HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE IT? plus EVENING and GOOD WITH POPCORN-THE WEEKENDER

THE GLOAMING

WHEN STARS AND/OR POPCORN ARE ENOUGH

    A buddy, a former FBI agent and leader of a television investigative team said his lovely bride had to drag him "kicking and screaming" to SAVING MR. BANKS. He raved about it.  I understand why.

      We expected something else than the intricate and well woven back story to Walt Disney's making of Mary Poppins. First the 20 year courtship of the author P.L. Travers, and then her history as magnificently played by Emma Thompson, worthy of an Academy nomination at least. Tom Hanks was remarkable, as always, as Walt Disney.  Colin Farrell deserves a lot of applause for his Mr. Banks. Bradley Whitford and Jason Schwartzman were terrific in their supporting roles and Paul Giamatti was nomination worthy in his.  This is a touching, entertaining, fascinating and memorable film. First class in all ways.

HEY, DA BOYS MIX IT UP

    The GRUDGE MATCH is not for everyone, but if you are a De Niro, Stallone, Alan Arkin or Kim Bassinger fan, or if you simply like popcorn and cliche, you might enjoy it.  I did, even though it was reminiscent of a Rocky re-tread and the popcorn was outrageously expensive.

     I guess I was curious to see how a couple of old boys-my age-could handle the boxing gym and ring scenes. BTW Arkin stole a few scenes, as he does so well.  Bassinger need only show up. She remains a stunning beauty as she ages, not so De Niro and Stallone, but then how could they?

   This is a guys film probably. Jim Lampley's presence made me think I was watching an HBO boxing match, set up. I enjoyed the almost two hours, but then I like boxing, pop corn, De Niro and seeing how make up artists can help make Stallone becoming increasingly a punched up, punched out punchy old puncher.  

REAL LIFE COURAGE

    I hope you'll take 7 minutes to watch this exceptionally well done piece on an extraordinary person. This is real life heroism, just in getting by.  You'll feel better about almost everything after you've seen it.

WISH YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE

    Cambrian Tess Wright, prevailed again as Mistress of the Salon as she moderated a fascinating discussion about where a couple of Cambria artists fit into the modern art milieu. Full disclosure here, one of those artist is Lana with whom I have lived and who's art I have enjoyed for longer than you need to know.  The other is Bruce Marchese, a displaced Brooklyn lad who was hailed as an exuberant colorist.  Tess has presented a series of lectures on art and artists and I hope someday they'll be available for a wider distribution. Her research is superb and her rapport with artists is a treat to behold.  Thanks to the Wise Owl for a great venue.

    See you down the trail.

LIN HAS CLASS/GROW UP ESPN & DESIGNER COLORS

TRYING TO BE TOO CUTE?

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

      Several things colluded to make the unfortunate racial slur of Jeremy Lin inevitable. Foremost is ESPN's penchant for  being cute or clever, which often they are neither.

      I've been an ESPN fan since the early Dan Patrick and Keith Olberman days. They were (are) clever and talented writers and broadcasters, but they've become role models that later generation of ESPN personnel have tried to emulate. Nothing is as good as the original and I fear that far too many ESPN studio talent have fallen into being characters or characterizations of the originals.  

      ESPN has apologized for the "chink in the armor" comment and headline. A writer has been fired and anchor Max Bretos has been suspended.  I believe Bretos when he said he meant no offense.  Same for ESPN, still it happened and it needed to be dealt with. 

      When I was a news executive I stressed that our broadcasters and our editorial process have a mind set to avoid even unintentional errors of judgement.

      Another issue of course is the silliness that so many media practitioners resort to.  Lin's sudden emergence as a star, and his historic presence have given his story saturation and in my opinion over coverage.  Add silly to poor judgement and the slur occurred.

      However, the valuable bottom line to this matter is Jeremy Lin himself.  He has evinced great class and dignity in saying he has forgiven and moved on. So should we all.  Still

I hope ESPN anchors and writers realize that when trying so hard to be cute and clever they occlude the reason most of 

us are watching-for the athletes, the competition and the highlights.  We are not there to see well dressed anchors fawn, peacock and prattle with puns and overwriting.  Cut to the chase.  You lads and ladies are merely our conduits to the action.

  DAY BOOK

DESIGNER COLORS
Spring blooms have come to California's Central coast.
For those of you still locked in winter,
enjoy the preview of what is on the way to you.

See you down the trail.