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Film Reviews & News -- If not Latest, then Greatest

Crazy Heart & Leap Year bracket new offerings
by Tom Smeeth ... Jeff Bridges strums up awards circuit; Amy Adams romps control freak in new Rom-Com. Two distinctly different 'road' films - one heralds the heart of old-style country western inner journey with easy mastery of Bridges at his career best with Maggie Gyllenhaal sparking an at-odds November-June romance, the other features breezy Adams 'working it' as a take-charge modern woman on an oddball roadtrip across Ireland to propose to her equally stiff shirted boyfriend with laconic Matthew Goode the reluctant local boy as road companion.
... In Leap you get attractive Celtic scenery in formulaic effort with spots of humor and romance. With Crazy you get heart - an intimate cinematic investigation of the human landscape with backing heavies like T Bone Burnett, Stephen Bruton, among many others (EG, strong supporting roles Robert Duvall, and subdued Colin Farrell) - the film quietly hits all notes that haunt you. Adams, Goode & Co strike some laughs and surprises but it's candy that won't last.
... That's the outline of several new flicks to hit local screens - trying to wrest attention from Avatar, who have already made their money back (more than $350 M USA, $1.2 B global). Click Crazy Heart, or Leap Year - for link film sites & previews.

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Unwrapping Christmas release, It’s Complicated
By Tom Smeeth... Get the DVD.
Deliciously decadent. Sleekly seductive: Streep is stupendous, Baldwin ballsy.
... There you have it – suitable for printing. However, be forewarned: All superlatives are apt descriptions for the new Streep-Meyers vehicle, an entertainment experience that will have you laughing in the new Christmas Day film, It’s Complicated. You may struggle with some ethical choices the characters make – but they provide for the ride. It’s a fun romp to enjoy vicariously! See it in a full theater audience roller coaster ride.
... By final credits, everyone gets taken through the ringer. Meryl Streep lets loose, lets it fly, and watch out! Alec Baldwin holds his own throughout the movie, which is pretty darn good. Martin and Kraskinski score big, too. ... While in the end, it’s not really all that complex, Complicated is definitely fun. ... For full review, see comment.... www.itscomplicatedmovie.com...

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Fire Rips Taproot, Land at Stage One through end of year
By Tom Smeeth
... Nothing parallels the story of the classic American move, It’s A Wonderful Life, quite like the nightmare lived by those who steer the local Taproot Theatre Company who faced devastation in a fire that swept their premises October 23 last year.
... How fitting that the resilient company of thespians were able to take over Stage 1 to mount this classic tale of human triumph over trial and tribulation. It's as special a story s to how Taproot was taken in by North’s own Stage One Theatre. It is after all a story of spiritual renewal through family, community and the values that withstand the test of time – and of inexplicable tragedy that might otherwise bring any of us to the brink. For the full overview, see Comments.
Visit Taproot's website.

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Salome Thomas-El speaks to students at NSCC
... In October, 2009, Salome Thomas-El came to North Seattle Community College to speak about mentoring, the community and his new book "The Immortality Of Influence".
...A doctoral student at Nova Southeastern University, Salome Thomas-EL is the author of the bestsellers, I Choose to Stay and The Immortality of Influence. Inspiring and warmly human, Salome Thomas-EL is a true hero. His lecture, “I Choose to Stay: A Teacher’s Fight for America’s Inner City Schools” was moving and full of hope, and proves beyond a doubt that a commitment to teaching in the public schools can result in excellence and success for children most of society has abandoned.You can appreciate why a Hollywood movie is in the making - we look forward to it, and to his return to our campus.
... Read more in first comment, or click Salome Thomas-EL to explore. You can see his personal message to our students here on video.