, a statesman, a politician, Bolivar helped shape the face of the world - and particularly the Americas - as we now know it. Instrumental in leading Venezuela, Columbia (which at the time included Panama), Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia to their independence from Spain in the early 19th century, anti-colonialist Bolivar was the founding force behind the formation of Gran Columbia, the first republic of nations...
I have long been an admirer of Kevin Smith's filmmaking ethic; although not always a fan of some of his films. He has taken the bull by the horns - in this case, the walrus by the tusks - and ignored the naysayers, to do what he wants to do - make movies. Inexpensive and cost effective by filmmaking standards, Smith's films are all stories that he wants to tell and told the way he wants to tell them. As a result, he and his work have developed a core following that guarantees...
For the last several years, mysterious author Pseudonymous Bosch has kept young readers enthralled and entertained with his best-selling Secret Series of books. Now, with a little "abracadabra" and "hocus pocus," he's conjured up The Bad Series, which kicks off with the first book Bad Magic. Join us as Pseudonymous visits the Santa Monica Public Library to introduce the new book to avid kid readers and their families on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main...
This weekend bodes well for movies with another eclectic mix of new releases across the country with each as engaging and worthwhile as the next. The stunning THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY (aka THEM) stars James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain. Written and directed by Ned Benson, ELEANOR RIGBY is a companion to two other films HER and HIM, which will open in October. Emotionally intense, the performances alone are more than worth the price of admission. And then there's...
“Race,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, opened last Sunday at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Performances run through September 28. Directed by longtime Mamet collaborator Scott Zigler, “Race” features acclaimed stage and screen actors Chris Bauer (“True Blood,” “The Wire,” Broadway’s “A Streetcar Named Desire”), Dominic Hoffman (Mamet’s world premiere of “Faustus”), Jonno Roberts (Broadway’s “Take Me Out”) and DeWanda Wise (ABC’s “Firelight”). “Race” has set design...
With a beguiling adorable awkwardness, first time screenwriter/director Stuart Murdoch puts a song in your heart and a spring in your step with the oh-so-lovely, GOD HELP THE GIRL. Lead singer-songwriter of the Scottish pop/rock group Belle and Sebastian, Murdoch makes the jump to film with a musical that is truly a musical, with songs and their lyrics built into the story and dialogue, harkening to Hollywood's Golden Age or even the Peter Webb directed Paul McCartney vehicle,...
Labor Day at the movies kicks it in to high gear with some great films, great fun, great casts and great storytelling. And surprisingly, while I am always hesitant about book-to-screen adaptations, I have to say that both THE NOVEMBER MAN and LIFE OF CRIME are wonderful adaptations that never lose the flavor or fun of the printed page. From Bill Granger's best seller of international crime and intrigue, "There Are No Spies" and from the Elmore Leonard classic, "The Switch",...
Kentwood Players will present “ORPHANS” by Lyle Kessler from Friday, September 12 to Saturday, October 18, 2014 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm with Sunday matinees at 2 pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester. The production is directed by Kathy Dershimer and produced by Susan Goldman Weisbarth by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. “ORPHANS” centers on two abandoned grown-up boys who live in a dilapidated North Philly row house. Treat, the older, and a violent, predato...
The Santa Monica College Music Department is pleased to present this year’s Fall Jazz Series, featuring Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orleans, Richie Gajate-Garcia, and The Eric Person Group. The series begins with Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orleans on Friday, Sept. 26. All concerts are held at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in The Edye at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, located on Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street. Tickets cost $10. The Fall 2014 lineup is: • Friday, Sept. 26: Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orle...
The Santa Monica College Theatre Arts Department is pleased to present FREE performances of “Disgraceful Veils of Afghanistan’s Taliban” Sept. 9-13 at the Theatre Arts Studio Stage on the SMC main campus, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Written by SMC Theatre Arts professor Adrianne Harrop, the 25-minute performance uses dance, drama, and theater to present the plight of women and education in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. SMC alum Sheraye Esfandyari, now an SMC Theatre Arts adjunct professor, will be joined in the perfo...
Those magnificent artisans of Laika are back with their latest production, THE BOXTROLLS. Taking a sliver from the beloved book "Here Be Monsters!" by Alan Snow, Laika CEO and lead animator Travis Knight together with directors Anthony Stacchi and Graham Anable take stop-motion animation to new heights of visionary wonder as they bring the underground world of THE BOXTROLLS to life, achieving a film that is oh-so enchanting and charming thanks to eye-popping visuals, perfect v...
Mixing things up a bit this weekend, film lifts us to the heavens with ideals of ethics, integrity and redemption in WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL, while taking us on a gritty, sin-filled, film noir inducing trip to hell with SIN CITY 2: A DAME TO KILL FOR. Each is powerful. Each is memorable. Each is more than worth the price of admission. WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL 151. That's the number of games the De La Salle High School Spartan football team won - consecutively. That's...
