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Page 14 Fullerton Observer EVENTS
HITS &
MISSES
by Joyce Mason © 2009
THE CURIOUS CASE OF
BENJAMIN BUTTON: Two Misses
Supposedly based on a short story by F. Scott
Fitzgerald, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
borrows only the story’s title and its premise—a
person born old lives his life backwards into infancy.
Relocated from Fitzgerald’s Baltimore to New
Orleans and reset in time from the nineteenth to
the twentieth century, “Benjamin Button” is a long,
attenuated series of improbable and random events.
Screenwriter Eric Roth tells the story of Benjamin
Button (Brad Pitt) by framing it with the death of
his true love, Daisy, whose daughter (Julia
Ormond) is reading to her from Benjamin’s diary.
As she reads, stormy weather threatens outside the
hospital window. They are in New Orleans and it
is late August, 2005. The brewing storm hangs
heavy over the events depicted in Benjamin’s diary,
which is a retelling of his life’s story.
Because filmmakers can now digitalize scenes, it is
possible to follow the birth in 1919 of Benjamin, an
infant with the face and body of an old man,
through his childhood when he looks like a man of
sixty or seventy, to the fully grown and recognizable
Brad Pitt. But inherent in this technology is a
creepiness that manifests itself in such scenes as a
10-year-old Benjamin having a romantic crush on
8-year-old Daisy (Elle Fanning), who is fascinated
by the old man she thinks he is and invites him to
join her in the middle of the night. Another problem
with the technology is that frequently we need
to remind ourselves whether we are watching the
young Benjamin getting old or the old Benjamin
getting young.
Unlike the Fitzgerald story in which the parents
keep the grotesque child born to them, the film’s
Benjamin is abandoned by his father, who is distraught
by the death of his young wife and frightened
by the little monster she has delivered.
Benjamin is found by a warm-hearted African-
American woman, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), who
runs a nursing home for the elderly. Queenie
declares him to be “ugly as an old pot but still a
child of God” and lovingly takes care of him along
with her elderly clients.
At seventeen, Benjamin, looking like a sixty-year
old, gets a job on a barge, working for its colorful
Captain Mike (Jared Harris), who introduces
Benjamin to liquor and women. We next find the
ship’s crew in Murmansk, Russia, where they seem
to remain for several weeks, at least long enough for
Benjamin to meet and have an affair with the
unhappy wife (Tilda Swinton) of a British diplomat.
When World War II breaks out, captain and
crew, now stranded in Europe, join heartily into the
war effort, leading to adventures and catastrophes.
Through the years, Benjamin has loved Daisy
(Cate Blanchett), the child who regularly visited her
grandmother at Queenie’s retirement home. When
the war is over and they meet again, Daisy has
become an accomplished dancer. Although we had
no hints of her remarkable talents when she was
younger, Daisy is now studying with George
Balanchine and soon starring in Broadway shows.
For about 45 minutes of this almost three-hour
movie, Benjamin looks like the real Brad Pitt, and
his affair with Daisy creates a long romantic interlude,
which is eventually doomed by their disparate
aging processes. The central conceit of this film—
that two lives can intersect successfully for a few
years—might have worked better if the main characters
were more interesting. Although nominated
for an Academy Award, Brad Pitt plays Benjamin in
a mainly passive mode. He reacts to events more
than he generates action. Also, Cate Blanchett, a
gifted actress, is never convincing as a world-class
dancer singled out for her virtuosity.
Directed by David Fincher (“Fight Club” and
“Zodiak”), “The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button” could have benefited from removing many
unnecessary episodes, such as an early scene that
tells the story of how a clock that works backwards
happened to get built, and by allowing its protagonist
to be more proactive as he moves through his
unusual life events.
TUES., MARCH 3
• 6:30pm - City Council meeting, at
City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth,
Fullerton. Tentative Agenda includes
Closed Session – Potential Litigation
• Sewer Lining Project 08/09 •
Guidelines for Outdoor Patios on Public
Property in CBD and the Transportation
Center Specific Plan.
Go to www.cityoffullerton.com for an
agenda update .
WED., MARCH 4
• 3:30pm-4:30pm: CDBG Meeting
Non-profit groups interested in
appyling for Community
Development Block Grant funding
are asked to attend the meeting at the
Hunt Branch Library, 201 S. Basque,
Fullerton. Call Housing Supervisor
Linda Morad at 714-738-6878 with
questions. Applications are due by
March 18. Final decisions at 6:30pm
Tues., May 5 Council meeting.
• 6pm-9pm: SCORE Workshop
Carl Woodard presents the key tools
you need to market and promote your
product or service. Free at the
Fullerton Public Library, 353 W.
Commonwealth.
• 7pm: Author Phil Doran “The
Reluctant Tuscan” Emmy-award
winning writer & producer talks
about his book, a humorous true tale
of how he moved to Italy with his wife
and rediscovered himself, his marriage,
and the importance of getting
in touch with his inner Italian. Free at
the Fullerton Public Library, 353 W.
Commonwealth.
• 7pm-9pm: Downtown Future
Meeting designed for residents to
share views of what’s working and
what’s not in the downtown area.
Fullerton City Hall, 303 W.
Commonwealth. Call Lt. Dan
Hughes at Police Dept. for more info
at 714-738-6845 or by email to
DHughes@FullertonPD.org
FRI. MARCH 6
• 12:30pm: “The Kite Runner” A
free screening of the tale of two childhood
friends torn apart by circumstances
of war and strife in
Afghanistan. Stars Khalid Abdalla. If
you like come early for a macaroni &
cheese lunch in the dining room at
noon for $2.50-$3.50. Fullerton
Senior Center, 340 W.
Commonwealth. 714-738-6305. Free
• 7am-1pm - Yard, Book & Plant
Sale Friends for a Livable Fullerton
Fundraiser 400 N. Malden at
Chapman. For more info. or in case it
rains and the sale has to be rescheduled
call 714-607-0380 or go to
downtownfullerton@earthlink.net.
Funds raised go to FFLF so the work
helping to preserve Fullerton’s
uniqueness and livability can continue.
If you have donations of items for
the sale you can drop off at above
address on Wed., March 4th. (no
computers or TVs).
• 6:30pm: Free Film Night
“Eldorado” directed by Bouli
Lanners at the Fullerton Public
Library Osborne Auditorium. "Yvan
and Elie are two loners who wander
aimlessly through their lives. Yvan is a
quick-tempered 40-year-old vintage
car dealer while Elie is a young burglar
and ex-junkie." Films are unrated
and are not recommended for children
under the age of 17. Original
language, with English subtitles.
SAT MARCH 7
• 7am-1pm - Yard, Book & Plant
Sale Friends for a Livable Fullerton
Fundraiser 400 N. Malden at
Chapman. See above March 6th listing
for full information.
• 10-11:30am: Free Home
Composting Workshop, Patrick
McNelly & Dr. Bill Roley demonstrate
how to start your own home
composting system. Free w/proof of
residency. Meet at the bleachers at the
Fullerton Arboretum, 1900
Associated Rd. Call 714-278-3407 to
save your space. www.fullertonarboretum.org
• Noon to 2pm: “We Played
Baseball” luncheon & panel discussion
at the Fullerton Museum Center,
301 N. Pomona at Wilshire, a block
from downtown. The event features
Jean Hastings Ardell, author of
“Breaking into Baseball: Women and
the National Pastime,” plus All
American Girls Professional Baseball
League members Shirley Berkovich
and Maybelle Blair. $8 includes a box
lunch and tour of the museum exhibit.
RSVP 714-738-6575
• Noon-10pm: CSUF Grand
Central Art Center Anniversary,
day-long event features guest speakers,
demos, music, dance, tours, food
& drink. 125 N Broadway, Santa
Ana, 92701. 714-567-7233
• 5pm-9pm: Western Hoedown &
BBQ, Food, refreshments, entertainment
and dancing in support of the
Arboretum. Tickets are $70 each.
Fullerton Arboretum, 1900
Associated Rd. 714-278-3407
www.fullertonarboretum.org
MON., MARCH 9
• 7pm: Moody Bible Institute
Symphonic Band a 50-member
group will be in concert at Wilshire
Ave Community Church, 212 E.
Wilshire (one block east of Harbor
Blvd. in Fullerton). Band & orchestral
concert music as well as hymn
and gospel song arrangements in both
traditional and contemporary styles.
Call 714-526-2265 for more info.
Free
TUES. MARCH 10
• 10:30am: OCTA Presentation on
Bus Riding for Seniors The bus gives
millions of older adults the freedom
to do the things they want to do.
Fullerton Senior Center, 340 W.
Commonwealth. 714-738-6305. Free
• 7pm: “Recession-proof Your Job
Search” featuring Dr. Patty Malone,
DINNER: 7 days a week! 5-10pm • Fri. & Sat. to 11pm
LUNCH: Mon-Sat 11am to 3pm
February, March & April • Sun., Mon. & Tues. Nights
BRING YOUR OWN WINE • NO CORKAGE CHARGE!
RESERVATIONS • 714.525.1056
KARAOKE Every Saturday Night 10pm
114 W. Wilshire Ave • Downtown Fullerton
EARLY-MARCH 2009
Jelly Howie Stars
Born and raised in Fullerton,
Jelly Howie is starring in the latest
Josh Schwartz (“Chuck”, “Gossip
Girl”, “The OC”) project
“Rockville, CA” premiering on
TheWB.com on March 17th.
A scripted, music-centric story,
Rockville follows a group of young
20-somethings who hang out at a
fictional club “Rockville”. Indie
bands perform in each 4-6 minute
episode, including The Kooks, The
Broken West and Anya Marina.
Having guest-starred in such
series as “CSI Miami” and
“90210”, Jelly is now a regular as
the beautiful, unobtainable waitress
on Rockville. -Annie Chen
professor of communication studies at
CSUF. Fullerton Public Library
Osborne Auditorium, 353 W.
Commonwealth. Free. 714-738-6326
• 7:30pm - Star Wars, directed by
George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill,
Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher at
Hibbleton. Bring chair/blanket.
Come early space is limited. 112 W.
Wilshire Ave. 714-441-2857 hibbleton.com
WED. MARCH 11
7pm: Planning Commission at
City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth.
Items to discuss include: 1) Lim
request for CUP to modify shared
parking at 1701-1895 N. Euclid &
Rosecrans; 2) Ochoa/ Bushala request
for CUP to operate a restaurant and
nightclub at 205 N. Harbor; 3)
Safawi/Smith request to modify CUP
to operate hookah café at 741 N.
Placentia Ave.
THURS., MARCH 12
• 10:30am: Arriving in Afghanistan
Cultural Reception serves up a taste of
the food and music of Afghanistan
plus a documentary showing the culture
and countryside. Fullerton
Senior Center, 340 W.
Commonwealth. 714-738-6305. Free
• 7:30pm: Costa Rica at Sierra Club
Meeting Vern and Verna Steger will
present photos of Costa Rica, including
national parks and birding areas.
Meet at Banco Popular in north
Fullerton on the SW corner of Euclid
and Rosecrans (near CVS). Free
SAT. MARCH 14
• 8am: Coyote Hills Nature Hike,
Naturalists will interpret the scene.
Join us as we walk in one of the last
open spaces in North Orange
County. Meet at the equestrian gate
to Laguna Lake Park at Lakeview,
just east of Euclid in Fullerton. Bring
water to drink and wear comfortable
shoes. Public is welcome. Cancelled
if it rains. Free.
• 9am: Fullerton Pony Baseball, for
kids ages 3 to 14. Amerige Park, 340
W. Commonwealth, Fullerton
(across from City Hall). fullertonponybaseball.com
or phone 714-
773-4215 for more info.
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