A Byrd's Eye View-July 13, 2012

July 13, 2012

A Byrd’s Eye View N

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ABOUT FILMS, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY

The Amazing Spider-man Captures the Audience in Its Web

By Art Byrd After Spider-man 3 and the kookiness of the Spider-man character in the movie, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see another Spider-man movie soon.

Over time, as a comic book reader and Spider-man fan, I did feel that it deserved Spider-man a reboot.

A Quote By

Five years after the last Spider-man movie, the reboot is now in theaters.

The Amazing Spider-man works as a standalone movie from the original Sam Raimi version, which I liked.

This version is truer to the original comic book that debuted in 1960s with Stan Lee as its creator.

There are some tweaks with modern developments like cell phones in this version.

With the reboot, the casting was the hardest part.

Director Marc Webb (Five Days of Summer) has hit the jackpot with Andrew Garfield who was excellent in the movie, The Social Network. He is Peter Parker/Spider-man, a teenager whose life is turned around from a school geek who was picked on to a confident superhero.

Did we really need the original story told again with Spider-man? Yep, we did. It was told in a different way -- sort of high-tech in a bioengineering lab. This is where Peter is bitten by a radioactive spider.

“Somewhere along the line I made the switch and was able to look at the bright side rather than the dark side all the time. Now I look at everything I have and think how lucky I am.”

Actress, Michelle Pfeiffer starring in “People Like Us,” in theaters now.

July 13, 2012

Then, there is Gwen Stacy, Spider-man's love interest in this film. Casting made an interesting choice with Emma Stone (Superbad, Easy A). Stone is mostly known for comedy and being cute. As Gwen, she had to be serious and gentle and Stone does it well as she handles knowing that Peter is Spider-man. In one scene, she says, “I'm in trouble.”

As for trouble, there is a great villain for Spider-man in the form of the Lizard. The Lizard comes from a strange experiment to re-grow human limbs by Dr. Curt Connor, played by Rhys Ifans (Runaway Bride). He’s former colleague of Peter's father at Oscorp.

Fans will remember Oscorp from the other Spider-man movies, but here there’s no mention of Harry Osborn, Peter’s friend, whose father, Norman, owned the company and later became The Green Goblin. This is where a lot of comic book movie adaptations lose face. There is confusion -- will the filmmakers be true to the comics or catering to an audience that knows nothing about the comics or characters. The Amazing Spider-man borders on that premise.

The Amazing Spider-man has some awesome special effects to show Spider-man flying through the air, plus some POV, point of view shots, so the audience can see what Spider-man can see as he is flying around. Very cool.

There is a setup for a sequel. I enjoyed the anticipated cameo by Stan Lee. This one was very funny.

The Amazing Spider-man stands on its own as a good superhero movie with a believable story as Peter Parker learns about himself and his Spidey powers, and the good and the bad that comes along with them.

You’re Boosting the Local Economy!

Did you know that when you patronize or volunteer in the local arts scene, you’re making a significant contribution to our local economy?

The Business Journal’s copy editor Dennis LaRue (a friend of ABEV), wrote a great and informative article about it just this week.

Check it out by clicking here.

July 13, 2012

People Like Us May Have the Audience Reaching for a Tissue

By Art Byrd People Like Us is my kind of movie. The movie tells a different type of story -- with emotions, redemption and family spirit.

In the story, Sam, played by Chris Pine (Star Trek), is a slick-talking salesman who will do whatever it takes to make a deal, even if it means bartering a product that rots on a freight train.

On another deal, Sam nets a huge commission -- but with the aftermath of the rotten freight, that commission is taken away. Sam is heavily in debt.

Then he finds out that his father, with whom he had a bad relationship, has died.

His girlfriend, Hannah, played by Olivia Wilde (TV’s House), insists they travel to California to attend his father’s funeral. Sam tries to pull a fast one at the airport with his I.D., but Hannah finds his license hidden in the car.

Reluctantly, Sam gets on the plane. Meanwhile, Lillian, Sam’s mother, played beautifully by Michelle Pfeiffer (Dark Shadows), sits alone at the funeral.

As the guests are cleaning up after the service, Sam and Hannah arrive. In the scene, you can feel the tension in the air as son and mother see each other. Out of nowhere, Lillian slaps Sam and walks away.

Sam goes to the attic where all his father’s possessions are: a massive record collection, drug paraphernalia and photos. We find out that Sam’s father was a well-known music producer. His father’s lawyer asks Sam to meet with him and gives Sam a shaving kit. Inside there is $150,000 and a note. The note instructs Sam to give the money to a little boy. Sam fights with himself to keep the money, which he needs, but decides to see the boy.

Sam learns the boy is his nephew, the son of a sister he never knew he had. The sister, Frankie, is played by the amazing Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games). The gem of the movie is Josh, played by Michael D’Addario.

At 11 years old, Josh is very smart, rebellious and pouty.

Sam integrates himself into Frankie and Josh’s lives without telling them who he really is. The tone is slow as we get to know Frankie as Sam does. Life as been hard for her but she is hanging in there.

Sam starts to rethink everything he thought about his father. Lillian, who knew about Frankie, tells Sam the reasons she did not come forward with the information. This creates a strong emotional moment between Lillian and Sam. Afterwards, the audience laughs and wipes a tear as the characters do.

July 13, 2012

Of course, when Frankie finds out about Sam being her brother, true feelings come bursting out and it is not good. Eventually, Sam and Frankie come to terms with who their father was to each of them.

I won’t tell you how the movie ends, but it’s one of the coolest and emotional endings I’ve ever seen. I guarantee that you will dab your eyes a little watching People Like Us. That is what a movie should do from time to time, make you feel something and shed a tear. In some cases, movie characters are people just like us.

Your Chance to Throw a Snowball in July Snowball’s Chance Beach Party, an adult party, will happen Friday, July 13 at B&O Station Pavilion/Box Car Lounge in downtown Youngstown. The party offers a Christmas theme in support of the Youngstown Holiday Parade and Festival 2012 and will feature entertainment, food and a cash bar. The party gets started at 5 p.m.

There also will be a chance to register to win a snow shovel autographed by Youngstown Mayor Sammarone. The B&O is located at 530 Mahoning Ave.

July 13, 2012

Fifth Season Food Is a Cut Above

By Monnie Ryan To read the full version of this review, visit http://mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com

I'll be honest: It's been a long time since my husband Jack and I had lunch or dinner at what we call an "upscale" restaurant. That said, every time we drive The Fifth Season Restaurant in Austintown, we recall a couple of memorable dinners there in years past. And let's face it: Every once in a while, the urge to splurge comes upon us.

Food is prepared from scratch, and most entrees include two sides, such as a baked potato, pasta with marinara and fries as well as a couple of other more intriguing options like spinach-scallion rice. Most dinner entrees in the $16 to $20 range.

Our visit was with friends, one of whom was celebrating a birthday. At 6:30 p.m., the place wasn't close to filled, but shortly thereafter people started pouring in so we were glad we’d made reservations. We ordered a round of drinks and then tackled the menu.

My husband Jack made his decision fairly quickly, since he was intent on having the stuffed mushrooms appetizer ($8.50). Not wanting to spend a fortune, he picked a less expensive entree, the $10 stuffed eggplant that was a special that day.

Like Jack, our birthday girl Barb’s companion made up his mind rather quickly: Baked cod with a Japanesestyle bread crumb coating in garlic-romano sauce for $16. For his sides, he chose the spinach-scallion rice and a tossed salad with the house-made ginger dressing.

It took a while, but Barb and finally settled on what we wanted; she opted for horseradish-Portabella filet tips topped with sauteed portabellas, horseradish-chive havarti cheese in a tangy wine sauce ($18). She, too, chose rice and a salad, but with bleu cheese for the dressing. I went with a half-order of the sesame-pecan chicken, a breast breaded with sesame seeds, panko crust and pecans over an apricot brandy sauce for $13 (a full order, for the record, costs $18.50, but the half order was more than enough for me).

The salads were exceptionally fresh, and all the dressings drew raves (especially Barb’s bleu cheese). Jack's eggplant was stuffed with wonderful cheeses, and the marinara sauce was simple but excellent.

Jerry liked his cod, although he said the garlic flavor was elusive. My chicken was tender and juicy and simply outstanding, but Barb, we agreed, got the pick of the litter; those filet tips and 'shrooms were to die for, especially with the horseradish and havarti cheese flavors oozing through.

Dessert? Our server tried hard to entice us with some yummy-sounding possibilities. But even if we'd ordered just one to share, I seriously doubt any of us could have managed more than a bite of anything else.

If you go: The Fifth Season Restaurant, 7098 Mahoning Ave., Austintown; 330-799-3483; http:// www.thefifthseasonrestaurant.com; Open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday.

July 13, 2012

What’s Happening Around The Valley: July 13th-18th Friday, July 13th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration Mill Creek MetroParks will present the event running through Sunday, September 9th in the Weller Gallery of the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., off Mahoning Avenue on Youngstown’s west side. The exhibit will feature selected works of the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation permanent collection, including watercolors, prints and drawings by 68 artists from 15 countries. For more information, call 330-740-7116.

The Picture of Dorian Gray Yellow Creek Theatre in Poland presents another season of classic films every Friday night. Show time is at dusk and admission is free. Films will be screened on the Route 224 bridge wall behind the Poland Library.

This Friday’s film stars Hurd Hatfield, George Sanders and Donna Reed. A complete list of films or more information is available at www.yellowcreektheater.com

Saturday, July 14th The Ursuline Center Car Trunk & Treasure Sale The popular annual event brings customers to the “garage sale away from home” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, July 14. Inside The Ursuline Center, the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown will be selling a vast selection of décor, holiday decorations and more. There will be a special antique sale with some valuable items for serious collectors. Cash only. There will also be a book sale, and Ursuline Center volunteer chefs, “The Leftovers,” will be selling finger foods. The Ursuline Center is located at 4280 Shields Road, Canfield.

Sunday, July 15th 2nd Annual Meet The Growers Event Presented by Grow Youngstown from 5 until 8 p.m. at Vintage Estate Wine and Beer, 7317 South Ave., Boardman. The Meet The Growers Event will feature a wine tasting, a variety of dishes prepared with locally-sourced food, a chance to meet area farmers who supply food for Grow Youngstown's Community Supported Agriculture Program, and live entertainment by Brady's Leap. For tickets or more information, call 330-286-0688 or www.growyoungstown.org.

Summerfest 2012 Concert featuring Phil Keaggy, Sarah Turner and the Gary Markasky Project. St. Luke Parish, 5235 South Ave., Boardman. Gates opens at 2: p.m. Performances begins at 3 p.m. All outdoor general admission seating. Tickets are $25. For information, call 330-782-9783.

Wednesday, July 18th Computer Research 102: You, Too, Can Find Most Anyone Public Library, Boardman branch; 330-744-8636. Learn about the library’s databases and websites devoted to finding people. This class highlights ReferenceUSA’s white pages, Your Gov-Mahoning County Auditor, and the Subject Area Research-People Finding Sources websites. 6:30 p.m. Free.

July 13, 2012

ON STAGE New Castle Playhouse: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas The NCP presents this Broadway blockbuster of small town vice and political side stepping, recounting the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850's as one of the better "pleasure palaces" in all of Texas. The score features songs like "Hard Candy Christmas." Performances are July 13-29; Thursdays, Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 724-654-3437. NCP located at 202 East Long Ave., New Castle, Pa. Winner Arts & Culture Center: Night of Improv The Instant Shenanigans Improv Troupe, a professionally trained local comedy sketch group from Struthers, will perform a Night of Improv in Sharon, Pa. Their style is reflective of the popular show “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” where audience members pick situations for the performers and let them roll with the ideas. Friday, July 13 at 7 p.m.

Tickets available at the door of James E. Winner, Jr. Arts & Culture Center, (ACC), 98 East State St., Sharon; $10/members, $12/students & seniors and $15/adults. Seating is limited.

Oakland Center of the Arts: King Stag The production of King Stag will be the first Teen Summer Stock Series at the center. The story comes from the 18th century Italian fairy tale by Carlo Gozzo about a king searching for his true bride. King Stag will run Friday, July 13, 14 & 21 at 7 p.m. Sundays, July 15 & 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Reservations can be made at 330-746-0404.

The Oakland is located at 220 W. Boardman St. Youngstown.

Das Dutch Village Inn: Overboard The 34west Theater Company brings the comedy Overboard to the stage at Das Dutch Village Inn as a dinner-theater experience. The comedy is based on the tale of Jonah and the Whale, three actors will play several dozen characters. Performance times are noon on July 19 and 7 p.m on July 20 and 21. Tickets are $40 for the evening shows and $35 for the matinees. For reservations call 866-482-5050.

Das Dutch Village Inn is located at 150 E. Ohio 14, Columbiana.

Dave and Ed's Super Auto Events Drives into Canfield Dave and Ed's Super Auto Events is a family-oriented event with vendors and vehicles from across the country featuring a swap meet, car corral and a Sunday car show. The events runs Friday, July 13 through Sunday July 15 from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8-3 p.m. Sunday.

The event takes place at the Canfield Fairgrounds, Canfield. For more information, visit www.autoevents.com.

July 13, 2012

PRIVACY POLICY Some of you on A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter mailing list came to us from other e-mails sent to us regarding stories about Arts events in the area.

We thought you would be interested in reading about additional Arts-related information of interest in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, and added you. However, if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, simply send a blank e-mail to artbyrdagain@yahoo.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

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If you have received this free newsletter as a forward and would like to subscribe, please send a blank e-mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to artbyrdagain@yahoo.com.

Excerpts from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Review, Newspaper, available throughout the Valley and online at http://www.thereviewnewspapers.com/

Another Way To Get A Byrd’s Eye View Excerpts of our newsletter are now online in the form of a blog. You can view shortened versions of reviews and find documents from past newsletters. You can also give us feedback on the site. Be sure to bookmark us at http://www.artbyrd.blogspot.com

Art Byrd Jr. has won awards as a filmmaker and journalist. After working many years as a videographer and director for WFMJ TV News, he retired from broadcasting to share his experience and insight with students as an instructor at Youngstown State University. Art has written and produced numerous Indie films, which have been shown at prestigious film festivals. In addition to teaching and writing/ producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter, Art also does freelance media work. He is based in Youngstown, Ohio.

Michele Ristich Gatts began her full-time career in journalism with WKBN TV News, where she worked closely with radio news as well. After a decade in broadcasting, she branched into print, working five years for The Business Journal in various reporting and editorial capacities. Michele was fortunate to be recognized with a few prestigious journalism awards along the way, and has done a little teaching for YSU. She currently works as a freelance writer, editor and media consultant, and is based in Youngstown, Ohio. Contact her at michelegatts@yahoo.com.

Monnie Ryan retired in 2003 after 14 years as managing editor of The Business Journal in Youngstown, where she continues to contribute to the print and online editions.

Articles she has written have appeared in more than 20 national publications and at several travelrelated Web sites, and she has won numerous awards for photography.

Contact her at mryan62692@aol.com.