"Star Trek: Into Darkness" A Perfect Ride in Space

 Rating: 4 out of Fordyce (Perfect)

 Now Playing at The Mary Pickford in Cathedral City     CLICK FOR SHOWTIMES

Since the original series in the 1960s,  I have been a big fan of Star Trek. I have almost always seen the movies in previews or, like tonight, I was first in line at my "Regular Movie House," The Mary Pickford in Cathedral City, CA.

Armed with my 3-D glasses I was ready for Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew of the NCC 1701 to keep me in warp drive, and I was not disappointed. The biggest problem I have in writing this review is how to not give you any spoilers.

The cast is back and, like last time, marvelous. Chris Pine is the dreamy, oversexed Captian James T. Kirk, who literally gets some alien tail in this one, and Zachary Quinto is Mr. Spock. The plot is a little transparent, but it has some twists that will make trekkies think, "Why did they do that?" Good trekkies will figure out why. (Hint: They are on a different timeline.)

There is an evil character we have sort of met before, an old friend who uses his subspace cell phone to answer a call for help, and a scene that we have seen before, but this time the looking glass gives us a different view. There are lots of 23rd-century gadgets, phaser fights, and special photon torpedos, as well as a sense of timing among an ensemble cast that will make you smile amid the chaos.

If I have you confused, don't be. Just go and escape to the future during another ride to the land of Star Trek. You will find out why I give this one a perfect 4 out of Fordyce.

Some notes: The first show was in IMAX and in 3-D. I am not a fan of either, but the 3-D was cool. I suspect this film will work on any format you watch it in.

 

Credit Check:
While the credit sequence is cool and full of classic ST music. There is no scene at the end 

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Monday Shout Outs

Happy Monday, Everyone...

I had a great weekend. Friday night I was off to the movies. I wasn't too keen on "The Great Gatsby," as you will see in my review. Saturday night it was the 20th annual "Evening under the Stars" to benefit the AIDS Assistance Program. Please be sure to read the story about that and check out the CVFun Fotos. 

This week we will enjoy the newest offering from Desert Rose Playhouse, a new artist reception at Heath Gallery, and I plan to be one of the first to see Star Trek: Into Darkness when it opens at The Mary Pickford Theater. While you are following along, be sure to read about and listen to CVFuncasts about a new eatery coming to Palm Springs, and tune in to hear Bob Bogard chat with me about a summer filled with FREE movies. And speaking of free movies, there will be another outdoor Marilyn Monroe film on Friday, May 17, at 8:30 PM right next to her likeness in downtown Palm Springs.

Large crowd helps AIDS Assistance Program

(Palm Springs 5-11-2013) It was the 20th annual evenign under the stars. A crowd of more than 1500 gathered outdoors at at the O’Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs/ There was an reception and auction before the event and a fabulous dinner 

While actor, television personality, and game show host Mark Walberg was  the emcee and Cyndi Lauper was the headline, many felt the real stars of the night were the volunteers and the contributors that help AAP continue its mission.

Some of those special people were honored at the event. Helene Galen recieved the Jeannette Rockefeller Humanitarian Award, Barbara and Jerry Keller were presented with Gloria Greene

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Kaufman works will be on display at Heath Gallery

This story contains a CVFuncast. Jim Fordyce talked to artist Daniel Kaufman about his unique artwork.
 "Just Click to Listen"

Works by encaustic painter Daniel Kaufman will be on display at Heath Gallery 222 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs from May 17 through June 1, 2013.
  
The public is invited to a reception for the artist on Friday May 17, 2013, from 6-9 pm. For more information call 760.770.2779.

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New Downtown PS Restaurant opens May 22

This story contains a CVFuncast. Jim Fordyce talked to owner Mindy Reed about her new place
 "Just Click to Listen"

Palm Springs, CA – Vibrant and contemporary, Alicante: Spanish Mediterranean Cuisineis the newest addition to downtown Palm Springs’ growing dining and nightlife scene.  “I wanted to bring a taste of coastal Spain to Palm Springs,” says Mindy Reed, owner ofAlicante as well as the popular Zin American Bistro, one of Palm Springs’ best-known and respected restaurants.

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"Gatsby" is flashy fun, but the same story

Rating: 2 out of Fordyce

Now Playing at The Mary Pickford in Cathedral City     CLICK FOR SHOWTIMES

Will Hollywood ever get over "The Great Gatsby"? It has been done now about five or six times, None of them have been stellar. This time the task of taking the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel and bringing it to the big screen went to the man who brought us "Moulin Rouge," Baz Luhrmann. He took Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire and tried to make them Gatsby and Nick Carraway. Maguire was OK, DiCaprio was still using his Howard Hughes voice from "The Aviator." The rest of the cast were mediocre, and the women where stiff and gave you no reason to care about them.

I was really prepared for this to be over-the-top, with Luhrmann at the helm but it seems he did show a little restraint. The story did follow the novel. But the production numbers for the parties, the speeding cars, and several other scenes were all overdone and all computer generated. I also found the soundtrack ridiculous. When a movie is set in the 1920s go get some music from the period. There was hip hop and disco that sounded like the Village People collided with a shooting star. Pleasant, but it did not belong. This was nothing special and only gets a wishy washy 2 out of Fordyce.

 

Credit Check: 
I left.
Sorry, this film was already way too long at almost 2 and a half hours.

"Iron Man 3" is action-packed fun

Rating: 3 out of Fordyce

Now Playing at The Mary Pickford in Cathedral City     CLICK FOR SHOWTIMES

I must say I enjoyed the first Iron Man, and even though I am always wary of sequels,  Iron Man 2 was ok, so I was off to see Iron Man 3 on opening night. Part of the charm here is Robert Downey, Jr as the quirky, sarcastic and very wealthy Tony Stark. He was once again fun to watch as he donned the big iron suit. He is joined by Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts and Don Cheadle as Colonel Rhodes. When you add in Ben Kingsley as the villainous Mandarin, you have the makings of a fun film.

The plot in this version is very good. There is a new dynamic between Stark and Ms. Potts and a bad guy with some secrets. The story is clever and moves along right from the beginning. There are a couple of twists you won't see coming, and it all wraps up neatly in a little over two hours. I can't say more without spoiling things, so I won't. But I must add that there are a couple of very unbelievable scenes even when performed by a guy in a magical computerized suit. Go enjoy the fun of this film that gets a very good 3 out of Fordyce.

 

Credit Check:
STAY right until the end or you will miss out 

Palm Springs Art Museum Announces FREE Summer Film Schedule

This story contains a CVFuncast. Jim Fordyce talks to Bob Bogard from the museum about this event

The Palm Springs Art Museum will offer free films in its Annenberg Theater every Thursday at 6 p.m. from June 6 through Sept. 19 (there is no film on July 4). The first ten films will be the 2013 Global Lens series of films, organized by the Global Film Initiative. This series showcases films from countries not typically associated with film making, and features young and upcoming directors. This year, the Global Lens series includes films from Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, and Serbia. Each film is selected for its authentic voice, strong cinematic visuals, and unique cultural perspective, opening a window to the diverse world in which we live (each film includes subtitles in English). This is the fifth year the museum has screened the popular Global Lens series.

Following these ten foreign films, the museum has once again teamed up

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Norman Jean is staying for the Summer

 This story contains a CVFuncast about Marilyn's extended stay

 "Just Click to Listen"

Just like a visitor who comes to Palm Springs for the warm weather, sunshine and friendly residents and who doesn’t want to return home, the Forever Marilyn sculpture will be extending its stay throughout the summer. The new departure date is now scheduled for early September.

“We are thrilled to have Forever Marilyn with us all summer long,” said Aftab Dada, chairman of P.S. Resorts. “The sculpture has attracted thousands of visitors from around the world to Palm Springs and has

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“Musical Comedy Whore” coming to the desert

The Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley’s live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present its final production of our 2012/13 Season,  popular stage and film actor David Pevsner starring in his new solo musical show “Musical Comedy Whore” at The Commissary in Rancho Mirage. The show will open on May 17, 2013, for a five-week run closing on June 16, 2013.  

David Pevsner is one of the writers of the hit revue “Naked Boys Singing”. 

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Follies season ends May 19. Last Chance to see Leslie Gore

CV Fun host Jim Fordyce meets Leslie Gore after the FolliesAfter nearly 200 performances, the 22nd edition of The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies—Dance To The Music!—comes to a close on Sunday, May 19.

All season long, the Follies has celebrated the dance crazes of the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, with a cast old enough to remember the way it really was!

This is also the last opportunity to hear legendary vocalist Lesley Gore perform her Gold Record hits “You Don’t Own Me,” “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” and her #1 smash and the anthem of a generation, “It’s My Party.” This is also the last opportunity to hear legendary vocalist Lesley Gore perform her Gold Record hits “You Don’t Own Me,” “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” and her #1 smash and the anthem of a generation, “It’s My Party.”

CV Fun host Jim Fordyce was in the audience at a recent show and says: "The Follies is always a treat, but this show was even better with one of my all time favorite singers, Leslie Gore." 

And Jim adds: "You won't forget the world’s greatest hula-hoop artiste Mat Plendl. He is just amazing."

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Annenberg Theater Announces 2013-2014 Season Performance Series

 

May 6, 2013 (Palm Springs, CA) - The Annenberg Theater of the Palm Springs Art Museum announced today its 2013-2014 season Performance Series. This year the headliner for the theater's Eleventh Annual Opening Night benefit performance is nine-time Tony® award winner Tommy Tune, who will be performing with the Manhattan Rhythm Kings. Following this, the 2013-2014 Performance Series will include: Christine Andreas, Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince with Jason Graae, and the Broadway Tenors (featuring singers Brent Barrett, Norm Lewis, and David Burnham).

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Charity Golf for Rosie's Kids is May 20

From soccer to piano lessons, to ballet or art class, there are so many extracurricular options for children here in the valley. But for many families the options don’t matter because they can’t afford all the extras that go along with those activities like cleats, music books, ballet shoes and art supplies. That’s why Rosie Welmas started Rosie’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that helps families afford to enroll their children in the

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Rock Yard now on for 2013

It’s time to rock along to the music of the country’s best tribute bands.  Fantasy Springs Resort Casino’s Rock Yard music venue will kick off the 2013 season on Saturday, April 20. The most accomplished cover bands in Southern California and the country’s most well known tribute bands take the stage every Saturday night for 5 straight hours of music. The cover band always starts the night off at 7:30pm. At 9:00pm, the tribute band takes over and plays audience favorites from rockers including Aerosmith, U2, Prince, AC/DC, Motley Crue and many more. Then at 10:30pm the cover band comes back and jams until midnight

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3 Grammy winners coming to Fantasy Springs this Summer

Grammy Award-winning bands Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys will join forces with Alejandro Escovedo to bring their eclectic musical flavor to Fantasy Springs. On Saturday, August 10^th the musicians will join forces and showcase their distinctive Latin sounds.

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Soap opera star Jeanne Cooper has died at 84

CBS/AP/ May 8, 2013, 3:04 PM Jeanne Cooper, who played grande dame Katherine Chancellor for nearly four decades on "The Young and the Restless," died Wednesday morning in her sleep, her son the actor Corbin Bernsen wrote on Facebook. The family confirmed the death to CBS.

Bernsen tweeted April 12 that his mother faced an "uphill battle" for an undisclosed illness. In subsequent days he wrote of her gradual improvement and said that she'd been taken off breathing equipment.

In a Facebook posting April 17, Bernsen said his mother cursed several times, "showing me that she's becoming her old self, not thrilled about the situation, and ready to get out of the hospital and shake up the world."

On Wednesday he wrote that she remained a fighter until the end: "She has been a blaze her entire life, that beacon, that boxer I spoke of earlier. She went the full twelve rounds and by unanimous decision...won!"

Cooper joined the daytime serial six months after its March 1973 debut, staking claim to the title of longest-tenured cast member. The role earned her 11 Daytime Emmy

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