December 20, 2013
A Byrd’s Eye View N
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ABOUT MOVIES, TV, ARTS AND EVENTS IN THE VALLEY The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Continues With A Stunning Look And Action by Arthur Byrd
A Quote by
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug picks up where last year’s The Hobbit left off. I saw the movie in 3-D based on The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug trailer, that I had seen with other trailers. The trailer looked magical. I was sold. First thing, I noticed was the look of the movie. I know a lot of sets and scenes in the movie are computer generated graphics. Yet, on the big screen, they look amazing. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug takes us on some wild adventures with the thirteen dwarves including, the burglar, Bilbo Baggins played by Martin Freeman (Sherlock). The mission is still the same is to reinstate dwarf Torin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) to his rightful place as the king of Erebor, which lost a devastating battle in the first film. The dwarves and Bilbo are being pursued by Orcs, the big ugly creatures from the first film who almost kills them each time they meet, but never do. The pattern of the Hobbit movies is that they get into trouble and at the last moment, they figure something out or are rescued. There is no difference this time around. Yet, it is fun to see how they deal with the situations. The movie’s first adventure happens at the farm of the Beorn (Mikeal Persbrandt), the skin changer who starts off as a bear who is trying to kill the dwarves. Then, he changes back to a human form and becomes an importan ally.
“Everybody's life has these moments, where one thing leads to another. Some are big and obvious and some are small and seemingly insignificant...No film has captivated my imagination more than 'King Kong.' I'm making movies today because I saw this film when I was 9 years old.” Director Peter Jackson, his latest movie, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, is in theaters
December 20, 2013
The pattern continues as the dwarves are captured by the elves leaded by Legolas played by Orlando Bloom and my new Hobbit movie crush Evangeline Lily as Tauriel, the elf warrior (sorry, Liv Tyler). Bilbo rescues the dwarves from the elves by using his invisible powers from the strange ring, he got from Gollum. The ring is starting to effect him, not in a good way. Legolas and Tauriel’s action sequences killing Orcs are amazing and cool. I must not forget Gandalf the Grey played by Ian McKellan whose imposing presence anchors the movie, even though he leaves to pursue another objective. The supporting characters are very important to the Hobbit story. A central character, Bard (Luke Evans), a barge man and trader smuggles the dwarves into his town, where they can get weapons for the quest to the mountain. The town will play a pivotal part in the story. The dwarves and Bilbo must reach the mountain at a certain time and be there for last light (the sun) to unlock the secret door. Once there, the last light comes and go. The dwarves have a moment of disbelief about the key opening the mountain and leave. Bilbo stays and believes that there is a way in and find out the last light was not the sun, but the moon. The dwarves return. The keyhole is found and open the secret door. Bilbo was brought on the quest to be the burglar and now the dwarves want him to get a precious stone called Arkenstone that lies among the riches. Only problem, there is a dragon called Smaug sleeping among the riches. As Bilbo is trying to track down the Arkenstone, he awaken Smang. Smaug does a lot of talking with the cool voice of Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and some fire breathing. There is a great sequence where Bilbo and the dwarves try to contain Smaug with tricks and liquid gold. All that does, is make Smaug mad, real mad. As the final moments unfold, Smaug leaves the mountain. He is heading somewhere which is a great setup for the final Hobbit installment. I am usually an okay fan of 3-D, but with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I felt there were parts that were too much High Definition (HD). The images were too real, not having the film feel of reality and non reality. I found out later, it was due to the 3-D use of 48 fps (frames per second) which is double the industry standard of 24 fps. I felt like I was watching TV like a soap opera. If you decide to see the movie in 3-D, check with the theater, whether the 3-D is in 48 or 24 fps. It makes a big difference. With the technical things aside, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is really a good movie with its actions scenes and the characters taking their time to explain what is going on. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is meant to be seen on the big screen.
December 20, 2013
The Fifth Season: New Location, Same Great Food By Monnie Ryan To read the full review for this restaurant, visit http:// mahoningvalleyeats.blogspot.com Time was when The Fifth Season restaurant was located on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown – far enough away that my husband Jack and I went there only on a few special occasions. Recently, that building closed, and the restaurant moved to a banquet center The Fifth Season has operated for years on State Route 46, also in Austintown. We got the first taste of the new digs during a two-day pre-opening party of sorts, where guests were offered samples of what the restaurant would offer, like flatbreads, hot peppers in oil and mini-sandwiches. We loved it so much that we returned for seconds the following day and agreed we'd come back once it opened. That happened on a sunny late fall day, accompanied by friends Jerry and Barb from Niles. I started with a cup of the potato and roasted red pepper soup ($3), which was outstanding. I've had and enjoyed so-called stuffed pepper soup before, but this was quite different, with chunks of potato and red pepper bits. The blackened chicken sandwich called my name at first - boneless breast Cajun-grilled topped with mozzarella, sauteed hot peppers, fried onion straws and roasted red pepper remoulade on a toasted brioche bun ($9). But then I spotted the corned beef reuben sandwich, layered with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on rye bread ($8). For my side, I picked bowtie pasta with marinara sauce. Both were yummy, and the sandwich was large enough that I brought half of it home. Jerry tried the Cuban sandwich: pulled pork, salami, ham, melted cheese, pickles, garlic-yellow mustard mayonnaise and dill pickles on a 6-inch Cuban hoagie roll ($7). One bite and he decided he'd come back just to get it again. Jack chose tuna salad on mini-croissants ($7) and the bowtie pasta. He polished off every single crumb, noting that the minis were much easier to eat than a whole croissant. Barb ordered the Lamb Gyro flatbread with meat, Tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese ($9). That, too, was delicious, or so she said. Dinner prices, generally speaking, are in the $15-and-up range here, making an evening meal for us a special-occasiononly event. So our next visit happened at lunch once again, this time just the two of us. Remember that blackened chicken sandwich? This time it was mine, accompanied by more of the bow-tie pasta with marinara. Like Barb, Jack loves flatbreads; his pick was the Philly cheesesteak with bell peppers, caramalized onions and garlic and SwissAmerican cheese ($10). It was delicious and large enough to bring a couple of squares home. If you go: The Fifth Season Restaurant 1404 N. Canfield Niles Road Mineral Ridge, Ohio 44440 (330) 799-3483 http://www.thefifthseasonrestaurant.com Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday.
December 20, 2013
Innocence Is Pure Reading Pleasure By Monnie Ryan 5 stars out of 5 Eloquent. Thought-provoking. Simple. Complex. Innocence: How do I love thee? Those are just some of the ways. Without doubt, this is one of the best, most beautifully written books I've ever read. I couldn't wait for it to end, yet I kept clinging to the hope that it wouldn't. To be sure, it's a story of good versus evil; it's full of fantasy, mysticism, hope and love interspersed with plenty of thrills and chills. It's Romeo and Juliet against the world, though not necessarily the world as we know it (but then again, it's exactly the world as we know it). It is narrated by Addison Goodheart (an allegorical name if ever there was one), who was born with a countenance so abhorrent to the "real" world that a mere look at him brings out an instant killer instinct. He lives in the shadows of society - the very bowels of the city, in fact - venturing forth only in darkness with his adopted father who shares his disfigurement. Then on one fateful night he meets Gwyneth, a young woman who herself is a fugitive from normal life. Totally unlike him yet totally like him, she, too, tries to make her way through a world that would destroy her if given half a chance. Throughout, the writing is nothing short of exquisite. Every word is a treasure, creating sentences and pages that almost dazzled my mind. Mr. Koontz, I've always loved your books. But for the life of me, I don't know how in the world you're ever gonna top this one. Innocence: A Novel by Dean Koontz (Bantam, December 2013); 352 pp.
Firestone Park Is Providing the Joy of Christmas Lights Display Enjoy this drive-through holiday light display with the entire family. View one-million Christmas lights and over 60 animated Holiday light scenes! Northeastern Ohio's biggest light display. New this year is a Christmas Train Ride or kids. Admission is $8 per carload. The display hours are 6:00pm-9:00pm every Thursday through Sunday, open every night December 23-29. For more info: 330-482-3822 or www.tourcolumbianaohio.com Firestone Park is located at E. Park Avenue, Columbiana OH
December 20, 2013
What’s Happening Around the The Valley: Dec 21-23 Saturday, December 21 Last Minute Market The Artists of the Rust Belt present a Last Minute Market from noon until 7 p.m and Sunday, December 22nd from noon until 5 p.m. at the B & O Station in Youngstown. This market will include art in a variety of media by over 35 local and regional artists, live musical entertainment by local performers, food, and visits from Santa each day.
The B & O Station is located at 530 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown.
Monday, December 23 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Mannheim Steamroller Christmas is happening at the DeYor Center in Downtown Youngstown. Grammy-Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with multimedia effects. 7:30 p.m. For more information link on to http://www.youngstownsymphony.com. The De Yor Center located at 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown
Memories of Christmas Past Makes A Bright Present For The Community The Arms Family Museum is shining bright for the holiday season! Memories of Christmas Past, the annual holiday spectacular, is in its sixth year at the museum. The rooms of the Arms Family home are filled with rare, one-of-akind, vintage decorations that include ornaments, lighting, trees, toys and trains in this stunning exhibit. Going on through January 5, 2014; Tuesdays through Sundays, 1:00-5:00pm; Thursday evenings hours extended until 8:00pm (closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day) For more details: http://mahoninghistory.org/arms-family-museum/memories-of-christmas-past/ The Arms Family Museum is located at 648 Wick Avenue, Youngstown.
December 20, 2013
On STAGE Victorian Players Theater: In the Spirit of Christmas In the Spirit of Christmas will be on the Victorian Players Theater stage December 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. This year the show consists of four short plays, most of which have never been seen in this area. Leading the list is The Long Christmas Dinner, followed by The Christmas Machine, next on the list is The Truth About Christmas, The Elf Rebellion rounds out the four shows. The Victorian Players theater is located at 702 Mahoning Ave in Youngstown. Easy Street Productions: Christmas Spectacular, Miracle On Easy Street Easy Street Productions presents their annual Christmas Spectacular, Miracle On Easy Street, running from Friday, December 20th through Sunday, December 22nd at the Edward W. Powers Auditorium in the DeYor Performing Arts Center in Downtown Youngstown. Evening performances on Friday and Saturday begin at 8 p.m. and the matinees on Saturday and Sunday are at 2:30 p.m. In celebration of Easy Street Productions' 25th Anniversary, this reunion show will feature surprise guest appearances from past years, and include the Easy Street Dancers, Little Rascals, and more. Tickets and more information about the shows are available at (330) 743-8555. DeYor Performing Arts Center located at 260 Federal Plaza West in Youngstown. 34 West Theater: Jimmy D’s Holly Jolly Christmas 34 West Theater presents Jimmy D’s Holly Jolly Christmas at the Das Dutch Village Inn in Columbiana. The Nutmeg Twins are comin' to town and guess who's in love? The Atkins family light up the airwaves in an ALL-NEW holiday shindig that will have you gigglin’ all the way home. Performances are on December 20, 21m, 21, 22 at 7:00 p.m. Dutch Village Inn is located at 150 East State Rt. 14, Columbiana, OH
Rust Belt Theater Company: The Ugly Christmas Sweater Revue The Ugly Christmas Sweater Revue will take the Rust Belt Theater Company stage on Dec. 20-22. 8 p.m. This cool, family-friendly musical revue features locally written and popular material performed by local entertainers, wearing some of the ugliest Christmas sweaters around. The evening begins with a runway show and ends with an ugly sweater pageant. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. For reservations or more information, call 330-507-2358.
The Calvin Center is at 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown.
December 20, 2013
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.
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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.
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In addition to teaching and writing/ producing A Byrd’s Eye View newsletter,
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/
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.
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Movie reviews from A Byrd’s Eye View can be read in The Buckeye Review Newspaper, available throughout the Valley at various newsstands.
Have a great and wonderful Holiday Season from A Byrd’s Eye View From Art and Monnie. Thanks so much for reading the newsletter