How to resolve AdBlock issue? Arts & Life
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Five years ago, director Ang Lee realized his vision of Marvel Comics superhero The Hulk, capturing Bruce Banner and his alter ego in an original story, one that examined a portrait of a man at war with himself and the world in “Hulk.”
The green giant superhero is now imagined in French director Louis Leterrier’s version in “The Incredible Hulk.” Having directed the high-octane action of “The Transporter” films, Leterrier is understandably committed to the kind of action where his vision is tuned into a meaner and greener Hulk, the reluctant hero often forced to embrace the darker side of his personality.
Stepping into the shoes of scientist Bruce Banner and his green alter ego is Edward Norton, an interesting choice for a well-established actor who brings the right note of brooding to a conflicted character.
“The Incredible Hulk” does not dwell inordinately on unresolved issues, but neither does it skirt Banner’s moody outbursts in a desperate hunt for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him. While Banner dwells in a Brazilian slum in an effort to control his anger, his fugitive status ensures that violence is sure to follow.
Working by day at a bottling factory, Banner takes anger management lessons to avoid the triggering of another Hulk episode. Meanwhile, the scientist communicates by computer with Professor Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), a cellular biologist who quite possibly holds the key to Banner’s quest for a cure. Banner’s nemesis, General Ross (William Hurt), remains on high alert to capture The Hulk, and a factory mishap makes it possible for the rogue General to narrow the search to Brazil.
Soon enough, General Ross launches a military commando raid on Banner’s slum neighborhood, having enlisted the mercenary Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) as a ruthless fighting machine. Banner morphs into The Hulk, taking on not only the military but a bunch of malcontents at the factory. Needless to say, the bottling factory is pulverized by The Hulk’s destructive rage, before he runs off into the jungle to escape his tormentors.
Waking up nearly naked and alone in the backwoods of Guatemala, Banner makes his way back to the United States, with the eventual goal of hooking up with Professor Sterns. But first he seeks out his former girlfriend, Dr. Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), a brilliant biologist teaching at a university. Dropping in on the college town, Banner has a touching reunion with Betty, which leads to the conclusion that emotions other than rage can also trigger a Hulk episode.
Inevitably, it doesn’t take long for General Ross to descend on the campus as if a D-Day invasion is under way. This time, Blonsky has subjected himself to medical experimentation which gives him added strength, and after a confrontation with The Hulk, he imagines the next step to be a full-blown transformation into an indestructible creature capable of matching brute force with the green giant.
While Ross’ commandos fail to destroy The Hulk, the ravaged campus is nearly destroyed, but at least some students capture the action on cell phone cameras that provide footage for the nightly news.
Next stop for The Hulk is Professor Sterns’ laboratory in Manhattan, where Banner may well find the cure for his agitated condition. Meanwhile, Blonsky has other ideas about the professor’s research and wastes little time in getting some dosage of The Hulk’s blood plasma.
Appropriately enough, this infusion turns Blonsky into a giant creature called the Abomination, setting up the climactic confrontation on the streets of upper Manhattan. The resulting clash of the titans is a brutal smackdown in which taxis and police cars are hurled back and forth, while screaming citizens run through the streets to flee the battle scene.
The big showdown between The Hulk and the Abomination has the feel of a “Godzilla” movie where giant monsters are on the loose. More than anything, this lends a cartoon-like quality to “The Incredible Hulk,” which seems entirely fitting since this whole business is a product of Marvel Comics.
A cameo appearance at the end of the film (which won’t be revealed here) is certain to delight comic book fans with the promise of a future superhero reunion. One doesn’t need to be a hardcore comic book fan to enjoy the incredible action scenes that drive “The Incredible Hulk.”
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
USA Network is highly rated for many of its innovative series. “Monk” easily comes to mind as a favorite.
Last summer, the network started a series called “Burn Notice,” a new twist on the procedural crime drama, one loaded with sly humor and a fresh spin on the spy genre. As happens with many of these series, it’s hard to keep up over time.
Now the DVD release of Season One of “Burn Notice” will make it possible to enjoy the entire run.
While I haven’t had time to watch all 11 episodes yet, I know I won’t be disappointed. Plenty of action is delivered by Jeffrey Donovan’s professional spy Michael Westen who returns to his hometown of Miami broke and determined to discover who burned him and why.
Key players include the stunning Gabrielle Anwar as Fiona, the beautiful ex-IRA operative who used to be Westen’s girlfriend. Bruce Campbell plays Westen’s best friend Sam, a washed-up military intelligence contact.
I am also looking forward to checking out the gag reels and other special features.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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Who doesn’t love a cuddly, soft panda, the world’s cutest animal and the best thing to come out of China since stir-fried noodles?
Ironically, the lovable panda that stars in the animated “Kung Fu Panda” is a clumsy lug working in the family’s noodle shop. Incongruous as it may seem, animation doesn’t capture the essentially adorable and outwardly sweet-natured appearance of the giant pandas on display at the National Zoo ever since President Nixon made his historic 1972 trip to China. On the other hand, only a cartoon could give a giant panda the dexterity to become a master of martial arts.
Alternating between comedic elements and Jackie Chan-style action heroics, “Kung Fu Panda” is the story of a plump, drowsy, huggable black-and-white bear with a huge pot belly who has only one aspiration in life, namely to become an expert in a martial art that relies on agility, mental prowess and lightning-fast reflexes.
The clumsy bear is named Po (voiced by Jack Black), a waiter at his father’s noodle diner who displays none of the inherent abilities to become a Kung Fu master. And yet nothing will dissuade him from the foolish quest, not even his father, a goose named Mr. Ping (voiced by James Hong).
Eager to quit slinging noodle bowls, Po heads off to a public ceremony at an ancient temple where grand master Oogway the Turtle (Randall Duk Kim), acting upon prophecy, will anoint the new Dragon Warrior. This selection will have great consequence for the inhabitants in the mountainous Chinese village that is otherwise vulnerable to attack from hostile forces.
It is widely expected that the appointment of the Dragon Warrior will go to one of the members of the legendary Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Crane (David Cross), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Monkey (Jackie Chan). All of these Kung Fu artists have been trained by the wily wolf Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). Literally stumbling upon the scene, Po drops in on the ceremony so unexpectedly that Oogway proclaims that the lovable panda is the new Dragon Warrior.
This turn of events does not sit well with the Furious Five, or with Master Shifu, who thinks Po is irredeemably incapable of being properly trained, if only because the panda is obscenely overweight and lacking any athletic skills. What Po lacks in ability, he more than makes up for in optimism and enthusiasm. And so the giant panda participates in a rigorous training program that is often very comical, because as expected Po is uncoordinated and maladroit.
Master Shifu’s lessons, which will lead eventually to obtaining the powerful knowledge from the secret Dragon Scroll, take on a greater sense of urgency when the vicious snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian MacShane) escapes from the heavily-fortified and well-guarded prison where he has been chained up for years. With revenge on his mind for having been denied what he presumed was his rightful place as the Dragon Warrior, Tai Lung is set to wreak havoc on Po’s isolated village.
For the final third of its run, “Kung Fu Panda” lurches quickly from the comedic tone to the full-bore action that requires much hand-to-hand combat. A furious battle erupts when the Furious Five confront Tai Lung on a precarious rope bridge over a deep ravine. This is the run-up to the showdown between the suddenly energized Po and the determined Tai Lung.
Chinese art and architecture lend themselves to a very colorful rendition in computer-generated animation. “Kung Fu Panda” realizes the essential beauty of the Chinese culture with masterful precision. This is a good-looking film where the visuals come off much better than the script. A younger audience is more likely to be impressed with the decent story and its actors that are easily outdone by the film’s splashy art.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
It seems only fitting to note the recent release of a DVD double feature about one of nature’s most amazing creatures. “A Panda is Born” and “Baby Panda’s First Year” capture the essence of how the Giant Panda’s survival depends on the successful reproduction of each member of the species, given that an estimated 1,600 pandas live in the wild.
“A Panda is Born” follows the panda mating at the National Zoo as the female, Mei Xiang, and her mate, Tian Tian, finally succeed, resulting in the ultimate delight of a Panda birth. The companion piece, “Baby Panda’s First Year” follows baby Tai Shan’s life at the Giant Panda Habitat at the National Zoo, and viewers get to marvel at the instincts of first time mother Mei Xiang.
This DVD double feature proves an earlier point that a real live panda is much cuter than the animated version in “Kung Fu Panda.”
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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LAKE COUNTY – After a long journey to Hollywood and some time spent working on new music, Faded At Four is once again ready to return back to the local Lake County music scene.
Fans can hear Faded At Four at Carlos and Vinny's in Lakeport on June 21 for a $10 cover charge. Faded At Four will also be selling T-shirts with their new, updated logo the night of the show.
Tickets are limited for this event and sure to sell out fast. Contact Faded At Four at
Faded At Four's past accomplishments were to win the Uber grand prize in Ukiah’s first annual Bandslam Competition and also opened for Kid Rock at Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa.
The band also was a regional finalist in the Bodog Battle of the Bands, finishing third out of more than 4,500 bands in the nation in the online fan votes.
More information about this band can be found at www.fadedatfour.com.
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LAKE COUNTY – The community is invited to a concert presented by the Clear Lake Performing Arts Youth Orchestra this Sunday, June 8.
This group of young string players has been working for months on a varied program. Wes Follett, director, and Tamsen Serena, coordinator, are enthusiastic about the progress that this group has made. The audience at the Mother’s Day Symphony concert heard an excellent presentation of just a few of the tunes that will be presented at their own concert.
Please show your support to these young players and attend their concert on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. You will experience an event that clearly shows the results of our CLPA youth programs.
Since the County Schools Strings program was discontinued, it is vitally important to support this youth orchestra in our community. There is no charge for the concert, but donations will be gratefully accepted for the CLPA Youth Music Fund, so the group can continue this project.
The concert will be held in the Friendship Hall at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, Third and Church St.
For information call 279-1126 or 928-9621.
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