p15, v7.33 — Arts & Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 17, 2013

MVNews this week: Page 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 17, 2013

SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS:

JASMINE’S CORNER

Book Reviews by Jasmine Kelsey Williams

By Sean Kayden

THE SPECTACULAR NOW

As we’ve endured a plentiful amount of effects-laden blockbusters this
summer season, it’s utterly refreshing to come across a small film that
possesses real special effects, beautiful acting and superb storytelling. In the
film, “The Spectacular Now,” writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
crafted a joyously heartfelt, wryly humorous, endearingly sweet coming-of-age tale that embodies the
teenage human spirit. Director James Ponsoldt, who’s
coming off his critically acclaimed 2012 Sundance hit
“Smashed,” once again brings a deep sensitivity to the
film. “The Spectacular Now” on the surface appears to
be another coming of age, puppy love story, but it’s so
much deeper than merely just that. In fact, it tackles a
considerably darker theme that unfolds in the third act.
The film is a rare on-screen depiction of two 18 year-old
high school seniors who look and feel like real human
beings. Sutter and Aimee’s relationship doesn’t seem
manufactured. The mistakes they make feel authentic and they’re hell of a lot more confident on the
outside than on the inside.

The charming and self-possessed Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) lives in the now. He’s the life of
every party and rarely takes anything seriously. This also may contribute to the fact that he’s always
loaded. Sutter’s either drinking out of his flask or a big gulp cup mixed with hard alcohol. He isn’t
a mean alcoholic, but a guy always looking to have a good time. When his girlfriend, Cassidy (the
luminous Brie Larson) breaks things off, Sutter gets wasted and wakes up the following morning in
the front yard of Aimee Finecky’s (the effervescent Shailene Woodley) house. Aimee is a typical nice
girl. She’s intelligent, innocent, and different. Aimee has grand dreams of the future, and Sutter lives
in a delusional fantasy known as the spectacular now. However, somehow, they’re drawn together.
As their relationship begins to bloom, at first as a deep friendship, then more so as it continues on,
Aimee falls hard for Sutter. When we get into the third act, Sutter seeks out his estranged father played
by the terrific Kyle Chandler. Sutter sees a spitting image of himself within his dad. This realization
greatly haunts him. Without getting to deep in rehashing the story, I must say that both the writing
and acting are top notch. Miles Teller is a star in the making. This breakout performance is one of
the best of the year. Shailene Woodley is equally as good. Both actors are destined for a bright future.

“The Spectacular Now” just does everything right. The characters in the movie feel like people
you and I would know. There are no false moves here. Nothing seems forced or modified. The story
unfolds naturally and there’s so much beauty on display. It doesn’t rely on nostalgia or any artificial
beats. This is a truly stunning portrait of what it’s like to be the youngest you’ll ever be. When you’re
on the cusp of a new chapter in life, filled with both promise and uncertainty. “The Spectacular Now”
will have you remembering what it was like to be young, free, and carrying much needed momentum.
It also reminds you that all that can be gone in a heartbeat. Wherever you are in life, don’t forget that
living in the now will prepare you in living for tomorrow, for better or worse that is.

Grade: 5 out of 5

DECISIVE: HOW TO MAKE BETTER CHOICES IN
LIFE AND WORK By Chip & Dan Heath

The middle of August means that summer will soon be
ending, and should prompt you to start prepping for going
to back to school, or back to work, but may also mean the
end of summer reading. However, this next pick with its
bright green cover and eye-catching title, might just give
you a pick-me-up to help make a fresh start for the months
ahead. “Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and
Work” by Chip and Dan Heath is yet another long title
but one that is sure to be beneficial in the long run. Chip
and Dan Heath dive headfirst into the psychology and
breakdown of the decisions we make in everyday life; from
big decisions to simple ones. As early as the first chapter,
these two authors highlight critical factors relevant to
decision making, the process of how we as individuals make
these decisions, and then discussing factors depending on
our outcomes.

Chip and Dan provide the steps of decision making,
but also the negatives that are also associated with it:
encountering a choice (1), analyzing your options (2), making a choice (3), and then living
with the final decision (4). The negatives are not just also key factors that are opposite of the
decision-making process, but could also be viewed as the setbacks we face each time we have
to think about the choices we make: a narrow frame of mind can make you miss options; the
confirmation bias of making your choice leads to gathering only self-serving information;
short term emotions can tempt you to make the wrong choice, and with the final decision,
you’ll not only live with it, you may be overconfident about how the future will play out. With
Chip and Dan explaining the concepts early on, the chapters build up from each step and
consequence, providing more explanations on how to counter the negatives, and therefore
resulting in us being able to make more clear-conscious goals that will not have as much of
a negative impact.

“Decisive” is not just a how-to book, but also one that provides instruction on improvement
and planning ahead, which is able to benefit any parties involved. Copyrighted in 2013,
receiving praise from various critics, as well as praise from Washington Post, Times, and Wall
Street Journal, “Decisive” will not just help you in making decisions, but in also weighing the
pros and cons of what you want to achieve and how to get there in the best and beneficial
way possible.

Directed by: Jason Ponsoldt

Written by: Scott Neustadter
Michael H. Weber
Based on the novel by Tim Tharp

Released Date: August 2nd, 2013

CECELIA ANTOINETTE

AUTHOR - ACTRESS - POET -
COMEDIANNE

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary since Production in New York City, BROWN GALS
RISING is a life-time of poetry, developed and produced as a choreopoem--the poetry of
investigating and celebrating self and the five different aspects of one woman. The book
comes with a DVD that includes a performance by the late legendary R&B artist, Phyllis
Hyman (1949-1995) who also starred in the original production.

In films, “CeCe” she can be seen in the top rated YES MAN starring Jim Carrey, DANCE FU
starring Kel Mitchell and directed by Cedric The Entertainer, and numerous independent
films. She also appears in several national and regional commercials. Cece is also touring
WATERMELON-GIT IT WHILE IT’S HOT! As an MC Extraordinaire she was one of
the first female Guest Host of Amateur Night at the APOLLO. She is the Founder/Artistic
Director of MOSAIC JEWELS THE GEMS OF COMEDY, taking funny to a whole new
dimension (diverse female sketch and stand-up). As a writer and Spoken Word Artist,
CECE has published and produced works “BROWN GAL’S RISING”, “JUST AS I AM”
and “JUKEBOX POETRY” to public and critical acclaim. Cece is the Founding Artistic
Director PLUMEings Productions from November 1984 - Present.

Irma P. Hall, star of Lady Killers, A Lesson Before Dying, Midnight in the Garden of Good
and Evil and Soul Food, contributed the original Foreward Poem to BROWN GALS
RISING.

BROWN GALS RISING, was prophetic when first produced 20 years ago. It stands as a
timeless and classic read today. Buy it! Read it! And ENJOY it!!!

For more information on CeCe, other members and our FREE membership offer through
October 15th, visit www.AuthorsTourUSA.com

Also Coming To The Playhouse...............

“THE LION IN WINTER”
OPENS SEPTEMBER
27 AT SIERRA MADRE
PLAYHOUSE

WHAT: “The Lion in Winter.”
A play.

WHO: Written by James Goldman.
Directed by Michael Cooper.
Presented by SMPH

WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse,
87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.,
Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample
free parking behind theatre.

WHEN: September 27- November
16, 2013. Fri. & Sat. at
8:00, Sun. at 2:30. A Champagne
reception and buffet follows the
Friday, September 27 opening
night performance.

“The Lion in Winter,” a comedic
drama, was originally produced
on Broadway in 1966 and
made into an Academy Award
winning film in 1968. It is an
enduringly popular stage comedy
that combines keen historical
insight with humor that bristles
and burns.

The award-winning Michael
Cooper directs. His long resume
includes many shows including
the acclaimed SMPH production
of “To Kill A Mockingbird”;
and “One for the Road” (partial
listing).

TAP CHICKS AT SIERRA
MADRE PLAYHOUSE ON
SEPTEMBER 8

The Tap Chicks are seasoned tap
dancers who dazzle with youthful
energy. A favorite at the L.A.
County Fair for many years, their
previous performances at the Sierra
Madre Playhouse have sold
out.

The Tap Chicks were originally
formed at Pasadena Senior Center.
They are choreographed by
Pam Kay, who also provides musical
accompaniment, comedy
and vocals.

The fully costumed act dances
to music ranging from Broadway
tunes to 40s favorites to contemporary
songs. The dancers are
mature in years (ranging in age
from 50 to 84) but young at heart. It’s a good idea to reserve tickets. Their last ten appearances have sold out.

There will also be a special guest
vocalist., Franny McCartney.

Sunday, September 8, 2013 at
2:30 p.m. The Sierra Madre Playhouse
is at 87 W. Sierra Madre
Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024.
Tickets are $20 general, $17 for
seniors (65+), $12 for children
under 12.

MURDER IN DISGUISE,”
ONE NIGHT ONLY,
AUGUST 25 AT SIERRA
MADRE PLAYHOUSE

WHAT: “Murder
In Disguise,” an interactive
murder mystery.

WHO: Presented by SanZman
Productions Renaissance
Murder Mystery
Players.

WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse,
87 W. Sierra Madre
Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA
91024.

WHEN: Sunday, August 25,
2013 at 7:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: All seats $20.

When a distinguished judge is
murdered, the evidence points
to a prominent lawyer. Things
look grim, and his only option is
to conduct his own defense and
uncover the real killer in this,
the trial of his life. The tension
mounts, the clues are elusive, but
can he put it all together? You,
the audience, are the jury, and
must ultimately decide if he does.

We’d like to hear from you!

What’s on YOUR Mind?

RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318.

ONLINE TICKETING: