SF Ballet MERE MORTALS A Mere Pax de Deux and a Merde Ballet

I didn't fancy SF Ballet's "Mere Mortals" (2024) choreographed by Aszure Barton with music by Floating Points.  Here's several reasons why.  First and foremost, there was too little dancing, too much monotonous prancing, posing and video showings.  For those who love the ballet (as do I ) a modicum of ballet is a prerequisite.  This ballet contained only a slight amount of ballet dancing. Ballet in "Mere Mortals" was missing in action. The concept of AI as a genesis for a creative work could work nicely.  With the omnipresent invasion of AI, incorporating it into the ballet repertoire was Absolutely Intriguing; especially around the Bay Area.  Carmen Kovacs, the dramaturgist* for the piece said blending the Greek Myth Pandora and AI, "The audience doesn't have to know the myth at all to take meaning from the ballet because you will naturally feel what it's about..."  I came to the ballet not knowing the Pandora Myth was part of the pastiche.  I was aware of the AI Aspect Intended.  And, I expected some relevant storytelling or arguments for or against its usage.  The ballet failed to deliver much to ponder but much to wonder.  How the finished product got approved for presentation due to its lackluster choreography and waste of energy.  The use of video can add to production value. The ballet began with a video of what looked like the inside of a volcano which spewed its lava flow. A tall dancer in cossack style dress entered.  He was foreboding and overbearing of the dancers. The corps ballet attired in form-fitting black leotards appeared as a populous that functioned as a whole without variation (as in the TV series "Pluribus"**).  Choreographer Barton borrowed from his earlier, far superior work, "Busk" (2019).  "Busk" was more creative, cunning and exciting.  The facial expressions (or lack thereof) in "Busk" served to portray street entertainers; hence its title.  Azsure also used frenetic running on stage which was a poor imitation of Balanchine's "Glass Pieces".  Perhaps, "Mere Mortals" work would work better as a short piece rather than a full ballet. The couple in their body-fitting latex with metallic coloration stood out nicely from the ensemble in their pas des deus.  The  uniformity of the masses contrasted with the separate, free-thinking, duo dancers. This gave pause to consider dangers of too much reliance on AI.  I do have high praise for the soloists whose movements mirrored balloons rippling out front of used car lots. A flagrant waste of time was spent with a dancer, back turned to the audience, standing stock-still on-stage merely watching a video for five monotonous minutes.  I commend the originality of the score by Floating Points, a.k.a. Sam Shepherd. The soloists captured the musicality of the electronic sounding score that was neither discordant, nor melodic, but definitely hypnotic.  (It put the two seniors next to me to sleep for the entire performance.)  Merde! I paid $245 for my seat.  I saw "Mere Mortals" on Sunday for the first and only time. I will not be back for an encore.

*A dramaturgist aids the development of a work by providing literary or historical context and supports the creative team in telling the intended story.

**"Pluribus 

BEEF Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan Dish Retribution Stew

Netflix's second season of BEEF has an all new cast, story and location. What the two seasons have in common, is a harsh look at marriage and social stratification.  This season BEEF smacks of WHITE LOTUS only a much cheaper cut.  Married couple, Josh (Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan (three time Acad. Award nominated actor).  Josh is the general manager of an exclusive country club overlooking the Pacific.  Lindsay is an interior decorator who put her design talents on display in the clubhouse.  Their prestigious preening is a carapace that is soon shattered when their physical altercation is captured on a cell phone by a young engaged couple, Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny). Austin and Ashley work part-time in service at the club with ambitions for getting a prime seat at the table, i.e. health insurance, better jobs, and paid vacations.  Josh revels in his seemingly self-important position which has him hob-nobbing with the rich and famous.  Lindsay reminds him he is merely staff paid to befriend the members who don't think of him as their friend.  When the young couple innocently oversee Josh and Lindsay fighting, replete with thrown glass and a raised 7 iron, they do what all Gen Z's would do.  They film this ugly scene on their cell but flee when spotted by the sparing couple.  Josh, rightly fearful of what this could do to his job and reputation, intercepts Ashley on the golf course.   Josh tries to ingratiate himself and proffers a bribe for her aligned acquiescence. This in turn inspires Austin and Ashley to conspire and blackmail the Josh and Lindsay using the incriminating footage.  The young couple parlay the footage into an exec. position for Lindsay at the club with a higher salary and health insurance.  The show's setup is enticing and the acting is exceptional; not as brilliantly written as "Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolf" or "White Lotus" from which the show takes slices.  Still, there's plenty to relish in terms of marital bliss gone amiss, social climbing, abject behavior and criminal conniving.  As in season one of BEEF, has an appealing premise and perfect cast to enhance a bitter grievance and retribution series.  Alas, stick a fork in season 2.  If you're like me and don't savor acrimony well-done to burnt; you'll be done watching season two, too.    

CRIME 101 is a Waste of Time and Talent with Halle Berry, Chris Hemsworth, Barry Keoghan and Mark Ruffalo

Basic rules for riveting crime/ drama -  have an intriguing script,  make it suspenseful, and develop compelling characters. Writer director Bart Layton whose award winning crime drama "American Animals" was a critical and commercial success.  Layton's latest crime film, "Crime 101" now airing on Prime is more of a miss. The twist in "Crime 101" is the merging storylines between a an elusive and soft-hearted thief, Davis (Chris Hemsworth) and an aging, but still striking insurance agent to the elite, Sharon (Halle Berry) who combine their skills to swindle a huge pay day to lay aside for all future financial wants. Hemsworth as Davis is quietly discerning and ingratiating as the cunning thief who refuses to harm  anyone, although remaining fully armed. Sharon is a self-assured agent to the rich and haughty. At her job, she is continously subjugated by her boss.  Her boss was promoted over her and toys with her ascent to  make partner. There's mystery in trying to connect where and how the two will connect.  The talented and engaging Mark Ruffalo plays Lou, the honest, hard working detective working to connect the dots on  the west coast band.  As in Sharon's case, he too has failed to make a promotion despite playing by the rules (or perhaps for not playing by them).  The parallels between corrupt cops and top executives is heavy handed.  But, you gotta hand it to Ruffalo whose contained performance is the best part of this sophomoric crime movie.  Hemsworth's fumbling courtship of the woman who rear ended his car also has appeal.  But, Berry overacts in her vitriolic speech when quitting to her smarmy boss.  The writing is culpable of the incredulous shown down with her boss which leaves Sharon stranded with financial loss.  Barry Keoghan ("Saltburn") plays the stand-in thief with violent, vicious glee.  The talented casted are robbed of a worthwhile script.  Basically, there's little tension or intrigue to give "Crime 101" anything above a C.  Pass.  

BOOKISH Apple TV Series is Pretentious, Precious and Soporific zzzzzzzzz

Being both a bibliophile and anglophile, I anticipated a cunning and inviting series blending a few of my favorite things. But, in the end, the show was pretentious, convoluted and worst off all, boring. The look of the show and the cast was promising beginning within a bookstore with floor to ceiling books and the omnipresent ladder, overstuffed leather chair and customary elbow-patched blazer.  The comely all-British cast has some faces people across the pond; Polly Walker ("Patriot Games") as Trottie Book, wife of Gabriel Book (Mark Gatiss "Mission Impossible). Gabriel Book is the proprietor of the titular bookstore with a proclivity for investigating local crimes.  Connor Finch (TV series "Everything I Know About Love") plays Jack just back from prison and seeking employment.  His impromptu interview was quaint as Gabriel offered tea and homemade ginger snap biscuits.  Jack was hired at hello by Gabriel even though he doesn't know why Gabriel and Trottie are being so incredibly kind to him. Jack begins his new job in in the bookshop by following along with Gabriel to a murder site just down the street where Gabriel is beknownst to Inspector Bliss. Unfortunately, the show is a big miss with a pastiche of construed British charm, and genteel nurturing to affable but troubled individuals. The murder cases prove inane and the antiquarian bookshop as a backdrop for a cozy mystery series proves arcane.  While the series doesn't take itself too seriously it never elevates above a second rate show.  

Jonah Hill's Disastrous Film OUTCOME-How Come this was Made?

Jonah Hill knows a thing or two about working in Hollywood with temperamental talent and tempering press with a crises to do damage control.  Hill writes, directs, produces and acts in this hackneyed film that's meant to be a clever parody on the movie industry. The film fails miserably.  Wearing too many hats, the film is absolute. There's even a literal, putrid crap scene in which Hill who plays Ira, a fast-talking, self-absorbed agent to movie star, Reef (a befuddled Keanu Reeves) insists Reef accompanies while he's on the crapper because he's so busy he doesn't have time to waste. He also makes his forlorn assistant bring him better quality toilet paper.  The movie tries to satirize the kiss ass mentality everyone has for celebrity, faux reality and our litigious and outright extortionist mentalities.  Reef is a beloved movie icon who's been out of the spotlight in rehab for several years after a reputation ruining fiasco and is anxious to make his comeback.  Ira insists he can keep matters under wraps if only he tells him everything and obeys everything he's instructed by him. Reef has maintained two best friends since high; Kyle (Cameron Diaz) and Xander (Matt Bomer).  The are the only two who love him for himself and the only ones honest with him and whom he doesn't  to impress. Still, Reef rankles them with his brittleness and then seeks their forgiveness. No forgiveness is due Hill who roped in a great cast, especially Reeves who despite their acting chomps can't get this off-putting, waste of film and your time should be fool enough to watch it. The only redeeming scene is between Reef's mom, Dinah Hawk (the incomparable soap star, Susan Lucci).  Hawk asks her son to be on camera for a reality scene on her real housewives show.  The dialogue between them seemed to be the first legitimate poignant interaction until Hawk wants to do a retraction. The outstanding question remains, how come this horrendous film was made and put out on Apple TV? 

Apple TV Series "Margo's got Money Troubles" is Delightfully Quirky and Worth Watching

Having just read Rufi Thorpe's delightfully engrossing novel, "Margo's got Money Troubles," I wanted to see how well the iconic TV writer/produce David E. Kelley ("Big Little Lies" and "Boston Legal") would handle this quirky, dark comedy.  Kelley gets some star power help from his wife, the luminescent Michelle Pfieffer as Shyanne, mother to our heroine Margo. Margo is played by the indefatigable Elle Fanning (movie "Sentimental Value"and TV "The Great").  Nick Offerman (TV's "Parks and Recreations") plays Margo's absentee father, Jinx, a celebrity, pro-wrestler who never married Margo's mom. There's more power in Kelley's corner with Greg Kinnear as the unctuous pastor who Shyanne marries.  Nicole Kidman plays a retired wrestler turned attorney.  The book and the series rely on the fortitude of its central character, Margo.  Fanning as Margo gives a million dollar performance as a college coed who gets pregnant with her married, lit professor. The prof takes off and who distances himself from Margo and the baby. Marcia Gay Harden plays the ruthless mom to the spineless prof. out to protect her son at all costs. Thaddeus Graham ("Sex Education" and "Bad Sisters") plays Susie, Margo's helpful roommate.  Money makes the world go round and is the center of Margo's focus. She keeps her pregnancy despite the adamant advice against by her mother, best friend via cell from NYU and despite her own qualms.  Once reality has set in after the birth, all the plans that were ever planned are never going to play-out. The most pressing issue is providing sufficient funds to pay rent and for all the mounting essentials. Jinx appears at Margo's door seeking and providing solace just at a time when Margo and Susie need someone to help cover the rent after their two college roommates bailed on the chaos with baby Bodhi. The plot is immersed in credible crises that make you want to cry for Margo. But, before you start to feel overwhelmed with Margo's money plights, you find yourself cheering for the fight she puts up rather than go down for the count. What's a single mom to do to earn money with no money for a sitter?  Working from home is an option and the work she discovers brings in a payload. Margo creates an online sight for mature (if not infantile) adults which involves nudity. What turns Margo's fans on is her talent for writing which spices up the storytelling and gives the content zest. It's the best case scenario for Margo who finds the loving support she needs in mom, dad, Susie and in her inner strength with her love for Bodhi. Troubles surround her drug addicted dad, self-involved mom and for Margo to maintain customers for the content on the sexual site she created with two other vixens.  These troubles aside, "Margo's got Money Troubles" is worth paying for it's so delightfully cunning, clever and charming. 

ANNIVERSARY Starring Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler Nothing to Celebrate

The A list stars in the film "Anniversary" (2025) screening on Netflix include Diane Lane (Ellen) and Kyle Chandler (Ben) as a married couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with family and friends doesn't end well.  Nor does it fend well thought despite having a promising premise and a cast of compelling actors.  The story was sorely lacking a fully-developed script required to provide the film credibility and gravitas.  The movie pitch was probably enticing as being a prescient political thriller surrounding a handsome and loving family at a time when our nation is torn asunder by an insidious interloper into the family.  The antagonist is the gorgeous girlfriend of the son who has devised a toxic political manifesto intended to subvert our nation's democracy; morphing it into a dystopian "Brave New World."  The family lives in an enviable home (albeit with inferior decor) on the waterfront just outside Washington, D.C.  The film's inception is the eve of Ellen and Ben's 25th wedding anniversary party.  The couple's prodigies include three daughters, Anna (a celebrity comedienne),  Cynthia (Zoey Deutch) an environmental attorney, unhappily married to a partner at her firm, the sole son, Josh (Dylan O'Brien) and the baby of the family, Birdie (a terrific McKenna Grace). The three sisters are glad to be united at their parents' home, and with mom and dad.  The girls are given to sharing their feelings with each other, especially regarding their only bro and his new girl in tow.  Liz (a duplicitous Phoebe Dynevor) is Josh's new love interest and he's not particularly interested in the critiques from his sisters or mother.  It's not surprising that Liz and Ellen had known each other previously.  Eight years prior, Liz was a doctoral candidate at Georgetown University and Ellen was her supervisor.  As her mentor, Ellen was appalled by Liz's right wing leanings calling for a major revolution including a one party system "to unite everyone." A mega idea except in the film it was too ambiguous as to how the publication of Liz's political manifesto lead to major upheaval in the near short-term into a massively oppressive police state; independent views and non-conformity is met with severe punitive measures and imprisonment.  Again, the flagrant failure to transition to tyranny convincingly causes the crises that unfolded, unbelievable.  Still, there are real shocking moments of terror and intense misery that get uncomfortably under one's skin.  Applaud the acting by Lane, Chandler, Deutch and Dynevor but don't mark time to take-in ANNIVERSARY. 

Pepperdine Guitar Department Concert April 7th, 2026

The undergrad students in Pepperdine's Guitar Department performed for the last time this semester. The  program featured six students performing classical compositions from Baroque to Contemporary.  The Baroque piece was composed by Bach (b. 1685-1750).  And,  the very modern piece composed by Liam Kuhn (b. Canada 1998).  Accordingly, the first guitarist on the program, Thomas Wiedensohler (Freshman class) played Johann S. Bach's "Prelude No. 1 from Well Tempered Clavier.  As a pianist who favors Bach's concertos, I found it enticing hearing  this work performed on solo guitar for a variant aesthetic.  Surprisingly, the musical resounding from the guitar were only tangentially different from the piano Wiedensohler playing provided a rich interpretation of Bach's melodious work.   My favorite pieces on the program were performed by Matthew Kunkel (upper claws).  These included Manuel Ponce (b. 1882-1948) "Prelude (in the Baroque Style) and Agustin Barrios (b. 1885-1944) "Sueno en la Florets; a very renowned performance piece of classical guitarist Andre Segovia(b. Spain (1893-1987).  This program along with other student performances are held throughout the school term on campus.  These performances are free and open to the public.  The public is encouraged to attend as integral learning experience for the students who are tutored in addition to artistry and technique,  and also mentored in public performing skills.  The students briefly shared their knowledge of the composers, the piece itself and something noteworthy that made the piece memorable.  There is another classical guitar concert at Pepperdine University in Malibu this Monday, April 13th at 7:00PM.  I'll be attending and encourage everyone to attend. We brought our three old granddaughter,  Bennet, who wants to attend, again. Unfortunately, this concert will go past her bedtime.  

Young Sherlock is Superior Sleuth Solving with an A List of Actors from the Family Tree

If you thought nepo babies were found only in Hollywood, you're wrong. The handsome cast (along with exquisite costuming and cinematography) is comprised of stellar A listers, and their progenies. The sexy hero of the Amazon series, Sherlock, is Hero Fiennes Tiffin. Sherlock's father Silas Holmes is played by Joseph Fiennes; Hero's real life uncle.  Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's elder brother is played by Max Irons; son of actor Jeremy Irons. Non-related actors included:  Colin Firth as a buffoonish professor, Natasha McElhone as Sherlock's mother, Cordelia Holmes and James Moriarty is portrayed by a dashing Donal Finn.  This recent incarnation of Sherlock Holmes, the iconic investigator created by Sir Arthur Doyle, is depicted as a 19 year old college student in an Oxford University facsimile. It's here that Sherlock meets his partner in crime solving (whom you'll recall becomes his nemesis) James Moriarty. Sherlock and James find themselves thrust into a murderous crime scenario leading to their expulsions. They align themselves to finding the true culprits.  Meanwhile, on an Asian tundra, Princes Xiao Wie (an alluring and formidable Zine Tseng) returns astride her majestic horse to the grizzly discovery of her entire clan dead.  There are no discernible wounds or weapons found.  However, a Prof. from the same elite Univ. in Cambridge where Sherlock & James have matriculated, had been living.  He surreptitiously returns to the Univ. leaving a rank odor behind him.  It's apparent a nefarious plan is underfoot that gives way to clues  Sherlock, James and Princess Wie to decipher.  The plot lines are somewhat convoluted and confusing but the lush settings and whip smart dialogues are so beguiling rest assured, everything else will resolve itself in the end.  Furthermore, there is Sherlock's beautiful mother whose ben sent by Silas to langour in an insane asylum since grief stricken by the drowning of Sherlock's and Mycroft's younger sister, Beatrice as a young girl. Is Silas Holmes sinister or to be believed? Is Princess Wie going to solve the mystery before her compatriots in crime, Sherlock and James?  Why are all the prominent professors being permanently silenced? Is the body in the grave actually Beatrice? And, has there ever been a sexier sleuth than Hero Tiffin as Sherlock?  The answer to this one is obvious.  NO!  But oh, there is so plenty to recommend in this first rate production directed in part by Guy. Ritchie and created by Peter Harness (creator of Doctor Who and Wallander on the BBC). It doesn't take a crystal ball to call this mystery series top-notch. It's elementary. "Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius." (Sir ACD)

TAKE a BANANA for the RIDE Jeff Ross's One Man Broadway Show Now on Netflix

Jeff Ross is a heralded comedienne known for his fearless roasts of famous celebrities. Unfortunately, I didn't see Jeff perform his solo show at the Nederlander Theater on Broadway during its limited run this past fall.  However, fortunately for everyone, the show is now streaming on Netflix. Ross wrote, produced and starred in this autobiographical show which delves on his family, career and philosophy.  It was seamlessly hilarious, tearful, joyful, poignant and clever resonating with humor throughout. For those who don't know Jeff personally (fortunately for me I do) Jeff opens up about his his life and family history from his grandparents' origins and occupations, to his parents' love story, his birth and that of his younger much loved sister, Robyn while growing up in NJ. We follow his circuitous climb to comedic success along with the tragedies and blessings in his life viewed through photos, videos, letters and audience interactions. For those who think of letter writing as a lost art, consider the epistolatory potency of Jeff's parents love letters and the heartfelt letter Jeff's father wrote him on the eve of his high school graduation. Jeff's mother passed while he was in high school and his father shortly thereafter.  Jeff lived in his childhood home with his maternal grandpa who bestowed him with love and a banana for the rode. Perhaps the letters were so profound in part for enabling the writer to express their feelings without inhibition or interruption.  Jeff shared his years working in his father's catering business honing his slicing skills while most his friends were out having fun.  Still, there was a brood of buddies that bonded over poker and pot around his kitchen table.  His pal Mark (called out in the audience) first suggested they try standup while attending college together in Boston. For Jeff, there was no looking back.  He found his calling.  Jeff said "I hadn't been this excited or committed to anything since karate as a kid when I become the second youngest black-belt at age 10."  The simple staging provided an intimate experience.  Various sized frames on the set featured personal photos and videos.  A violinist and pianist unobtrusively onstage maintained a cohesive warmth for the show.  There wasn't a dry eye when Jeff talked about his beloved German Shepherd rescue, Nana, whom he had to put down. The melancholy mood got usurped with punchlines that were  "perhaps too soon" but appreciated comic relief that emanated from the comic genius Jeff Ross shares with the world. Thank you Jeff for your joie de vie, and your love for humanity.  Jeff paid tribute to his friends; fellow comics Bob Saget, Gilbert Gottfried and Norm MacDonald who passed within months of each other. Thank you for showing us the gift of gratitude for friends and family whom you thanked for supporting you, particularly during your chemo and colon surgery.  Laughter is the best medicine. I might try flinging spaghetti at my sisters next time we're together. Thanks for your candid chatter and providing us with laughter.