Aug - Fullerton Observer

Page 14 FULLERTON OBSERVER EVENTS
HITS &
MISSES
by Joyce Mason
© 2010
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT:
A Hit & a Miss
With a tone that waivers between sitcom fare
and emotional heft, “The Kids are All Right”
offers a twenty-first century take on middle-class
family drama. In this case the family consists of
two lesbian parents and their biological son and
daughter, conceived and carried by each mother
from the sperm of the same donor. This premise
would not work as well as it does without spoton
performances from the two leads played by
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as well as
the crisply written lines of co-writers Lisa
Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg.
Nic (Bening), a Los Angeles physician and the
major breadwinner in the family, is the more
stern and disciplined partner, while Jules
(Moore), with few credentials but lots of enthusiasm,
pursues her newest interest: landscape
design. Their daughter, Joni (Mia Wasikowska),
has just graduated from high school as a Merit
Scholar and is headed for college in the fall. Less
of a scholar than his sister, 15-year-old Laser
(Josh Hutcherson), excels in sports.
Even though the family is unconventional, the
children have been brought up with the same
expectations placed upon them as children from
other upper-middle-class homes. They are told
to get good grades, to write thank-you notes, to
associate with friends who provide a good influence,
and to express their opinions and ideas
openly and appropriately. Now that Joni is
eighteen and an adult, Laser, curious about his
father’s identity, wants her to access the sperm
donor files and seek their father’s identity.
Their father turns out to be Paul (Mark
Ruffalo), a cool, unmarried guy, who rides a
motorcycle, raises organic vegetables and runs his
own boutique restaurant. In a well-written
scene, Paul finally meets with Joni and Laser,
pleased that they have turned out so well and
unruffled by the fact that they are being raised by
a same-sex couple. In fact, Paul is the essence of
cool—laid back, accepting, non-judgmental, and
open to new experiences.
Surprised but not angered by the fact that the
children have contacted their biological father,
Nic and Jules agree to invite Paul to their home
for dinner. But this planned one-time contact
expands into an extended relationship when Paul
hires Jules to landscape his neglected backyard.
Innumerable problems develop as these two
spend time together at Paul’s home. But Paul’s
influence on the two teenagers is more positive.
Joni becomes less intimidated by her more controlling
parent, Nic, and Laser finally ends his
friendship with a teenage boy that both moms
have disapproved of for months.
The movie is filled with intelligent and realistic
dialogue, most of which is light and bantering.
But as problems develop between Nic and
Jules and as both women realize that Joni will
soon be moving from their home to a campus
dorm, the sitcom humor of the first half of the
movie changes to a more introspective and emotionally
charged dynamic. By the end of the
film, the comedic tone has morphed into a serious
and contemplative mood.
Cholodenko (“Laurel Canyon”) directed “The
Kids Are All Right” with great attention to detail
and with care and precision in choosing the cast.
The interiors of the homes have a contemporary,
lived-in appearance, and the wardrobes accurately
reflect the personalities and identities of the
characters. Nic is frequently seen in her hospital
scrubs and Jules looks amusing in the khaki
shorts and workman’s vest of her new landscaping
career. The outstanding work of Bening and
Moore is ably supported by Ruffalo, Wasikowska
and all of the skilled supporting actors.
Two Hits: Don’t Miss It!
A Hit & A Miss: You Might Like It.
Two Misses: Forget About It.
MON, AUG. 2
•1:45pm-4pm: Panel Discussion on
Women & Health with Loretta
Sanchez at the Muzeo, 241 S. Anaheim
Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805. Visiting
women members of Congress will also
be in attendance. An opportunity to
learn what the Patient Protection and
Affordable Health Care Act which just
became law will mean to fixing our
healthcare system, especially for women.
RSVP by calling Javiera Cartagena at
(714) 621-0102 or via email to
javiera.cartagena@mail.house.gov.
www.house.gov/sanchez
•4:30pm: Lions Field Dedication at
the site of $13 million refurbished field
on Bastanchury at the edge of Hillcrest
Park. Fake grass covers the playing fields.
46 mature trees were removed and the
slope was stabilized to prevent slippage
and tiny new trees were planted. A new
concession stand, meeting room, batting
cages and restrooms are part of the completed
project funded by a 1998 Park
Improvement Bond and park dwelling
taxes. Refreshments will be served and
Pop Warner cheerleaders and football
players will begin their first practices.
TUES., AUG. 3
•10am-Noon: “Obama & the
Middle East” William Haddad, chair
and professor of history, CSUF in a free
OLLI lecture. Mackey Auditorium,
Ruby Gerontology Center, 800 N. State
College Blvd., Fullerton (657-278-4851
or www.cle.fullerton.edu for more info.
•5pm-7:30pm: National Night Out
Against Crime at Westhaven Park,
12252 West St,, Garden Grove 92840.
Free family event features music, balloons,
bubbles, raffles, games, prizes and
non-profit groups in a program to generate
anti-crime programs and community
partnerships.
•6:30pm: City Council Meeting at
City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.,
Fullerton 92832 (at Highland). On the
agenda is a Public Hearing on Fire Dept.
Fees for conducting annual inspections
of multi-family residential occupancies.
Call the Fire Dept at 714-738-6500.
WED., AUG. 4
•8am-1:30pm: Fullerton Certified
Farmers Market at 801 W. Valencia Dr.
in Independence Park (between
Highland and Euclid). Fresh fruit, vegetables,
eggs, honey, fish, flowers, plants,
nuts and bread. Plus the best tamales.
714-871-5304.
THURS., AUG. 5
•1:15pm-3:15pm: “The Growing
Power of the Non-Ideological Middle
in Politics & Religion” Jonathan
Dobrer (LA Daily News & Fullerton
Observer columnist) in a free OLLI lecture.
Mackey Auditorium, Ruby
Gerontology Center, 800 N. State
College Blvd., Fullerton. 657-278-4851
or www.cle.fullerton.edu.
Free Summer
Classes for Seniors
Offered by North OC
Community College District
Older Adults Program.
LOCATION: Muckenthaler
Cultural Center, 1201 W.
Malvern, Fullerton 92833
•Ceramics: Thurs. 10am-noon.
(materials $25 clay)
•Quilting: Mon. 1pm-3pm
•Tai-Chi Chuan: Thurs.
8:45am-10:15pm. Chinese health
exercise.
•Beginning Drama: Mon.
10:30am-12:30pm
Enrollment Info:
Call 866-411-1212 or email
info@themuck.org
THURS., AUG. 5 CONTINUED
•3pm-6pm: Summer Happy Hour at
the Senior Center, 340 W.
Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton features
hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar offering
beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Entertainment by singer/musician Ron
Allen, and dancing. $2 cover charge.
Call 714-738-6305 for more info.
THURS., AUG. 5 continued
•4pm-6pm: Hunt Library Film &
Board Games stay cool and enjoy
watching a movie or playing board
games. All ages welcome. Hunt Library,
201 S. Basque Ave (off W. Valencia Dr.)
Fullerton 92833. Free
•4:30pm-8:30pm:Outdoor Market
fresh vegetables & fruit; food vendors;
beer garden; kids activities; live
Reggae/Rock music by Upstream
formed in Trinidad in the 80s by brothers
Haile & Dereck Blackman, sons of
Ras Shorty I, the man responsible for
bringing Soca music to the world.
Fullerton Plaza on E. Wilshire between
Harbor and Pomona, Downtown
Fullerton. Free admission and parking.
714-738-6545
•7pm: Leon Leyson: A Holocaust
Survivor and part of the legendary
Schindler’s List describes his extraordinary
experiences as a young boy during
the Nazi occupation in WWII.
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W.
Malvern Ave., Fullerton 92833. Call
714-738-6595 Wed.-Sun. noon to 4pm
or go to www.themuck.org for more
information. Presented by Davis Barber
Productions. Free
SAT., AUG. 7
•7:30am-8:15am: Walk & Talk with
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez hosted
by the City of Fullerton. Wear comfortable
shoes and participate in an
informal meeting with our local representative.
Laguna Lake Park, 3120
Lakeview Dr. (off Euclid) in north
Fullerton.
•9am: OLLI Open House features
guided tours, exhibits, light refreshments
and a presentation on Fall semester classes
and activities. Ruby Gerontology
Center CSUF, (enter campus on
Gymnasium Drive off State College
Blvd.) Free parking. Call 714-278-2446
or see website www.olli.fullerton.edu for
more info on this group which offers
over 200 classes a year on a wide variety
of topics to all semi-retired of any age.
no educational prerequisites, no grades,
no homework, no examinations, and no
attendance requirements. $225 annual
fee (or by semester: $65 summer; or
$115 Fall/Winter) includes unlimited
number of OLLI classes (plus audit any
CSUF class with permission of instructor),
parking pass, bookstore & library,
and performing arts discounts, athletic
event tickets, and more.
Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service
• 4:30pm: Social Hour & Silent Auction
• 5:45pm: Welcome & Dinner
• 7pm: Live Auction
Angelo’s & Vinci’s Ristorante
550 N. HARBOR BLVD., FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 2010
SUN., AUG. 8
•1pm-5pm: Free World Dance
Festival celebrates Southern
California’s diversity with the rich
tapestry of dances from Mexico,
Ireland, Spain, the Middle East,
Korea, Argentina, and Guam, among
others. Muckenthaler Cultural
Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave.,
Fullerton 92833. Call 714-738-6595
or go to www.themuck.org for more
info.
MON., AUG. 9
•11am: 1st Annual James
Wernke Golf Tournament
Hacienda Golf Club, 718 East Road,
La Habra. Go to www.jameswernkefoundation.org
for details.
•6pm-8pm: Free Film Series at
the Library - “Alamar”, an independent
film (not suitable for young
children) will be screened at the
Fullerton Main Library Osborne
Auditorium, 353 W. Commonwealth
Ave., Fullerton 92832. Jore has only
a few weeks with his five-year-old son
Natan before he leaves to live with
his mother in Rome. Intent on teaching
Natan about their Mayan heritage,
Jorge takes him to the pristine
Chinchorro reef, and eases him into
the rhythms of a fisherman’s life. As
the bond between father and son
grows stronger, Natan learns to live
in harmony with life above and
below the surface of the sea. 714-
738-6325 or 738-6327 for details.
WED., AUG. 11
•7pm: Planning Commission
Meeting City Hall, 303 W.
Commonwealth, Fullerton 92832
THURS., AUG. 12
•4pm-6pm: Hunt Library Film
& Board Games stay cool and enjoy
watching a movie or playing board
games. All ages welcome. Hunt
Library, 201 S. Basque Ave (off W.
Valencia Dr.) Fullerton 92833.
•4pm-8:30pm: Dog Days at the
Downtown Outdoor Market features
dog show and contests in ten
categories, including best pet trick,
fastest eater, loudest bark, and more,
plus dog-themed vendors and
exhibitors and live music by Munish
-DJ. Free. Call 714-738-6545 to register
your dog in the contests.
•6pm-9pm: Hunt Library
SCORE Small Business Workshop
develop a winning business plan to
help manage your business. More
info at www.score114.org. Hunt
Library, 201 S. Basque Ave (off W.
Valencia Dr.) Fullerton 92833. Preregister
for this Free workshop by
calling 714-550-7369 or online at
workshops@score114.org.
Continued next page
FIES Annual Fund-Raising Dinner
Sunday, September 19, 2010
RESERVATIONS: 714.680.3691
(Please RSVP before September 10, 2010)
Find more information about FIES online at www.fies.us
“REBUILDING LIVES OF THE HUNGRY & HOMELESS”