Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 5, 2011

11

ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, March 5, 2011 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS


The Farrelly 
Brothers make 
their return 
to film after 
four years with 
“Hall Pass”. 
Rick (Owen 
Wilson) and 
Fred (Jason 
Sudeikis) play 
best friends 
who both have 
become a bit impatient 
with their wives. The two compadres 
eat, breathe, and think sex morning, noon, and 
night. Unfortunately, their wives do not. It’s the 
traditional case of a long-term marriage going 
south. It happens, I get it. After an embarrassing 
afternoon at a friend’s new home, Maggie 
(Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) 
become completely fed up with their husband’s 
juvenile behavior. Dr. Lucy (Joy Behar), 
a kind of love-guru, suggests to the women to 
grant their husbands a hall pass. A “hall pass” 
is a week off from marriage to do whatever you 
want without consequences. At first, the proposition 
seems absurd, but with slight convincing 
each wife ultimately ends up conceding to this 
notion. After a slow start, I was anticipating for 
the flick to finally pick up some momentum 
and find it’s stride. Sadly, I was tripped up time 
and time again. 

The days of “There’s Something About Mary” 
seem a lifetime ago. The Farrelly Brothers have 
yet to make any kind of indelible impression 
on me (and most audiences alike) since the 
late 90s. With a back catalogue of disappointments 
including, “Me, Myself & Irene”, “Shallow 
Hal”, “Stuck on You”, “Fever Pitch” and 
“The Heartbreak Kid”, I was hopeful and surprisingly 
optimistic that their grand return to 
raunchy, yet clever humor would be a victorious 
one. “Hall Pass” is exceptionally bland and 
misses the mark so often that I felt genuinely 
embarrassed to be sitting through this quagmire. 
Granted there were moments of fleeting 
laughs, although nothing on screen stuck emotionally. 
It was truly and painfully unmemorable 
in nearly every way. “Hall Pass” is like the 
new kid who walks into the wrong class on the 
first day of school, he’s mortified and knows he’s 
out of place. Anxiously anticipating something 
favorable, I sat deplorably watching every scenario 
unfold recklessly. It was out of sync right 
from the beginning and it had me thinking how 
one-time funny man Owen Wilson can’t catch a 
lucky break. His career is seeking into the vortex 
of impending doom. It almost makes you 
wonder if the guy himself actually even wanted 
to be there in the first place. SNL’s very own Jason 
Sudeikis has his quick displays of humor, 
but he was seeping into the trenches of career-
suicide. As for the supporting women of the 
film, Fischer and Applegate felt utterly wasted 
and I know both of these women have superior 
comedic chops. Let’s not even get started on 
the forced toilet humor. Toilet humor will and 
always will be unnecessary, childish, and non-
stylish. Come on guys, can’t you come up with 
new and clever gags than the same old, busted, 
recycled bullshit we’ve all seen how many times 
before? Oh, how the kings of comedy have 
mighty fallen. 

Honest laughs were sporadic and short-lived 
in “Hall Pass”. What is even more discomforting, 
is discovering how it took four middle-aged 
men to write this garbage. At the box office, 
funny is money and apparently, it’s also a young 
man’s game too. This movie cluster of trite material 
is a very poor’s man hybrid of “Wedding 
Crashers” and “The Hangover”. I hate to even 
speak of those films in the same breath as “Hall 
Pass”. In a weird way, it makes me appreciate 
those films ever more since realizing how much 
replay value they each possess. Frankly, it’s best 
to send the Farrelly Brothers’ latest baby, “Hall 
Pass” straight to summer school. Banal, blah, 
boring, it doesn’t make the passing grade

Grade: 2 out of 5. 


I hope I didn’t miss anything! Keep those cards and letters coming.....

 

 March 1st - 8th is “HAPPY HOUR WEEK” IN OLD TOWNE PASADENA with food & drink 
specials and live music. For complete details go to: www.oldpasadena.org/happyhourweek

SAT. 3/5 - OPEN MIC NIGHT @ THE FRET HOUSE IN COVINA. 309 N. Citrus Ave. (626) 339-
7020. Always on the first Saturday of the month, and just one dollar for performers or audience. 
Sign-up starts at 7:30. If there aren’t enough slots for everybody they’ll make a list for the next month, 
and call you. Each act gets two songs or ten minutes, whichever comes first. The show starts at 8:00. 
They’ll have desserts and coffee ready. Bring your friends and family and join the show! http://www.
frethouse.com/

 

SAT. 3/5 - TREMOLOCO @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
626-836-5414. Full bar, great Italian food, dance floor. TexMex Americana with Tony Zamora, Rick 
Shea, Bobby Robles, Johnny Vatos and more... Special guest John Villalobos specializes in everything 
from Flamenco, Cuban, Jazz to Gypsy and just about everything else! Check this week’s Pasadena 
Weekly for a feature article.

 

SUN. 3/6 - BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 
1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Sunday BLUES Brunch! http://www.bigbbrenner.com/ 

 

SUN. 3/6 - “OPERA TO BROADWAY” VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA 
MADRE, 7-10pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every 
Sunday evening. Get there early - they pack ‘em in! 

 

MON. 3/7 - MAX BUDA BAND @ THE OLD TOWNE PUB IN PASADENA, 9pm. Corner of fair 
Oaks & Union behind the Container Store. Enter thru alley off of Holly Ave. 626-577-6583. Chester, 
Jerry, Ted, Bruce, Peter and Nick on noisemakers. An eclectic mix of jazzed-up rock. One of my 
favorite bands. Every FIRST Monday night. 

TUES. 3/8 - “JC & Friends Songwriter Serenade” @ MATT DENNY’S ALEHOUSE & RESTAURANT 
IN ARCADIA, 7 - 9:30pm. 145 E. Huntington Dr., between 1st & 2nd Aves. 626-462-0250. Full bar 
& kitchen, all ages. A weekly acoustic show of songwriters playing original songs, either as a solo or 
duo act, outside on the covered, heated patio. This week’s artists: Ashley Alexander, Peter Quentin, 
Joan Enguita. http://www.jchyke.com/

 

“TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA” @ CAFE 
322 with QUIZMASTER DEANNA, 
8pm. $2 per person to play, up to 4 on 
a team, CASH or gift certificates to the 
top 3 teams. Fun and educational! 322 
W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

 

WED. 3/9 - LISA FINNIE & JOHN 
PALMER re-duet @ RED CARPET 
WINE & SPIRITS IN GLENDALE, 7 
- 8pm. 400 E. Glenoaks Blvd. Indoor 
musical delights and three-option 
tastings via the in-house Enomatics in the Red Carpet Wine Bar. Outdoor temptations available just 
outside courtesy of Vizzi Food Truck.

www.redcarpetwine.com

 

WED. 3/9 - RICK SHEA & THE LOSIN’ END @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. Full bar 
& great Italian food! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Americana/Roots/Country.

 

“WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY” @ THE BUCCANEER, 9pm. Bring your favorite vinyl 
records and play an entire side on the house turntable, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!

 

THURS. 3/10 - BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 6 - 9pm. 
1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Burgers, Brews & BLUES Every Thursday. http://www.bigbbrenner.
com/ 

 THURS. 3/10 - DOUBLE NAUGHT SPY CAR @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 
W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar & great Italian food. Last month my pals & I decided 
that their music would provide the perfect soundtrack for a film about alien surf cowboys directed by 
Quentin Tarantino! Let me know if you agree...

FRI. 3/11 - THE MELLOW D’z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) @ Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, 5:30 - 
7:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Great happy hour discounts on food and drinks 
from 4:30-6:30. Acoustic Rock faves. 

 

SUN. 3/13 - BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 
1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Sunday BLUES Brunch! http://www.bigbbrenner.com/ 

 

SUN. 3/13 - “OPERA TO BROADWAY” VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA 
MADRE, 7-10pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every 
Sunday evening. Get there early - they pack ‘em in! 

 

TUES. 3/15 - MATT DENNY’S ANNUAL ST. BALDRICK’S DAY FUNDRAISER - HAVE YOUR 
HEAD SHAVED TO RAISE MONEY FOR KIDS WITH CANCER. A VERY WORTHY CAUSE. 
CALL 626-462-0250 FOR MORE INFO.

TUES. 3/15 - “TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA” @ CAFE 322 with QUIZMASTER DEANNA, 8pm. $2 
per person to play, up to 4 on a team, CASH or gift certificates to the top 3 teams. Fun and educational! 
322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

...with music immediately following, as ALUMINUM MARSHMALLOW & THE AGE OF 
AQUARIUS HORNS hold band practice in front of a live audience! Watch and listen as they work 
out the bugs and get a sneak peek at their Wistaria Festival set.

WED. 3/16 - LISA FINNIE & JOHN PALMER re-duet @ RED CARPET WINE & SPIRITS IN 
GLENDALE, 7 - 8pm. 400 E. Glenoaks Blvd. Indoor musical delights and three-option tastings via 
the in-house Enomatics in the Red Carpet Wine Bar. Outdoor temptations available just outside 
courtesy of Vizzi Food Truck. www.redcarpetwine.com

 

WED. 3/16 - The Mellow D’z @ Oceanview Bistro in Montrose from 7:30-10:00 PM. 3826 Ocean 
View Blvd. 818-248-2722. Great food and drinks to go with cool acoustic jams. www.ovbistro.com

 

“WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY” @ THE BUCCANEER, 9pm. Bring your favorite vinyl 
records and play an entire side on the house turntable, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!

*****NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR THE 2011 DOO DAH PARADE! Parade Day is Saturday, 
April 30th, 11:00am in East Pasadena. Be part of one of the most colorful and unique experiences 
around! Go to: pasadenadoodahparade.info -- and under “Entry Form” sign up now! Queen tryouts 
will be held on Sat. 4/2 @ the American Legion.

 

ADAMS’ PACK STATION at Chantry Flat, Angeles National Forest is now booking music for the 
Spring/Summer season. Email Deb Burgess for info. dburgess@burcon-group.com (From the 210 
Fwy in Arcadia/Sierra Madre, Take Santa Anita Avenue North until it dead-ends at the parking lot.) 
Stay tuned to the Music News for artists, dates and times. JC Hyke, Jeannie Willets, 2 Frets Lower, 
Tom Renaud, Lisa Turner & Friends, Tim Tedrow and many more! 

 

Please remember to call and verify all info. before making plans. Everything is subject to change. 
This is show biz, after all... Hope to see you out & about, SierraMadreSue sierramadresue@yahoo.com 

Sean Kayden

Hall Pass

Release Date: 02/25/2011

Directed by: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly

Screenplay by: Pete Jones, Kevin Barnett, 
Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly

Rated R [See Full Rating]for crude and sexual 
humor throughout, language, some graphic 
nudity and drug use.


The Book Report

Be Love Now: The Path of the Heart 

by Ram Dass and Rameshwar Das 

Ram Dass, one of America’s most beloved spiritual teachers, sparked a 
revolution forty years ago with his book Be Here Now. This landmark 
classic inspired a generation to see the world in a different light. Since 
then, Ram Dass has been a beacon for seekers worldwide, challenging 
us to find new sources of meaning and purpose in our lives. In 
Be Love Now, Ram Dass shares what he has learned in his remarkable 
four-decade-long spiritual journey. Through timeless teaching 
stories, compelling and often humorous personal anecdotes and insights, 
Ram Dass tracks the stages of his own awakening in his trademark 
down-to-earth style. Starting with his days as Harvard psychologist and psychedelic 
experimenter, continuing through his profound encounters with his guru, Neem Baba, and 
moving beyond the reawakening brought on by his near-fatal stroke, Ram Dass shares his 
life experiences while offering a timeless teaching on love and the path of the heart. Guiding 
us through the pitfalls and perils of our own spiritual path, Be Love Now is both a 
deeply personal and wonderfully universal exploration that will open hearts and minds. 
Ram Dass, one of America’s most beloved spiritual figures, has made his mark on the world 
giving teachings and promoting loving service, harmonious business practices, and conscious 
care for the dying. His spirit has been a guiding light for four generations, carrying 
millions along on the journey, helping free them from their bonds as 
he has worked his way through his own.

The Cloud Collector’s Handbook by Gavin Pretor-Pinney 

The perfect incentive for keeping your head in the clouds, The Cloud 
Collector’s Handbook is a fun guide to the wonders of the sky. Cloud 
expert Gavin Pretor-Pinney catalogs a variety of clouds and gives readers 
points for spotting & recording them. This whimsical and useful 
book features gorgeous color photographs that showcase a new type 
of cloud on every spread, from fluffy cumulus to the super-rare horseshoe 
vortex to the wispy noctilucent clouds that hang at the fringes 
of space. This interesting handbook will have everyone “looking up”.


Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of What??!!


June Chandler’s Fairy Tale Theatre presents “TREASURE ISLAND” at the 

Sierra Madre Playhouse. Opens March 12, 2011

 Watch out! Have you ever been captured by pirates? The children become members of Long John Silver’s 
treacherous pirate gang and lead the entire audience through a terrible storm at sea, a mosquito infested jungle 
and into a treasure cave filled with eerie ghosts. All kids who dare come to Treasure island will don pirate hats 
and participate in the adventures with Long John Silver and his gang.

 Kids from the audience participate, playing the crew on the ship and everyone meets the cast for autographs 
after the show. Parents, bring your cameras.

 “Treasure Island” – A participative play Steve and Kathy Hotchner.

 March 12- April 16, 2011. Saturdays at 11 a.m.

 Tickets: $18; Children 12 and under, $12. Credit Card sales: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Phone: (626) 355-4318

 The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA, 91024.

Ample free parking behind theatre. Group rates and subscriptions available.