Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Long Game – Netflix
4 out of 4 palm trees

“The Long Game” is based on the true story of the Del Rio Mustangs, the first Mexican-American high school golf team ever organized in the U.S. by JB Pena (Jay Hernandez) in Texas in 1956 during a time of extreme racism and prejudice. JB had just moved to Del Rio having accepted the job as superintendent of Del Rio High School and as an avid golf player was hoping to become a member of the prestigious Del Rio Country Club, but was denied due to being hispanic.

Joe Trevino (Julian Works) worked at the Del Rio Country Club as a caddy where he took every opportunity to hit balls when nobody was looking. Joe and four other hispanic friends regularly practiced on a course they designed and maintained in a field just outside of town. One day while JB was driving to the school, his window was shattered by a golf ball Joe hit on a dare, and the boys scattered when JB got out of his car to see who broke his window.

During a full school assembly to introduce JB as the new superintendent, he recognized the boys from the field and in realizing this they fled. When JB caught up to them he made it clear he wasn’t concerned about his car window, he was interested in their interest in golf. JB solicited the assistance of his friend and Marine buddy Frank Mitchell (Dennis Quaid) who was a good golfer and a member at Del Rio Country Club.

The team practiced outside of town on their field course, and JB and Frank would sneak them onto the putting greens at Del Rio Country Club at night to practice their putting. JB told the boys that they needed to dress well and not speak Spanish on the courses to blend in and increase their opportunities to play. After endless calls, they finally were able to enter a tournament. Pollo (Cheech Marin), the groundskeeper, approached them one night and gifted the entire team each a set of clubs and golf shoes that he had gathered and cared for until finding where they should go.

The Mustangs first tournament was the 16^th Annual Monte Christo Juniors Tournament in Kerrville, TX. Though the team didn’t place, the owner Mr. Patteson was impressed with the way the team handled themselves and invited the team to play in another tournament the following month. Not only did they follow all the rules and fixed all their divots, they even fixed the divots the other teams left on the course as well as displaying great sportsmanship to the other players.

On the way home, the team was refused service in a diner due to being hispanic. Joe went outside and hit a couple of golf balls to break the windows, and the whole team jumped in the car and fled. Frank joked with the boys, but JB sternly lectured Joe about his actions. The team did better with every tournament they played and even won several first place trophies. They eventually went to the 1957 Texas State Championships, but Joe’s actions at the diner ultimately caught up with them.

Police showed up to the tournament to arrest Joe for the incident at the diner, which would disqualify him from the tournament and put the team in 5^th instead of 2^nd with one day left. To save the team, JB said he broke the windows and was arrested, which even potentially risked his job. JB’s valiant efforts helped the Mustangs to win the championship and in 2012 the Mustangs were inducted into the Latino International Sports Hall of Fame for their historic victory. Their record score remained unbroken for another 36 years.

Runtime: 1h 52m

by Shirley Lorraine

Life is complicated. “The Light Remains,” an original work now on stage at the Elite Theatre Company in Channel Islands, showcases just how complicated it can become when unexpected events occur. Add to the mix the inner and outer turmoil that affects the maelstrom of emotions during the teen years, and you have the crux of this introspective piece.

Author Arriana Rodriguez bravely tackles this deep and reflective subject following the sudden loss of a best friend. The result is a cathartic baring of the soul that explores grief in its many forms, but especially anger.

The play focuses on a group of teens set to graduate high school. They face universal issues: decisions on whether to stay local or go off to college, and whether to face the unfamiliar or stick with the familiar. The attraction and seeming permanence of first love is a strong complication of its own. At eighteen, everything seems larger than life and more important than it is. Most of us eventually work our way through all that and move on. Some, tragically, do not, leaving behind more questions than answers.

The play is jam-packed with raw emotions and strong language. (Here comes my soapbox moment.) As prevalent as the current culture allows language to be frank, I felt the characters would be better served to build up to the point of understandable anger rather than leading with it. The overuse of foul language quickly became tiresome. By the time it was fully appropriate, given the situation, the impact was considerably lessened for me. It is hard enough to listen to that type of constant coarseness from adults. From young people, it overshadowed the talents I could discern were under the surface. Frankly, it fueled my anger. I wanted to hear what the characters really had to say rather than a string of common invectives.

The principal characters each had moments of introspection that were insightful and deep. Monologues delivered by Kai Wyatt, Jackie Jones, Jonny Jones, and Bucky Delgado in Act Two were the most satisfying moments for me. The cast was strong, and even director Hayley Silvers made an appearance as “Mom.”

Opening night was filled with family and friends whose enthusiasm and support were overly eager to be heard. Unfortunately, their exuberance often drowned out the action, not allowing the actors time to process. Youth theater is a valuable training ground, and I fully support experimentation and stretching boundaries. I expect the play to evolve considerably throughout its run if attention is given to the audience’s reactions, not only by the actors but also by the author. Pacing, holding for laughs and reactions before moving on, and vocal projection are issues that need improvement. It’s a learning process worth examining.

“The Light Remains” continues through August 18. For more information, visit www.theElite.org or call 805-483-5118.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F – Netflix

After pursuing robbers on motorcycles in a snow plow through the streets of Detroit, Axel Foley’s (Eddie Murphy) antics finally forced his boss Jeffery to retire to protect Axel. Axel’s friend Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), former Beverly Hills Police Officer turned P.I. was working on a case with Axel’s daughter Jane Saunders (Taylour Paige) who was serving as a defense attorney in LA.

The same day Jane accused a prominent police officer of being dirty in court, her car was hooked by a chain and dropped over the side of the building, leaving her hanging 50ft above the ground.

Billy called Axel to let him know Jane was in trouble, so Axel headed to L.A. Billy never showed to pick up Axel, and when Axel got to Billy’s office he found two guys inside searching the place. Axel escaped by a stealing a parking meter cart, but crashed it, was arrested and turned over to Beverly Hills Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Axel called his Jane, who promptly hung up on him, so he called back and agreed to tell Jane what Billy said if she helped him.

It was immediately evident that Bobby and Jane had been in a relationship. Axel got called to Taggart’s office where he met Captain Cade Grant (Kevin Bacon) who ran the interdepartmental narcotics task force. Grant said that Jane was representing a cop killer that killed a member of his team named Copeland. Upon leaving the station, Jane said the last time she heard from Billy he was down at the impound checking something out, so they both went to the impound together.

The car had been broken into the night before and they found a hidden camera in car vent, but the SD card was missing. Jane said her client Enriquez was framed and the camera would have video of Copeland’s death. Axel realized they were being followed by the same thugs from Billy’s office and followed them to an elite club where they found the two thugs hanging out with Grant.

Bobby talked to Taggart at the station and when he left ended up in a shoot out to protect Axel and Jane, while Axel tried to flee crashing into multiple cars. Taggart reamed Axel and Bobby, and when Axel questioned if Taggart was involved with Grant, so he kicked Axel out of his office and suspended Bobby. Bobby and Axel decided it would be good to talk to Enriquez’s uncle Chalino who told them that Grant was the top dog using dirty cops to protect the cartel’s drug interests.

When they left they were surrounded by Grant’s men who had planted drugs in Bobby’s trunk and took them to jail. Axel got out of his handcuffs, freed Bobby and heading to the roof to escape where a police helicopter was parked. Bobby was a helicopter pilot, but lacked confidence due to previously crashing a helicopter. They crashed on a golf course and stole a golf cart, then stole a car and after went to the port and saw a delivery truck from the cartel mansion and Billy’s car.

They found Billy and fled in the delivery truck that was packed with drug filled statues. When Axel tried to call Jane, Grant answered and told Axel he had Jane and needed the SD card. Axel called Jeffery to track Jane’s phone and found she was at the cartel mansion, so he crashed through the gate and into the front of the mansion. Taggart headed to the scene and joined the gun fight.

Jane shot a man trying to sneak up on Axel, but then Grant fired at Jane, so Axel jumped in front of her and got shot in the shoulder. At the same time, Bobby came around the corner and shot Grant in the head. When Jane went to visit Axel in the hospital, she found him in his hospital gown at the diner across the street. Jane told Axel Grant’s men all went to jail and her client was released due to the evidence on the SD card.

Runtime: 1h 55m

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Boys in the Boat – Prime Video

“The Boys in the Boat” was produced and directed by George Clooney and based on true events involving the 1936 Washington University JV rowing team and their journey to the Summer Olympics. In 1936, Joe Rantz (Callum Turner) was studying engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. Due to the depression, jobs were scarce so in order to pay his tuition Joe decided to tryout for the university rowing team along with his friend Jim McMillin (Wil Coban), which provided them with a part-time job and place to live if they made the team.

The team was coached by Head Coach Al Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton) and Coach Tom Bolles (James Wolk) who told the crowd of nearly two hundred young men that gathered that they were looking for the eight most qualified young men to fill out the JV boat. The next few weeks they were overwhelmed with extreme physical endurance challenges while also learning proper rowing techniques.

Joe and Jim both made the team, even though neither had ever done any rowing before tryouts. Each position in the boat played a specific role in rowing the boat. One through three were tasked with using the proper technique to keep the boat on course, four through six were like the engine room providing power, seven set the pace and eight the stroke. Joe was assigned to seat seven while Jim was assigned to seat five. After a mediocre start, Coach Ulbrickson switched the JV boat to experienced coxswain Bobby Moch (Luke Slattery) and the team started performing better.

They were trying to get ready for the upcoming Pacific Coast Regatta on Lake Washington against their rivals the Cal Bears of Berkley, who had won the regatta for many consecutive years. The JV teams raced first and Washington let Cal keep the lead until the halfway mark, then Washington surged passed Cal and were neck and neck three quarters down the course with Washington pulling ahead a full boat length to win with a time nine seconds under the coarse record. Next was the four-mile Poughkeepsie Regatta in New York for a chance at participating in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

Coach Ulbrickson took a chance that risked his job and chose to have the Washington JV team compete instead of the varsity team. Joe had seen his long-lost dad in Seattle which caused him to perform badly at practice so the coach benched him for the race. Just as in the race against Cal, Bobby kept the team back through the first half of the race letting the other teams think they had easily bested Washington, but again they took off in the second half and beat Navy, Cal and the other privileged eastern schools to clinch their spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.

They traveled to Nazi Germany, but upon arriving eighth-seat rower Don Hume (Jack Mulhern) fell ill. Don was able to row in the qualifiers and the team set an Olympic record, but it took a toll on Don. Adolf Hitler attended the finals expected the Germans to win gold in all of the rowing events. When the starting gun sounded, Bobby didn’t hear it and the team was off to a bad start and Don was struggling to keep the pace, but Bobby’s great leadership turned things around and led the team to a photo finish with Italy and Germany, with the U.S. winning the gold medal.

“The Boys in the Boat” is inspiring not only by the underdog triumphs of the team, but also the faith and trust Coach Al Ulbrickson had in risking his career in an unconventional move that brought home Olympic gold.

Runtime: 2h 6m

by Shirley Lorraine

Laughter Slaughters on Santa Paula Stage

The Santa Paula Theatre Center continues its season of all comedies with Women in Jeopardy by Wendy MacLeod. Full of good old-fashioned chuckles and guffaws, the cast delivers with tongues firmly in cheek.

Billed as Thelma and Louise meets The First Wives Club, Women n Jeopardy invites the audience to leave logic at the door and just enjoy the frantic and often absurd antics of the characters. The plot is admittedly thin (or complex, depending on how you count the threads), centering around three divorced friends of ages past youth and before senility. There are still wild oats to be sowed, and Liz (Leslie Upson) is fully engaged in this endeavor via her infatuation with her new beau Jackson (Ron Feltner), an odd duck dentist. Striking suspicious chords with Liz’s friends Mary (Jessi May Stevenson) and Jo (Theresa Secor), Jackson proceeds to display signs that lead the ladies to believe he may have a sinister streak. Coincidence? Perhaps.

As suspicions grow, the action becomes increasingly absurd when a local policeman, Kirk (also Ron Feltner) appears to look just like the dentist. Mary and Jo attempt, without success, to alert the police that Jackson may in fact be the serial killer currently being sought based on tiny threads of circumstantial evidence, mostly woven by the fabric of their minds. They cite that Liz’s daughter Amanda (Amber Shea Hodge) plans to go camping in a remote area with Jackson and they fear for her safety. Mary then engages Amber’s off and on boyfriend Trenner (Christopher Craven) in a plot that is completely misconstrued, to Mary’s consternation and the delight of the audience.

The movable set pieces employed in this production provide a panoply of backdrops, while mysterious figures in dimmed lighting gleefully change props to stealthy music. It is as much fun to watch the scene changes as the play itself.

Each of the actors give sterling, enthusiastic, broad performances. As an ensemble, they work beautifully together. Direction by Sarah Broughton is tight and keeps the audience guessing.

Ron Feltner shines in the dual role of Jackson/Kirk, giving each character singularity. Christpher Craven is a blast to watch as he side-winds his way from gawky teenager to would-be lothario.

Leslie Upson is clearly having a grand time throwing caution to the winds, playing her role with abandon. Jessi May Stevenson and Theresa Secor are exemplary foils, Stevenson as the instigator and Secor as the stereotypical oft-overlooked second banana. Both are on high alert as they go above and beyond to “rescue” their friend. Amber Shea Hodge provides the perky playfulness of petulant youth needed to balance the frantic moms.

Women in Jeopardy is an evening of laughs from unexpected points of view. For a good time, call Santa Paula Theatre Center to reserve seats.

Women in Jeopardy continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through July 21, 2024. www.santapaulatheatercenter.org (805) 525-4645

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Hit Man – Netflix

“Hit Man” is a dark comedy starring Glen Powell as Gary Johnson, an average everyday college psychology professor that took up some side work with the local police department as he was very skilled in tech and engineering. He worked with the special crimes division, targeting murder for hire jobs to prevent them from happening and jail the offenders.

The usual undercover agent Jasper (Austin Amelio) that posed as the hit man got suspended, leaving Gary to step in without training as an undercover hit man. Gary found his new line of work interesting as it allowed him to explore the human psychology dynamics he had been teaching. Multiple perps were arrested through several variations of Gary’s persona as a hit man.

Gary met a woman named Madison Masters (Adria Arjona) in a cafe with a request to take out her abusive overbearing husband and felt a connection through her vulnerability. She shared about being controlled and a victim in her relationship saying she didn’t know what she got married into. Gary encouraged her to take the money she saved and start a new life and forget everything.

They later crossed paths and ended up sleeping together. Gary said due to his line of work he had trouble maintaining what would be called a “normal relationship” and they both agreed to pursue an unusual relationship without boundaries. While out on the town, Gary and Madison ran into her ex husband Ray who threatened Gary so he pulled out a gun to diffuse the situation.

On Gary’s next undercover case, the perp was Madison’s husband Ray who wanted to pay Gary to kill Madison. Gary startled Ray and he left saying he would just kill Madison himself. Gary immediately found Madison and told her they needed to leave to protect her from Ray, but she felt it was an idol threat and they would be fine. The next morning Gary was informed that Madison’s husband Ray had been killed the night before in what appeared to be a drug deal gone bad.

Jasper had seenGary and Madison together, but decided to cover for him. When they got to the crime scene, Jasper drilled Gary for details, but he just said that he coincidentally ran into Madison. Gary later found Madison and questioned if she knew about Ray and eventually confessed his name wasn’t Ron, he had never killed anyone and that he was a fake hit man.

Gary got called back to the station and was told that Madison was the number one suspect in Ray’s murder. Jasper suggested Gary wear a wire and surprise Madison with an unannounced visit checking in on her due to hearing about Ray’s murder. Gary was smart enough to put text messages on his phone, showing it to Madison when she answered the door telling her what was happening and that she needed to play along, affirming she had nothing to do with Ray’s murder.

Gary left then went back to Madison’s and Jasper was there. Jasper planned to extort them to keep their secret and wanted his job back. Gary got upset but Madison told him to calm down, not knowing she had drugged Jasper’s drink. Jasper fell unconscious, but Madison feared she used too much and actually killed him. Could Gary’s side job pretending to be someone else become his real life calling to protect the love he found while living a lie, or would he side with the law.

“Hit Man” is a true delight with many unpredictable twists and is loosely based on the real life of Gary Johnson who was a college professor, assisted as an undercover agent in over 70 arrests and never actually murdered anyone.
Runtime: 1h 53m

by Shirley Lorraine

Exploring history from the inside out

The Elite Theater Company in Oxnard is now presenting an original work on its South Stage. She, tightly written by Kimberly Demmary and skillfully directed by Jolyn Johnson, is a thoughtful exploration into various inhabitants of an old Victorian home in San Francisco. As do the people inside, the building itself thrives, endures, and diminishes as it ages.

Built on the old saying “If these walls could talk,” the house itself becomes a staple character in this series of vignettes. Paris De La Huerta portrays the symbolic She, reminding the audience throughout to pay attention to what has transpired within its walls and how those involved have changed it throughout decades. The house itself reveals some secrets left behind.

Each of the four vignettes allows the Victorian to be, in turn, revered, cloistering, ignored and finally shuttered as the stories are told.

Elizabeth Rose reflects the role of Maddy, who is grieving the loss of her husband. In a loving gesture of homage to their shortened life together, she encourages Trish (Aubrey De La Huerta) and Robert (Steven Silvers) to take their own leap into love. The three play well off each other with Silvers providing much of the humor. This opening scene clearly envelopes the feelings of security and hope which imbues the walls of the structure with warmth.

Next, a glimpse into inner turmoil is provided by Hayley Silvers (Adora) and Lauren Rachel (Toni). Both are slightly confused, conflicted and challenged by the collision of old and new feelings. Christine Adams as Adora’s grandmother Babette is delightful as she adds wisdom and guidance in a surprising way.

After intermission, an aura of darkness descends. Emily Redman Hall as the character Nadine takes on the scenes monologue vigorously, building from each obstacle thrown her way. Ultimately a few dark truths come to light. The subject matter is sensitive and managed well by the writer, the actress and the director.

The final scene takes an unusual and unexpected turn. Slickly played by Lea Roman, one can almost hear the walls shudder as the action unfolds.

This overall mélange of thoughts and feelings, given recognition by the stately structure that is the home, is a complex and fascinating whirlwind of emotion. There is quite a bit packed into this play. The audience will find some parts uncomfortable, some humorous, some poetic and all well thought out. Helpful resources are provided in the lobby for those who wish to explore further how to cope with some questions that the play and life have a way of throwing in our direction. The effort of providing resources is an excellent touch.

She continues through June 16. Reservations are highly recommended as the seating is limited. Catch it if you can.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. One performance Thursday, June 13 at 8 p.m. www.theElite.org or 805-483-5118.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Beautiful Game – Netflix

“The Beautiful Game” is based on true events involving the Homeless World Cup, where homeless teams from around the world compete annually in a global street soccer tournament. Retired legendary professional football scout Mal Bradley (Bill Nighy) was the manager of England’s homeless football team for the twelve season and was training a group of five men to go to this year’s tournament in Rome, all expenses paid.

Through a chance encounter at a public park, Mal found ex-pro footballer Vinny Walker (Michael Ward) and hoped he could encourage Vinny to join the team. Vinny didn’t recognize Mal, but Mal recognized Vinny and had a connection to his past as well as knowing about his current life situation creating an ideal scenario for Vinny to join the team. Mal said it wasn’t about winning, that everyone cheered for everyone and that it was mainly about the individuals’ stories and second chances in life.

Mal invited Vinny to join them for some food and though a bit hesitant Vinny followed along. Mal was somewhat of a father figure to the five team members he chose to represent England, spending time with them eating at a local shelter and reminding them of basic things to keep their lives on track. Vinny felt joining the team could help get his life back on track with his wife and daughter, so headed to Rome with the rest of the team.

The 20^th Homeless World Cup in Rome had teams from Mexico, Nigeria, Sweden, Germany, Kenya, Argentina, Austria, Greece, Brazil, Pakistan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Japan, USA, England, South Africa and Italy. Players could only play one year and were not only there to represent their individual countries, but to represent homeless people around the world and bring awareness to the global issue of homelessness and how hope can transform lives.

Due to South Africa not arriving by the start of the tournament, they had to forfeit giving England three points and putting them in the lead. The next team that England faced was Portugal and Mal reminded the team to play with dignity, sportsmanship and discipline, though Mal himself was quite hot tempered with the ref and ended up getting a red card, resulting in him having to leave the game and have Vinny coach. England ended up winning against Portugal, but graciously allowed South Africa back in the tournament and was beaten by them.

England’s next opponent was Japan, but they had to win by eight points or more to get into the quarterfinals, which they did, where they would face Mexico, then Italy. If England won both those matches, they would get a rematch with South Africa in the finals. Between matches all the team members were given opportunities to explore Rome’s famous tourist destinations, something that would normally have been impossible due to the extreme limitations of homeless life.

The 2024 Homeless World Cup will be held September 21-28 in Seoul, first time in an Asian country, and will include 50 countries and over 500 participants. For more information about the actual Homeless World Cup visit www.homelessworldcup.org

Runtime: 2h 4m

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story – Hulu

Billy’s wife Susan felt he was lost for a while until beauty found him. Billy and Susan moved to the Scottish Shetland Islands, Britain’s last outpost before the Arctic, for a better life. It was where Billy was born and said he felt he had been away from for too long. They moved to an old house by the sea and started fixing it up, but before they knew it routine life caught up with them again.

One morning after a storm a starving young otter showed up on the pier. Otters were generally shy around humans, signaling she must have been very desperate. They had recently seen a mother otter killed on the road near their house, so assumed it was hers. She seemed vulnerable and alone, reminding Billy of a time in his life he felt that way so sought to help Molly.

Molly got stronger and began to spend more time with Billy greeting him on the pier and climbing into his boat. He made Molly a home under the rowboat where she could stay around and have appropriate shelter. Molly was a river otter that needed to regularly wash the sea water from her fur so Billy set up freshwater tubs and Molly liked to dry off by rolling around inside Billy’s coat.

That spring, Billy spent much of his free time fishing for Molly, though his wife Susan expressed wanting to get some haddock too. Molly was getting stronger by the day, though it was costing them a fortune. Billy knew Molly had to learn to fend for and feed herself, so he began spending time with her fishing in the seaweed just off shore.

Billy said it seemed like Molly had a switch in her head that all of a sudden she would just be off away to places unknown. While Billy was off at work, his wife Susan would follow Molly down the coast on her morning walks and knew Molly had a whole other life of her own, but kept that from BIlly, who seemed to want to think Molly was dependent upon him. Susan understood that they were just a small part of Molly’s life, but kept that from Billy.

Billy seemed to be getting back to working on their house, but his wife discovered he actually built a house for Molly, complete with pics of Billy, his wife and dog and a camera feed with alerts when Molly was inside. With winter on the way, Billy knew had to stop feeding Molly for her to adjust to the normal life of an otter. They went on one last morning boat ride where Molly climbed into the boat to greet Billy before she jumped out and swam away upriver.

Molly visited a few more times over the next couple of weeks, and then she disappeared for over 2 months. One stormy night Billy got an alert from the Molly Cam. When Billy went out to greet Molly she rolled in the snow like it was water, so happy to see Billy. Molly had a surprise for them all as she was pregnant and the little house made a perfect home for her to give birth to her baby.

Molly raised her cub in the tiny home for several months, and when it was time for them to leave, Billy got a wetsuit and snorkel and experienced Molly’s world with her. Billy realized through Molly that there was a whole other world to discover and connect to. This heartwarming documentary not only shares the unique relationship between a human and otter but also contains beautiful aerial footage of Molly in her natural environment and the breathtaking surrounding areas.

Runtime: 1h 17m