Culture

Is that the new i-Phone?I really wanted to like this movie. It just wouldn't let me. I spent almost the entire second half aching for it to be over.
The
opening montage was nice. The old-school credits in the beginning,
reminiscent of '40s-style movies, were refreshing. The colors and
photography were close to captivating. There's nothing wrong with the
acting.
Then there's the story. Somewhere hidden in this mess is
a cool concept. Steeped in ambiguity, I just can't figure out where the
legendary director stashed it.

A taste of the wonderment that is the Mountainfilm fest.This is your chance to vicariously scale the globe. Mountain bike
through an old growth forest, ascend Colorado's Black Canyon, or go fly
fishing in Baja, all from the comfort of your Tower Theater seat.
Bend-based nonprofit reSource hosts the touring film festival,
Mountainfilm on Tour, as a fundraiser for the organization. With an
emphasis on sustainable living, the event is also intended to encourage
Central Oregonians to make everyday choices that reduce our impact on
the environment. Play lists include 7-8 short films per night. Here's
are some particularly eyebrow-raising films from the weekend schedule.

He doesn’t seem to mind those critics.The funniest thing about this documentary is Johnny Carson's plaid leisure suit in the film's opening scene. Aside from that, the film is a sobering lesson on the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestine and Jimmy Carter's three-decades-long involvement in the conflict.

From the honest, jovial, straight-forward way he handles things, cutting to tiny bits and pieces defining glimpses of Carter's real persona to details you'd never know about him-he swims daily, reads from the Bible to his wife every night (in English and Spanish) his favorite poet is Dylan Thomas, he believes in science and evolution along with his devout Christianity-he's like the Mother Teresa of politics.

Playing the smugglers blues.The Latino Community Association presents a cinematic journey
across Latin America, at the Tower Theatre, on the evenings of February
29 and March 1. The featured films explore the rich history, both
political and cultural, of Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Argentina, as well
as the social strife and conflict that have defined people’s lives
there.
The festival opens with a gathering at Café Sintra, (1024 NW
Bond St) at 5:30, with drinks, snacks, and a brief presentation.
Afterward, film-goers can walk to the theater.

Cooler than you.There's no doubt Joe Strummer was a cool guy. I wouldn't have wanted to be in The Clash with him, but I would've definitely enjoyed sitting around the campfire telling stories with him, which is exactly how this outstanding documentary, Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten, is woven together.
I was shocked and saddened when I heard he died. I thought he was on the comeback trail but sadly, he succumbed quickly and without warning to a cognitive heart condition and was-poof!-gone.

can’t you hear me knockin’?It was a year of exceptional films and acting performances in 2007,
possibly the most competitive Oscar field ever. Three Best Picture
nominees are based on major novels. Cinematography and special effects
soar to new levels. Both veteran and novice actors roll out an uncanny
breadth of talent and emotion. So, at the end of Sunday night's 2008
Academy Awards, who will be left clutching those coveted gold
figurines? Here's my roundup of the Best Picture nominees, as well as
some biased predictions of who will win other awards.

I told you we’d be able to find something worthless on the bottom of the ocean.All that glitters may not be gold, but if you're willing to check your
brain at the door, you’ll find a brief respite from winter in the new
romantic/action comedy, Fool's Gold. Director Andy Tenant (Sweet Home
Alabama) leads us on a treasure hunt set in the Florida Keys. (It was
actually filmed in the Bahamas and Australia's Great Barrier Reef.) The
result is a watery plot embedded in warmth-inducing scenery.