PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Rated PG-13)

With his Scottish accent, tousled-hair and ruggedly handsome looks, Gerard Butler strikes all the right notes of charm and good humor for the starring role of a down-on-his-luck former soccer star in “Playing for Keeps.”

An opening montage of grainy video clips establishes Butler’s George Dryer as a superstar on the international circuit. He’s in the league of David Beckham and Pele (those are only names of famous soccer players that readily come to mind).

While “Playing for Keeps” may showcase the endearing magnetism of a carefree athlete, this comedy is not quite sure if it should focus on George’s romantic entanglements or his primary mission of rebuilding a relationship with his estranged son.

Retired from the game, George is a man adrift, now relocated to Virginia so that he can put his life back together and also reconnect, hopefully, with his ex-wife Stacie (Jessica Biel).

After a series of bad investments, George has to rent a guest house where he is always dodging the landlord. His latest plan to get back on his feet is to land a job as a sportscaster.

Though his initial attempts at parenting are not very encouraging, George tries to establish a relationship with his young son Lewis (Noah Lomax), who has never really known his absentee father.

Circumstances lead George to become the coach of Lewis’ soccer team. Naturally, George’s talent inspires the kids to perform much better than ever, leading to some winning games with rival teams.

Meanwhile, the roguish George draws attention from an adoring class of new fans – soccer moms, consisting of attractive single women as well as unhappily married ones.

Obviously, during his playing career, George was a womanizer who never lacked for female companionship. Now he’s got women like Judy Greer, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Uma Thurman pursuing him with zestful lustiness.

The dilemma is that George is trying fitfully to at last become an “adult,” while the flirtatious soccer moms become a distraction in his quest to bond with Lewis.

For another matter, George wants to prove to his ex-wife Stacie that despite his penchant for having a wandering eye, she is the only woman he ever loved.

Of course, an additional complication is that Stacie is soon to be married to live-in boyfriend Matt (James Tupper), a bland sort of fellow who is probably decent and caring, but not terribly exciting.

George also has to contend with a really pushy soccer dad (Dennis Quaid) determined to make him his new best bud, convincing George to give his son more playing time and involving him in some dubious adventures.

The soccer moms also get pushy. Greer’s Barb is all weepy and clingy. Zeta-Jones’ Denise is calculating, dangling the prospect of a job opportunity at ESPN in front of George. Thurman’s Patti, a married woman, offers nothing but trouble.

George does his best to fend off these advances, though it is obvious that this is no easy task for him. Still, despite his faults, he’s got his mind fixed on repairing his past bond with Stacie.

At a certain point, “Playing for Keeps” tilts from the father-son bonding amidst the distractions from the fawning women to a greater focus on George trying to rekindle the romance with Stacie.

George’s transformation from all-over-the-field playboy to reasonably reliable family man is not going to be a bombshell revelation to anyone.

And if anyone finds it surprising how the events unfold for George and Stacie, the educated guess is that you haven’t seen enough romantic comedies.

The biggest surprise might be that “Playing for Keeps” is being released during the run-up to the holiday season, where films in wide release are generally grander in scale. Consider the upcoming “The Hobbit” as an example.

“Playing for Keeps” may be formulaic and predictable, but it’s not without its appeal. While Gerard Butler is charismatic, it’s Jessica Biel who delivers the best, most credible performance.

Though it has its fun, “Playing for Keeps” is, regrettably, ultimately forgettable. You may wonder how people like Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones decided this was a film worthy of their talents.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

DVD releases of recent films often offer new life for decent movies that never gained appropriate notice or had a limited theatrical release.

Both may be true of “Why Stop Now,” an oddball comedy about the adventures of a young piano genius and his drug-addicted mom on a very bad day.

Piano prodigy Eli Bloom (Jesse Eisenberg) is on his way to the most important audition of his life, but first he has to drop off his mother Penny (Melissa Leo) at a drug rehab center.

But there’s one little complication. Since Penny’s not quite high enough and has to test positive to be admitted, mother and son end up at the door of her dealer Sprinkles (Tracy Morgan) in search of one last score.

Because Penny is in debt and Sprinkles is low on product, Eli unwittingly must play negotiator as the unlikely team hit the streets in search of drugs.

A screwball comedy, “Why Stop Now” is wacky and absurdly funny. Where else would you find obstacles in the drug search that include a Revolutionary War reenactment and a foul-mouthed sock puppet?

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – In the first of its annual “Concerts with Conversation” series, the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake will host two informal concerts by bluegrass guitarists Rob Ickes and Jim Hurst in the Meeting House next to the hotel at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, and Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Originally scheduled for one evening only, the Tuesday show sold out early and a second event was subsequently arranged.

“We are fortunate to be able to schedule this world class duo for a stop in Lake County,” said Tallman owner Bernie Butcher. “We had more than a little help from our friends Pat and Debbie Ickes. Pat is Rob Ickes’ older brother and a mean banjo player himself with his band Bound to Ride.”

A Northern California native, Ickes moved to Nashville in 1992 and joined Blue Highway, the highly esteemed bluegrass band, as a founding member in 1994.

He is recognized as one of the most innovative Dobro players on the scene today, contributing signature technique and greatly expanding the boundaries of the instrument's sonic and stylistic territory.

Ickes won the International Bluegrass Music Association's Dobro Player of the Year award for a record-setting eleventh time in 2009. He is the most recognized instrumentalist in the history of the IBMA awards.

Hurst also is a multi IBMA award-winner. His vocal talents, multi-instrumentalist abilities and well-rounded stylings make him one of the most sought after musicians in Nashville. In addition to his own recordings, Hurst has supported the recording sessions of some of the best artists in country and bluegrass music.

One critic who saw Ickes and Hurst perform together in Nashville commented that “their ability to follow each other through an unannounced maze of spaghetti-like improvisation is beyond normal human capability.” Good videos of the two playing together are available on YouTube.

Subject to limited availability, tickets for these shows at $25 plus tax may be purchased by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake County Theatre Co. will present its final performances of its production of “Miracle on 34th Street” on Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9.

The performances take place at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Gard Street School Multipurpose Room, 3890 Gard St., Kelseyville.

The play was written by Mountain Community Theater in Ben Lomond and is based on the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture of the same name.

Tickets are available at Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St., Lakeport; Wildhurst Vineyards, 3855 Main St., Kelseyville; and 30 minutes before performances as the door.

Reserved seats cost $15, general $12, seniors and LCTC members save $2 and children under age 5 attend for $5 and tickets for a family of four cost $25.

For information, call 707-279-2595 or 707-998-0224.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – This Christmas holiday the Konocti Unified School District’s seventh and eighth grade drama program will be presenting their annual Christmas musical.

This year’s play is “A Snow White Christmas.”

It will be held in the Lower Lake High School’s multipurpose room on Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be $5 dollars for everyone.

The cast is 32 members strong consisting of students from Pomo, Burns Valley and Lower Lake Elementary.  

The cast includes Kalysta Ann Howard, Cate Oswalt, Cataleena Steward, Angelina Acosta, Jessie Salazar, Dallas Kuckowicz, Chloe Cox, Samantha Lopez, Cecelia Hendren-Brown, Natalie Carte, Mariah Bickham, Ryan O’Bryan, Anthony Madero, Rachel Loren Cabral, Rebecca Chavez, Victoria Cuellar, Krystal Mohn, Jamara Richardson, Austin McGrath, Mia Vandagriff, Janet Perez, Briana Galvez, Sami Caires, Sophia La Rose, Karlee Weese, Jessica Teixeira, Savanna Randall and William Vizena.    

A few high school drama students also will be making guest appearances and co-directing: Patrick McGeogh, Colby Callhan, Michelle Kimbsey-Bailey, Cedalia Schofield and Mira Porsley.   

Also joining Ms. Lahr in her directing duties is Tiffany Sillert.

“This year’s cast is very talented,” said Lahr. “For many of the kids this is their very first play that they have participated in. It’s very exciting to see all of this young talent getting involved. It will help keep the high school program strong.”

There will be a short intermission during the show. Baked goods and last minute Christmas shopping will be available.  

For additional information call Tracy Lahr at 707-994-6471, Extension 2735.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Arts Council will host its monthly First Friday Fling on Dec. 7.

The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main St., Lakeport.

The First Friday Fling will introduce the work of Steve Bellah, Terry Durnil and Bonnie Sears.

Currently on display are the works of Ray Farrow, Ruth Morgan, Xian Yegan, Jill Taylor, Lois Feron, Shelby Posada, Leonora McKenzie, Pat Courtney, Carol Yanagitsubo, Gary Simpson and Leah Adams.

Musical performers will include David Neft on piano and Linda Brown on the harp.

This month the Linda Carpenter Gallery will feature an exhibition of original miniatures by local artists.

Also taking place in December is the gallery’s painted bottle silent auction fundraiser. Vote for your favorite and make a bid.

Bell Hill Winery will pour its vintages. Finger food also will be offered.

For more information contact the Lake County Arts Council, 707-263-6658.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. –Second Sunday Cinema will mark the holidays with  a film celebrating the intersection of spirituality and humanity.

“The Way” will be shown on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Clearlake United Methodist Church, 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake.  

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for snacks and socializing. The film, which begins at 6 p.m., is free.

“The Way” stars Martin Sheen as a cantankerous ophthalmologist who is very invested in his son becoming a doctor. So he’s rather angry when his son drops out of med school to walk “The Way,” a 500-mile-long path through France and Spain, the Camino de Santiago, that pilgrims have been walking for 1,000 years.  

His son is accidentally killed very early in his walk, and Tom goes to Europe to claim his body for burial back home.  

But when he picks up his son’s backpack and guidebook, Tom has a sudden change of heart, choosing instead to cremate the body and bring the ashes with him as he completes his son’s trek.

He’s eventually joined by three unlikely others, all with their own agendas, stated and unstated. As one might guess, the pilgrimage is more challenging and eventful than one might guess at the start.  

Every one of the four is truly imperfect, and everyone wants to run away at times. But sticking with their commitment to themselves and each other, each slowly realizes – makes real – what they really need.

This is a documentary-like, intimate yet powerful film made as a labor of love by Sheen and his other son, Emilio Estevez.  

Though both Sheen and Estevez say many “miracles” occurred during the filming trek, neither sees this as a film for Christians only, nor does it come across that way.

This is a film about human beings who need to connect, not only with God, but with each other and ultimately, with themselves.  

Barbara Christwitz will lead a discussion after the film for those who wish to participate.