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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2015)
Arts & Entertainment Film Review: Orphan Abducted to Neverland in ‘Pan’ By Kam Williams Special To Th e Skanner News E veryone’s familiar with Peter Pan, the much-beloved chil- dren’s classic revolving around the magical adven- tures of a little boy who can fl y and won’t grow up. In fact, the fanciful character is so deeply woven into the cultural fabric that he has a psychological disorder, the Peter Pan syndrome, named after him, a pathology ap- plied to people seemingly stuck in a state of suspended adolescence. Created by Sir James Mat- thew Barrie, Peter Pan was fi rst produced as a play in 1904 and adapted into an illustrated novel seven years thereafter. The enchanting fairy tale made its screen debut as a silent movie in 1924, with assorted re- makes, sequels, spin-offs and animated versions being released over the ensuing generations. Directed by Joe Wright (Anna Karenina), Pan, the latest incarnation, is a pre- quel very loosely based on the J.M. Barrie plotline. This special f/x spectacu- lar is the brainchild of ac- tor-turned-scriptwriter Ja- son Fuchs, who ostensibly felt free to speculate wildly about Peter Pan’s roots. The fi lm stars Levi Miller as Pe- ter, and features an impres- sive supporting cast includ- ing Hugh Jackman, Rooney Mara, Garrett Hedlund and Amanda Seyfried. At the picture’s point of departure, we witness a here, Hook happens to be a benign fi gure who befriends Peter, along with Indian princess Tiger Lily (Mara) and the ethereal fairy Tinker Bell. At this juncture, the movie morphs into an overstimu- lating, kitchen sink extrava- ganza serving up everything from dazzling, CGI chase scenes to catchy song-and dance tunes (ala “Smells Like Teen Spirit”) to swash- buckling derring-do. A riveting roller coaster ride well-designed to enthrall tykes for two hours straight. ‘Pan’ newborn baby being very reluctantly deposited by his mother (Seyfried) on the doorstep of the Lambeth Home for Boys, an orphan- age run by an order of nuns. Fast-forward a dozen years Film Review: ‘In My Father’s House’ Chronicles Grammy-Winning Rapper’s Reunion with Long-Lost Dad and we fi nd Peter and his fellow foundlings sharing the misfortune of being un- der the thumb of a sadistic mother superior (Kathy Burke). Furthermore, it’s the height of the Battle of Brit- ain, and the Luftwaffe’s dai- ly fi re bombings of London during the Blitz have left the lads terribly traumatized. Obviously, Fuchs’ anachro- nistic screenplay takes a few liberties, such as in setting the story during World War II, well after the source ma- terial was already written. Nevertheless, the tale makes an incredible leap from reality into fantasy the night a fl ying frigate swoops out of the sky and starts plucking the kids right out of their beds and up into the heavens. Curiously, the ship’s captain is not Hook (Hedlund), but Blackbeard (Jackman), the notorious British pirate who roamed the high seas in the early 18th Century. Unfortunately, Black- beard is no savior but a kid- napper intent on enslaving the youngsters in Never- land, a lair located in an- other dimension. However, Very Good Rated PG for mature themes, mild epithets, ac- tion and violence Running time: 111 minutes Distributor: Warner Broth- ers Pictures View movie trailers at TheSkanner.com Preview Oct. 8th at 7:30pm Admission $10 Brian Tillman with his son Che “Rhymefest” Smith By Kam Williams Special To Th e Skanner News Che “Rhymefest” Smith is among the handful of rappers who have actually managed to make it in the music indus- try. What’s even more remarkable is the fact that the Grammy-winning artist also overcame a challenging childhood, hav- ing been raised on the rough South Side of Chicago by a single-mom who’d given birth to him while still in her early teens. Despite his phenomenal success in the music business, one thing that nagged at Rhymefest was why he’d been aban- doned by his father, Brian, a man he’d only seen a few times in his entire life, and not at all over the past two decades. He wondered whether his dad ever cared or thought about him — or might he be dead? Rhymefest’s curiosity was probably piqued because of the guilt he himself felt about having three out-of-wedlock offspring with baby-mamas he’d never committed to. He wanted to understand why he’d perpetuated the cycle of pa- rental neglect, especially since fatherless kids represent 60 percent of youth sui- cides, 71 percent of juvenile incarcer- ations and 90 percent of homeless chil- dren. So, fi rst, he proceeded to buy the house that his father grew up in and moved in with his wife, Donnie. Then, after hear- ing rumors that Brian was a local hobo and an alcoholic, he started scouring the streets of the Windy City for him. Yes, he did search for and get his dad into rehab right after their tearful reunion. But would the lush fi nd the strength to keep his nose clean with the help of this new lease on life coming in the form of a job, an apartment, and a loving, sup- portive son? That is the tension that tugs at your heart while watching In My Father’s House, a Prodigal Dad documentary co-directed by Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg. The picture proves to be very compelling as a sociological examina- tion of profound dysfunction, but it’s si- multaneously a bitter disappointment for anyone expecting a miraculous, happy Hollywood ending. Unfortunately, Rhymfest just can’t get no satisfaction from the father he’s craved and loved from afar for as long as he can remember. But at least he con- tinues to fl ourish professionally, having recently co-written the 2015 Oscar-win- ning Best Song “Glory” with Common and John Legend for the fi lm Selma. The movie’s message, if any? If you’re a successful rap star, you might want to think twice before returning to the ghetto to track down the deadbeat dad you nev- er knew. Excellent Rated R for profanity and ethnic slurs Running time: 93 minutes Distributor: Arc Entertainment A powerful, resonant drama that should be seen not only by theater lovers but by anyone concerned with race relations in America. October 7, 2015 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 9
