‘LONG SHOT’ (Rated R)

As far as romantic comedies go, Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron are such a mismatched pair that the tag line “Unlikely But Not Impossible” advertising “Long Shot” is the only realistic explanation for any amorous chemistry for their characters.

Rogen’s Fred Flarsky, an opinionated, gonzo-style journalist for an alternative newspaper who is goofy and blundering, comes off pretty much like any loud, obnoxious character he’s ever played in his movies.

On the other hand, Theron’s Charlotte Field, elegant, glamorous and beautiful, is a powerful political figure as the youngest secretary of state serving a president (Bob Odenkirk) who, to put it charitably, seems ambivalent about the affairs of state.

Flarsky’s job at the muckraking Brooklyn Advocate vanishes during a corporate takeover. His best friend Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) invites him to a swanky party featuring Boyz II Men, hoping for some good cheer.

A chance encounter at the posh party with the secretary of state stirs up old memories for Fred, who realizes she was his next-door babysitter for whom he had a childhood crush that is soon to be rekindled.

An ambitious diplomat pushing a global environmental initiative with foreign leaders, Charlotte is making all the right moves to run for president, hoping for the support of her boss who has decided not to seek re-election.

Her campaign team’s polling research shows she needs to enhance her image with more humor and appropriate hand gestures. To punch up her speeches, Charlotte offers the out-of-work Fred the job of a speechwriter.

Unkempt and unconventional, Fred’s hire does not go over well with Charlotte’s principal staff, gatekeeper Maggie (June Diane Raphael), who is always casting nasty aspersions, and personal assistant Tom (Ravi Patel). Friction is always a staple of political campaigns.

The unmarried Charlotte enjoys media frenzy over her link to the handsome yet vacuous Canadian Prime Minister (Alexander Skarsgard), but the relationship appears to be nothing more than the kind that gets photo coverage in glossy magazines.

Surprisingly, during a whirlwind of foreign travels from Sweden to the Philippines and beyond, Charlotte and Fred draw closer to romantic attraction, even though the notion seems ludicrous on its face.

The first to know about the budding romance, of course, would be the Secret Service agents, but cynical Maggie is not far behind and becomes vocally adamant that it could derail Charlotte’s ambitions for higher office.

A media mogul (Andy Serkis) seeks to undermine an element of Charlotte’s green initiative, and ammunition comes his way when a web video of sexual embarrassment for Fred becomes an element of blackmail against the Secretary of State.

“Long Shot” posits that a politician owning a sex scandal with brutal candor may be an inoculation against political fallout. This is like Paul Giamatti winning the Attorney General election in “Billions” for publicly copping to sadomasochism in his private life.

There are some laughs with Fred inappropriately dressed for a state dinner by Charlotte’s staff or the time that Charlotte experiments with the drug Molly and while still high has to negotiate for a hostage release.

One’s enjoyment of the comical aspects of “Long Shot” rests almost entirely on an appreciation of Seth Rogen’s brand of humor. On the other hand, Charlize Theron upends the maxim that politics is show business for ugly people.

‘PARADISE HOTEL’ ON FOX

The reality TV series “Paradise Hotel” running on the FOX network is a revival of the same concept that first aired in 2003, and then became an international hit with similar versions produced around the world.

Television personality and reality star Kristin Cavallari is hosting the brand new “Paradise Hotel,” an unscripted dating competition series in which sexy singles try to remain at a resort hotel as long as possible.

The contestants check into a luxury tropical resort and Cavallari advises the contestants to “hook up or you are checking out.” Just like other reality shows, these singles get to vote off one of their fellow residents to make room for a new guest.

In a new twist for an age now obsessed with social media like Twitter, viewers can play along at home by trying to influence what happens on screen, including helping to decide who stays and who goes.

The one who lasts the longest gets the prize money of $250,000. To follow along, it may be a good idea to keep in mind the admonitions from Cavallari about how to play the game.

The unwritten rules would include “be smart and use your head not your heart” and “form alliances” but “don’t trust anybody.” Stating the obvious, any contestant should “pick the right partner.”

“Paradise Hotel” could be viewed as a variation not only of its original self, but others like “Temptation Island,” where couples tested their relationships by living with a group of singles of the opposite sex.

The unanswered question, for the moment, is whether another reality show with sexy beautiful people will strike a chord with an audience willing to have vicarious thrills.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This weekend is the last chance to see Lake County Theatre Co.’s production of the satirical comedy "Red, White, and Tuna."

The entire cast of 20 characters is played by only two talented actors: Lakeport's very own mayor, Tim Barnes, and Rod Rehe.

Performances are held at the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.lctc.us or at the door.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center invites the public to join their current art and community project, Locus.

The project’s focus in May is revitalizing the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at Trailside Park in Middletown which will open June 1.

To this end, MAC artists are leading workshops to complete and install work at the park and Lake County Public Services Department has redefined and chipped trails.

Marcus Maria Jung has been working with a team of community members this past week in the park on his sculpture “Resurrection” made of giant oak trees that burned and fell in the park.

On Sunday May 12, Layna Joy will lead a mixed media workshop for “Eclipsopy,” a collaboratively made canopy shade structure to assist regrowth, and provide critters and humans respite from the sun.

Participants are invited to bring fibers, fabrics, loose weaves, cordage, trinkets and beads to create a personalized hoop module to contribute to the canopy.

The workshop will take place at MAC from 1 to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, May 19, Sherry Harris will lead the completion and installation of “New Growth,” a sculpture from woven from mulberry branches. This workshop will take place in the park and participants will learn Harris’ giant basketry technique.

To learn more or to participate in the Locus project visit www.MiddletownArtCenter.org/Locus. The cost for each workshop is $5.

The community is invited and encouraged to join one or many Locus activities in the coming months as makers and collaborators.

“Together, we can further renew our sense of place, and create a legacy of high quality artwork and local pride,” said Lisa Kaplan, program director. “We encourage folks who like to work outdoors, who have an interest in revitalizing our shared outdoor spaces and/or want to assist in creating work, in site preparation, installation, or maintenance of outdoor exhibits to contact the MAC via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to call 707-809-8118.”

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and local organizations, agencies and individuals. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov .

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in the heart of Middletown.

For more information and to stay up to date on all classes, calls for work, and events, or to become a member and support this valuable Lake County arts and culture resource visit www.middletownartcenter.org .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center’s Restore project features a writers’ workshop with Georgina Marie and Casey Carney this Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Adults and children age 12 and up of all levels of experience are welcome to attend the concluding Restore Writers Workshop.

“We invite the community to join us for this final Writers’ Workshop of the Restore project in a safe, positive space to write and share new work,” explained Georgina Marie. “We’ll explore object writing, and invite participants to bring an object of significance for a planned writing prompt.”

Participants have an opportunity to contribute to MAC’s second chapbook of written work and prints. With the deadline for submissions extended to Saturday, May 11, this workshop will be a chance to refine and edit work for submission in a group setting with guidance provided by both co-leaders.

The first chapbook, “Resilience – a community reframes disaster through art,” is available for purchase at MAC or on the MAC Web site. They also invite all Restore workshop participants to join them after the workshop for a celebratory restorative potluck.

Georgina Marie is a Lakeport poet. She has been writing poetry for 16 years, is a regular contributor to the Record-Bee’s Creative Expression segment, and is involved in her literary community as a writer, supporter of writers, and organizer and participant of poetry readings and events.

She was one of three finalists for the 2018-2020 Lake County Poet Laureate term, and is a current member of the MAC board of directors. She participates in readings in Lake, Napa and Mendocino counties.

In 2018, she led her first writing workshop, facilitated a monthly writing circle and created her first poetry chapbook, “Finding the Roots of Water,” an exploration of living in a county devastated by fire, accepting vulnerability, and expressing the emotion of grief and loss.

A regular participant in MAC’s Resilience writing and painting workshops, she co-curated the 2017-18 Resilience chapbook with Carney and others.

A writer, teacher, performance artist and photographer, Casey Carney served as the Lake County Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2016. In this role, Carney curated, co-produced and hosted more than 15 readings featuring local poets and highlighting the lineage of poetry in Lake County.

During her 2014 Poet Laureate Reading Series, Carney featured each of the seven Lake County Poets Laureate that preceded her.

At the 2016 transition event of her term, more than 200 community members gathered at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport to celebrate the vibrancy of poetry in Lake County.

Originally from Southern California, Carney holds a master’s degree in dance education and has choreographed, performed in, and produced numerous dance concerts.

Please register in advance at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore , email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118. The cost is $5. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited.

The Restore project, now drawing to a close, included classes in creative writing, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media. The project, includes the collaborative artwork Vertical Pathways for Rabbit Hill, which will open on May 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rabbit Hill.

The opening reception for “Community Works,” which includes works created in the Restore project including mixed media and prints, will open May 18, also from 5 to 7 p.m., and will be on view at MAC until June 9 .

The Restore project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency with additional support from local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s important work in communities and schools throughout California.

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Hwy 175 at the junction of Highway 29.

Be a part of the growing arts scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by joining MAC this Saturday and participating in Restore, or by attending one of the many arts and cultural events or classes at MAC.

Be sure to catch “Living Color,” an exuberant exhibit of work in paint, print and mixed media on view through May 12.

The gallery is open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or “Like” Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up-to-date with what’s happening at MAC.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Bob Culbertson brings the fresh, organic and diverse sound of the 10-string acoustic stick to the Soper Reese Theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

He is joined by long time collaborator, Rick Alegria (on drums), to play from their latest CD release, “Cause and Effect.”

Tickets are $20, open seating.

With more than 250,000 CDs sold and more than 15 million Internet video views, Bob Culbertson is one of the one of the most popular and highly regarded stick players in the world.

His musical style ranges from world sounds of Celtic, Spanish, Eastern and Classical to Blues and Beatles.

After time spent in Thailand and India earlier this year, the “Segovia of the Chapman Stick” is expected to bring new expression to his performance at the Soper Reese Theatre.

Alegria has performed and recorded with Bo Diddley, Asleep At The Wheel, Commander Cody, Queen Ida, Joan Osborn, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello and the American Idols.

Recently inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame, he was also a featured drummer at the San Jose Jazz Festival’s Tribute to Louie Bellson.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.soperreesetheatre.com; at The Travel Center, 825 S. Main St., Lakeport, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; or at the theater box office up to two hours ahead of show time.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Music Director Conductor John Parkinson and the Lake County Symphony are busy rehearsing for this year’s Mother’s Day Pops Concert.

The performance starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at the Soper Reese Theatre. This is one that movie lovers should definitely not miss.

The “Movie Magic” theme is sure to bring back memories; whether your favorites date back to older movies like Casablanca or you prefer the newer ones like Star Wars, you won’t be disappointed.

Selections to look forward to include: “As Time Goes by,” from the Warner Bros. film, “Casablanca”; “Shadow of Your Smile,” by Johnny Mandel, from the MGM film “The Sandpiper”; “The Summer Knows,” the theme from the film, “Summer of ’42” by Michael Legrand; “Desafinado,” by Antonio Carlos Jobim; “Somewhere in Time,” from the film “Somewhere in Time”; “When I Fall in Love,” from “Small Wonder”; “Pink Panther Theme,” from the Peter Sellers classic by Henry Mancini; and the “Star Wars” main theme by John Williams.

Suites and medleys include “Rocky Broadway” from the Broadway show; “Fantastic Beasts” from the motion picture; “Pan,” featuring highlights from the Warner Bros. motion picture soundtrack; selections from the Paramount motion picture, Forrest Gump; a medley from Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber; suite from “Hamilton” and “Empire Strikes Back” by John Williams from the 20th century-Fox motion picture.

The LCSA Youth Orchestra will open the concert with “Music From Apollo 13” by James Horner and arranged by John Moss. This nostalgic piece highlights the main title, end credits, re-entry and splashdown from the 1995 movie, “Apollo 13.” The trumpet section is featured on the solo for this piece.

The Youth Orchestra will close its portion of the program with “Warrior Legacy” by Soon Hee Newbold. This high energy piece depicts sea battles, invasions and whaling around Massachusetts in the 1700 and 1800s.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main Street. General admission is $25 with premium seating for $30. Both are discounted $5 for Symphony Association members.

Tickets can be ordered at www.soperreesetheatre.com, by phone at 707-263-0577 or may be purchased at the door the day of the concert.

For those on a tight budget, there is the always well-attended dress rehearsal at 11 a.m. for only $5, with no charge for those under 18.