Blu-ray: Hugo

  Hot on the heels of its five Oscar wins (for cinematography, art direction, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects), viewers who missed Hugo in theaters have another chance to experience the first children’s movie from acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, as it’s now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

“Once upon a time, I met a boy named Hugo Cabret, who lived in a train station. Why did he live in a train station, you may as well ask?” That is really the basis of Hugo, or so the trailers would have one believe. The movie advertised to audiences seems to be about a young orphan boy (Asa Butterfield) who lives in the aforementioned train station, winding the many clocks and evading notice by the authorities (embodied brilliantly by Sacha Baron Cohen). His only companion, a broken-down automaton that his father (Jude Law) was fixing before he died, can only be activated by a special heart-shaped key. He finds said key around the neck of the precocious goddaughter (Chloë Grace Moretz) of the local toy shop owner (Ben Kingsley), and adventure ensues.

That’s not to say that story isn’t part of the film. If Hugo were a sandwich, that story would be more like the bread surrounding a thick slice of something completely different. The meat of the story is actually the touching tale about an early pioneer in moviemaking, Georges Méliès, who had to give up his passion after the first World War and settle for running a toy shop instead.

Butterfield and Moretz are remarkable young actors, perfectly cast in the lead roles, carrying their part of the movie (the one that promised two kids having a magical adventure) aptly. For his part, Kingsley embodies the bitter toy maker with pitch-perfect cynicism, as well as the mischievous magician and joyful filmmaker.

While the film is exceptional in many respects, the blended storylines have the effect of dragging down the action midway through. It isn’t that there isn’t anything interesting to say, but more that there is too much…and said in too many ways.

Every few minutes, a character shares the idea that early films had the power to capture dreams, and Hugo plays like a dream. It is visually stunning, the colors and lighting making a 1930s-era train station come vividly to life, even without the 3-D. Unlike other 3-D movies viewed in two dimensions, the missed effects aren’t distracting from the story.

“Do you ever wonder where your dreams come from? Look around. This is where they’re made.” Méliès’ words to a young Rene Tabard (who would one day become an avid historian, played by Michael Stuhlbarg in the film) could have just as easily applied to the moviemaking magic accomplished in this film, from the spectacular effects to the almost hypnotic atmosphere. The filmmaking is an homage to the art of cinema, even if Hugo’s storyline isn’t always up to the task.

While the bare-bones DVD release (Paramount Home Entertainment, MSRP: $29.99) contains only the movie and an UltraViolet digital copy of the film, both the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack with digital copy (MSRP: $39.99) and the 3-D Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack with digital copy (MSRP: $44.99) have a number of special features. “Shoot the Moon: The Making of Hugo” features interviews with the cast, crew and director Scorsese.

Viewers intrigued by the filmmaker portrayed in the movie should truly enjoy “The Cinemagician, George Méliès,” a look at some of the actual films that have survived the past century. This short feature showcases some of the innovations and ground-breaking effects used by the filmmaker, while further exploring his impact on cinematic history. Méliès’ great granddaughter also gives her insights into the man she knew (and the great similarities between him and Kingsley).

Likewise, those whose interest was piqued by the automaton, wondering if such a thing ever existed, will find answers in “The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo.” The featurette explores the history of automatons and their makers throughout history, showcasing some that were made in the 1700s and are still functioning today.

One of the most dramatic scenes in the film, that of a train engine running off the tracks and through a window of the station, is explored in “Big Effects, Small Scale.” From the photo of the actual train accident that inspired author Brian Selznick to include the scene in his book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, to the models used to recreate the action, this method of moviemaking is a throwback to days before CGI was the norm.

Finally, “Sacha Baron Cohen: Role of a Lifetime” features Cohen at his satirical best, explaining why Scorsese is a terrible director and why he should be allowed to do things as he wants to do them. One might wonder if anyone has successfully interviewed Cohen as anything other than a character; this feature does nothing to dispute that notion.

While Hugo may be magical, it’s not magical in the way one might expect given how the film was marketed. It is, however, a must-see for film buffs and for those who want to know about how this singular young man searched so hard to find a secret message from his father, and how that message made its way all the way home.

Hugo is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. 

Posted on LifeInLA.com

Shopping: Topshop at Fashion Show Mall

LasVegas exclisive at TOPSHOP.

Style-savvy men and women across the United States will be headed to Las Vegas for the March 8 flagship store opening of London-based retailer TOPSHOP in the Fashion Show Mall.

TOPSHOP  has long been known to fashion editors and international travelers as the place to find eclectic pieces by hot British design talent and for fashionable staples that don’t cost a month’s rent. Until two years ago, when the New York location opened, there was no way for stateside fashionistas to get their fix of U.K. flair without going online. The Las Vegas store is the third U.S. location to open, with a Los Angeles location soon to follow.

When the 20,000-square-foot store opens their doors, shoppers will be treated to the best of British trends and an exclusive, limited-edition collection created just for Sin City.

“We were inspired by all that we associate with Las Vegas, the sparkle and the glitz,” design director Jacqui Markham said. “In creating this line, we referenced retro casino graphics and the old-style glamor of speakeasy clubs and dancing girls.”

The women’s collection is set to include sequined dresses, shorts and skirts, evening clutches and colorful sandals embellished with rhinestones and crystals.

“We incorporated iconic motifs such as dollar signs, slot machine cherries and playing card symbols into the styles in a playful, tongue-in-cheek way,” Markham said.

The collection will also include a signature nail polish, called Razzmatazz. “It’s a super-glittery polish, as the name suggests, inspired by the Razzmatazz of Vegas nightlife,” Markham explained.

The TOPMAN brand, which focuses on menswear, also features Las Vegas-inspired items. In addition to knit ties, leather belts and an exclusive suede-and-canvas bag, the brand’s classic suit will hearken back to Rat Pack-era Las Vegas.

“I wanted pieces that referenced the traditional time of Sinatra,” Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN design director, said. “Tailoring played a big part of the look of that era. With that in mind, we’ve created suiting…that is slimmer and sharp in construction.”

In addition to the usual retail fixtures, the local TOPSHOP /TOPMAN will also offer guests a few additional perks. Instead of Muzak or recycled hits, the store features two DJ booths. A cosmetic area will offer shoppers the ability to come into the store, shop for a new nightlife look and be made up for a night out on the town.

Perhaps the most inviting service are the luxurious private shopping suites and fitting rooms, staffed by personal shoppers and outfitted with their own private entrances. Services are available by appointment.

Guests attending the grand opening will enjoy complimentary makeovers and may be lucky enough to receive a gift card by TOPSHOP style girls circulating through the store. Shoppers who spend up to $100 in store will also walk away with an exclusive glitter clutch as a gift.

TOPSHOP/TOPMAN is located on the ground level of the Fashion Show Mall, 3200 S. Las Vegas Blvd. For more information, call 702-369-8382 or visit them online at topshop.com.

Posted on BestofLasVegas.com

DVD: The Rum Diary

  It took more than a decade to bring Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary to theaters, six years after the author’s death in 2005. Now available on DVD (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, MSRP: $30.99) and Blu-ray (MSRP: $35.99), the story of a writer who finds his voice in 1960s Puerto Rico is, mostly, a fitting tribute to the author whose dream it was to see it on the big screen.

Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) is a New York novelist who, frustrated with his lack of progress as a writer, moves to Puerto Rico to take a job reporting for the San Juan Star. At first given entry-level assignments by his editor-in-chief, Lotterman (Richard Jenkins), Kemp is content to nurse his alcoholism and pal around with staff photographer Sala (Michael Rispoli).

He soon finds himself courted by the powerful Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who involves him in a scheme to generate a lot of cash for some greedy investors—at the expense of the poor. Complicating matters, Kemp falls for Sanderson’s wild child fiancée, Chenault (the radiant Amber Heard). “Oh, God. Why did she have to happen, just when I was doing so well without her?” Kemp muses.

As he begins to fall deeper in love with an unavailable woman, Kemp also starts to see the damage men like Sanderson and even Lotterman are doing to the people of Puerto Rico, keeping them in poverty while courting rich Americans to play on their beaches or at their “safe” hotels and bowling alleys. When Kemp starts to submit stories that reflect the true nature of life on the island, Lotterman laughs, “The average Joe doesn’t save up for 25 years so he can take a cruise to the islands and hear how bad conditions are at the sugar plantation.”

Disillusioned and angry, Kemp suddenly finds the inspiration he’s been seeking and vows, “I will try to speak for my reader. That is my promise, and it will be a voice made of ink and rage.”

Thompson penned The Rum Diary during a very formative period of his career, and most consider the book to be a barely fictionalized autobiography (though he jokingly disabuses that notion in the special features). He very much wanted to write a Great American Novel, in the fashion of Hemingway or Steinbeck, and the book is indeed the enduring story about a writer finding his voice in an exotic land. Does the film version also translate into a cinematic opus? Not so much.

Lacking The Great Gatsby’s drama or Of Mice and Men’s rough character, there is nevertheless a great deal to like in The Rum Diary. The casting is inspired, with perhaps the exception of Eckhart, who seems curiously unenthusiastic in his bad-guy character. Rispoli and Heard shine in a version of the angel- and devil-on-the-shoulder roles (though, in this case, the devil wears apple-blossom lipstick), and Jenkins proves yet again to be one of the best-kept secrets in Hollywood.

Bruce Robinson does a credible job translating Thompson’s work into a script that keeps the flavor of the original work, though the story doesn’t quite have enough peaks and valleys to stir any great feeling, either for the main characters or the people of Puerto Rico. He also does a fine job as director, keeping the story focused and well-paced. Oddly enough, the weakest link in the film is Depp himself. As a good friend of Thompson’s, and an early champion and producer of this film, one might assume that he would embrace the role more thoroughly. Instead, he seems somewhat tentative in his portrayal, as if he were so worried about doing his friend justice he forgot to make the role his own.

One of the real stars of this film is the cinematography. The flavor of the time and place is so authentic, the viewer can almost smell the stale tobacco and sweat in the newspaper offices, feel the cloying heat of the bodies pressed together around a cockfight and taste the heavy, salt-tinged Caribbean air on a boat bound for Carnival. This isn’t the glamorous ’60s of shows like “Mad Men” or “Pan Am;” The Rum Diary’s contrasts between the easy lifestyle of the wealthy and the deplorable conditions of the poor aren’t just played for shock, but feel genuine in their effect, and give real weight to Kemp’s eventual desire to expose the “bastards” of the world.

As far as bonus features go, there are relatively few included on both the DVD and Blu-ray release. What the discs lack in quantity, however, is made up in quality—especially if viewers are fans of Depp or Thompson.

“A Voice Made of Ink and Rage: Inside The Rum Diary” takes an inside look at the filming of the movie, from Depp’s pre-shoot ritual for honoring his departed friend to costume design to the type of film used to capture the essence of Puerto Rico. Focusing mainly on the actor/producer, it’s a fairly standard behind-the-scenes feature, but well done and chock full of interesting tidbits for film buffs.

“The Rum Diary Back-Story,” by contrast, is made for fans of Thompson and the novel that inspired the film. Less a polished documentary than a well-edited collection of home movies and interviews, this feature is a far more intimate look at The Rum Diary’s journey from a rough manuscript languishing in Thompson’s study to the silver screen. Featuring footage shot as far back as 1998, viewers are treated to the author’s final efforts at editing the story before publication, his and Depp’s meetings with potential producers and scenes of Thompson simply reading passages from his own work aloud. Though at times the writer is so difficult to understand he requires subtitles, he exudes enthusiasm and genuine pride in his words. A complex man, at turns charming and obstinate, Thompson seems at all times to know who he is and completely embraces it.

Although it doesn’t completely live up to the grand cinematic aspirations Thompson might have had for the movie, The Rum Diary is still a lovely snapshot of a time when America was just losing its innocence, drinking and smoking were job requirements and one of last century’s most iconic talents found his voice.

The Rum Diary is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. 

Published on LifeInLA.com

Tuesday 13: Cheaza Figueroa of Peepshow

Courtesy Photo

Some people are just born to be entertainers, and Cheaza Figueroa is one of them. The native Puerto-Rican is the reigning Peep Diva in Planet Hollywood’s sexy burlesque show “Peepshow.” From the moment she steps onstage, Figueroa owns the role once inhabited by guest stars Mel B, Shoshana Bean and Aubrey O’Day. But this former-backup-singer-turned-lead isn’t just a great smile on top of a wicked sense of humor. She’s a single mom to Mariana (who just turned 16), a calendar girl and a recording artist in her own right.

Earlier this month, the Boricua beauty celebrated the production’s 1000th show with cast mates Holly Madison and Josh Strickland, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon—despite a recent injury that kept her from performing for nearly three months. Now back onstage and better than ever, the saucy señorita talked with the Best of Las Vegas about touring with the greats as a child, her own very talented daughter and what new challenges she can’t wait to conquer.

BOLV: You have been with “Peepshow” since day one, moving from a principal singer to arguably the best Peep Diva in the show’s history. How has the experience been from your perspective?
Cheaza Figueroa: I came from Wayne Brady’s show to do “Peepshow,” and it’s been a great experience. I moved out to Vegas to do exactly what I’m doing now and it’s really exciting and liberating to live out one of my dreams, especially a dream which some people said I was crazy to think could even happen. And (the role) is teaching me so much as well. I’ve never been in a production like this, so it’s teaching me a lot about discipline and working with a big cast. All in all, it’s definitely been a learning tool and a fun, fun journey.
BOLV: There have been comparisons of your vocal style to other divas like Tina Turner and Whitney Houston. How were you affected by Houston’s recent passing?

CF: It still hasn’t really hit me. She has been a true idol of mine. I remember when I was a little girl I wanted to be Whitney Houston. She helped sculpt and mold me as an entertainer, along with other great artists, but she was a great role model of mine growing up. She’s still a lot of who I am today. A lot of people tell me I sound like her, and to hear that throughout my life then to have that tragic event of her passing. Well, her legacy will live on through a lot of people, and definitely myself.
BOLV: I know you were working on your own album, and even had a single, “Live for Tonight” ready to go. Is there anything to report on that project?

CF: Yes, actually. We’re working with new producers right now.
BOLV: You recently suffered a fairly serious injury. Can you give us an update on your condition?

CF: Well, I fell exiting the stage during my show, and it took me out for about three months. But I’m healing, I’m back in the show now. (The producers) are allowing me to do the show according to what’s comfortable for me. I’m very lucky, because a lot of shows won’t allow that. I’m in rehabilitation right now for my shoulder, so I just have to be patient and go through the process.
BOLV: Your fans can now purchase a calendar featuring 14 months of Cheaza. How was the experience of shooting a calendar?

CF: It was a lot of fun. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing and we got it done in a couple months. Due to my injury, it pushed the calendar release back a bit, but better late than never. I can’t wait to do next year’s. Sherrie Hill was one of my sponsors for the calendar, I definitely love wearing Sherrie Hill dresses.

BOLV: You’ve also been known to shop for lots of new footwear. Any favorites?
CF: I’m simple, but I love shoes! I love Louboutins, of course. Gianmarco Lorenzi, those have become my new favorite. I don’t get those on an every day basis, though. I also shop at Baker and Wild Pair, usually on the way into work or out from work at the Miracle Mile Shops. I just bought some new Betsey Johnson’s the other day, too.

BOLV: I keeping with the devil-may-care spirit of your character, you are a big fan of motorcycles. How did you get turned onto that hobby?
CF: I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 16 or 17 years old. My uncles always owned a motorcycle and as babies we would be around them so it kind of just rubbed off on me. I have my own street bike, a YZF1000, and I love it. Right now, I can’t ride because of my shoulder, but as soon as it’s healed I’ll be back up on it, riding someplace like Lake Mead.

BOLV: You are a big user of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. As the mother of a teenage daughter, do you find yourself monitoring what you put out there or what she is seeing?
CF: You know what? I do, actually, but there’s really nothing that I would put out there that I wouldn’t let my daughter see. It just comes down to character. My daughter is an entertainment child, she’s been exposed to a lot. I’m very protective over her and just make sure she understands that the world is the world and people are people and everyone is different, so the things you see and hear are other people’s opinions and views, but what you get at home you can take to the bank.

BOLV: When you were a child, you were traveling with your mom, who was an Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner, and a backup singer for Chaka Kahn, among other gigs. How did being around such great musicians at a young age help shape you as an artist?
CF: That was everything to me. I look back and think that, as a child, I really didn’t realize the (impact of the) people who had such an influence on me as an artist today, just by sitting in the other room, listening to them sing or rehearse with my mom. I was exposed to Rick James to Johnny Otis to Chaka Kahn and Smokey Robinson, so may great artists, but not knowing as a child that “these are the greats, the soul of music.”

BOLV: Your life story is so fascinating. If Hollywood came calling, would you ever consider doing your own reality show?
CF: You know, I said no to it a lot of times, but we actually have a show in production right now. I think it will provide a lot of opportunity for my daughter, so she can get her feet wet in the business as well, because she sings and acts and dances. We were approached by a really good production team, and I think (a reality show) would be a positive insight into what we’re trying to do in my life and my daughter’s life right now.

BOLV: So Mariana has inherited the performing bug as well?
CF: She loves it, she absolutely loves it. She comes from a very musical background. Her father, my ex-husband, is in the boy band, All-4-One, so as a small, small child, in the belly really, she was exposed to music. She was also on a show called “Hip Hop Harry” on PBS Kids, and is going to start recording (an album) this summer.

BOLV: You were a backup singer for Wayne Brady, who is also known for his comedy. Recently you also tried your hand at improv comedy. Do you have a future as a comic lined up, too?
CF: Yes, I love it! Wayne used to pull me up on stage with him to improv, and he was one of the first people to tell me I really needed to try this, because I was good at it. He believed in me more than I believed in myself when it came to comedy. I mean, standing next to the best… what can I really say? He is amazing. It’s just like a whirlwind of experience, being onstage with him. Everything that I’ve learned, I’ve been able to incorporate into (“Peepshow”,) which is a blessing. Improv has become another love of mine thanks to Wayne and I’d like to venture a little bit more into that side of things.

BOLV: You’re a singer, a dancer, you do comedy, sports. Is there any field you haven’t tried yet that you would love to explore?
CF: You know what? There is. I really want to try opera. I know I can do it. It’s very disciplined, and that’s the reason I want to try it, to give my vocal chords that chance. I was thinking about going to Nashville, maybe the U.K., someplace that’s a different environment. I know Nashville is a really cool place to take opera (lessons.) I just want to try to do something farfetched that I’ve never done.

Published on BestOfLasVegas.com

Blu-ray: Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition

  One of the greatest love stories of all time, Lady and the Tramp is far less tragic than Romeo and Juliet, more endearing than Scarlett and Rhett and just plain cuter than Bogey and Bacall. It’s a timeless classic, featuring one of the most iconic movie moments of all time—seriously, who hasn’t tried to recreate the spaghetti-kiss scene with their significant other?

For those who aren’t in the know, this is the story of Lady (Barbara Luddy), a cocker spaniel, who was given as a Christmas gift from Jim Dear (Lee Millar) to his lovely wife, Darling (Peggy Lee). Lady is a pampered princess, loving her masters and protecting the home from pigeons and giant rats. She, in turn, is the light of the family’s life…until a little bundle of joy arrives.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the tracks, the collarless Tramp (Larry Roberts) is living footloose and fancy-free, terrorizing dog catchers and fending for scraps. Chance takes him into Lady’s neighborhood, where they meet and an attraction is formed.

The two eventually have some grand adventures, with Tramp showing Lady the joys of a stray’s life, but eventually Tramp comes to find the value of being tied down.

Now available as a two-disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack with DVD (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, MSRP: $39.99) as well as a three-disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack with DVD and digital copy (MSRP: $44.99), viewers have the option to watch Lady and the Tramp after an introduction by Diane Disney Miller, who gives a short tour of the Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, then tells viewers how much her father loved animals…dogs in particular. Blu-ray viewers may also watch with the film with the audio track “Inside Walt’s Story Meetings,” in which voice actors bring to life notes from story meetings and brainstorming sessions that took place between 1939 and 1946. Even knowing these were recorded north of the 21st century, it evokes the spirit of the early Disney filmmakers and gives audiences a rare peek into the old-fashioned animation process.

The new package also includes some interesting bonus features exclusive to the Blu-ray disc. The most interactive is the new Disney Second Screen feature, now included on many new Disney releases. With an Internet-enabled Blu-ray player, viewers can enjoy a wealth of special features on an iPad or computer (both Mac and PC formats are supported). Some of the gems in this Second Screen collection are storyboards and line drawings from the original concept meetings; flipboards featuring basic animations contrasted with the final product; Scene Shuffle, where players put a mixed-up version of a classic still back together; Draw and Paint, featuring various characters; Fun Facts; and biographies of key players at Walt Disney Studios as the film was being made. Second Screen users can also watch their Blu-ray version of the movie with an expanded version of “Inside Walt’s Story Meetings,” illustrated with sketches, storyboards, film clips and photos.

Three never-before-seen deleted scenes are included on the Blu-ray disc. These are essentially animated storyboards from original concept meetings in the 1940s, with voice actors portraying the characters and/or narration. The pencil drawings are beautiful, each one little art pieces, but it’s not difficult to see why these elements were never added to the final storyline.

The first, “Introduction of Boris,” is a tedious 10 minutes long. It details the fight for Lady’s affection by loveable mutt Homer and Russian wolfhound Boris, who has just moved in next door. Boris is insufferable, attempting to win Lady’s affection by flaunting his wealth and perceived importance. Homer, in the meantime, is the blue-collar dog who doesn’t even know the meaning of half the fancy words Boris uses. In the end, Boris and Homer were scrapped for Jock and Trusty, a wise move on the part of the filmmakers.

In contrast, “Waiting for Baby” and “Dog Show” offer more lighthearted fun. The first expands on Jim Dear’s desire for a son, and his certainty that he’ll do great things. The second finds Lady and Tramp crashing a trained dog show, featuring dancing poodles. Both could have easily been added to the final cut, but they wouldn’t have added more than a few new laughs.

Over the course of the many years this movie was being developed, the characters went through many variations. At one point, Tramp had a song, the catchy "I'm Free as the Breeze," which is performed here for the first time over line drawings and sketches. Ultimately, it was decided that Tramp wouldn’t be a singing character, however, so the number was tabled.

Diane Disney Miller narrates a second featurette on both the Blu-ray disc and DVD, “Remembering Dad.” In it, she reveals the fact that Walt had an apartment built above the fire station in Disneyland, which he and his wife, Lillian, used until he died. The pair were apparently great fans of Victorian-era décor (having both grown up in that time), but their own home was more modern. Therefore, this small apartment became their mini-Victorian oasis (Second Screen users can take a 360-degree virtual tour of the apartment).

Rounding out the bonus features on the Blu-ray disc are extras from the 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD, released in 2006: “Lady's Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp;” “Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard;” the original 1943 storyboard version of the film; “PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs;” “The Siamese Cat Song: Finding a Voice for the Cats;” a "Bella Notte" Music Video; trailers for the theatrical release; and excerpts from "Disneyland" TV shows. The DVD also includes “PuppyPedia,” which is narrated by the ever-witty Fred Willard, who teaches viewers the differences in five types of dogs using clips of pooches from Disney movies (both animated and live-action), along with actual canines and their owners in a dog park.

The opening credits of Lady and the Tramp claim that the film is dedicated to all dogs, whether they be “ladies” or “tramps.” The film definitely bridges the gap between both types of humans as well, and still brings a smile to the faces of young and old alike. It’s truly a classic tale that deserves to be unleashed in high definition.

Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition is now available on Blu-ray.  

Published on LifeInLA.com

Shopping: Springtime Organizing

Photo courtesy of Get it Together, LLC. Click here for more.

Winter is coming to a close, and with the new season looms the prospect of spring cleaning, a time when many decide to clear out the clutter in their homes and get themselves organized. For some, however, the task might seem so daunting that they, like the groundhog earlier this month, might decide they’d rather head back to their burrows and put the task off six more weeks.
Getting organized doesn’t have to mean sacrificing an entire weekend, or even a series of them, said Renee Ursem, professional organizer and owner of Get It Together.

“Start with something small, like a drawer or a shelf, your linen closet,” she recommended. “With a linen closet, there’s not a lot of emotional investment, but you can see big results.”

Christine Ruggiero, owner of The Lakes Professional Organizers, agreed that the best place to start is “the spot that impacts your daily life the most, whether that’s the kitchen, the bathroom or somewhere else there is extra clutter.”

“Don’t start in the office,” Ursem warned. “Paper takes up such a small amount of space, but it takes a large amount of brain power to go through. I think it’s better to start in a place where you’re going to see big results.”

“Probably more important than where to start is how to start,” Ruggiero said. “You want to chunk it down into manageable stages, like just one cabinet in the bathroom instead of the whole space.”

Ursem gave this formula for deciding what to keep and what to donate or toss: “(Clients) kind of need to ask themselves, ‘Who am I?’ As our lives change, we need to have what we need for who we are and what our life is now.”

Ruggiero acknowledged that it might be tempting for people to start an organizing project by purchasing bins, boxes or containers, but called that approach absolutely wrong.
“Most people think, if they buy organizing materials they will automatically become organized,” she said. “In reality, things have to be purged and sorted first. Getting the supplies should come at the end.”

“It’s not the containers, it’s the process that gets you organized,” Ursem said. “I find my clients have tons of containers already, so I tell them not to buy any more right away. A lot of times, if they just look through those containers and empty out what isn’t important, they’ll have the all the containers they need.”

When the time comes to purchase organizing supplies, Ruggiero also recommends hitting thrift shops like Savers and Goodwill.

Sometimes people just aren’t able to clear out the excess things on their own because of emotional attachments or just sheer volume. In these cases, they shouldn’t be afraid to contact a professional.
“Clutter is not really about the stuff, it’s what the stuff represents,” Ursem said. “Sometimes (clients) just need help walking through that.”

Ruggiero, a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, urged anyone seeking professional help to look for someone affiliated with that organization in order to ensure ethical standards are being met.

“(If) you’re bringing someone into your home to work with you, you need to be careful,” Ruggiero said.

In the end, people shouldn’t worry if things seem to be taking longer than expected to come together.
“Sometimes people get caught up in the plan, and organizing isn’t a linear process,” Ursem, who is also a member of NAPO, said. “There are no right or wrong ways.It’s more of an art than a science.”

Published on BestofLasVegas.com

Blu-ray: A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas

   Lifelong pals Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) have gone to White Castle, Guantanamo Bay, Texas and Amsterdam, but in A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, the latest offering in the seminal stoner series, the pair go where no pot-com buddies have ever gone before…three dimensions.

Originally released in 3D, the new format opened whole new ways to take a joke, shake it up and spray viewers with the aftermath. The film’s recent release on DVD and Blu-ray, therefore, might seem like it would be disappointing by comparison, but, believe it or not, the movie stands up fine on its own, offering more laughs, groans and just-plain-wrong moments than the previous two films.

The story begins when, after a two-year break in their friendship—during which Harold gets married to dream-girl Maria (Paula Garcés) and Kumar is dumped by his true love Vanessa (Danneel Harris)—a package addressed to Harold mysteriously shows up outside Kumar’s door. He decides to deliver it to his former BFF at his home in the ‘burbs as he makes his way into Manhattan for a Christmas Eve party.

At first happy to see each other, the tentative reunion is upset when the package turns out to be a gigantic joint. One thing leads to another, and before you can say “munchies” Maria’s father’s prized Christmas tree has gone up in smoke.

The next several hours are spent searching for a replacement, with the predictable hijinks. Along for the ride this time around are Harold and Kumar’s new best buddies, Todd (Tom Lennon) and Adrian (Amir Blumenfeld), as well as Todd’s precocious daughter, Ava (Ashley and Chloe Cross).

The specifics of their adventures aren’t super-important (the bullet points are: car wreck, Russian mob, claymation sequence, a baby ingesting multiple drugs, naked nuns in the shower, obligatory Neil Patrick Harris cameo and shooting Santa), as they involve most of the same jokes and punch lines of the other two films, but, let’s face it…this movie isn’t trying to win awards for breaking new ground. It is what it is, unapologetically, and as such succeeds in being a new classic in the genre.

Okay, the NPH cameo does warrant a few sentences. Has any other actor become so beloved for playing such a reprehensible, sociopathic version of themselves? Harris is so deliciously deviant, so brilliantly bad, so not Doogie Howser, that, despite knowing his character belongs in jail (at best) or in a psych ward, viewers, like Kumar, really want to see what happens next.

Unless experienced on a 3D television hooked up to a 3D Blu-ray player playing the 3D Blu-ray version of the movie (Warner Home Video, MSRP: $44.95), home viewers aren’t likely to feel the full power of smoke rings blown by Kumar and Patton Oswalt or the giant doobie flying at the screen, but the 3D effects weren’t the only dimensional aspects of this movie. Surprisingly, there has also been an attempt to make the main characters more than a couple of stereotypes. Harold’s attempts at starting a family, as well as Kumar’s realization that it’s time to grow up, may set the stage for new growth in future films…or may simply be a device setting up a sequel featuring their kids.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack with DVD and UltraViolet digital copy (MSRP: $35.99) comes with a single, double-sided disc. The DVD side has only the theatrical release and a language option, plus the UltraViolet digital copy information (accessible via computer). The Blu-ray side offers both the film shown in theaters and an extended “Extra Dope Edition,” plus a few special features, though they’re as scanty as the female leads’ wardrobes.

Though extended editions are usually bloated and slower paced, the extra six minutes added to this film actually seem to enhance the story and give more depth to the characters (inasmuch as that’s possible in this type of genre movie).

The longest feature, “Through the Haze with Tom Lennon,” is actually a series of vignettes and comedic observations the actor makes about the film, the production and Harris. They’re mostly funny (Lennon is much more interesting here than in the film itself), but each of the six shorts must be selected individually; it seems as though a ‘Play All’ button was an obvious miss (especially if the target audience is more likely than not to be, er, not low).

The winner for most interesting feature is the behind-the-scenes look at creating the animated portion of the movie, “Bringing Harold & Kumar Claymation to Life,” with director Todd Strauss-Schulson. Though it seems like it was meant to be part of a much more extensive extras feature, it holds up by itself. The storyboard art, mixed with picture-in-picture clips of the finished scene, make for interesting viewing.

Finally, both the Blu-ray and single-disc DVD release (MSRP: $28.98) include some deleted scenes—actually, they’re more accurately called alternate scenes. Jews eating Chinese food, Santa versus the mob and attack of the coked-out baby all offer viewers a sort of alternate-reality version of events as they appeared in the film. An UltraViolet digital copy of the movie is also included with the DVD.

Viewers shouldn’t let the fact that the holidays have passed be an excuse to put off enjoying A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas until late November. The holiday season functions merely as a new backdrop for the adventures of these two odd couple-esque friends. The real story, as ever, is how much can go wrong in the wake of toking up—and how funny it all is when it’s over.

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray.

Published on LifeInLA.com

Shopping: Shoppers Clubs

Shoppers familiar with savings cards at grocery stores and loyalty cards at specialty retailers might be missing out on one of the greatest sources of shopping savings – the mall shoppers club.

These programs differ from grocery and store promotions in a few key ways. First, there aren’t any membership cards to carry. Shoppers can sign up online before heading to the mall (see a complete list of links at the end of the story). Information is usually limited to a shopper’s name, address and e-mail contact.

Once a guest has joined, he or she will receive periodic e-mails with announcements of special promotions, upcoming sales and member-only discounts. For example, members of the Las Vegas Premium Outlets’ VIP Club recently learned that they could save $50 to $100 on their purchase at Elie Tahari on Presidents Day weekend. The Premium Outlets also allow guests to choose their favorite stores and print savings passes from home.

“We recommend that shoppers join our VIP Shopper Club for added savings. It is free to join,” Michele Rothstein, spokesperson for Premium Outlets/Simon, said.

The Galleria at Sunset also has a kids club, called the Funset Kids Club, to keep parents up-to-date on upcoming events for the little ones, as well as sales and discounts parents might want to know about.

Most often, the clubs are free to join, but occasionally there is a small fee. Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas, located in nearby Primm, offers discount hunters the option of purchasing a Green Savings Card for $5, good through January of next year and free to AAA or CAA members. More than 100 stores participate in the program, offering discounts from 10 percent to $100 off purchases.

Finally, the more tech-savvy might enjoy keeping up with their favorite Las Vegas area shopping center’s news via social media or customized apps for smartphones. Most centers have profiles on either Twitter, Facebook or both, which update guests on the most up-to-the-minute deals. The Galleria at Sunset has even forgone the shopper’s club sign-up process altogether, preferring to use Facebook Connect.

The Club (which serves both Fashion Show and Meadows Mall) has a free app for both the iPhone and Android markets. In addition to listing savings, these include games shoppers can play to win additional perks, like discounts and free gifts. Town Square also has its own app, featuring an interactive property map, suggestions on where to park, event information and special discounts.

Las Vegan Ellia Sampson, a repeat visitor to Town Square, recently downloaded the app to her iPhone and said, “I discovered some stores I didn’t even know were here. Plus, the app showed me how to get a 40 percent (off) coupon to my daughter’s favorite store.”

Visitors looking to take advantage of special discounts can also print the Shop Vegas Passport on the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority website, which entitles the bearer to special savings passports at the outlet malls, Fashion Show and Town Square, as well as casino shopping centers like the Forum Shops, the Miracle Mile Shops, the Shoppes at the Palazzo, and the Grand Canal Shoppes.

Shoppers clubs in Las Vegas include: Boulevard Mall—Our Place; The District at Green Valley Ranch—The|List; Fashion Outlets Las Vegas – Green Savings Card; Fashion Show Mall—The Club; Galleria at Sunset—Shoptopia; Meadows Mall—The Club; Premium Outlets North & South—VIP Shopper’s Club; and Town Square’s Inner Square.

Published on BestOfLasVegas.com

Blu-ray: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

  For many people, the last time they saw (or read) To Kill a Mockingbird was probably in high school English class. If, as a typical teen, you spent more time passing notes or whispering conversations than paying attention, then the release of the To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack is the perfect time to get reacquainted with the original commentary on race relations in the South.

Filmed in 1962 as the Civil Rights movement was reaching critical mass in the United States, the film brings to life Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about small-town lawyer Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) and his two children, Scout (Mary Badham) and Jem (Phillip Alford), in the fictional small town of Maycomb, Ala. Just about to start the school year, Scout and her big brother Jem are enjoying the last carefree days of summer—climbing trees, swinging in tires and spying on the town’s most mysterious figure, the reclusive Boo Radley (Robert Duvall).

As the movie opens, Atticus is assigned to defend Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a black farmer accused of raping a white woman. Over the next three years, as Atticus prepares Tom’s defense and builds a solid case for him being wrongfully accused, Scout and Jem face scorn and worse as the town reveals their deeply ingrained racism. Indeed, the casual way these characters drop the N-bomb (including precocious little Scout) is shocking.

The town forms a lynch mob intent on hanging Tom, but the quick-thinking kids, along with their new friend Dill (John Megna), are able to shame the townsfolk into disbanding.

In the end, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary and a closing argument that most likely cinched Peck’s Oscar win, Tom Robinson is convicted and sent to prison. Before Atticus can even get home, however, the farmer tries to escape and is shot to death.

Bob Ewell (James Anderson), the alleged victim’s mean drunk father, gloats over his death but also plots revenge against those who sought to have the black man exonerated or participated in what he perceives as his family’s humiliation. Ewell assaults Atticus in the streets, spitting in his face; he tries to break into the presiding judge’s house; he seeks Tom’s widow and harasses her and her family; and, ultimately, he decides to target Jem and Scout.

Saved from certain death by a mysterious stranger, the children soon realize that Boo Radley has come to their rescue…and not for the first time. Scout, in particular, comes to realize that not everyone is what they seem. Even as her childlike innocence is lost, it is replaced with a newfound sense of honor and the desire to protect Boo from the torture public scrutiny would bring.

This look at life in the Depression-era South, as filmed through the lens of the reactionary ‘60s, holds as much of a punch today as it did 50 years ago—perhaps even more. Viewers of 2011’s The Help should appreciate the volatile times in which this movie was made, and may perhaps gain a more mature appreciation for the story they once slept through in English class.

Originally released on DVD in 2000, then again as a Universal Legacy edition with special bonus features in 2005, this 50th Anniversary set (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, MSRP: $26.98) combines the best of the latter with new material and a crisp restoration of the film on Blu-ray. A movie-only DVD and digital copy complete the set.

The original audio commentary with director Robert Mulligan and producer Alan Pakula returns, featuring stories from the set and insights into making the film.

Documentary fans should enjoy the oddly named “Fearful Symmetry” (whose title comes from a line in the poem “The Tyger” by William Blake, reportedly one of Lee’s favorites). Originally released in 1998, director Charles Kiselyak (“Building Ground Zero”) tracked down several cast and crew members, including Peck, Alford, Badham and Mulligan, as well as residents of Lee’s hometown of Monroeville (reputed to be the inspiration for Maycomb). The 90-minute feature combines commentary with film clips, talk about the book and personal reflections on the dynamics of the South in the 1930s. Though it could use some editing, there is much information enthusiasts of the movie and historians alike should find fascinating.

Fans of the Oscar-winning actor will swoon over "A Conversation with Gregory Peck," 98 minutes worth of Q&A filmed in front of a live audience. Part of the PBS series “American Masters,” this 1999-aired documentary combines movie clips and video footage with a filmed talk the actor gave at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. His personal stories range from the actor’s early life to embodying the role of Atticus Finch, and are relaxed, introspective and, often, funny.

Completists will enjoy Peck’s Best Actor Academy Award acceptance speech; his AFI Lifetime Achievement tribute; an Academy tribute hosted by Peck’s daughter, Cecilia; and the original theatrical trailer of the movie.

Thirty-seven years after starring as Scout, Badham recollects her first movie-making experience (and working with Peck) on the short-and-sweet “Scout Remembers,” originally aired on NBC in 1999.

The 50th Anniversary collection also contains two brand new features. Film buffs will probably find the featurette on Universal’s efforts to restore early studio releases interesting, but the subject matter can be a tad academic. Finally, there is something called a U-Control feature, where viewers can watch various movie scenes with picture-in-picture commentary by writer Horton Foote, Mary Badham, Robert Mulligan, Cecilia and Anthony Peck and others.

Lastly, for die-hard fans of the beloved movie, a Limited Edition Collector’s Series Combo Pack is also available (MSRP: $39.98), packaged in a hardcover book featuring exclusive movie memorabilia including script pages with Peck’s handwritten notes, storyboards, poster art and more.

To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition is now available on Blu-ray. 

Published on LifeinLA.com

Tuesday 13 - Kevin Burke of Defending the Caveman

Courtesy Photo

Kevin Burke is not a caveman, but he gets to play one onstage every day. As the narrator of the one-man show “Defending The Caveman,” Burke portrays an everyman sort of character who traces the formation of his appalling behavior to the days of the cave dwellers.

With the warm and easy delivery of an old-time radio host, Burke leads both sexes on a journey to the past where, hopefully, they can gather clues to the differences between men and women. Or hunt them down, as the case may be. The show is played around the world to couples who can glean a sense of their mate’s more confusing side through humor.

Though he’s been working the prehistoric beat since 2003, Burke’s own talents are far more diverse. His resume includes acting at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, graduating from the Players’ Workshop at Second City, being a certified stage combatant and being one of the founding members of the Improv Olympics. (Although Internet searches might imply otherwise, he does not, however, play the Irish fiddle.)

The Best of Las Vegas recently spoke to Burke about being a caveman, indulging his creative side and why Valentine’s Day is so different from the perspective of men and women.

BOLV: What makes the Las Vegas version of “Defending The Caveman” superior to others around the world?
Kevin Burke: Oh, I can’t say that it is. In each country, the show is adjusted and tweaked to fit local culture and dating customs. There’s a show in Mexico City that’s been running for 10 years. The show is huge in Germany. I don’t think necessarily that this show is superior to any other.

BOLV: Who laughs harder at the observations in your show, women or men?
KB: It’s pretty equal. Neither side is right and neither side is wrong, we’re just different, and there’s no bashing of either side, so really they both laugh equally hard.

BOLV: Does knowing the differences between the sexes help you with your own relationships?
KB: Oh, of course, of course! Because the main problem today is that (men and women) communicate differently, and that can cause us to misunderstand each other. For instance, if a woman says she’ll call you, she means when she gets home. If a man says he’ll call, he means before he dies. So you should know that, if you tell a woman you’ll call her, she’s hearing you say “when you get home.”

BOLV: Which do you think is harder: improv comedy or dating?
KB: Dating! With improv comedy, there’s a definite end to the bit. You go onstage, play an improv game and then it’s over. Then, good or bad, you just shrug your shoulders and go, “Oh, well. That was what it was.” But with dating, you really have to put the effort in.

BOLV: What is one of your favorite observations from “Defending The Caveman?”
KB: There’s a statistic in the show that women speak 7000 words per day, but men only speak 2000. And you’ll see that when we text message, because a woman will text her guy and say, “Honey, we really need a night out, so let’s have a nice, long romantic dinner and then let’s go see ‘Defending the Caveman’ starring Kevin Burke!” And he’ll reply with “K.”

BOLV: That’s a very modern reference for a show that was written in the late ‘80s! How often does the show get tweaked to reflect modern life?
KB: All the time, but it’s really just little references like that which we change to reflect what’s going on in society today. The themes of the show are timeless.

BOLV: How does the difference between men and women manifest itself during a holiday like Valentine’s Day?

KB: When men and women buy gifts for each other, women will go through all the options, they’ll touch each one, they’ll sort through them all and then they’ll find the one that they want, whereas a guy will just go out and grab the first thing that he sees that looks good and that’s it. And that’s because, back in the cave times, when men were hunters and women were gatherers, a hunter had to take down the prey that’s right in front of them, whereas a gatherer has to compare items to make sure if this is right and that is not, and make sure the food was edible. So that’s how we see that trait come out today.

BOLV: So in modern times, what gift ideas would you give a woman who is shopping for her man?
KB: Hmm, that’s a lot of pressure, because guys are going to get a whole bunch of whatever I say. OK, I’m just going to wuss out and say tickets to see “Defending the Caveman.”

BOLV: What if the guy is leery of going to the show?
KB: Tell him it’s a great Broadway show for guys because there’s no singing and dancing.

BOLV: OK, let’s flip the script. A guy is shopping for his sweetie. What gift should he avoid at all costs?
KB: Power tools.

BOLV: Though you claim to be very different than women, you do have one thing in common. As a former clown, do you find you have a better understanding of females and their need for cosmetics?
KB: Well, I certainly understand that putting on makeup is an art form all its own. And I have to say, not to toot my own horn here, that I can put my clown makeup on so thoroughly that I could go swimming in it.

BOLV: With “Caveman” doing such steady business, why open a second show at Fitzgeralds?
KB: Well, “Defending the Caveman” is what we call a book show. The script is what it is and I’m the actor that plays the role. “Fitz of Laughter” over at Fitzgeralds is my show. I wrote it, and it’s whatever I say it is on any given night. The Fitzgeralds show gives me some artistic freedom and a chance to indulge my own creative side.

BOLV: How often do you get confused with the Kevin Burke who plays the Irish fiddle?
KB: Only when people do Internet searches. You have to put “comedian” after “Kevin Burke” and then you’ll get all me.

“Defending The Caveman” plays at 7 p.m. nightly and at 4 p.m. Sunday-Monday at The Improv in Harrah’s. Tickets start at $39.95. Call 702-369-5111. “Fitz of Laughter” plays nightly at 9:15 p.m. inside the Fitzgeralds. Tickets start at $26. Call 702-388-2111.