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Published December 7th, 2011
Beau/Derek on The Descendants
By Beau Behan

One can argue that Shakespeare's legacy to the literary world is a précis expression: "To be, or not to be, that is the question." In essence, it is a question of whether death is better than life. The Descendants is not about Hamlet; rather, it is about taking one side of this proverbial expression---that is, "To live, and to live to the fullest."
George Clooney portrays Matt King, a man forced into self-introspection. He is suddenly bombarded by his past, by a present family crisis due to his wife's comatose state, and by the very uncertain future of raising his daughters without a mother. To make matters worse, he must also grapple with a decision to sell the family's land that was handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.
Academy Award winning director Alexander Payne (Sideways) has painstakingly labored to convey the adage that life is not always a bed of roses. One can even say that his conscientious effort could be egregious due to the pain and sorrow that a moviegoer may experience through King's agony and dilemma.
I highly recommend this movie. It reminds us that life is too short. Derek is off on a holiday- practicing living life to the fullest!
(Derek Zemrak is a filmmaker and the president of the California Independent Film Festival Association (CAIFFA); Beau Behan is a member of the CAIFFA Board and director of the Lamorinda Theatres.)

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Beau/Derek on Happy Feet 2
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Published November 23rd, 2011
Beau/Derek on Happy Feet 2
By Beau Behan

"Happy Feet 2" opens with a colony of Emperor penguins dancing to a hip-hop tune. The film's landscape of animation is visually stunning, and Director George Miller provides an array of dazzling and endearing musical numbers to our delight.
Mumbles (Elijah Wood) is now all grown-up and has a family. His son, Erik (voice of Elizabeth Daily), does not have the penchant for dancing, and becomes a social pariah in the colony. He, now, tries to shun it all by running away. His father sets his feet to another beat, and this time, it is geared towards finding Erik. This sets the tone for the story line.
Happy Feet 2 is a concoction of sweet and sour candies. It is a mixed bag. From a child's vantage point, the film is very entertaining, especially with the Emperor penguins' love of dance. It is philosophical in some aspects, with a message that you can find happiness by believing in yourself, with great candor and honesty.
On the other hand, from an adult's perspective, the film could just be a lengthy ordeal of sitting through a series of songs and dances. The film's attempt to be existential and philosophical is lost in the multitude of musical interludes.
Overall, it is a film for children's entertainment that seeks out a chorus of "Wows" that will continue to reverberate across schoolyards and playgrounds.
Derek shares my predilection, and we both give the movie 2 1/2 stars. It is a good family movie so come to Lamorinda Theatres and experience it!
(Derek Zemrak is a filmmaker and the president of the California Independent Film Festival Association (CAIFFA); Beau Behan is a member of the CAIFFA Board and director of the Lamorinda Theatres.)

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