Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 23, 2013

B2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 


By Sean Kayden

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

What’s there to say about the career reinvention of Matthew McConaughey? 
Over the past few years, he’s made a bold statement in starring in smaller 
films like “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Killer Joe,” and this year’s “Mud,” as opposed 
to the fluff he did for over the past decade. He’s transformed from a romantic 
comedy movie star to a bona-fide actor’s actor. In his latest venture, “Dallas 
Buyers Club,” McConaughey stars as Ron Woodruff, an electrician by day, a 
rodeo riding, drug taking, and woman loving homophobic man by night. Bigoted and selfish, Ron’s 
life takes a dark turn after he collapses one evening at home. Shocked to hear he’s been diagnosed 
with HIV and has a mere 30 days left to live, Ron doesn’t come to terms that he actually has the 
disease. After a night of binge drinking and drug use, Ron doesn’t feel the same. He starts to look 
into the causes of HIV and discovers you can contract it 
from other things aside from homosexuality. His world 
turns upside. McConaughey, weighing in at 135lbs, gives 
what should be hailed as not only his finest performance, 
but also one of the best of the year. 

There are no huge moments in “Dallas Buyers Club,” 
but very small significant ones that truly make it one 
of the superb films of the year. Woodruff’s willingness 
to survive and not lose sight of what’s important is 
quite remarkable and uplifting. Despite not being a 
considerably decent human being, one who’s really difficult to root for, he somehow makes the 
transition from lowlife to hero very compelling. His character starts taking the FDA approved AZT, 
the only legal drug available in the U.S, which brings him to the edge of death. After learning from 
an unconventional doctor in México that AZT is toxic, Woodruff has a whole new perspective on 
the world around him. He has a grasp on how the US is not really helping people with the disease in 
the way they could and should. Alternative remedies illegal in the US have been found to be more 
beneficial to the illness than anything else the FDA has approved. The FDA and pharmaceutical 
companies do everything in their power to stop Woodruff. He continues to take them on because 
he knows they’re just a business and don’t care about the wellness of the people in need of real help. 

The film also raises the question, without being preachy, why can’t Americans take non-FDA 
approved drugs if they’re on the path to imminent death? Woodruff realizes he could make money by 
smuggling these non-toxic, anti-viral medications and selling them in the U.S. This leads Woodruff 
in opening up an unofficial buyers’ club. He is not only helping himself but also the likes of those he 
would have never imagined to associate himself with. This includes Jared Leto’s portrayal of Rayon, 
a transvestite, who has the HIV virus. He definitely shines in this tragic and heartbreaking role. 
Ron and Rayon form this unlikely friendship in which is genuine and sincere. They may be polar 
opposites, but Ron finds himself caring for Rayon, something he would have never done otherwise 
in a different scenario. Both best actor and supporting actor nominations are warranted.

While the film could have easily been an utter downer, director Jean-Marc Vallée finds dynamic wit 
and humor in the grimmest situations. Jennifer Garner plays a doctor in the film, but her character 
is a little one-note. She’s fine, but the real stars are McConaughey and Leto. McConaughey gives a 
fearless performance and Leto’s presentation, while subtle, is intriguing and delicate. “Dallas Buyers 
Club” hits you hard in some scenes, but it never desperately tries to tug on the strings of one’s heart. 
However, you will feel something though Woodruff’s plight. It’s refreshingly straightforward with a 
pair of brave, unconventional performances that place them among the very best of the year. What 
“Dallas Buyers Club” is sellin’ is worth buyin’. 

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée

Written by: Craig Borten and 

 Melisa Wallack

Rated Rated R for pervasive language, 
some strong sexual content, nudity and 
drug use 

Release Date: November 3rd, 2013 
(limited release) 


THREE SISTERS PONDS: MY JOURNEY 
FROM STREET COP TO FBI SPECIAL AGENT 
By Philip Reid

Mr. Reid was a Baltimore City Cop from 1969 - 1977. He joined 
the FBI in 1977 and was assigned to FBI Offices in Norfolk, New 
York, Alexandria, Hawaii, Alaska, Denver and Washington, DC. He 
was also assigned to the FBI’s Office of Professional Responsibility 
(Internal Affairs).

During his 28 years with the FBI, Mr. Reid was assigned to SWAT 
teams, as well as investigations that included bank/armored truck 
robberies, fugitives, kidnappings, counterintelligence and terrorism. 
He spent significant time overseas conducting FBI extra-territorial 
terrorism investigations, such as the 1988 attempted bombing of 
Secretary of State George Shultz’s motorcade in La Paz, Bolivia. For 
3 years (December 1988–November 1991) he was one of the full-time 
case agents assigned to investigate the bombing of Pan Am Flt. 103 
over Lockerbie, Scotland, in which 270 people were murdered. 

While assigned to the Honolulu Field Office, Mr. Reid established 
an extra-territorial terrorism squad that investigated murders 
and kidnappings of American citizens in Asia and the Pacific Rim 
countries. He worked personally with US embassy officials, including 
Ambassadors and CIA station chiefs, and with host-country law 
enforcement, Intelligence and military officials in those parts of the 
world, that included India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Mr. Reid’s role in the PA Flt.103 bombing investigation is chronicled 
in Richard A. Marquise’s book “Scotbom: Evidence and the Lockerbie 
Investigation.” In addition, Mr. Reid’s December, 2004 recorded speech 
to the City Club of Denver, titled “FBI Efforts Against Terrorism,” can 
be found in C-SPAN’s video library. 

Prior to his retirement in 2005, Mr. Reid was Special Agent-in-Charge 
of the Anchorage and Denver FBI Field Offices. 

He shares, “In September 2000, I was sitting on a bench facing the Mediterranean Sea in the French Riviera 
town of Nice. I had flown there during a three-day break in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial in Camp 
Ziest, Netherlands, where I was expected to testify. As I sat on this bench eating lunch, I suddenly found 
myself overwhelmed by emotion. It was an awakening: I realized that my being there was the fulfillment 
of one of my many life dreams and goals that were launched thirty-one years earlier from another bench 
facing the Three Sisters Ponds in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park. Now, from a bench in the French Riviera, I 
began to chronicle the manifestation of those dreams and goals, accomplished through my thirty-six-year 
law enforcement career as a Baltimore City policeman and FBI agent.

I’m hoping my story catches on with anyone who dares to dream and set challenging and aggressive life 
goals. I hope to inspire and encourage more interest in law enforcement careers by sharing my professional 
experiences and the educational, leadership, and career opportunities that were availed to me during my 
law enforcement career. As an FBI agent, I was a part of the 1981 Brinks armored truck murder/robbery 
investigation in Nyack, NY; took part in New York FBI SWAT operations; and was involved in international 
extraterritorial terrorism investigations such as the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, the attempted bombing 
of then-Secretary of State George Shultz’s motorcade in La Paz, Bolivia, and the kidnapping and murders of 
Americans in Kashmir, India, and Karachi, Pakistan.

For information of how to contact this author and purchase his book, visit www.AuthorsTourUSA.com. 
Learn about our FREE membership for published authors.


SIERRA MADRE CHAMBER KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SHOPPING 
WITH THE WHO VILLE FESTIVAL AS AMERICANS ACROSS THE 
COUNTRY TAKE PART IN SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

On Saturday, November 30th, Sierra Madre, will 
transform itself into Who Ville, as the formal kick-
off of the holiday shopping season. The Who Ville 
Festival, which replaces the towns annual Dickens 
Village will be complete with Snow, Horse Drawn 
Carriages, The Grinch and Santa Claus. The event 
is encouraing families to come to town and support 
our local businesses and civic organizations as well 
as have FUN!

 Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to 
supporting small businesses on one of the busiest 
shopping weekends of the year.

 From 1 to 8pm Saturday, the downtown area will 
host special festivities designed to bring shoppers 
to the popular shops in the Foothill Village. 
Beginning at 1pm, there will be an opportunity for 
kids to snow sled and ride a choo choo train. Local 
artists will have their work on display and for sale 
along with many of the local civic organizations in 
Kersting Court. At 4pm, horse and buggy rides 
will be available in a loop around a four -square 
block area downtown. 

 Later in the day, shortly after dusk, the official 
tree-lighting will take place, also at Kersting Court. 
Santa, accompanied by the Sierra Madre Rose 
Float Association princesses from the 2014 Rose 
Float, will be available to listen to the wishes of 
youngsters, from 5to 8pm.

 

For more information about the Who Ville Festival, 
call the Chamber Offices at 626-355-5111.