360 December 24, 2015

STILL TIME TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH THE FAMILY Page 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday December 24, 2015

TUNING UP A rundown of places in the area to ring in the New Year PAGE 9

WE’VE GOT LISTS Celebrating the top 10 movies, songs, books and more of 2015

PAGE 8

MOVIES “Joy,” with Lawrence, Cooper and De Niro, is a delight

PAGE 14

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

New Year's Eve Giveaway

YOUR ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION GUIDE TO WHAT’S GOING ON IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

Tuning Up / Page 9

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Out & About.....................................4-5 Hot Tickets.......................................... 7 The Top 10s of 2015............................ 8 Tuning Up........................................... 9 Travel................................................. 10 New on DVD..................................... 11 Get Involved...................................... 12 At the Lincoln.................................... 13 Movies..........................................14-15

Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E3

HANDMADE HOLIDAYS: Today is the last day to shop for gifts at the Port Susan Farmers Market’s Handmade Holidays, open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the old Snow Goose Bookstore, 8616 271st St. NW, Stanwood. Some 40 vendors are offering locally grown foods and handmade gifts for the whole family. Free admission. 360-2023932 or portsusan.org.

CHRISTMAS TREES: The Mount Vernon Lions Club will offer Christmas trees in exchange for a donation, through Christmas Day or until supplies run out, at 2111 Riverside Drive. Proceeds will be used to provide eye exams, eyeglasses and hearing aids for those in need. 360-424-1888.

INDEPENDENT WREATHMAKING: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. The nursery’s two wreath-making machines will be available for use every day. Wreath forms and greens are available for purchase, or you may bring your own. Reservations are required. 360-4663821.

HOLIDAY ART FESTIVAL: Today is the last day for the 36th annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts, open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4145 Meridian St., Bellingham. The festival features the work of some 100 artisans and craftspeople offering handmade products including jewelry, paintings, wearable art, specialty foods, art from found materials and more. 360-676-8548 or alliedarts. org.

CHRISTMAS DOLLS: Check out Christmas-themed dolls created

by Gloria Burke through Dec. 30 at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. $7 admission, $5 students and military with ID, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconner quilts.com.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS: Check out the historic 1891 Gaches Mansion decorated in holiday splendor from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, through Dec. 30, at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. $7 admission, $5 students and military with ID, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.com.

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: Seattle’s ACT Theatre presents Dickens’ classic holiday tale through Dec. 30 at The Allen Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. Showtimes vary. Tickets start at $27 children, $37 adults. 206-292-7676 or acttheatre.org.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN THE AREA

“SKAGIT CHRISTMAS”: Check out special exhibits showing how early Skagitonians celebrated the Yuletide season through Dec. 31 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $5, $4 seniors and ages 6 to 12, $10 families, free for members and ages 5 and younger.

360-466-3365 or skagitcounty.net/ museum.

WINTERFEST: Enjoy free and affordable activities and entertainment through Dec. 31 at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Visit Center House for free performances of music and comedy, jazz and dance, cultural celebrations, ice sculpting, student showcases and more. The Winterfest Ice Rink is open through Jan. 3. Admission/skate rental fee applies. For information, including a complete schedule of events: 206-684-7200 or seattlecenter. com/winterfest.

THE LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS: More than a million Christmas lights will be displayed at the annual Lights of Christmas, from 5 to 10 p.m. daily, Dec. 26-29, at Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood. The largest holiday light display in the Northwest covers 15 acres and features family-oriented entertainment, live music, theater, crafts, food, pony rides, a petting farm, Polar Express Train rides and overnight getaway options. Meet Santa Claus or talk with “Bruce the Spruce” Christmas tree. General admission: $11-$16, free for ages birth to 3 years. Pay-what-you-can nights: Dec. 28 and 29. Theater events are extra. 1-800-228-6724 or thelightsofchristmas.com.

SANTA AT THE MALL: Visit Santa during mall hours today at the Cascade Mall Center Court, 201 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington. 360-757-2072.

“MESSIAH” SING-ALONG: St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church will host its eighth annual “MessiahSing” community sing-along at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 1318 Highway 532, Camano Island. No experience required. Children are welcome, but child care will not be provided. No charge, but a freewill offering will be accepted.

360-629-3969 or staidancamano island.org.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

OUT & ABOUT ART

continue through Dec. 31, at Fourth Corner Frames IN THE ART BAR: Paint- & Gallery, 311 W. Holly St., ings and prints by Mount Bellingham. Following in Vernon artist Daniel Tuttle Monet’s footprints, a group are on display through of regional artists visited December in the Lincoln Giverny, Eterat and Paris Theatre Art Bar, 712 S. First last May. From traditional to St., Mount Vernon. Tuttle modern, their work features has been obsessed with the subjects made famous by the visual arts since the age of Impressionists. For informa3, working over the years in tion, including gallery hours blockprint, watercolor, serigand directions, call 360-734raphy and freelance graphic 1340 or visit fourthcorner work. His recent work frames.com. includes multi-run blockprints and acrylic paintings, SMALL ART WORKS: including landscapes of the Celebrating its 25th year, mountains, bays and rivers “Honey, I Shrunk The of northwest Washington.

Art” will continue through 360-336-8955 or lincolnthe Jan. 10, at Matzke Fine atre.org.

Art Gallery and Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way, INVITATIONAL ART Camano Island. The annual SHOW: “Objectification 8” invitational Holiday Show will be on display through features small works by 40 Dec. 31 at Smith & Vallee artists working in glass, oils, Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave., Edison. Featuring more than acrylic, ceramic, watercolor, 50 local and regional artists, mixed media, stone and the annual show focuses on metal. Gallery hours are 11 functional and three-dimen- a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment. sional artwork in a variety 360-387-2759 or matzke of mediums — sculpture, fineart.com. ceramics, glass art, mixed media and more. Purchased LUMMI MOUNTAIN IN items can be taken home ART: The Lummi Invitaimmediately. The gallery tional art show featuring is open from 11 a.m. to 5 “the singular power of p.m. daily. 360-766-6230 or Lummi Mountain and how smithandvallee.com. its presence plays out in ACRYLIC PAINTINGS: A the art of Northwest painters” is on display through show of new acrylic paintDec. 27, at i.e. gallery, 5800 ings by Jennifer Bowman Cains Court, Edison. “Called will continue through Jan. 26, at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Cloud Catcher by some and Commercial Ave., Anacortes. considered sacred ground by Also showing are acrylics by the Original People, Lummi Cynthia Richardson, oils by Mountain is there through the decades in the art-makSandy Byers, photographs ing of the locals.” Gallery

by Lewis Jones and Randy hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dana and pastels by BarFriday through Sunday or by bara Benedetti Newton, as appointment. 206-437-8534, well as new tables and baskets by Lanny Bergner and 360-488-3458 or ieedison. com. new tables by Gary Leake.

Gallery hours are 10:30 a.m.

PAINTINGS EXPRESS to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. LOSS: A show of paintings

by Camano Island artist 360-293-6938 or scottmilo.

Michelle Bear continues com. through today at Gallery “IN MONET’S FOOTSTEPS”: The show will Cygnus, 109 Commercial, La

Conner. Michelle’s paintings are a poignant expression of loss. Her grounding is a sense of place, a habitat that’s damaged and still wildly beautiful. It is identified with wildlife that suffers, and she gives that loss a voice through powerful images that symbolize what we’re missing. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, or by appointment. 360-708-4787 or gallerycygnus.com.

an Award of Excellence.

Included are traditional quilts, art quilts, wearable arts and fiber arts. n Christmas Dolls: Christmas-themed dolls created

by Gloria Burke are now on display. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Sunday.

Admission: $7, $5 students and military with ID, free for members and ages 11 and younger. 360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

QUILTS & MORE: Several new exhibits of quilts, wearables and other fiber arts will continue through Dec. 30, at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. n “Great Lakes Seaway: War of 1812 International Challenge”: This traveling exhibition sponsored by the Great Lakes Seaway Trail features 26 quilts, newlymade, but true to 1812-period quilting patterns, fabrics and colors. Interpretive panels tell each quilt’s “story” — some real, some imagined — and its relevance to what many historians consider America’s second war for independence. n “Illusions & Shadows: Colleen Wise”: Colleen’s quilts have a sense of depth that goes beyond the surface. Elements seem to float above the surface or recede into the depths of the quilt.

She feels compelled to assign a private narrative to every piece, starting with a title and story, and building the work from there. “I create illusion by casting shadows, and by doing so I create light,” Wise says. n “Best of the Festival 2015”: The first floor of the Gaches Mansion hosts the blue ribbon quilts, wearables and fiber art from the 2015 Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival.

On exhibit will be Best of Show and all the top entries in each category; plus the pieces that have been given

CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ART: “Not Vanishing: Contemporary Expressions in Indigenous Art, 1977-2015” will continue through Jan. 3, at the Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St., La Conner. Curated

by Gail Tremblay and Miles R. Miller, the exhibit examines the evolution of the Contemporary Native American Arts Movement and the works of artists living in the Northwest, with emphasis on the Puget Sound and Plateau regions.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday and Monday. Free.

360-466-4446 or monamus eum.org.

OUTDOOR SCULPTURE EXHIBIT: The La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is on display through March 1, 2016, at public locations around La Conner. The annual juried exhibition features work by some of the Northwest’s most accomplished artists. For information, including a map of the sculptures and works available for sale, call 360-4663125 or visit townoflaconner. org.

“INSPIRED BY NATURE”: A show featuring twodimensional work by Philip McCracken, three-dimensional work by Peregrine O’Gormley and fine jewelry

by Doug Burton will con-

tinue through the end of the year at the Burton Gallery, 620 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. Gallery hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 360293-6469 or burtonjewelers .com.

mation, email ksvrwedothe work@gmail.com.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM: WAmend volunteers will present “Let’s Get The Big Money Out Of Our Elections” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 “GRAND COULEE TO GRUNGE: Eight Stories That 10th St., Anacortes. Learn about Initiative 735 and Changed The World”: The efforts to get the big money exhibit continues through Dec. 31, at the Skagit County influence out of our elections and politics. Free. 360Historical Museum, 501 S. 420-7881 or wamend.org.

Fourth St., La Conner. In Washington, we built “the biggest thing on earth,” MORE FUN ended a world war, introNOON YEAR’S EVE: The duced air travel and helped Burlington Public Library put man on the moon. The will host a Noon Year’s Eve fruits of our labor appear celebration from 11 a.m. on dinner tables around to noon Thursday, Dec. 31, the globe. Even Northwest at 820 E. Washington Ave., grunge became iconic world- Burlington. The free event wide. This exhibit, on loan for families and children from the Secretary of State’s ages three and older (youngoffice, focuses on eight er siblings welcome) will key stories that helped put include crafts, snacks, games Washington on the global and prizes while counting map. $5 adults, $4 seniors down to a “Noon Year” baland children ages 6-12, $10 loon drop. A library card is families. Free for members not required to attend. 360and ages 5 and younger. 360- 755-0760 or burlingtonwa.

466-3365 or skagitcounty. gov/library. net/museum.

NEW YEAR’S ON SKATES: Celebrate New LECTURES Year’s Eve on skates from AND TALKS 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, LOCAL RADIO: “Speak Dec. 31, at Skagit Skate, Up! Speak Out!,” a half390 Cedar St., Burlington. hour weekly show commitThe celebration will include ted to community, peace, jus- confetti blowers, party hats, tice and non-violence issues horns, strobe lights and a broadcasts at 5 p.m. Wednes- special countdown on the days and 8 p.m. Sundays on big screen. $15.

Skagit Valley Community n Can’t stay up that late?

Radio Station KSVR 91.7 Join the fun at an afternoon FM (Mount Vernon), KSVU party from 1 to 4 p.m. for $8.

90.1 FM (Hamilton), KMRE 360-755-5001 or skagitskate.

102.3 FM (Bellingham) and com.

KSJU 91.9 FM (Friday Harbor). speakupspeakoutradio.

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREorg.

WORKS: Enjoy a spectacun “We Do The Work,” a lar fireworks show starting half-hour weekly radio show at 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, dedicated to the well-being at Windjammer Park, 1600 of all workers, broadcasts at S. Beeksma Drive, Oak Har6:30 p.m. Tuesdays on KSVR bor. Free. Sponsored by the 91.7 FM and KSVU 90.1 Oak Harbor Chamber of FM, and again at 8:30 a.m.

Commerce. 360-675-3755 or Fridays on KSVU. For infor- oakharborchamber.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E5

OUT & ABOUT JANUARY EVENTS ART

SURFACE DESIGN: “Beyond The Surface,” featuring work by the Whidbey Island Surface Design Group, will open with a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, and continue through March 27, at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., La Conner. The group’s third exhibit at the museum includes artwork created with fiber and fabric as a base, and embellished using a variety of processes including dyeing, wrapping, felting, stitching, weaving, image transfer, beading, quilting, painting, printing and collage. n An artist talk will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9.

Participating artists include Liz Axford, Danielle Bodine, Mary Burks, Debra Calkins, Fine Gelfand, Zia Gipson, Carol Barton Jerome, Cheryl Kamera, Janet King, Patricia King, Barbara Kuznetz, Kristin Lasher, Nan Leaman, Nancy LooremAdams, Pat Morse, Natalie Olsen, Marie Plakos, Diane Reardon, Bergen Rose, Laura Stangel Schmidt, Ilene Rae Sorenson, Janet Steadman, Larkin Jean Van Horn, Sande Wascher-James and Colleen Wootton.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission: $7, $5 students and military, free for members and children ages 11 and younger.

360-466-4288 or laconnerquilts.org.

MEMBERS’ SHOW: Allied Arts of Whatcom County’s annual Members’ Show will open with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 8, and continue through Jan. 31, at the Allied Arts Gallery, 1418 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham.

The show features work

Scott Terrell / Skagit Valley Herald file

The Skagit Eagle Festival will take place every weekend during January of 2016 in and around Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount. from nearly 100 Allied Arts members, including professional artists, students and new or emerging artists.

Works presented range from traditional paintings to photography to contemporary sculptures and everything in between. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 360-6768548 or alliedarts.org.

through Saturday. 360-7341340 or fourthcorneframes. com.

ences and impressions of the Antarctic and the work happening there. n “Here and There: NORTHWEST ART: A Topographic Conversatrio of new exhibitions will tions with Morris Graves”: open with a reception at 2 “Here and There” engages p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and viewers in a discussion continue through March 17, between Morris Graves, at the Museum of Northeight contemporary artists west Art, 121 S. First St., and their environments. In La Conner. The museum is addition to works by these open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. eight artists, the exhibit feaTuesday through Saturday tures two pieces created by “POPTICS”: A show of and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Graves while he was living acrylic paintings by Belling- and Monday. Free admisin both Skagit and Humham artist Rob Gischer will sion. 360-466-4446 or mona- boldt Counties. Not only open with a reception from museum.org. did these artists live in the 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, and n “April Surgent: Obser- same topographical regions continue through Jan. 30, at vations of Life on Ice”: As as Graves, but like him they Fourth Corner Frames, 311 a recipient of the National are also contemplating the W. Holly St., Bellingham.

Science Foundation’s Antnatural world and its ability “Poptics” is the new word arctic Artist and Writers to inspire creativity. Also chosen to describe the program, Surgent conduct- included are several photos fusion of color, line, optied eight weeks of fieldwork of Graves taken by Imogen cal illusion and geometry in the Antarctic during the Cunningham and Mary Gischer has meshed into Austral summer of 2013.

Randlett. Participating arteach of his paintings. The Surgent’s cameo glass ists include Lanny Bergner, gallery is open from 10 engravings on layered-glass Ann Chadwick Reid, Eve a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday panels depict her experiDeisher, Lori Goodman,

Leslie Kenneth Price, Julie McNiel, Allen Moe and Emily Silver. An artist walkthrough will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. n “Appassionata: The Art of Jacqueline Barnett 1990-2015”: Often used as a musical term, appassionata refers to an intensely impassioned period or person.

Curated by Seattle gallery owner Francine Seders, the exhibit includes dynamic artworks that evoke both joy and pain. Seders chose oil paintings because they “reflect an intense emotional state of mind (while) their composition and play of colors give them strength and stability.” Barnett’s bold colors, stable compositions and fluid brushstrokes reflect emotions experienced by all individuals. A book signing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9.

FESTIVALS

SKAGIT EAGLE FESTIVAL: The 2016 event will take place every weekend during January, in and around Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount.

Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities including eagle watching, free tours, walks and educational programs, arts and crafts, river rafting, music, hayrides and more. Bring your camera and dress for unpredictable January weather. For the latest information, contact the Concrete Chamber of Commerce at 360-853-8784 or visit skagiteaglefestival.com.

PLAYS

48-HOUR THEATER FEST: iDiOM Theater will present its 44th 48-Hour Theater Festival, with performances at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 2-3, at 1418 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. The festival features six randomly-drawn teams of writers, directors and actors writing,

memorizing, rehearsing and performing six new plays on a theme within 24 hours, then reshuffling and repeating the process a second day.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at door, available at idiomtheater.com.

LECTURES AND TALKS

PHILOSOPHY IN CINEMA: “Seriously Funny: Humor, Film and Philosophy”: Enjoy an engaging conversation with Everett Community College philosophy instructor Mike VanQuickenborne at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Presented by the Anacortes chapter of the Socrates Café and Humanities Washington.

360-299-0415 or benmc broom@yahoo.com.

LOCAL RADIO: “Speak Up! Speak Out!,” a halfhour weekly show committed to community, peace, justice and non-violence issues broadcasts at 5 p.m.

Wednesdays and 8 p.m.

Sundays on Skagit Valley Community Radio Station KSVR 91.7 FM (Mount Vernon), KSVU 90.1 FM (Hamilton), KMRE 102.3 FM (Bellingham) and KSJU 91.9 FM (Friday Harbor). speakupspeakoutradio.org. n Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Sunday, Jan. 10: Host Clint Weckerly will interview Dave Hedlin, local farmer and owner of Hedlin Farms.

Four generations of the Hedlin family have farmed in Skagit Valley for more than 100 years. n “We Do The Work,” a half-hour weekly radio show dedicated to the well-being of all workers, broadcasts at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays on KSVR 91.7 FM and KSVU 90.1 FM, and again at 8:30 a.m. Fridays on KSVU. For information, email ksvrwedothework@ gmail.com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

MOVIES

‘Hateful Eight’s’ Tarantino, Jackson touch raw nerve of racism

By JEFFREY FLEISHMAN Los Angeles Times

Out of a nation shaken by terrorism, racial tension and violence, where traces of past sins collide with a quicksilver pop culture, rides Quentin Tarantino’s new film about frontier justice, strange alliances and how a black bounty hunter with a dead-eye shot survives on guile, menace and clever sleight of hand against enemies and unrepentant Confederates.

“The Hateful Eight,” which opens Christmas Day, is a western spun through a racial prism, a swift-talking tale of seven suspicious men and one mean woman trapped in a snowstorm in the cruel mountains of Wyoming. The bad die in wicked ways and mercy is a

AURELIO MARTINEZ MUSIC FROM HONDURAS JANUARY 30 FAMILY CONCERT SKAGIT SYMPHONY JANUARY 31 TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET FEBRUARY 12

360.416.7727

mcintyrehall.org

AP file

Tarantino lie, but the film, set in postCivil War America, speaks to today’s troubled landscape of police shootings and seething politics.

Like his other films, notably “Pulp Fiction” and “Django Unchained,” “The Hateful Eight” hypnotizes with dialogue while edging toward brutal recrimination that is at once wincing and cartoonish. The movie, brimming with N-words and ghosts of the Old South, distills the disquieting polarization of a country that has given us Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter.

Filmmakers are often reluctant to draw analogies between their work and divisive current events. But Tarantino relishes hitting nerves and insinuating himself into the broader conversation.

“The events in the world are disturbing to say the least, but as an artist you can only hope to do some piece of material that actually connects to the zeitgeist,” Tarantino said. “While we were doing the movie that sort of blue state-red state divide that had been going on — and it wasn’t lost on me when I wrote the script — just got wider and wider and the people on both sides of the line seemed to be even more vocal in demonizing one another.”

Talking to Tarantino is

like buying a car from a man at the end of an alley.

He’s coy, quick, effervescent.

He has a prankster’s laugh, and his long frame, tailored in gray and black, unfolds like a loosed hinge. He sat in a Beverly Hills hotel as dusk fell over Hollywood Hills and President Barack Obama addressed the nation after the San Bernardino shootings. The director had been talking to the press about his film for three days, and it seemed he could go for three more.

Samuel L. Jackson took a seat beside him. The two have collaborated for decades, and in “The Hateful Eight” Jackson is Major Marquis Warren, an exUnion soldier and bounty hunter who relies on his wits, pistol and a suspect letter from Abraham Lincoln.

Theirs is a relationship rooted in a reverence for film and Jackson’s loyalty to the director even as many blacks have criticized his portrayals of African-Americans.

Both men escaped to movie houses when they were young, and, with Tarantino shaking his head, Jackson, 66, his voice like swallowed thunder, remembered his boyhood in Tennessee.

“I came home and I pretended to be the thing I saw up there because it made me feel good and it was exciting,” he said, gesturing toward Tarantino. “Those are the kind of movies he makes. He writes things that are complex, interesting and exciting. I don’t get a lot of those things. I get a lot of stuff. Very few scripts are those things.”

Anticipation for the movie, shot on high-resolution 70mm film with an overture by Ennio Morricone, has been strong. It received several Golden Globe nominations, includ-

ing for screenplay, and is part of an aggressive Academy Awards campaign by the Weinstein Co. Despite his contentiousness, Tarantino, who threatened to shelve the movie after the script was leaked online in 2014, is a favorite among academy voters — he’s won two Oscars for his scripts for “Django Unchained” and “Pulp Fiction,” which he shared with Roger Avary.

“The Hateful Eight” glides on greed and betrayal played out in Minnie’s Haberdashery, an outpost in a blizzard where eyes squint hard and little is as it seems.

The film also stars Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern, playing a bitter, whitehaired Confederate general.

They are a pernicious lot guided by the harsh codes of an untamed land where a hangman roams for hire and the sheriff has the oily manner of a corrupt preacher.

Racism and barbed vernacular — sentences flit like venomous sparrows — salt this mendacious stew.

Major Warren is the only black among whites, some of whom tolerate him while putting him in his place with the N-word, and others who would just as soon lynch him. The major is wily enough to know that safety is a black man’s delusion, which is why he keeps his weapon close and an everassessing gleam in his eyes.

He uses the color of his skin and all it evokes to scare, revile, placate, humor and draw respect.

“If I have one serious subject that has carried over with me,” said Tarantino, 52, “it is dealing with race in America and in particularly between white folks and black folks … . It is who I am and what I’m interested in.”

Black writers and intellectuals have upbraided Tarantino for warping black history and offending with caricature and epithet. One of his most vocal detractors has been Spike Lee, a director whose vision and cinematic alchemy are as captivating as Tarantino’s. Both filmmakers explore race; Lee’s new movie “Chi-Raq”, which also stars Jackson, bristles with street violence and the N-word in Chicago.

But Lee vilified “Django Unchained,” about a black slave turned gunslinger, in a tweet: “American slavery was not a Sergio Leone spaghetti western. It was a Holocaust.”

“What’s most offensive is that (Tarantino’s films) are being treated as a guide to black history,” said Ishmael Reed, a writer and activist who recently edited “Black Hollywood Unchained,” a collection of essays on how African Americans are portrayed in films. “Tarantino gets more coverage and a bigger audience. There aren’t enough black directors with enough power to accurately tell the story of black history.”

Such criticism doesn’t “deserve much respect from me,” said Tarantino, suggesting that his opponents want to appropriate racial and cultural touchstones to keep them out-of-bounds for white artists. “I’m a writer.

Writers are supposed to write about themselves and other people. Male writers are supposed to write about white people and black people and children, women and old people.”

Tarantino has a sharp awareness of the times and a savant’s detailed passion for movies. He is a “provocative artist and filmmaker,” said Yoruba Richen, a black documentary director. “What I

appreciate about him is that he’s engaging with issues of race. I don’t always like what he does, but I’m interested.”

Jackson took the argument back to his Chattanooga childhood when his grandfather, who cleaned offices, was referred to as “boy” and worse by white men. He said in the South everyone professed to hate the N-word.

“But every rap song has it in it. It’s all over ‘Chi-Raq.’ It’s all over ‘Straight Outta Compton.’ So what are we talking about?”

He pointed to Tarantino.

“He’s not that person,” he said in answer to those who accuse the director of racism. “He’s not any of those people.”

In October, Tarantino outraged police unions across the country when he marched in New York to protest police brutality against blacks. “I’m a human being with a conscience,” Tarantino said at the rally.

“And when I see murder I cannot stand by. And I have to call the murdered the murdered and I have to call the murderers the murderers.”

Police threatened to boycott “The Hateful Eight.”

Days later, Tarantino told The Times: “All cops are not murderers. I never said that.

I never even implied that.”

But the San Bernardino shootings — carried out by husband and wife Islamic radicals — have tugged the nation, at least for a time, in a different direction. Tarantino and Jackson spoke of the paranoia that blooms from fear and how racial and cultural pecking orders get rearranged. Mentioning that even today he is deferential to police because of what he learned as a boy, Jackson wondered what Muslims in America might encounter in the coming months.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E7

HOT TICKETS AMY SCHUMER: Dec. 31, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-7453000 or LiveNation.com.

G-EAZY: Jan 7, WaMu Theater, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com.

FOREVERLAND (Tribute to Michael Jackson): Jan. 9, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

JANET JACKSON: Jan. 13, KeyArena, Seattle. 800-7453000 or LiveNation.com.

BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS: Jan. 14, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

PINK MARTINI: Jan. 16, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

TRIBAL SEEDS: Jan. 21, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

SUPER DIAMOND (Tribute to Neil Diamond): Jan. 22, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

STS9: Jan. 23, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

NEVER SHOUT NEVER: Jan. 26, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

“FLASHDANCE: THE MUSICAL”: Jan. 27, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham.

360-734-6080 or mountbak ertheatre.com.

PAULA POUNDSTONE: Jan. 29, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-3368955 or lincolntheatre.org.

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT: Jan. 31, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360336-8955 or lincolntheatre. org.

LETTUCE: Feb. 4, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

COCO MONTOYA: Feb. 5, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-336-8955 or lincolntheatre.org.

BUILT TO SPILL: Feb. 5-6, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

BLACK SABBATH: Feb. 6, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800745-3000 or LiveNation .com.

BRIAN REGAN: Feb. 11, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

GRACE POTTER: Feb. 13,

COCO MONTOYA Feb. 5, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon. 360-3368955 or lincolnthe atre.org.

The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

BRAD PAISLEY: Feb. 13, Tacoma Dome, Tacoma. 800745-3000 or LiveNation. com.

INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS: Feb. 18, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

BORGEOUS & MORGAN PAGE: Feb. 20, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

TAKE 6: Feb. 20, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham.

360-734-6080 or mountbak ertheatre.com.

CRADLE OF FILTH: Feb. 23, The Showbox, Seattle.

800-745-3000 or showbox online.com.

GALACTIC: Feb. 26, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

BARCELONA: Feb. 26, The Crocodile, Seattle. 877987-6487 or thecrocodile. com.

GINO VANNELLI: Feb. 26-27, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

PAPADOSIO: Feb. 27, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

KEYS N KRATES: Feb. 28, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

ST. LUCIA: March 2, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

MARCHFOURTH! MARCHING BAND: March 5, The Showbox, Seattle. 800-7453000 or showboxonline. com.

HELLOWEEN: March 6, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

AOIFE O’DONOVAN: March 6, Columbia City Theatre, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or LiveNation.com.

NIGHTWISH: March 7, 2016, Showbox SoDo, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

MUTEMATH: March 8, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

DISTURBED: March 12, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

SOLAS: March 17, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham.

360-734-6080 or mountbak ertheatre.com.

CRAIG FERGUSON: March 18, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham. 360-734-6080 or mountbakertheatre.com.

DAUGHTER: March 19, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA: March 20, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham.

360-734-6080 or mountbak ertheatre.com.

MASTERS OF ILLUSION: March 24, Moore Theatre, Seattle. 877-784-4849 or LiveNation.com.

TONIGHT ALIVE/SET IT OFF: March 24, Neumos, Seattle. 800-745-3000 or showboxonline.com.

JOHNNY RIVERS: March 25-26, Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Bow. 877-275-2448 or theskagit.com.

THE FLOOZIES: March 26, The Showbox, Seattle. 800745-3000 or showboxonline. com.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

10 BIGGESTSELLING SONGS 1. MARK RONSON FEATURING BRUNO MARS, “Uptown Funk” 2. ED SHEERAN, “Thinking Out Loud” 3. WIZ KHALIFA, “See You Again” 4. MAROON 5, “Sugar” 5. WALK THE MOON, “Shut Up and Dance” 6. ADELE, “Hello” 7. ELLIE GOULDING, “Love Me Like You Do” 8. ANDY GRAMMER, “Honey, I’m Good” 9. THE WEEKND, “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” 10. FETTY WAP, “Trap Queen” — Source: iTunes

THE LISTS Top 10s of 2016 Newsday

(in millions, as of Dec. 9)

1. ADELE, “25” 2. DRAKE, “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” 3. TAYLOR SWIFT, “1989” 4. VARIOUS ARTISTS, “Fifty Shades of Grey” soundtrack 5. JUSTIN BIEBER, “Purpose” 6. DRAKE AND FUTURE, “What a Time to Be Alive” 7. KENDRICK LAMAR, “To Pimp a Butterfly” 8. THE WEEKND, “Beauty Behind the Madness” 9. DR. DRE, “Compton” 10. SAM HUNT, “Montevallo” — Source: iTunes

10 MOST WATCHED MUSIC VIDEOS

TOP 10 GROSSING MOVIES

1. WIZ KHALIFA, “See You Again,” 1.166 billion 2. MAROON 5, “Sugar,” 872 million 3. ELLIE GOULDING, “Love Me Like You Do,” 809 4. MAJOR LAZER AND DJ SNAKE, “Lean On,” 794 5. TAYLOR SWIFT, “Bad Blood,” 634 6. DAVID GUETTA, “Hey Mama,” 458 7. SIA, “Elastic Heart,” 450 8. FIFTH HARMONY, “Worth It,” 422 9. ADELE, “Hello,” 414 10. SILENTÓ, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” — Source: YouTube

1. JURASSIC WORLD, $652.2 2. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, $459.0 3. INSIDE OUT, $356.4 4. FURIOUS 7, $352.8 5. MINIONS, $336.0 6. THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY — PART 2, $230.6 7. THE MARTIAN, $221.1 8. CINDERELLA, $201.2 9. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE — ROGUE NATION, $195.0 10. SPECTRE, $185.7 — Source: BoxOffice Mojo.com

(in millions of views)

TOP 10 BROADWAY SHOWS

10 BIGGESTSELLING ALBUMS

INSIDE OUT

1. THE LION KING, $96.0 2. WICKED, $84.8 3. ALADDIN, $75.7 4. THE BOOK OF MORMON, $74.4 5. BEAUTIFUL, $49.6 6. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, $48.6 7. KINKY BOOTS, $45.9 8. MATILDA, $45.0 9. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, $43.8 10. FINDING NEVERLAND, $38.1 — Source: The Broadway League

TOP 10 TV SHOWS (in millions of viewers)

1. SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, NBC, 23.3 2. THE BIG BANG THEORY, CBS, 21.1 3. NCIS, CBS, 20.9 4. THE WALKING DEAD, AMC, 19.7 5. EMPIRE, Fox, 17.7 6. NFL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, CBS, 17.7 7. NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, CBS, 17.3 8. SUNDAY NIGHT NFL PREKICK, NBC, 17.1 9. BLUE BLOODS, CBS, 15.0 10. DANCING WITH THE STARS, ABC, 14.6 — Source: Nielsen

(North America, in millions, as of Dec. 9)

THE BIG BANG THEORY

CBS via AP

TOP 10 BEST-SELLERS 1. GO SET A WATCHMAN,

by Harper Lee (Harper) 2. GREY, by E.L. James (Vintage) 3. THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, by Paula Hawkins (Riverhead) 4. THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP, by Marie Kondo (Ten Speed Press) 5. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #10: OLD SCHOOL,

by Jeff Kinney (Abrams) 6. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, by Anthony Doerr (Scribner) 7. PAPER TOWNS, by John Green (Speak/Penguin) 8. AMERICAN SNIPER, by Chris Kyle (Harper) 9. KILLING REAGAN, by Bill O’Reilly (Henry Holt) 10. THE MARTIAN, by Andy Weir (Broadway) — Source: Nielsen BookScan

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E9

TUNING UP Playing at area venues Dec. 26-31

SATURDAY.26 BABY CAKES: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

SATURDAY.26 CHRIS EGER BAND 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877-275-2448.

SATURDAY.26 Chris Eger Band (rock, soul): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Skagit Valley Casino Resort, Winners Lounge, 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow. No cover. 877275-2448.

Baby Cakes: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

The Good Son: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

SUNDAY.27

El Colonel and Doubleshot: 7:30 p.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360755-3956.

The Sky Colony: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. 360-399-1805.

Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (classic country dance): 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., SedroWoolley American Legion Hall, 701 Murdock St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-5111.

WEDNESDAY.30

Filé Gumbo Zydeco Band, with Orville Johnson: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6266.

Gary B’s Church of Blues: Jam night, 6 to 10 Swingnuts Jazz: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588Conway. 360-445-4733.

1720.

Human Spirit (jazz): 7 p.m., WJMAC Room, The Majestic, 1027 N. Forest St., Bellingham. $10, $5 student, free for WJMAC members.

206-612-5967.

THURSDAY.31 New Year’s Eve Bash: with Yogoman, Prozac Mountain Boys: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $25. 360-4453000.

Lloyd Hooper and the Cascade Ramblers (classic country dance): 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Sedro-Woolley American Legion Hall, 701 Murdock St., SedroWoolley. 360-855-5111.

Crazy Like a Fox: Ben and Mia Starner,: 6 to 8 p.m., Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage, 513 S. First St., La Conner. Reservations required: 360-399-1805.

New Year’s Eve Bash: with Nashville Northwest and Jessica Lynn & The Cousins, 8 p.m., Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. Reserved seats with buffet: $45.

General admission: $15 advance, $20 at the door, additional charge for buffet. 425-737-5144 or 360-629-6500.

New Year’s Eve Dance: Camano Junction, 8 p.m. to midnight, Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island.

Complimentary champagne toast, snacks and no-host bar. $25. 360387-0222.

New Year’s Eve with Margaret Wilder Band, The Walrus: 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. Reservations required; 360-392-3100.

Perry And The Katys, Flannel (‘90s tribute), Turntable Einstein: 9:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10. 360-7781067.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E10 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

TRAVEL

Travel 2016: Rio, Indy 500, German beer, Christo in Italy

By BETH J. HARPAZ AP Travel Editor

Rio and Cuba. The Pope’s Year of Mercy and artist Christo’s walk on water.

Philadelphia, Cleveland and the next U.S. president.

Super Bowl in California and the Indy 500 at 100. A centennial for America’s National Park Service, 400 years since Shakespeare died and 500 years of pure German beer.

These are among the places and events driving travel in 2016.

RIO AND THE OLYMPICS: Rio de Janeiro hosts the Summer Olympics, Aug. 5-21.

SUPER BOWL 50: America’s most important football game takes place Feb. 7 at the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium in Santa Clara, California. San Francisco hosts a free public fan village, Super Bowl City, and other pre-game events beginning Jan. 30.

PHILADELPHIA AND CLEVELAND: Democrats choose their presidential candidate at a convention in Philadelphia on July 25-28.

Republicans choose their candidate in Cleveland on July 18-21.

CUBA MANIA: Cuban tourism will likely keep booming after a year in which visits by Americans rose more than 50 percent and travel from elsewhere surged, too.

ROME’S YEAR OF MERCY AND CHRISTO’S WALK ON WATER: Up to 10 million pilgrims may visit Rome during Pope Francis’ Holy Year of Mercy, which began Dec. 8 and runs

through November 2016.

Events include the September canonization of Mother Teresa. And in northern Italy, fans of Christo will walk on water thanks to his “Floating Piers” project on Lake Iseo in Lombardy, June 18-July 3, weather permitting. The 2-mile walkway will consist of floating cubes covered in shimmering yellow fabric. Lakeside mountains will offer a bird’s-eye view.

NATIONAL PARKS: The National Park Service turns 100 on Aug. 25. A campaign called “Find Your Park” is designed to inspire a new generation to visit. .

Individual sites marking centennials include Acadia in Maine, established as a national monument July 8, 1916; Abraham Lincoln Birthplace in Kentucky; New Mexico’s Capulin Volcano and Bandelier national monuments; and in Hawaii, Volcanoes and Haleakala parks, originally part of Hawaii National Park.

SHAKESPEARE: Seems like only yesterday that William Shakespeare died, but it was 400 years ago, on April 23, 1616. His birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, and many other places around England plan tours, performances, festivals and exhibitions.

GERMANY AND BEER: Happy Oktoberfest! Germany celebrates 500 years since the Reinheitsgebot was signed into law on April 23, 1516, guaranteeing beer purity by specifying its ingredients.

NEW MUSEUMS: The National Museum of African American History and Culture opens fall 2016 on the

Local travel “ASIAN ADVENTURE: TOKYO & KAMAKURA”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes.

Don and Joyce Paradine share their cruise to Tokyo and other Asian locales, including Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand.

Free. 360-293-1910, ext. 21, or library. cityofanacortes.org.

AP file

The beaches of Ipanema (left) and Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, where the 2016 Olympic Games will be held.

National Mall in Washington, D.C., part of the Smithsonian Institution. Objects range from slave shackles to Louis Armstrong’s trumpet to a segregation-era railcar.

The Met Breuer, a modern and contemporary art space for the Metropolitan Museum, opens March 18 in New York City. The landmark building designed by Marcel Breuer on Madison Avenue and 75th Street formerly housed the Whitney Museum, which moved downtown.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is supposed to open in late 2016, but the project has been repeatedly delayed and plagued by controversies over the treatment of workers.

INDY 500 AT 100: The Indy 500, one of the most famous car races in the world, celebrates its centennial May 29 in Indianapolis.

A citywide celebration with parties, concerts and more is planned. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also undergoing a $100 million renovation.

GLACIERS AND NORTHERN LIGHTS: Northern lights and other magical winter experiences are drawing

more tourists in the coldest, darkest months of the year to places like Alaska, Iceland and Norway. Norway has also seen more tourists from fans of the movie “Frozen.”

Glaciers around the world have become must-sees, too, as some tourists worry that glaciers may disappear due to climate change. Glacier National Park in Montana has been experiencing record tourism, including over 2.5 million visitors in 2015.

SAFARIS: The new year may also be a big one for trips to see Africa’s wildlife.

Botswana marks its 50th anniversary of independence, and South Africa and East Africa — especially Tanzania and Zimbabwe, which are offering new safari options — are on several travel industry lists for top destinations in 2016.

THEME PARKS: Shanghai Disney Resort opens in China in spring 2016 with the tallest, grandest castle of any Disney park. Other Disney news: a new “Frozen” boat ride at Epcot; a new “Frozen” stage show at Disney California Adventure; new “Star Wars” expe-

riences at Disney parks on both coasts; and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, night tours and a “Rivers of Light” nighttime illumination show.

Universal Hollywood in Los Angeles opens its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter on April 7. Universal Orlando Resort in Florida expects a summer opening for Skull Island: Reign of Kong, themed on King Kong.

AND DON’T FORGET: n A massive Noah’s Ark attraction opens in northern Kentucky in July. n Las Vegas gets two major debuts in April: The Park, an outdoor area with restaurants, entertainment and more, and the Arena, a concert venue with performances scheduled by George Strait, Janet Jackson and Garth Brooks. n Australia is turning up on many travel industry lists of top places to go in 2016. The island of Tasmania in particular — known for wildlife and scenery — is seeing record numbers of visitors. n The strong U.S. dollar is expected to drive more travel abroad by Americans.

SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 8 and older (adult supervision required for ages 17 and younger). Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon. For information or to register, call 360-336-6215.

ESCORTED TOURS: The Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., has several 2016 international trips planned: Tropical Costa Rica, Feb. 29-March 8; European River Cruise, Budapest to Amsterdam, Oct. 12-27; and Hawaii, Nov. 12-19. For information, contact Pat at pgardner@oakharbor. org or 360-279-4582.

STATE VISITOR CALL CENTER: The Washington Tourism Alliance’s ExperienceWA Call Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 1-800-544-1800 or tourisminfo@watourismalliance.com.

Staff members assist travelers who have questions, refer them to specific destination marketing organizations and other travel resources across the state for more detailed information, and take orders for the Washington State Visitors Guide.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Final curtain coming down on L.A.’s giant Hollywood junkyard

By JOHN ROGERS Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — It’s not just a junkyard — or even a really big junkyard — but a living, breathing monument to Los Angeles pop culture. And now it’s headed for the dustbin of history itself.

For 54 years, Aadlen Brothers Auto Wrecking, in a moonscaped, godforsaken-looking section of the San Fernando Valley, has collected far more than thousands of burned-out, smashed-up, rusted automobiles on its sprawling dirt and asphalt lot.

It’s also taken in just about every type of movie and TV prop imaginable while serving as the site of some 200 Hollywood film shoots.

The last surviving “Bruce” the shark, made from the mold for the 1975 Steven Spielberg film “Jaws,” resides there, swimming ominously near an entrance.

With its huge mouth agape, it appears ready to devour anyone foolish enough to try to sneak off the lot with, say, a pilfered power train from a ‘32 Ford.

Nearby is the giant boom box Usher danced on for the 1997 video “My Way.” (It’s actually a 53-foot-long big-rig trailer painted to look like the ‘80s-era music machine. But viewed from a nearby freeway it appears eerily authentic.

Now everything must go, says Nathan Adlen, owner of this hybrid junkyardHollywood backlot that’s been in his family since 1961 when this part of the valley was mainly a warren of sand-and-gravel quarries and garbage dumps.

By New Year’s Eve, he promises, it will be 26 acres

Jae C. Hong / AP

Owner Nick Adlen pauses near the 1950s googie-styled arches at Aadlen Brothers Auto Wrecking, also known as U Pick Parts, in the Sun Valley section of Los Angeles. of bare land surrounded largely by warehouses and car-repair places as he contemplates what to do next with the property.

“You need to make money to survive and it’s gotten harder to make money in the junk business,” the affable 60-year-old says as he walks past thousands of automobiles piled four and five high, each destined for the giant car-crushing machine that will noisily squash them into scrap metal.

Some 200 movies, TV shows, commercials, video games and music videos have been filmed at Aadlen Brothers over the years.

But Adlen says that Hollywood cash isn’t enough these days to subsidize a business that for decades was also the go-to place for seemingly every shade-tree mechanic in the San Fernando Valley looking to dress up his ride with a cheap turbocharger, a shiny grill or chrome wheels pulled off

everything from wrecked Rolls-Royces to VW bugs.

“My father and I, we would roam around that place forever,” recalls Tommy Gelinas, curator of the San Fernando Valley Relics Museum, who customized his first car, a 1968 Dodge Dart, with used parts from Aadlen Brothers.

The yard began showing up in films in 1967, when a scene shot at its trailer office made it into the movie “In Cold Blood.”

“It’s only six seconds in the movie,” Adlen recalls with a chuckle, but those seconds were enough to make the company’s founding Adlen brothers realize they had a future in show business. (After starting the business, Adlen’s father and uncle added the extra A to the name to get it listed first in the phone book.)

Over the years, the lot has appeared briefly in “The Hangover,” “The Fall Guy,” “The A-Team,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and countless

other shows. Just last month a “Supergirl” episode had the Girl of Steel battling the villain Reactron near the car-crushing machine.

Soon there will be nothing left to film.

The “RoboCop 3” car has already headed out the door, followed by two of the armored vehicles from the film “Universal Soldier.”

(Up close, they look more like giant trash trucks.)

Adlen, who is selling most pieces and offering some to museums, isn’t sure what he’ll do with the shark, with its famous pedigree.

For years it was known in Hollywood that there were three sharks built for the film, all destroyed afterward. But there was a persistent rumor, apocryphal some thought, that a fourth one made from the same mold resided in a junkyard somewhere. It never appeared in the movie but had been the star of the Universal Studios theme park tour.

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E11

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Pan”: Pan is back with this big-screen adaptation written by Jason Fuchs (“Ice Age: Continental Drift”) and director Joe Wright (“Anna Karenina”). Except for a spirited performance by Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard, their efforts won’t send you flying to see it.

The best that can be said about “Pan” is it’s an OK tale that picks up in the closing moments with a large and loud action sequence.

Director Joe Wright’s Peter Pan complex is that he never allowed his film to mature into a tense action and adventure story or a bold comedy. It’s a mishmash of ideas that aren’t bad. They just aren’t that good, either.

“X-Files: The Complete Series”: There have been a lot of DVD sets released over the past few months that would be good gifts, but this one should be at the top of every list.

Not only is the series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson one of the finest to air on network TV, the series is coming back for a short run at the first of the year and this is a chance to get caught up with all nine seasons.

Because you can repeatedly watch the episodes, it is easier to look for all of the details behind the conspiracy theories presented through the seasons.

The truth is out there, and that truth is this is a great DVD set.

“The Giant King”: Sworn enemies try to find answers to why they are chained together.

“War Room”: Couple looks for a way to save their crumbling marriage.

“Pawn Sacrifice”: Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire) is caught between two superpowers.

“12 Rounds 3: Lock-

Upcoming movie releases Following is a partial schedule of coming movies on DVD. Release dates are subject to change: DEC. 29 The Perfect Guy A Walk in the Woods Hitman Agent 47 Jenny’s Wedding Bone Tomahawk JAN. 5 The Visit The Walk The Green Inferno Infinitely Polar Bear JAN. 12 Hotel Transylvania 2 Sinister 2 Irrational Man n Tribune News Service

down”: One good cop tries to expose a team of corrupt cops. Dean Ambrose stars.

“The Nanny: Season Five”: Fran Drescher stars in this comedy about a nanny who falls for the father of the children she is helping to raise.

“Hora 79”: Gila Almagor stars in this film by Eli Cohen.

“Nasty Baby”: A trio’s efforts to have a baby are threatened by an annoying neighbor.

“Craft in America: Music”: A look at the art of handmade instruments.

“Nightmares”: Emilio Estevez stars in this horror anthology.

“Dragon Blade”: East and West collide over the battle for the Silk Road.

“Queen of Earth”: Elisabeth Moss plays a woman dealing with too many emotional events.

“The Brain That Wouldn’t Die”: Herb Evers stars in the 1962 scifi cult classic. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E12 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

GET INVOLVED AUDITIONS “THE DROWSY CHAPERONE” (a musical within a comedy): Auditions will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9-10, at the Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. Parts are available for five women and seven men ages 20 to 70. Auditioners should prepare a solo song from the show and a dramatic monologue. Scripts and music/CDs are available in the ACT office. The show will run March 25-April 23.

360-293-6829 or acttheatre. com.

“LOST IN YONKERS”: Auditions will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, at the Whidbey Playhouse/ Star Studio, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.

Parts are available for two men, two teen boys and three women (one older).

Neil Simon’s dramatic comedy will run April 1-17.

360-679-2237 or whidbey playhouse.com.

MOVING MEDITATIONS: The Dances of Universal Peace will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1508 N. 18th St., Mount Vernon. Dances include live music and singing with a focus on a particular sacred phrase, inspired by spiritual traditions from around the world, including Christian, Jewish, Native American, Hindu, Buddhist and others. No experience necessary. Dances are taught to the group each time. Donation requested, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. 360-6299190.

BEGINNER SQUARE DANCE LESSONS: 7 p.m.

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 5, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland St. Families, couples and singles ages 10 and older are welcome. First two weeks are free, then $4 per lesson.

360-424-4608 or rosie@ valleyint.com.

BELLY DANCING: Annabelle Vergne will offer a four-part belly dancing DANCE class at 6 p.m. Thursdays, WINTER DANCE CAMP: Jan. 21-Feb. 11, at the Anacortes Center for HappiSkagit Valley Academy of ness, 619 Commercial Ave., Dance will host a two-day Anacortes. $39. PreregistraWinter Dance Camp for tion required: 360-464-2229 ages 4 to 7 from 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednes- or anacortescenterforhapp day, Dec. 28 and 30, at 1522 iness.org.

Jay Way, Mount Vernon.

CLOG DANCING FOR Beginning and intermediBEGINNERS: Free lesson ate dancers will learn creative movement, character, from 10 to 11 a.m., follyrical and jazz dance styles, lowed by regular clog dancand enjoy creative arts and ing from 11 a.m. to noon crafts. $35, includes a snack. Thursdays, Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleve360-424-6677 or skagitval land St., Mount Vernon. leyacademyofdance.com.

No fee, no partner needed.

First three lessons are free.

THURSDAY DANCE: Wear comfortable shoes.

Dance to The Skippers For information, call Rosie from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursat 360-424-4608. days at Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount NEW YEAR’S EVE Vernon. For information, DANCE: Camano Junccontact Gisela at 360-4245696. tion, 8 p.m. to midnight

Thursday, Dec. 31, Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island.

Enjoy music and dancing, complimentary champagne toast, snacks and a no-host bar. $25. 360-387-0222 or camanocenter.org.

MUSIC CALL FOR MUSICIANS: 5b’s Bakery, 45597 Main St., Concrete, is looking for musicians to perform easylistening acoustic music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Sunday Brunch. In exchange, musicians will receive audience contributions and a meal. For information, call 360-853-8700 or email info@5bsbakery. com.

TIME FOR FIDDLERS: The Washington Old Time Fiddlers play at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of each month at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland. St. Free; donations accepted.

360-630-1156.

SHELTER BAY CHORUS: Practices are held from 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday (except 2 to 4 p.m. the first Monday each month) at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse, 1000 Shoshone Drive, La Conner. New members welcome. No need to be a Shelter Bay resident. 360770-7354.

LOVE TO SING? Join the women of Harmony Northwest Chorus from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Monday at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave. Seeking women who like to sing a cappella music. All skill levels welcome.

B.Y.O.G. (Bring Your Own Guitar): Beginner/ intermediate acoustic guitar jam from 7 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 6, North Cove Coffee, 1130 S. Bur-

lington Blvd., Burlington.

Free. 360-707-2683.

Year’s Day and State Parks’ First Day Hikes Day, the Washington State Parks ANACORTES OPEN MIC: and Recreation Commis9:30 p.m. Thursdays, Brown sion will offer free admission to all state parks on Lantern Ale House, 412 Friday, Jan. 1. The Discover Commercial Ave., AnaPass will not be required cortes. 360-293-2544. to enter state parks, but will be required to access OPEN MIC: Jam night, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thurs- lands managed by the Washington Department days, at the Conway Pub of Fish and Wildlife and & Eatery, 18611 Main St., the Department of Natural Conway. 360-445-4733.

Resources. parks.wa.gov.

DRUM CIRCLE: 6:30 to SALMON RUN & 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, NATURE WALK: 10 a.m.

Center for Spiritual Living, 1508 N. 18th St., Mount to noon Saturday, Jan. 2, Ovenell’s Ranch, 46276 Vernon. Bring your drum Concrete-Sauk Valley or borrow one. HandiRoad, Concrete. The 5K capped accessible. Free.

Freewill offering accepted. run follows a route through a beautiful ranch and along 360-305-7559. the Skagit River. Registration starts at 9 a.m. $20 RECREATION entry fee includes a knit TRAIL GUIDES, BIKE hat, healthy snacks, bonMAPS & MORE: Learn fire and cocoa. The free about opportunities to be family-friendly nature walk physically active in Skagit offers the chance to see County, including trail eagles, osprey, deer, elk and guides, an activity tracker beaver. 360-853-8784 or and local resources at concrete-wa.com. beactiveskagit.org.

CAMANO WINTER BALD EAGLE INTERPRE- WALK: Join Friends of TIVE CENTER: The Skagit Camano Island Parks on a River Bald Eagle Interpre- guided community walk at tive Center is open from 9:50 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends Camano Island State Park, during December and Janu- 2269 Lowell Point Road, ary at Howard Miller Steel- Camano Island. Meet at head Park, 52809 Rockport the picnic shelter near the Park Road, Rockport. boat ramp. The 2.6-mile Guided hikes are offered walk includes two elevaat 11 a.m. every Saturday tion gains of about 50 feet, and Sunday, with special with the rest fairly level, presentations at 1 p.m. most and offers excellent views Saturdays. Next up: of Saratoga Passage and Dec. 26: Eagles and Elger Bay, as well as a walk Salmon of the Skagit: with through a “fern grotto” Tanya Kitterman, USFS and ravine. The walk takes Wild and Scenic River place rain or shine, canRanger, Baker Ranger celed for high winds or District. snow. Wear appropriate Jan. 2: Year of the clothes and sturdy shoes or Eagle: with author and boots. No dogs. Discover nature photographer Kevin Pass required. friendsof Ebi. camanoislandparks.org.

FREE PARK ADMISSION: In honor of New

the Forest for scenic hikes in the forest lands around Anacortes. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. No pets. Free. 360293-3725 or friendsoft heacfl.org. Next up: Senior/Adult Hike: Double Watershed Tour: 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 8. Meet at the end of 32nd Street, off D Avenue. This gentle 1 1/2-mile route passes through varied forest and wetland habitats.

Learn about the beaver that maintain the wetlands and see a variety of winter waterfowl.

Senior/Adult Hike: Heart Lake: 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 12. Meet at the Heart Lake parking lot.

WORKSHOPS FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS: “Facebook Tips and Tricks for small businesses, authors and artists” will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 9, or 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 819 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.

Learn how to use Facebook to promote your business, book, artwork and more. $20.

To register: 360-588-6968 or kklocke1@me.com.

IMPRESSIONIST GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY: with John and Kathy Willson, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 30, Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Get inspired by the 19th century French Impressionists and learn how to “paint” with your camera using shutter speed to reveal flows of motion and form not otherwise noticed or recordable with automatic camera settings.

Includes classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations in the nursery. $8.

Registration required: 360466-3821 or christiansons FRIENDS OF THE FOREST HIKES: Join Friends of nursery.com

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E13

AT THE LINCOLN ‘Room’

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28

y! ndl

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FOOD • OYSTERS • BURGERS STEAKS • SEAFOOD • SALADS

HAPPY OYSTERS ON THE 1/2 SHELL HOUR SATURDAY & SUNDAY Come to the Conway Pub & Eatery

conway Pub & Eatery • open mon-sun 9am-2am 18611 main, conway wa 98238 • 360.445.4733

n The Lincoln is located at 712 S. First St., downtown Mount Vernon. 360-3368955 or lincolntheatre.org

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Dine at the Majestic NEW YEARS EVE

‘My Dream, My Right’ Za’atari Film Workshop is an initiative, cosponsored by Voices of the Children and Save the Children, that included a three-week filmmaking experience for Syrian refugee teens in the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan.

Using camera phones, the workshop provided the basics of documentary filmmaking. The end result of the workshop is nine documentary shorts filmed entirely by the teens on a subject of their choosing. $5 suggested donation; the film is about 50 minutes and appropriate for all ages. Afterward there will be a Q&A session with Aaron Wagner, director of Voices of the Children.

or Conway Boxcar

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E14 - Thursday, December 24, 2015

MOVIES NEW THIS WEEK

MINI-REVIEWS

Who needs plots? Lately, some of the most alert, polished films have been ones moving in random, eccentric directions.

In fact, several of them have come from writer/ director David O. Russell, whose sixth sense for what audiences will enjoy brought us “The Fighter,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle.”

His trademark point and counterpoint stories offer a screwball sitcom, a fairy tale with social asides, and a feel-good salute to middle-class American moral fiber all at the same time.

“JOY,” the third collaboration from Russell and his ensemble players Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, is his usual good mix of fluff and melodrama, and then some.

Full of shaggy-dog charm, it’s an easy film to like.

Here he presents a somewhat true bio-drama about Joy Mangano, a pink-collar single mom who made a tough, unsteady rise to success as the inventor of the selfwringing Miracle Mop. It makes sense that she would see the potential value of a plastic-handled cleanup gadget, because much of her own life was messy and full of stains, especially the parts connected to marriage.

We meet Joy as a winsome grade-schooler inventively folding construction paper dream homes where she will live happily ever after. Then the giddy sensuousness of her teens (from which point she is played by the sublime Lawrence) makes her fall in love with a rakish Latino singer (Édgar Ramirez). After a rocky relationship, he transitions from husband to live-in ex, occupying the basement of Joy’s ram-

Compiled from news services.

Ratings are 1 to 4 stars.

Twentieth Century Fox via AP

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper star in “Joy.” shackle Long Island home, and co-raising the couple’s two children.

Joy’s divorced parents multiply the difficulties further. Apathetic mom (Virginia Madsen) lives with her, camped out in a bed near the entrance, watching trashy soap operas all day long as if life’s vexations made her a shut-in invalid.

Joy’s grumpy, garage owner dad (De Niro) knocks on the door for refuge when his latest wife, en route to divorce court, drops him at the household as damaged goods.

Now barely solvent, Joy has two immature bozos living in the basement, another glued to the TV and a pair of real children needing attention, too.

It’s all handled with lowkey humor, yet there are sharp stabs of honest pain.

Whenever Joy tries to kick her porch’s broken down wooden pillar back together, it’s a jolt of humiliation.

In a scene just this side of devastating, Joy tells her best friend how scary the knife edge of disappointment is feeling. When her daughter asks for some

school help to learn about cicadas, the bugs’ 17-year underground life cycle parallels the decades that Joy has been buried far from the happiness she once imagined.

While a standard women’s film would move ahead with new love blossoming and the wheels grinding loudly to a happy ending, “Joy” avoids stereotypes. Rather than yearning for rescue from a new suitor, our plucky heroine becomes her own knight in dented armor.

Her bumpy quest toward the American dream involves unending difficulties, some serious, some funny, each one testing Joy’s limits.

The film wisely doesn’t present her as a glorified angel, but as a smart, ambitious ordinary woman.

Much of Joy’s story gets narrated remembrances from her devoted grandmother (a nice return to the screen for the longabsent Diane Ladd).

While others lay blame on Joy for all that goes wrong, Grandma sees Joy not as a stubborn screw-up

but the only person who could possibly pull each needy generation of her family ahead.

As we follow Joy’s frustrating journey, the dependably wonderful Lawrence delivers each scene like a champ. She portrays every feeling written into the script — and a lot more — with dramatic intelligence and force.

It’s hard not to admire her grit as she sets up her own low-rent factory staffed with her exhusband’s Latin American church members, or battles patent thieves, or wrestles with the home shopping channel that offers her a chance to sell her products.

You share her exhilaration when long-awaited successes begin to pile up, and admire her courage when the breakneck roller coaster heads down again.

The film is not stressing just her rise as an entrepreneur, but her surprisingly touching development as an independent woman.

PG-13 for brief strong language. HHH½ n Colin Covert, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

“Chi-Raq” — Spike Lee’s update of the Greek comedy “Lysistrata” is a shattering, thunderous wake-up alarm -- a call to lay down arms aimed at the gun culture, the gang culture, the government and a society that doesn’t always care about killings as long as those killings are taking place OVER THERE. Satire, R, 127 minutes. HHH½ “Concussion” — Will Smith’s performance, one of his best, as a Nigerianborn pathologist crusading to expose deadly hazards in the NFL is about so much more than the accent. “Concussion” is a good movie that could have been great without trying so hard to be great. But when it delves deep into the doctor’s fight to be heard, it’s riveting. Sports drama, PG-13, 123 minutes.

HHH “Legend” — Playing twin British gangsters in 1960s London, Tom Hardy makes some bold and always entertaining if not entirely successful choices. The fictionalized version of the terrifying, violent and twisted Krays manages to be pedestrian and derivative for long stretches. Crime biography, R, 131 minutes. HH½ “Meadowland” — Olivia Wilde and Luke Wilson deliver authentic performances as parents dealing with loss in different ways. It is a well-photographed and sometimes surprising story, a character study about what happens to a marriage when a child has gone missing and in all likelihood will never be found. Drama, R, 95 minutes. HHH “Sisters” — This comedy about 40-something sisters throwing a wild party for their old high school gang is a depressing, overlong, repetitive slapstick disaster in which Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, two of the most appealing stars around, wallow in the muck AND the mire, figuratively and literally. Comedy, R, 118 minutes. H½ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” — What a beautiful, thrilling, joyous, surpris-

ing and heart-thumping adventure this is. The seventh “Star Wars” film pops with memorable battle sequences, gives us chills with encore appearances by stars from the original trilogy and introduces more than a half-dozen terrific Next Generation characters.

It’s a return to greatness.

Sci-fi adventure, PG-13, 136 minutes. HHHH “Spectre” — The 24th James Bond film is solidly in the middle of the all-time rankings, which means it’s still a slick, beautifully photographed, action-packed, international thriller with a number of ludicrously entertaining set pieces. Daniel Craig remains a tightly coiled, deadpan funny 007, and as the sadistic villain, Christoph Waltz is wonderfully insane. Action thriller, PG-13, 148 minutes. HHH “The Big Short” — Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling star as oddballs (based on real-life individuals) who foresee the housing bubble’s burst and set out to profit from it.

Directed with feverish ingenuity, this is one of the best times I’ve had at the movies all year. Historical drama, R, 130 minutes. HHHH “The Good Dinosaur” — Partnered up with a boy, a timid dinosaur tries to steer clear of a seemingly endless supply of dangerous creatures. One strange, aggressively gross and dark adventure, this second-level Pixar family film could give the little ones some serious nightmares. Animated adventure, PG, 95 minutes.

HH “The Hateful Eight” — Quentin Tarantino’s second Western in a row is an exhilarating moviegoing experience, filled with wickedly dark humor, nominationworthy performances and a jigsaw puzzle plot that keeps us guessing until the bloody, brilliant end. This is one of the best movies of the year.

Drama, R, 187 minutes.

HHHH “The Night Before” — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie play longtime friends who get into all sorts of misadventures on one crazy Christmas Eve of self-discovery. At times, it’s really

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - E15

MOVIES AT AREA THEATERS ANACORTES CINEMAS Dec. 25-31 Daddy’s Home (PG-13): Friday: 4:00, 6:50, 9:00; Saturday-Sunday: 10:30, 1:20, 4:00, 6:50, 9:00; Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 4:00, 6:50, 9:00 Joy (PG-13): Friday: 3:50, 6:40, 9:25; SaturdaySunday: 10:15, 1:05, 3:50, 6:40, 9:25; Monday-Thursday: 1:05, 3:50, 6:40, 9:25 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13): Friday: 3:40, 6:30, 9:20; SaturdaySunday: 10:00, 12:50, 3:40, 6:30, 9:20; MondayThursday: 12:50, 3:40, 6:30, 9:20 360-293-7000 CONCRETE THEATER Dec. 25-27 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13): Friday: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 5 (3D) and 8 p.m.’ Sunday: 5 p.m.

BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN Oak Harbor 360-675-5667 CASCADE MALL THEATERS Burlington For showings: 888-AMC4FUN (888-262-4386) OAK HARBOR CINEMAS Dec. 25-31 Daddy’s Home (PG-13): Friday: 4:00, 6:30, 8:40; Saturday-Sunday: 10:15, 1:05, 4:00, 6:30, 8:40; Monday-Thursday: 1:05, 4:00, 6:30, 8:40

funny. More often, it’s “shocking” for the sake of shock value, gross for the sake of being gross, and stupid-goofy without much of a payoff. Comedy, R, 101 minutes. HH “The Peanuts Movie” — A CGI, 3-D feature about Charlie Brown and his gang could have been a recipe for disaster, but to my great relief, this is a meticulously faithful and clearly loving tribute to America’s favorite blockhead.

It’s a sweet, funny, smart, genuine all-ages movie with simple, timeless messages.

Animated, G, 88 minutes.

HHH½ “The Ridiculous 6” — With solid production values, a supporting cast that includes everyone from Nick Nolte to Steve Buscemi to

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (PG): Friday: 4:15, 6:50, 8:55; SaturdaySunday: 10:30, 1:20, 4:15, 6:50, 8:55; Monday-Thursday: 1:20, 4:15, 6:50, 8:55 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13): Friday: 3:45, 6:40, 9:30; SaturdaySunday: 10:00, 12:50, 3:45, 6:40, 9:30; MondayThursday: 12:50, 3:45, 6:40, 9:30 360-279-2226 STANWOOD CINEMAS Dec. 25-31 Concussion (PG-13): Friday: 3:50, 6:40, 9:30; Saturday-Sunday: 10:30, 1:10, 3:50, 6:40, 9:30; MondayThursday: 1:10, 3:50, 6:40, 9:30 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (PG): Friday: 4:15, 6:35, 8:45; SaturdaySunday: 11:00, 1:35, 4:15, 6:35, 8:45; Monday-Thursday: 1:35, 4:15, 6:35, 8:45 Sisters (R): Friday: 4:10, 6:50, 9:25; SaturdaySunday: 10:45, 1:25, 4:10, 6:50, 9:25; Monday-Thursday: 1:25, 4:10, 6:50, 9:25 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13): Friday: 3:55, 6:45, 9:20, 9:35; Saturday-Sunday: 10:15, 12:50, 1:05, 3:55, 6:45, 9:20, 9:35; Monday-Thursday: 12:50, 1:05, 3:55, 6:45, 9:20, 9:35 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3D (PG-13): Friday: 3:40, 6:30; SaturdaySunday: 10:00, 3:40, 6:30; Monday-Thursday: 3:40, 6:30 360-629-0514

Harvey Keitel, and a role that requires Adam Sandler to don an actual costume instead of just shuffling about in sweats or cargo shorts, “The Ridiculous 6” indicates something akin to a genuine effort on Sandler’s part to make us laugh. It’s still a ridiculous waste of time. Comedy-Western, NR, 119 minutes. H “Trumbo” — It’s great fun to watch the great Bryan Cranston chewing the scenery as Dalton Trumbo, the screenwriter imprisoned for refusing to testify about his communist ties in 1947. This is a corny, well-made B-movie about an A-list screenwriter who had to take jobs writing B-movies after he was blacklisted. Historical drama, R, 124 minutes. HHH½

Oscar Watch: ‘The Big Short’ is picking up momentum

By GLENN WHIPP Los Angeles Times

“Joy,” “The Hateful Eight” and “The Revenant” were the last three would-be Oscar contenders to screen for critics in 2015.

Each came from a filmmaker whom the academy has lavished with Oscar love over the years. “Joy,” the Jennifer Lawrencetopped story of a striving young entrepreneur, came from David O. Russell, a five-time nominee as a writer and director.

Russell’s last three films — “The Fighter,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” — earned Best Picture nominations too.

Quentin Tarantino, writer and director of the chamber western “The Hateful Eight,” has won two Oscars and been nominated for three others.

And Alejandro G. Inarritu won three Oscars last year as a writer, director and producer of “Birdman.” He hopes to add to that total with his latest film, the bloody revenge western, “The Revenant.”

Now that the movies have been seen, though, it’s another December movie — “The Big Short,” a jaundiced look at the 2008 financial meltdown — that’s vacuuming up all the awards and nominations. Its director? The guy behind “Talladega Nights” and the “Anchorman” movies, Adam McKay. Can “The Big Short” continue its surge and win big with the academy?

Oscar Watch looks at its current standing as well as

picture, director and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, who will look to make history by winning his third consecutive Academy Award.

“JOY”

The Broadcast Film Critics Association, a group made up mostly of junket media, casts a wide net, handing out film awards in Paramount Pictures via AP 28 categories. Can’t find a seat at the big kids’ table Rafe Spall (from left), Jeremy Strong, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Jeffry Griffin star in “The Big Short.” for best picture? No problem. There are also awards for best comedy, best actthe fortunes of the other the economy to collapse in ing ensemble, best action three December films.

2008 and why it might very movie, best comedy and well happen again. That best sci-fi/horror movie.

“THE BIG SHORT” social currency counts a lot “Mad Max: Fury Road” “The Big Short” took in with academy members. found favor in three of the $720,000 in eight theaters This is a movie to watch. picture categories. “Joy” last weekend, producing was nominated only for the year’s second-best per- “THE REVENANT” best comedy. And this from screen average. The movie Leonardo DiCaprio a group that justifies its opened wide on Dec. 23, seems a pretty sure bet existence by advertising hoping to do better than to win his first Oscar for how its choices often mirthe film with the year’s his mostly silent turn as ror the Oscars. best per-screen opening — a long-suffering, bearNot good.

“Steve Jobs.” battling frontiersman out Lawrence seems to The marketing for for revenge in “The Revbe the movie’s best bet, McKay’s movie can trumenant.” and she too could be on pet a bevy of nominations.

DiCaprio’s work here shaky ground if academy The SAG Awards put the is as much about what he members decide to elevate movie, which stars Steve seemed to endure as the Rooney Mara (“Carol”) Carell, Ryan Gosling, performance itself, which and Alicia Vikander (“The Christian Bale and Brad mostly alternates between Danish Girl”) from supPitt, up for best ensemble abject terror and somber porting to lead. and gave Bale a supporting determination. It’s not his nod. The movie earned four most nuanced turn, but “THE HATEFUL EIGHT” Golden Globe nominathere doesn’t yet seem to Academy members tions as well — best picture be another lead actor that turned out in strong numcomedy, lead acting honors voters will rally around. bers for Tarantino’s westfor Carell and Bale and a Some critics have griped ern. Its chances of landing screenplay nod for McKay that the movie is more a Best Picture nomination and Charles Randolph. style than substance. When are iffy, but the movie Of the four Decemthat style is as accomshould score Oscar nods ber contenders, “The Big plished as what Inarritu for Tarantino’s screenplay, Short” has an edge in its delivers here, such comEnnio Morricone’s score, topicality. It illuminates, plaints feel like nitpicking. Robert Richardson’s cinwith clarity and righteous “The Revenant” seems to ematography and Jennifer anger, how the subprime be well on its way to earn- Jason Leigh’s gritty supmortgage bubble caused ing Oscar nominations for porting turn.

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