by Shirley Lorraine
Little Women plays strong in Camarillo

First performed as a musical in 2005, Little Women makes its Ventura County debut with strong performances chronicling the well known Civil War story originally published in 1934 by Louisa May Alcott.

The timeless tale of the March family comes to life on the stage of the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse in fine style. Father March has gone to war, leaving behind mother (Marmee) and four feisty daughters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. The sisters are a tight group, vowing to always stay together no matter what. Of course, circumstances change slightly as they grow older, each pining for their dream existence while discovering that reality has other plans.

Set in Concord, Massachusetts and New York during 1865 and 1866, the audience is easily transported back in time via authentically styled and detailed costumes, representative period set pieces and a casual flavor of elegance. Set design by theater veteran Dean Johnson is effective in its simplicity although some scene changes of shuffling furniture seemed rather superfluous to me. Just my opinion. An unchanging set scene of the professor’s library on stage left worked well.

The play is directed with a deft hand by Janelle Phaneuf who keeps the pace spirited throughout. Often seen on the stage herself, Musical Director Erin Fagundes does an overall admirable job of blending voices. Several of the men present with more enthusiasm than vocal acumen, although they should settle into their roles as the run continues. Keeping up with the vocal talents displayed by the female cast must be challenging.

The main character of Jo, a before-her-time feminist, is played with strength and conviction by Savannah Ludwig. Her voice is a force of nature, clear and true. Meg, the traditionalist daughter, is well pictured by Genevieve Levin. The frail and timid Beth is given a mighty characterization by Hannah Marks while the youngest, Amy, is portrayed by Hannah Marks, all to fine measure.

Marmee, the March mother, is solidly played by Aileen-Marie Scott. The formidable Aunt March brought to larger than life by Sindy McKay is a highlight. Both excel in their roles in disposition, bearing and vocals.

The men are well represented through Dale Alpert as Mr. Laurence, the dour neighbor across the street, Ezra Eells as Professor Bhaer, Jonathan Markham as young Laurie Laurence and Andrew Nunez as Mr. John Brooke. Each is given an opportunity to shine. All appear to be having a great time embodying their new personas.

Musical accompaniment is recorded which keeps everyone on their toes. The cast rises to the occasion admirably, although personally I would prefer to hear the actors over the music rather than the other way around. Perhaps due to the pace and the volume, some of the diction was lost to me. This did not lessen my enjoyment of the performance however.

Little Women, the Broadway musical, is entirely family friendly (a rarity in musical theater these days, it seems) built on a fine classic story. Suitable for all ages, this performance is a recommended start to the summer.

Little Women continues through July 15 at the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse, 330 Skyway Drive near the Camarillo airport. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and military. Contact the box office at [email protected] or call (805) 388-5716. Season subscriptions are available. Curtain is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Deadpool
2 2.5 Palm trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

Deadpool 2 is a 2018 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool, distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film is directed by David Leitch, Written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Ryan Reynolds. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, and Zazie Beetz.

With super soldier Cable arriving from the past to kill a young mutant, Deadpool creates the X-force, a team of mutants tasked with saving the boy.

I felt Deadpool 2 was always going to have the problem of just being more Deadpool. While this turned out to be true, It’s hard to knock it when I find Deadpool absolutely hilarious. Ryan Reynolds continues to kill it playing Deadpool and the writers continue to deliver the edgy, self-referential humor that we’ve come to love (or hate). Now that the novelty of the first Deadpool film has worn off, the cracks really begin to show. Awkward tonal changes, hit and miss jokes, and egregious amount of pop culture references can be an easy turn off for many. So if you are a fan of pop culture references, borderline offensive humor and gratuitous violence, then Deadpool 2 is a blast. Otherwise, there is little reason for you to pay the price of admission.

I’m not going to lie and say I’m above the vulgar jokes that pop off seemingly every other minute. I had some of the biggest laughs I had at the movies in a long time. However, the machine gun delivery of jokes can be a little much sometimes. While I have to give all the credit in the world to the writers for weaving in huge amount of jokes into a surprisingly heavy”ish” plot, the occasional tonal differences between the two can kinda suck the life from each other. One minute you’re laughing along to Deadpool’s shenanigans and next it’s time to be serious. It’s not so much that a balance can’t be had, but that timing between the two feels off. Even if by design, it’s not something that really clicked for me as a viewer.

Ryan Reynolds comedic timing as Deadpool continues to be the number one reason to see these films. He has so much energy and so much love for this character that Deadpool and Ryan Reynolds is really starting to become synonymous. Josh Brolin’s character as Deadpool’s foil, Cable, can come off a bit bland, but otherwise was a solid performance.

Where I found Deadpool 2 more enjoyable than the first Deadpool was through the use of more recognizable Marvel characters and villains. With Cable and Domino’s addition to the cast, we see a lot more on screen chemistry. The first Deadpool always felt like it got the short end of the stick with the lack of prominent x-men and marvel characters making an appearance. While there is still a lack of A-list heroes and villains in this film, there are a lot more interesting and recognizable faces this time around.

Deadpool 2 is absolutely not a movie for everyone. The hyper violent nature of this movie, along with incredibly crude humor means this is probably not for your middle-schooler’s eyes. It’s funny and tells a surprisingly good story about what it means to be family, and while it’s not fantastic, it’s enough of a good time where if you’re into this type of humor I recommend it. Unfortunately I can’t say there was really anything particularly memorable about the movie, it’s good for cheap laughs but sometimes that’s all you need. Rated R 1h59m

Tully
Review: 3 Palm Trees out of 4
by Manuel Reynoso

Tully is a 2018 American comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. The film stars Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, and Ron Livingston.

Tully follows the life of Marlow, an overworked, underappreciated mother of 2, and her budding friendship with her new night nanny, Tully.

Diablo Cody has never shied away from portraying every cut and bruise that the normalcy of life so effectively leaves us with. Tully pulls back the dainty veneer placed on motherhood and really lets it all hang out for us. Plenty of films have presented radical solutions to the very real problems of postpartum depression and midlife crises. Wild solutions such as embracing some abrupt change in one’s character, or to zealously remain steadfast to one’s current track in life; Tully takes a more nuanced stance. To plant roots, embrace normalcy, but also be flexible. Change may be scary and inevitable, but it can be just what we were looking for.

Diablo Cody’s script is a bit of a slow burn hinging on some witty lines that may or may not work for you, but really shines with its portrayal of the struggling mother. Particularly visceral and carried by the performance by Charlize Theron, Marlow was a character who was both nuanced and believable. With Tully’s arrival, these two women only further develop into richer and more complete characters. It’s unfortunate that a lot of the others won’t feel nearly as fleshed out.

As our protagonists grow and develop, it’s hard not to care for these people as we learn of their desires and goals. They are deeply relatable, whether you’re a mother in a similar situation or just one sensitive to the struggles women face. On top of this, what Marlow want is just the same fulfillment and security that anyone can relate to. For me, it was how we get that security was what made this film resonate. To remain strong but not hesitate to face change head on.

Also funny enough, I was really appreciative of the short run time of Tully. 90 minutes with little padding and concise storytelling is almost refreshing at this point as movies are seemingly inflating to ever longer times. Diablo Cody gets the point across quickly, and director Jason Reitman kept a very snappy and consistent pace throughout the film.

There isn’t much else left for me to say, other than that I just really enjoyed this film. My gut reaction has me feeling like I’m longing for more somewhere in this script. To really go deeper into the world of postpartum depression and family rearing. However, by this film’s own merits, it hold up incredibly well. I try to keep away from saying what a film should or shouldn’t add, so I won’t try to. What we got was a wonderful ode to motherhood, and a poignant cautionary tale. It’s short and it’s sweet, and an all-around well told movie. Rated R 1h36m

Avengers: Infinity War
Review: 3.5 Palm trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

Avengers: Infinity War is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics team the Avengers. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Avengers: Infinity War stars an ensemble cast of the previous Marvel films.

With Thanos finally making his move to gather the infinity stones, It’s up to the heroes of Earth and beyond to stop him before he unleashes the terrible might of the 6 infinity stones.

Even as someone who has always been in the periphery of the Marvel movie hype, I still can’t help but feel Infinity War had this monumental feel to it. It’s been ten years since audiences have been introduced to the movie magic that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and for it to coalesce into a single ensemble cast film really is a feat. I went in expecting a film about earth’s mightiest heroes banding together to take down the big baddie; but what I got was a film about loss, dire consequences, and the misguided journey of a single being.

With a cast this large, there was a few issues with pacing throughout the film, particularly within the first hour. As each character was introduced, it was jarring being pulled from one situation to another in just a single cut, especially with each situation being so tonally different. These issues with pacing does not do the film any favors, as the already extremely long run time feels much longer as a result. Thankfully, the problem mostly goes away as soon as the big baddie of the film, Thanos, takes center stage. It’s from here where Infinity War really hits its stride.

I don’t think it’s misleading to say this isn’t so much a story about the Avengers as it is about Thanos. I feel like it’s this change in direction that made this film so much more interesting than the previous Marvel films. The journey of this story is not about a hero this time around, but about its villain. It’s his growth that we see, his motivation, and ultimately his story playing on the screen. Thanos steals the show, and hopefully we start to see more intricate villains such as himself and Killmonger.

Infinity War also played with much heavier themes than the previous films. Loss will be the main recurring theme of this film, and it is something the film does a surprisingly good job at portraying. Every action in this film has consequences, and the emotional weight these themes carry really emphasis that. But, being a Marvel film, it wasn’t all doom and gloom the whole time. So for better or worse, there were still plenty one liners and silly quips throughout the film. While some nail it, particular Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, many others fall flat.

Fans of the previous films have been waiting a decade for Infinity War, and it accomplished being one of the best films of the series. As a stand-alone film, it has its problems. The length, pacing, and the usual cliché writing of Marvel films may dissuade some movie goers. However for me, the sheer scale of this film made it a wild and fun ride from beginning to end, and for the first time I find myself eagerly awaiting the next film in the Avengers line up. PG-13 2h29m

by Shirley Lorraine

Hijinks on the High Seas at High Street

Batten down the hatches, the Navy has sailed into Moorpark. Based on the 1955 film starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney and Jack Lemmon, among other greats, the play Mister Roberts by Joshua Logan and Thomas Heggen brings a touch of nostalgia, chagrin, humor and poignancy to the High Street Arts Center stage.

The story centers around Lieutenant Douglas Roberts, a junior grade combat officer in charge of a fleet of bored sailors working a United States Navy cargo ship, the U.S.S. Reluctant, in the last few months of World War II. After months of providing supplies to other ships in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean with no relief, the crew has advanced cabin fever, entreating Roberts to secure some shore leave for them to let off steam.

Roberts tangles with his cantankerous Lieutenant Commander, Captain Morton, in efforts to grant the leave. Roberts is aided in his efforts by roommate Ensign Pulver and his good friend Doc, the ship’s medical officer. Through a series of shenanigans, leave is finally approved which results in total chaos for the entire crew. Throughout all this, Roberts tries repeatedly to gain transfer to see some actual battle.

The crucial role of Lt. Roberts is in the capable hands of R. Shane Bingham, who gives just the right combination of competent leadership and empathy for the crew’s plight. Captain Morton is played beautifully by Dale Alpert who displays a style quite reminiscent of James Cagney in the original role. The up and coming Ensign Frank Pulver is embodied by Patrick Rogers with a range of boyish enthusiasm. Phil Nemy settles into the role of Doc with confidence and control.

Olivia Heulitt carries herself well in the only female role – that of Lt. Ann Girard, who makes a brief appearance. The cast is filled out by a cadre of fit, youthful sailors eager to get off the ship to meet members of the opposite sex. Everyone in the cast is so lively and enthused, I fully expected them to break out into songs from the musical South Pacific any moment.

The well appointed U.S.S. Reluctant collaborated by set designer Scott Armstrong and director John Tedrick adds to the illusion. Sara Glauser pulled together the Navy uniforms to complete the picture.

Although clearly a “period” piece in language and attitude, it was easy to settle in with the primarily older crowd to relive some of the actions of the highly popular film and TV shows. One does have to keep in mind that this was a different time and unique situation which is presented in a light-hearted way. Many sighs of recognition were heard throughout, especially when it was announced that the war was over.

The High Street venue is always comfortable and welcoming. In addition to a full stage season, films are often presented as well as concerts and other special events. There is always something going on at the Arts Center. Settle in with some fresh popcorn and enjoy the show.

Mister Roberts continues through May 6 at the High Street Arts Center45 E. High Street, Moorpark. 805-529-8700 or www.HighStreetArtsCenter.com
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. $22, seniors, students and military $20. Reservations highly recommended.

A Quiet Place
Review: 3 Palm Trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

A Quiet Place is a 2018 horror film directed by John Krasinski, written by Krasinski, Bryan Woods, and Scott Beck, based on a story by Woods and Beck. Starring John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmons, and Noah Jupe.

With the sudden appearance of blind alien predators, A family must live life in complete silence, or else risk being hunted down by these creatures.

First with Get Out and now A Quiet Place, these horror movies really won me over by taking horror genre elements and effectively incorporating strong themes to compliment the horror film. A Quiet Place is as much of a horror film as it is a film about family. Every scare and every threatening moment is compounded by the theme of family. John Krasinski’s choice to highlight this and show actual developing relationships is why A Quiet Place succeeds. While some aspects of the film may feel rehashed or illogical, overall it was a fantastic horror with genuine scares and emotional payoffs.

John Krasinski’s directorial debut was definitely a success but at times a bit safe. A Quiet Place had a strong gimmick revolving around silence, but it felt like little more than a plot device than anything more impactful. The choice to include a traditional musical score was an understandable decision to make, but it left me feeling that it sort of downplayed the importance of silence in the film. While I wouldn’t say it was the wrong decision to make, it left me wanting more. However, Krasinski more than made up for it with his strong emphasis on the family and their relationship. Interactions between every character was distinct and created a believable family unit. It wasn’t just a film about surviving, but about protection and love.

Having a strong family unit would not have been possible without the talents of the cast. There was such great emphasis on everyone’s relationship to each other and the cast had the prowess to make it believable. The care taken in accurately representing ASL in this film wasn’t just an important step in making this family believable, but was also a tremendous step for disability representation in cinema. Millicent Simmon’s inclusion in the film was key to bringing this family to life, she brought an understanding of deafness that would have been impossible to bring to the film without her.

A Quiet Place succeeds in being a horror film by creating a world that just feels dangerous. The rules are simple, and consequences for breaking these rules are made painfully clear early in the movie. It takes this kind of set up to give the audience a strong enough suspension of disbelief. It’s when the film has small moments of internal inconsistency that it may take you out of the film. It really boils down to having a “try not to think about it too hard” mentality for some parts of the film. While admittedly not optimal, I do believe that it’s pretty minor and overall plot and premise of the film is put together well enough to enjoy.

Not being the kind of person to really enjoy horror films, I really believe a film like A Quiet Place highlights what other films have been missing. It’s not enough for me to feel scared because of what scary monster lurks in the dark, but it takes strong theming to make me feel scared for the person trapped there with it. That is what makes A Quiet Place the better horror movie. Theming is what makes even a pin drop enough of a scare to put me on the edge of my seat. Rated R 1h35m