Arts & Entertainment
Tribute Never Stands Still
Modern Dance Documentary
Pays Tribute to Jacob’s Pillow
Festival
Review by Kam Williams
Special to TheSkanner News
T
he Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festi-
val traces its roots back to the
Thirties when it was founded
on a farm nestled in the Berkshire
Mountains by the legendary Ted
Shawn (1891-1972). He envisioned
the retreat as an oasis where modern
dance might be practiced, choreo-
graphed and performed as a legitimate
art form independent of classical bal-
let.
Other than being derailed by a tem-
porary setback during The Depression,
the festival’s stature grew steadily over
the ensuing years. In 1942, Shawn
built a theater in a converted barn so
that patrons could enjoy modern for
modern’s sake, independent of the dis-
tracting trappings of a big city opera
house.
Now celebrating its 80th anniver-
sary, Jacob’s Pillow is a veritable
mecca recognized as America’s
longest-running dance festival. Direct-
ed by Ron Honsa, ‘Never Stand Still’
is an enchanting tribute destined to
delight both modern dance devotees
and the curious alike.
Narrated by Bill T. Jones, this alter-
nately educational and entertaining
documentary divides its time between
concert footage and informative inter-
views with industry icons like Merce
Cunningham, Bill Irwin, Paul Taylor,
Judith Jamison and Suzanne Farrell.
We learn that dance is definitely a call-
ing and not a life for anyone who
wants a secure career path, since
you’re always just an ingénue or an
injury away from losing the limelight
forever.
Jamison reminds us, however, that to
reach the top, you have to be more
than merely technically adept. You
need to be among those rarest of tal-
ents also capable of touching the
human spirit.
Modern dance appreciated as a
sacred endeavor enabling one to fly
above the fray, if not literally, vicari-
ously, at the very least.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 74 minutes
Distributor: First Run Features
Never Stand Still
Battleships fight Space Invaders
International Armada Defends Earth
from Aliens in Epic Naval Showdown
Review by Kam Williams
Special to TheSkanner News
T
hough ostensibly inspired by the Hasbro
board game of the same name, “Battle-
ship” is a special f/x-driven, sci-fi
adventure that actually has much more in com-
mon with bombastic blockbusters like
“Armageddon” (1998), “Transformers” (2007)
and “Independence Day” (1996). To its credit,
this variation on the theme does devote consid-
erable attention to developing a back story
before letting all hell breaks loose.
That gives the audience a reason to care about
the characters upon the breakout of war with
bloodthirsty invaders from outer space. Anoth-
er positive is director Peter Berg’s capable cast,
led by veteran thespian Liam Neeson, Taylor
Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard and Brooklyn
Decker. Along for the roller coaster ride is pop
icon Rihanna, who more than holds her own in
an auspicious acting debut as Petty Officer
Cora Raikes.
However, the diva’s diehard fans might be
disappointed that she doesn’t get to sing here,
unless whispering a few bars of “Sentimental
Journey” counts. Furthermore, her curvy
physique is kept camouflaged for most of the
movie under unflattering military fatigues.
The picture’s point of departure is 2005,
which is when we meet Stone (Skarsgard) and
Alex Hopper (Kitsch), two brothers seemingly
headed in opposite directions. The former is
serving his country as captain of the destroyer
USS Sampson, while his ne’er-do-well sibling
lands in jail over an attractive blonde (Decker)
whose father (Neeson) is in charge of the entire
Pacific fleet.
Fast forward to the present where we learn
that Alex has not only enlisted in the Navy, but
that he’s already risen to the rank of Lieutenant.
He is also dating Samantha over the objections
of her disapproving dad who doesn’t 100 per-
cent trust that her hot-headed suitor has turned
a new leaf.
Alex is in the process of summoning up the
courage to ask Admiral Shane for permission to
marry his daughter when five vessels arrive
from planet G and proceed, without provoca-
tion, to decimate an international armada on
maneuvers in the middle of the ocean. Sudden-
ly, wedding plans have to take a back seat to
defending the planet.
Furthermore, as the most senior officer
aboard his ship to survive the initial attack,
Alex assumes command of the USS John Paul
Jones. This affords the former bad boy an
opportunity to exhibit his bravery (in the tradi-
tion of Revolutionary War hero Jones’ “I have
not yet begun to fight!”) as well as a much-
needed chance to redeem himself in the eyes of
his future father-in-law.
The epitome of a summer blockbuster: a
dizzying display of derring-do, patriotism and
fearlessness in the face of an overwhelming
alien invasion on the high seas. And the guy
even gets the girl.
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity and intense vio-
lence.
Running time: 131 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
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Page 14 The Portland Skanner May 23, 2012