Jeff Lubeck

** and All in the Same Viewing: IronMan3

A superb script, with lead and supporting actors supplying charismatic performances and displaying exceptional on screen chemistry make IronMan3 a terrific film to watch. However, a reliance on and habitual use of Computer Generated Images (CGI) is simply way too much and actually hurts the overall satisfaction of film in a material way. Because the CGI is so overwhelming and overused – especially at the end, I would suspect it would make a glutton/addict of this aspect of movies ask for relief.

Robert Downey JR. as Tony Stark simply steals the show. Downey can play all types of roles with aplomb. However, he has nailed down with ultimate precision how to present the Hyper/Brilliant/Sarcastic/Does-Not-Care, But Really-Does-Care Tony Stark Character. Ben Kingsly’s performance as The Mandarin demonstrates, yet again, no viewer should go into a movie with a pre-conceived notion of the role he will play or how Ben will play it. Kingsley almost steals the film – it could be argued he does.

Pain & Gain – This Film Really Cannot Be A True Story? Can It? ***

Pain & Gain is a hilarious, crass and silly movie. The storyline is beyond belief and the costumes and props will cause you to blush. If you are familiar with the Three Stooges two-reelers of the 30’s and 40’s, Pain & Gain makes Larry, Moe and Curly look intelligent and their props logical. Pain & Gain presents characters beyond what my favorite Stupid Criminal/Michigan/Florida storyline novelist’s Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiaasen would ask us to believe. However the story and characters are true and what is depicted in the movie is pretty faithful to the facts in about 8 out of 10 cases. Yes, there are embellishments and a composite character here and there, but the rest is true to life. I am still shaking my head. However, if you can check your Art-House standards at the theatre door (as I did), you will laugh continuously even while being completely embarrassed by the subject and event displayed before your eyes.

Pain & Gain stars Mark Walhlberg (AAN The Fighter, ANN The Departed, Ted) and Dwayne Johnson (Fast And Furious films, The Rundown). The film is directed by Michael Bay. Luckily Pain & Gain utilizes, the Michael Bay we applauded for Bad Boys, The Rock and the first (1/2) half Armageddon. Not the Michael Bay we admonished for Pearl Harbor , the second (2/2) half of Armageddon and Transformers.

March Sun & Flowers in Seattle

I hopped over to Seattle to see my Cousin Dave Hughbanks. I look for any excuse to see my Hughbanks/Ouillette relatives. Unfortunately, this was a trip to help Dave plan for [sic., his] brother Jim’s memorial. He passed away earlier this month. The celebration of Jim’s 81 years will be next Tuesday (April 9th, 2013) – which would have been his 82nd birthday. Dave and I work extremely well together and on this occasion we shared the joy of remembering family members, friends of Jim and his many different phases of life. We culled out the best 200 photo’s for a photo gallery and also put together a program for the memorial. Nobody is better at this kind of stuff than C. David and I was happy to help.

The trip also allowed me to stay at the Hughbanks family home – my safe haven for the past 31 years – as I have written many times before. C. David has kept the home and its gardens at the ready for as long as I can remember.

I brought my camera gear, knowing the gardens and patios located on the property would be as inviting as ever.