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Arts & Life
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- Written by: Tim Riley
ALOHA (Rated PG-13)
The Hawaiian greeting “aloha” has dual meaning, typically to convey both hello and goodbye.
Moreover, greater and deeper significance is attached, by native Hawaiians, to this word than merely a salutation that is one of welcome or farewell.
For Cameron Crowe, having directed the character-driven films “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous,” his latest effort with “Aloha” is about his signature style of developing a relationship story.
Evidently, Crowe set about creating a highly personal film with “Aloha,” seeking to capture the unpredictability of life with a romantic story enhanced by the gorgeous setting of Hawaii’s natural beauty, which is lovingly depicted with expert cinematography.
Claiming that “Aloha” is “a movie about second chances,” Crowe might be trying to tap into the richer consequence of this widely-known Hawaiian word as he constructs a romantic comedy while honoring, apparently not to the satisfaction of purists, sacred Hawaiian traditions.
Controversy has followed this film, not just from hacked Sony emails that revealed studio executives disenchanted with test screenings, or something to that effect.
Moreover, Native Hawaiian groups have already condemned the movie for its failure to represent the American-Asian community.
To be sure, all of the major characters are Caucasian, with star Bradley Cooper in the pivotal role of Brian Gilcrest, a former military man now working as a defense contractor for billionaire industrialist Carson Welch (Bill Murray).
One of the film’s failings, and it has plenty, is that we know little of Brian’s background, other than it appears he had a tour of duty in Afghanistan and that he is not in favor with some of the military brass, namely General Dixon (Alec Baldwin), who mostly does a lot of yelling.
Arriving at the Hickam Air Force base in Hawaii on military transport, Brian spots his old flame Tracy (Rachel McAdams) on the tarmac, where she is waiting for her husband Woody (John Krasinski), coincidentally the pilot of the cargo plane that just brought Brian back to American soil.
Not only is Tracy now married, but she’s the mother of two children. Apparently, the Brian-Tracy relationship dates back to over a dozen years ago.
Tracy has moved on and made a family, and we’re not sure where Brian has been and what he has done during this extended period of time.
Where is Brian’s second chance? It may come from the Air Force Captain Allison Ng (Emma Stone), the hard-charging F-22 fighter pilot assigned to be his “handler” during his stay at the Air Force base, where his mission is not clearly defined but has something to do with his boss’ involvement in the US Space Program.
At first glance, Captain Ng, known among her fellow airmen as a “fast burner” and who has a firecracker personality, is so overly efficient and no-nonsense that her style seems destined for incompatibility with Brian’s carefree approach.
Of course, this is a romantic comedy, so the story arc for Brian and Allison to eventually fall for each other despite their superficial differences is obvious from the moment Allison belts out a traditional folk song with the locals at a native Hawaiian encampment in the mountains.
Perhaps less believable is that Arizona-born Emma Stone’s character is one-quarter Hawaiian, which appears to be a matter of convenience when she and Brian visit the actual leader of the Hawaiian Independence movement, Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, to seek a native blessing for a pedestrian gate on the Air Force base.
Whatever her heritage, Allison staunchly defends the Hawaiian traditions and respects the wishes of the native activists, putting herself somewhat at odds with Brian until it finally, as it must, dawn on him that Carson Welch’s ultimate intentions are less than honorable.
On the upside of “Aloha,” Cameron Crowe has assembled an appealing cast of Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams and Emma Stone, bringing enough combined charisma to ordinarily carry a film to certain heights.
The downside is that the talented actors are wasted in a feeble love triangle that has no more credibility than the Hawaiian heritage of a girl with bright yellow hair, fair skin and green eyes.
On its face, Cameron Crowe’s “Aloha” is a flimsy excuse for a romantic comedy, where the love story is about as fresh as wilted flowers on the traditional Hawaiian lei.
It’s better to say goodbye than hello to this cinematic misfire.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Local author Steve Bartholomew will celebrate the publication of his latest book, “Spirit Catcher,” at Watershed Books on Friday, June 5.
The event will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the store, 305 N. Main St. in Lakeport.
Bartholomew will share insights on his creative inspiration and publishing processes, as well as reading from his latest novel and previously published favorites.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information call 707-263-5787.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Comedy Night with Marc Yaffee and Friends is coming to the Soper Reese Theatre on Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m.
The “funny, not filthy” show is hosted by Pat McCoy with special guest Chancellor Andrade, a Lake County student who’s put together his own intriguing mix of magic and humor.
Once a Lake County local boy himself, Yaffee is now a national comedy phenomenon who serves audiences his original comedy recipe, specially prepared for nonstop laughs.
Tasty topics, spicy premises and savory punchlines, are all dished out with a dash of sarcasm and a grain of salt.
Yaffee is an award-winning comedian who was featured on the Showtime special, “Goin’ Native: The American Indian Comedy Slam.”
He also has appeared on the PBS special “Crossing The Line,” Si TV’s Latino Laugh Festival and Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen.
Yaffee has also been heard on SiriusXM Radio, Bob & Tom and NPR. He has performed five times overseas for the troops in the Middle East, Europe and Asia; was a writer for George Carlin’s www.laugh.com ; and won the Ventura Comedy Festival’s Funniest Person Contest in 2012.
All seats are reserved. Tickets are $18 and $15, and are on sale at www.soperreesetheatre.com ; at the theater box office on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; or at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main St., Lakeport, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The theater is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.
For more information call 707-263-0577.
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- Written by: Linda Drake
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – As the first barn was nearing completion at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum, it became clear that the museum would be much more than simply a place for the public to enjoy its wonderful displays and historical artifacts.
Lake County has a bounty of talented musicians and dreams were being fulfilled that would celebrate these local musicians and the American music heritage from the Ely Stage Stop Victorian Era.
Don Coffin contacted Greg Dills, Ely Stage Stop director, in 2013 looking for a place for the California Old Time Fiddlers’ Association’s District 10 to play. District 10 serves Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties.
Coffin attended a docent meeting and when asked if his group would be interested in meeting at the stage stop to jam sometime, he gave an enthusiastic positive response.
A decision was made on the spot and the dialogue moved to firming up a plan. The porch and/or barn were offered, the first Sunday of the month was chosen and, as we like to say at the museum, the rest is history.
The mission of District 10 of the California Old time Fiddlers’ Association, cited on the Web site http://carneyscorner.com/csotfa.html , is “to promote an interest in the old time American fiddle styles and to create more opportunities for interested parties to learn about the lineage of fiddle music in America, to promote activities related to old time fiddling (jams and concerts, and contests), to foster a sense of community in this shared musical treasure, and to preserve a truly American art form.”
The Ely Stage Stop has proven to be the perfect venue to foster the Association’s mission and to get our local community involved.
The Fiddlers’ Jam runs at the museum on the first Sunday of each month from noon through 2 p.m. The next jam is this Sunday, June 7. Musicians of all ages with all sorts of instruments will descend upon the barn for the round robin style jam session.
Donations made during the jam benefit both the Ely Stage Stop, helping to fund the construction of the blacksmith complex, and the Old Time Fiddlers Association District 10, who uses it to partially fund their scholarship programs.
Come early to picnic and check out the latest museum acquisitions and displays. This free, family friendly event can be enjoyed by all, young and old alike.
Enjoy the music with beverages and tasty treats. Bring your own wine and sip it in Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that are available for purchase. Come ready to clap your hands, tap your toes or get up and dance.
There will be the regular monthly raffle near the end of the jam and more chances to purchase raffle tickets for the “Barns, Birds and Quilts” raffle that will celebrate a winner later in the year. Those items will be on display during the jam. Remaining tickets to Ely’s June 13 Picnic on the Porch fundraiser can also be purchased during the day.
Home to the Lake County Historical Society, the stage stop is located at 9921 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit's Corner. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.
Fiddlers’ jams occur the first Sunday of every month from noon until 2 p.m. Living history events featuring local historians are held on the fourth Saturday of every month, again, from noon to 2 p.m.
Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org , check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call the museum at 707-533-9990.