How to resolve AdBlock issue? Arts & Life
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The baseball season has just gotten under way, but George Clooney, as the director and star, is tossing his best pitch for the football-themed screwball comedy “Leatherheads.”
Should we view this movie as brilliant counter-programming or an elusive “Hail Mary” attempt to score at the box office? Upon closer inspection, for a sports story written by veteran “Sports Illustrated” writers Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly, “Leatherheads” comes up short on even the most basic insights into the early days of pro football.
The premise of the comedy is ripe with possibilities. Set in 1925, “Leatherheads” develops its story amidst the struggling efforts to turn football into a professional sport.
The nation was riveted by the allure of college football. The men who played football as adults were mostly crude, rough, and foul-mouthed farmers, factory workers and coal miners, playing at nearly empty venues in front of loud, drunk fans who could not conceive of paying top dollar to attend an event.
George Clooney’s Dodge Connelly is the aging player-coach of the Duluth Bulldogs, a ragtag bunch who have to forfeit a game when their only pigskin turns up missing. Even worse, the team is so cheap the players have to shower in their uniforms to save on laundry bills.
After the Bulldogs lose their sponsor and the entire league faces collapse, Dodge convinces agent CC Frazier (Jonathan Pryce) to secure his rising college football star, Carter “The Bullet” Rutherford (John Krasinski), in order to rejuvenate pro football. A dashing war hero who mythically managed to force a platoon of German soldiers to surrender in World War I, Carter is a photogenic charmer whose handsome mug adorns advertisements everywhere. A deal with the golden-boy football star seems a sure bet to lift everyone’s fortunes.
The football champ looks almost too good to be true, and spitfire journalist Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) snags a big assignment from her editor at the Chicago Tribune to dig deep into the Carter Rutherford legend.
There’s reason to believe that Carter’s war heroics aren’t nearly in the same league with Sergeant York’s daring exploits. So Lexie hooks up with the Duluth Bulldogs to follow the team on the road, and promptly ends up in an odd romantic triangle with Carter and Dodge. That may be overstating the case, because Lexie snuggles up to Carter in pursuit of her story, while Dodge is the one she clashes with in the kind of sharp banter that recalls screwball comedies of the 1930s.
For a sports-oriented movie, “Leatherheads” spends too much time focused on the romantic comedy angle, tossing in plenty of slapstick and screwball antics that have little to do with football. However, Dodge, Lexie and Carter are interesting characters in the give-and-take of their own agendas.
Regrettably, the film glosses over the origins of pro football and virtually ignores the scandalous nature of how the game was once played. On more than one occasion, there are references to colorful yet questionable football plays, but the audience is left wondering what exactly will be banned when a new commissioner of football establishes a set of well-defined rules.
Nicely photographed and evocative of a bygone era, “Leatherheads” is a pleasure to watch, and not just for the scenery. Maybe the film doesn’t score a touchdown, but George Clooney and Renee Zellweger make excellent combatants in the screwball comedy department. The breezy dialogue is a real treat.
By the way, it’s troubling that John Krasinski’s war hero is still in college about seven years after World War I ended. Despite some grievous flaws in logic, the film still delivers plenty of laughs and an enjoyable entertainment.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
Keeping up with your favorite TV series when episodes are released on DVD is an exercise in a serious financial commitment. If a popular program runs for a decade, it becomes pricey to buy each season separately.
“Perry Mason” aired for nine seasons, followed by many years in syndication. Fortunately, the release of “Perry Mason 50th Anniversary Edition” allows for an affordable viewing of 12 exceptional episodes of Raymond Burr in the title role of defense attorney Perry Mason, assisted by Barbara Hale as his beautiful and trusted secretary Della Street and debonair William Hopper as detective Paul Drake.
This four-disc collection follows the amazing trio as they crack impossible cases and uncover the truth every time. Great guest stars include Robert Redford, James Coburn, Adam West, Burt Reynolds, Leonard Nimoy, Dick Clark and Ryan O’Neill.
As to be expected, there are plenty of bonus features, including cast interviews and Raymond Burr’s initial screen tests.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Host Phil Mathewson sang his song “Lilly Langtry” about the famous actress and the well-known local winery to open the show and then introduced Hamed, who tickled the ivories on the house piano. One guest suggested Hamed should study at Julliard after high school graduation since he is that good.
Then Craig H., also a high school student, did his comedy routine covering subjects from old movie stars to Viagra. Maybe we’ll see him on “Last Comic Standing” someday.
Robert Stark, songwriter/singer, did a rock song and a torch song, “9:30 at Night”, which he had performed previously at the Art Council’s Winterfest.
The dynamic duo of Tom Nixon and Doug Kaufman performed their original tunes including “Headin' up to Clearlake” and “29,” both songs about Lake County. They both perform in a local band, as does Chris, whose band “From the Ashes” has a musical video “I’m a Ghost” on myspace.com/Thursdaysixxteen. Chris also performed “Smile” which will become a music video when he has a little more money.
Philip Martin changed the pace with his magic tricks which get better each time he performs. He always has different card tricks and this time he did tricks with cups and balls.
Allen Markowski sang “25 Years Ago” and ‘The Shoemaker” which had the audience joining in on the chorus. Allen was in charge of filming the performances for Channel 8 so everyone can see the open mic eventually. He has big plans for the Channel to make it more accessible to the public.
Dennis Crisp, who also assisted with the filming, came on stage to sing his songs about playing cards with the devil and a black widow spider.
Donavon, one of our regular performers, did two of his original tunes “ When I Come Home” and “Amnesia” in a forceful performance.
Greg Bloom, first-time performer, sang a two of his favorite songs.
Lourdes, as one of two poets, did three original poems. Her poems such as “Reflections on a Sunset” and “Homer” have great visual qualities. Dick Flowers recited two of his poems, “Liverwurst for Wear” and “G.W” which reflected his political views. Neon Napalm, which is her real name, did a great rap song that could rival any of the top rappers today.
The open mic went into extended time to have encores of Hamed’s piano genius, Tom and Doug’s road songs, and Philip Martin’s magic tricks. Philip’s tricks included card cutting and four aces which were inspired by Dennis Crisp’s "If You Cut Cards with the Devil” song.
We had 13 performers and an appreciative audience of many more at our biggest open mic ever. Next month should be even bigger so come early for a good seat and look for us on Channel 8. Last month’s open mic will not be televised due to technical difficulties with the equipment but this month’s filming went well.
The cafe is located at 301 Main St., Lakeport and welcomes drop in performers.
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- Written by: Shannon Tolson
"Everything's Cool," says the White House. Go on, buy that big, bad SUV (you know you want it!). Buy those expensive gallons of gas to get that SUV from Point A to Point B. (If you don't, that SUV won't budge.) Besides, Fox News knows a scientist or two still declaring that global warming is a harmless prank played from time to time by a feckless Mother Nature.
However, most scientists and many others, including government experts, have known the facts about climate change (far more complex than mere "warming") for decades. Why didn't we, the people, hear about its reality and its effects back in 1987? After all, we would have had a 20-year head start on making the many changes needed to prevent climate change's worst extremes.
The inspiring documentary "Everything's Cool" chronicles the history of efforts by big media and the White House to completely suppress, distort, and misrepresent the science and the facts. Along the way we get to know some of the quiet heroes whose determination to get the facts out have resulted in our current knowledge – however tardy.
One is Bill McKibben, environmental activist and author of the seminal 1987 book, "The End of Nature." Another is the self-effacing, Pulitzer-Prize-winning NYT journalist Ross Gelbspan. Both have fought the good fight for over 20 years, even though they often felt despair in the face of the facts on the one hand, and censorship and lies on the other.
And this is the other really good reason to come to see this free movie: In the face of a scary reality, these and the other quirky heroes in this lively, fascinating film find the courage and heart to remain optimistic while working every day to be as effective as they can be in their self-appointed jobs. They make inspiring role models.
"Everything's Cool" will be screened on Sunday, April 13. As always, Second Sunday Cinema's films are free.
The much-appreciated venue is the Clearlake United Methodist Church at 14521 Pearl Ave., in Clearlake.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for early birds who want to grab a good seat, a snack, perhaps, and a chat with an acquaintance. (We encourage this friendly behavior!) There's also time for discussion or schmoozing after the film. More information is available at 279-2957. We hope to see you there!
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
This is an originals-only open mic, which allows only your own work or public domain work to be performed.
Listeners are encouraged to come by and clap, whistle or stomp for our performers. All ages are welcome.
Call Phil for questions, 263-3391.
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