She Likes to Watch

Tonight, see the classic “Creature From the Black Lagoon” in 3D

The terrifying Gill-man menaces a bathing beauty in "Creature From the Black Lagoon."

It’s a good time to be a movie monster.

Vampires dominate the pop culture scene, from the “Twilight” series to “True Blood” to “The Vampire Diaries.” Werewolves are the subject of “The Wolfman” and “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” and there’s an entire trilogy — ending in “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” – dedicated to those dusty, desiccated corpses.

But what about the creepy, scaly monster known as the “Creature From the Black Lagoon”?

Directed by Jack Arnold (“The Incredible Shrinking Man,” “It Came From Outer Space”), 1954’s “Creature From the Black Lagoon” follows a scientific expedition searching for rare fossils along the Amazon River.

That’s when Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) and his colleagues encounter the find of a lifetime, the mysterious  Gill-man.  They capture the amphibious creature, but it escapes and kidnaps Reed’s beautiful fiance, Kay  (Julia Adam).

Considered a classic “creature feature” from Universal Pictures’ glory days,  “Creature From the Black Lagoon” features great 3D imagery and some amazing underwater stunts by Ricou Browning. (Ben Chapman plays the monster on land.)

The film has inspired two sequels (“Revenge of the Creature” and “The Creature Walks Among Us”) , and a musical. A 2011 remake, helmed by Carl Rinsch, is currently in the works.

Watch “Creature From the Black Lagoon” at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Fremont movie theater, 1025 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $7.50.

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Get ready to chuckle, giggle and guffaw when you watch “Laughology” on Thursday.

In the 2009 documentary, filmmaker Albert Nerenberg (“Escape to Canada,” “Let’s All Hate Toronto”) sets out on a quest to rediscover his own laugh. Along the way, he encounters neuroscientists, cardiologists,  Christian holy laughter groups and yoga gurus — ultimately finding the man with the world’s most contagious laugh.

The 65-minute film is followed by a laughter yoga session with instructor Bob Banner, publisher of HopeDance and Edible San Luis Obispo magazines.

The event takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the San Luis Obispo public library, 995 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. A donation of $10 is suggested.

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The San Luis Obispo library’s “Neo-Noir” screening series continues Saturday with “Brick.”

Written and directed by Rian Johnson (“The Brothers Bloom”), “Brick” transports a classic film noir plot — a wounded anti-hero struggling to solve a murder while dealing with a criminal kingpin and a femme fatale — from the mean streets of a bustling metropolis to a California high school.

Troubled loner Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has become an anti-social wreck after breaking up with his girlfriend, Emily (“Lost” star Emilie de Ravin).

When Em vanishes, he sets out on a dangerous investigation that will bring him in contact with sophisticated rich girl Laura (Nora Zehetner), thug Tugger (Noah Fleiss), druggie Dode (Noah Segan) and the mysterious figure known as The Pin (Lukas Haas).

A smart, edy mystery with one hell of a final twist, “Brick” puts a fresh spin on film noir’s crackling dialogue, hard-boiled characters  and twisted plotlines.

Watch a free screening of “Brick” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the library.

The “Neo-Noir” screening series continues July 24 with “Blood Simple” and July 31 with “Pulp Fiction.”

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Also on Saturday,  audiences can catch a free screening of James Cameron’s science-fiction epic “Avatar.”

Paraplegic soldier Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) arrives on Pandora, a lush, forested planet populated by a race of towering, blue-skinned aliens known as the Na’vi. His mission is infiltrate the alien race and discover a way to access Pandora’s most previous resource.

But as  the Na’vi way becomes second nature, Jake finds himself increasingly torn between his human identity and his adopted tribe, including the beautiful Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).

“Avatar” won three Oscars for its stunning art direction, cinematography and visual effects.

Watch “Avatar” at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Theatre at the Old Grammar School, 1350 Main St. in Cambria.

For more information, call 927-8190 or visit the Allied Arts Association of Cambria online.

Director Rian Johnson pulls a near-perfect con with “The Brothers Bloom”

As character after character in “The Brothers Bloom” explains, the perfect con ends with everybody getting everything they want.

Writer-director Rian Johnson played a confidence scam of sorts in his brilliant debut film “Brick” –  setting a dark film noir amidst the halls of a California high school. But it’s nothing compared to the hat trick he pulls off in “The Brothers Bloom.”

Johnson introduces moviegoers to four broadly painted characters — the eccentric heiress, the mute explosives expert, two scam artist siblings — and cons us into falling in love with them.

He gives us a fierce, funny parable about brotherly love, romance and adventure. He makes us laugh. Best of all, he keeps moviegoers’ attention with sharp dialogue and unexpected thrills.

A sleek, stylish caper that fits comfortably with the likes of “Charade” and “Paper Moon,“ “The Brothers Bloom” follows a pair of siblings that have been swindling unsuspecting marks since childhood.

Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) runs the cons, crafting complicated stories of mystery, lust and intrigue guaranteed to hook unwary millionaires. His brother, Bloom (Adrien Brody), stars in each story as the vulnerable, likable anti-hero.

And their silent, sexy sidekick Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi of “Babel”)? She provides the firepower.

It’s a formula that’s worked well for years. But Bloom is growing tired of this surreal existence. He longs for something more, an “unwritten life” free of lies and subterfuge.

Stephen agrees to give him an out … after, of course, that proverbial “one last job.”

The brothers’ final mark is Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz), a quirky beauty who’s spent most of her life hermetically sealed in a New Jersey mansion. She skateboards. She breakdances. She takes weird pictures with a pinhole camera carved out of a watermelon.

In short, she’s ripe for a little excitement.

Acting on Stephen’s instructions, Bloom quickly insinuates himself into Penelope’s life and coaxes her into accompanying the brothers — now masquerading as reformed antiquities smugglers — on a globetrotting adventure that leads from the Mediterranean to Mexico to St. Petersburg, Russia.

As the scam unfolds, however, Bloom finds himself falling for Penelope.

Has he finally found love and happiness apart from Stephen’s constant scheming? Or is this tender romance — and Bloom’s emancipation — all part of the plan?

“The Brothers Bloom” keeps audiences guessing up until the last clever twist.

Along with its oddball characters and exotic locales, Ricky Jay’s opening narration lends “The Brothers Bloom” an air of fairytale whimsy — recalling Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums.” (It’s worth noting that Brody, the wounded romantic here, plays a more misanthropic version of the same character in Anderson’s “The Darjeeling Limited.”)

The glib mood does occasionally dip into darker territory– usually in connection to the brothers’ Russian mentor Diamond Dog (Maximilian Schell). One senses that there’s a less happy past hidden beneath the surface, veiled from our eyes by the brothers’ careful network of lies.

Unfortunately, we only get glimpses of depth in “The Brothers Bloom.”

Most of the movie remains floating blissfully on the surface, as deeply entrenched in fantasy and self-deception as one of Stephen’s stories.

That said, “The Brothers Bloom” is a finely crafted fairytale.

The cast, ranging from charismatic charlatan Mark Ruffalo to brooding Adrien Brody, is simply irresistible.

Rachel Weisz shares her talent for klutzy comic relief with silent straight woman Rinko Kikuchi and British comedian Robbie Coltrane, who makes an appearance as a Belgian smuggler known as the Curator. Meanwhile, Schell, an Austrian actor who won an Oscar for 1961’s “Judgment at Nuremberg,” lends an appropriate air of menace.

“Brick” alumni Nora Zehetner and Noah Segan show up in brief but memorable cameos.

Also returning from “Brick” are cinematographer Steve Yedlin and composer Nathan Johnson, who give “The Brothers Bloom” a truly vintage feel. So do the fabulous costumes designed by Beatrix Aruna Pasztor (“Vanity Fair,” “Alfie,” “Basic Instinct 2″).

It’s all window-dressing for a slick flick that encompasses all the glitz, glamour and glibness of a ’60s thriller.

“The Brothers Bloom” may not be the perfect con. But it’s close.

Romantic comedies make for a kinder, gentler summer

Summer is usually associated with blockbusters — big, bombastic action movies that sizzle with explosions, gunfights, special effects and hot babes.

But there’s a sweeter side of summer that’s often ignored, at least by younger moviegoers. The season of month-long flings and under-the-stars sleepovers is also the perfect time for light, breezy romantic comedies.

This year, we’re seeing a bumper crop of promising films. Here are six of summer’s most anticipated flicks.

“The Brothers Bloom” (Opens Friday)

I’ve been waiting for this movie ever I saw director Rian Johnson’s brilliant debut film, “Brick.”

Whereas “Brick” dealt with murder, conspiracy and high school, “The Brothers Bloom” revolves around a pair of sly, sexy confidence men.

Together with their explosive sidekick Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi of “Babel”), the Brothers Bloom (Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo) have swindled scores of millionaires with complex schemes of lust and intrigue. Now the team is ready for one final con.

They set their sights set on Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz), a beautiful, eccentric and delightfully daffy heiress. But as the brothers take Penelope on the romantic globe-trotting adventure of a lifetime, she may also be taking them for a ride.

“The Brothers Bloom” looks like a bright, breezy throwback to con men comedies like “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “The Lady Eve.” It’s the perfect cure for those sunless summer doldrums.

“Whatever Works” (Friday)

Woody Allen revisits one of his favorite subjects — May-December romance in the City That Never Sleeps — in the new comedy “Whatever Works.”

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” crank Larry David serves as the Allen stand-in here, playing elderly, eccentric physicist Boris Yellkinoff.

By Boris’ own admission, he’s not a “likeable guy.” He’s mean to neighborhood children. He talks to himself. He worries constantly about aging and death.

Then Boris discovers a teenage runaway (Rachel Evan Wood) camped out on his Greenwich Village doorstep and falls head-over-heels in love.

Soon Melodie’s divorced, deeply religious parents (Patricia Clarkson and Ed Begley Jr.) are also banging on his door. How will the couple, her Southern family and Boris’ crazy New York City friends ever get along?

“Whatever Works” is familiar Allen territory, and that’s a problem. The premise is dull. The comedy seems tired. Plus, David — so deliciously  acid-tongued and disastrously rude on “Curb” — seems a bit uncomfortable repeating someone else’s words.

I’d  prefer see latter-day Woody Allen overseas — plotting murder in London or matching up sexy singles in Spain — not treading the same old sidewalks at home.

“Away We Go” (June 26)

British director Sam Mendes seems to excel at movies about disastrous relationships.

His most famous film, “American Beauty,“ revolved around a marriage-threatening mid-life crisis. “Road to Perdition” dealt with imperfect father-son relationships. “Jarhead” explored wartime dillusionment.

2008’s “Revolutionary Road” garnered a handful of Oscar nominations for its raw, painful portrayal of a couple stifled by ’50s suburban life.

Mende’s latest film, “Away We Go,” finds him surveying the subtle bonds between partners, parents and children from a new perspective, the romantic comedy.

John Kransinki (“The Office”) and Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live”) star as expecting couple Burt and Verona, two aimless, rootless 30-somethings terrified by the prospect of parenthood.

Unfortunately, Burt’s parents have just decided to move thousands of miles away to Antwerp. Burt and Verona decide to travel the country in search of the perfect place to start their family — connecting with friends and relatives along the way.

“Away We Go” has a hipper-than-thou pedigree. It’s directed by Mendes and co-written by McSweeney’s editor Dave Eggers, author of “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,” and his spouse, Vendela Vida.

But the movie really shares more with Zach Braff’s “Garden State,“ a charming comedy with the same mix of quirky, deadpan humor, Generation X anxiety and indie soundtrack.

Here’s hoping that “Away We Go” — unlike Mendes’ darker movies — will have that same hopeful spirit.

“(500) Days of Summer” (July 17, limited release)

To paraphrase the omniscient narrator, “(500) Days of Summer” is not a love story. It’s a story about love.

It’s the story of the brief relationship between two cute, cuddly 20-somethings. It’s a story about hope and heartbreak, about promises and uncertainty. It’s a story about risks, rewards and disappointment.

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt of “Brick”) believes in true love, the kind of sweeping romantic feeling that melts hearts, weakens knees and inspires Disneyesque dance numbers in downtown Los Angeles.

Summer (Zooey Deschanel), a disillusioned pragmatist, doesn’t. She counters Tom’s idealism with questions like “You don’t believe that, do you?”

“It’s love,” huffs Tom. “It’s not Santa Claus.”

“(500) Days of Summer” plays with our expectations about onscreen romance in predictably adorable indie fashion. The pop culture references, old school soundtrack and quirky storytelling come courtesy of director Marc Webb, a music video veteran.

“Funny People” (July 31)

Stand-up comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is dying.

The rare blood disease that’s wracking his body is terminal. It is unoperable. And it could end his life in a matter of months.

George, who’s reached the peak of his career only to find himself friendless and alone, realizes it’s time for a change.

He takes fledgling comic Ira (Seth Rogan) under his wing as an opening act and personal assistant. And he begins reconnecting with “the one that got away” — smart, beautiful Laura (Leslie Mann), who’s now married with kids.

Then George discovers that he’s going to make it after all. What will he do with his new lease on life?

For writer-director Judd Apatow, “Funny People” marks a return to the softer, sweeter side audiences glimpsed in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.”

Don’t expect a sappy sob story, however. The movie balances its tender moments with hilarious interludes by such funny folks as Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Ken Jeong,  Sarah Silverman and Norm McDonald.

“Julie & Julia” (Aug. 7)

One thing unites the two fierce female protagonists of “Julie & Julia”: the love of food.  

The first woman mentioned is intrepid blogger Julie Powell (Amy Adams), who vows to spend a year whipping up all the 524 recipes in Julia Child’s classic cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”

The second is her idol and inspiration, quirky, lovable and fearless chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep).

Writer-director Nora Ephron adapts two bestselling memoirs: Powell’s “Julie & Julia” (the first blog to be made into a movie) and Child’s autobiography “My Life in France,” written with the help of her husband’s grandnephew, Alex Prud’homme.

I predict that audiences will be salivating by the end of this film, even if they cringe a little at Ephron’s potentially heavy-headed direction.

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Image courtesy of MovieWeb.com.