Beth Aiken performed on the oboe at the concert on Friday, March 27, 2009. Photo by Bernie Butcher.

UPPER LAKE – The Lake Wind Ensemble, consisting of Beth Aiken on oboe, Ann Hubbard on bassoon and Nick Biondo on clarinet, totally enthralled an appreciative soldout audience Friday, March 27, in the third of the 2009 Concerts with Conversation Series at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

All members of both the Lake and Mendocino County Symphonies, these are three of the most accomplished wind instrument players in Northern California. They presented a diverse program with verve and lively audience interaction.

After a wine and small plates reception in the Tallman parlor, the trio began the program with five short pieces by Jacques Ibert. This was followed by a "Pastoral" by Darius Milhaud, whose long compositional career included a stint at Mills College in Oakland, where he was fondly remembered by a member of the audience.

Aiken then performed a lovely solo piece by Benjamin Brittan and explained such technical details as how to clean an oboe and how the reeds of the various wind instruments are constructed.

A highlight of the evening was the “world premier” of a piece called “When Time Expands” by Ukiah composer David Smith, who spoke briefly about his composition. For this piece, Aiken switched to the English horn and Biondo to the bass clarinet, demonstrating the rich tones of these instruments in the lower octaves.

The evening concluded with a long, difficult, but beautifully performed “Trio” by French Composer George Auric – no relation to the vacuum cleaner Orrick, explained Aiken.

The perfect encore was a lively rendition of Scott Joplin’s “Solace” to a tango beat laid down by Hubbard on her bassoon.

The Tallman “Concerts with Conversation” series continues on April 24 when the globe-trotting “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” pianist and vocalist Wendy DeWitt, comes to Lake County. The series concludes on May 29 with the virtuoso finger-style guitarist Alex De Grassi.

Details can be found at www.tallmanhotel.com or by calling the hotel at 707-275-2244.

Ensemble member Nick Biondo performed on the clarinet. Photo by Bernie Butcher.

Ann Hubbard performed on the bassoon. Photo by Bernie Butcher.

A serious relationship between heterosexual guys is apparently called a “bromance,” a term I would never use, but which nevertheless feels appropriate for “I Love You, Man.”

The simple premise of this comedy is that a successful Los Angeles real estate agent who, upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, discovers to his dismay that he has no male friend close enough to serve as his best man.

But just as a fling with a member of the opposite sex could destroy an impending marriage, the possibility of too much male bonding poses risks which are explored comically in this film from writer and director John Hamburg (“Along Came Polly”).

Paul Rudd, who has played as close to a straight man as possible in a series of comedies, is the hopelessly clueless metrosexual Peter Klaven, who is described as a “girlfriend guy” because he relates well to women. The girl of his dreams is Zooey (Rashida Jones), perky, smart and beautiful.

They appear to be an unlikely match. Peter has few interests outside of his work. Zooey is surrounded by close friends.

After proposing to Zooey, Peter realizes that he has no close friends with whom to share the good news. Peter is not even that close to his own father (J.K. Simmons) and his younger brother Robbie (Andy Samberg). Then, Peter learns that his lack of male friendship worries his future bride.

Maybe the reason Peter doesn’t have any close friends is that he’s just too predictable, sincere and plain boring. To rectify the situation, he turns to his cool brother Robbie, a personal trainer who is gay and seems to know a thing or two about guys.

With Robbie’s help, Peter embarks on a series of arranged “man-dates” which turn out to be predictably disastrous, as we’ve seen a number of times in romantic comedies. These so-called dates are funny, even when things are a bit uncomfortable and unsettling. In life as well as in comedy, you never seem to meet the right person when trying too hard.

Finally, while Peter is hosting an open house for the Hollywood Hills mansion owned by Lou Ferrigno, there’s an accidental encounter with Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), a rather slovenly character who seems to be enjoying the assortment of finger sandwiches. A charismatic confirmed bachelor, Sydney cruises open houses to enjoy the hospitality and to meet lonely divorcees. Peter is intrigued with Sydney’s carefree attitude, and the two men embark on a friendship that teaches Peter something he’s never experienced, the true meaning of male bonding.

But Peter’s attempts at bonding are often awkward and painful to watch. He’s not accustomed to bantering with buddies, and he’ll come up with the most ridiculous and inept nicknames for his newfound friend. Basically, Peter’s a dork ill at ease with other males, which is obvious at work when he can’t deal with another aggressive male broker or when he clumsily tries to fit in at poker night with Barry (Jon Favreau), the husband of one of Zooey’s girlfriends who happens to be hilariously disagreeable.

Even though Peter seems at first discomforted in forging his ties with Sydney, he nevertheless finds the type of bond that has eluded him before.

Sydney is the polar opposite of Peter. Apparently making money in investments, Sydney lives a bohemian lifestyle in a cottage near the Venice Beach boardwalk. He’s turned his garage into a man cave, which is fully equipped with a flatscreen TV, wet bar and musical equipment for jam sessions. Peter and Sydney also discover a mutual passion for the rock trio Rush. The two spend a lot of time playing music together, with Peter ditching work more frequently.

Naturally, as the relationship between Peter and Sydney flowers into one of serious male bonding, Zooey feels threatened as the level of fraternal immaturity continues to rise. Her discomfort is particularly acute at the engagement party when Sydney makes a toast that embarrassingly reveals details of sexual intimacy.

“I Love You, Man” is often silly and just plain funny, especially when Paul Rudd makes his character so desperate to fit in. There’s plenty of the obligatory dumb physical humor, but the truly funny stuff comes from observant dialog and self-conscious behavior.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

This is a good time for James Bond fans. First, “Quantum of Solace” is being released in a two-disc special edition DVD with several behind-the-scenes featurettes.

In a matter of just two films, Daniel Craig has firmly established himself as the James Bond for a new generation, and yet he brings toughness to the role that recalls the original James Bond, none other than Sean Connery.

“Quantum of Solace” starts where “Casino Royale” ended, with James Bond pursuing those responsible for the death of his flame Vesper Lynd.

Forced to work without the help of MI6, Bond partners with Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a pretty young woman on her own quest for justice, and together they travel the globe seeking retribution.

Also being released is “Never Say Never Again Collector’s Edition.” This is the last Bond film made by Sean Connery, even though it was outside the orbit of the official Bond films.

To sure, this film was released on DVD long ago, but this version contains some new features, including commentary from the noted Bond historian Steven Ray Rubin. The Bond aficionado will certain desire both of these DVDs.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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Luwana Quitiquit weaves a basket using traditional Pomo techiques. Courtesy photo.

LUCERNE – Pomo artisan Luwana Quitiquit will offer a special demonstration of native basket weaving techniques this Saturday, March 28.

The demonstration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at her Pomo Fine Art Gallery at Lucerne Harbor Artists, 6195 E. Highway 20, Lucerne.

American Indian basket weaving is an art form that captures the imagination in its many diversified techniques.

Join Quitiquit for a look at this unique art.

The Pomo Fine Art Gallery also contains a museum display of Pomo artifacts.

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Winter will be at The Gourd Gallery, which is part of the Harbor Village Artists complex at 6197 E. Highway 20, Lucerne.

Winter has taught the art of Kumihimo, the Japanese name for the art of cord-making via braiding as well as a variety of painting techniques, at Shari's Secret Garden in Lakeport. She's also shown how the techniques can be applied to gourds at the Bachelor Valley Gourd Club.

Bring your gourd questions for the April 5 demonstration.

Apart from enjoying time off, there are certain times when it would be nice to be on vacation if for no other reason than to be excused from reviewing a particular film. That time would be now.

But no, I was stuck in a darkened theater watching a remake of Wes Craven’s “The Last House on the Left,” now directed by Greek filmmaker Dennis Iliadis. Not being a devoted fan of horror films, I have never seen the Wes Craven original, and this latest version, graphically brutal and grisly, leaves me with no burning desire to catch up with what I missed.

From the very outset, and as a warning to parents, it must be noted that “The Last House on the Left” is so over-the-top violent, brutal and gruesome in its depiction of sadistic behavior that it has to be one of the most repugnant films of recent times. However, I say this without having seen any of the “Saw” films, which I imagine were also hideous and ghastly. I am not sure why there is such a market for this type of horror, but the only possible saving grace is that vengeance is usually exacted upon the perpetrators of evil, leading to some sort of redemption.

The film begins with the Collingwood family going on vacation to their remote lakeside summer home. John (Tony Goldwyn), a surgeon, and his wife Emma (Monica Potter), joined by teen daughter Mari (Sara Paxton), are still getting over the loss of their son from the year before. Shortly after arriving at the lake, Mari decides to go out for the evening with her friend Paige (Martha MacIsaac). The girls meet a rather shy young man, Justin (Spencer Treat Clark), who invites them to a motel room to smoke a few joints.

Their pleasant fun is soon interrupted by the arrival of Justin’s malicious father, Krug (Garret Dillahunt), his Uncle (Aaron Paul), and his father’s girlfriend Sadie (Riki Lindhome). One of them is an escaped convict and they are all wanted for murder. The girls are seen as posing a risk, and so they are kidnapped for a ride into the woods. Both girls are brutally assaulted. Mari is victimized by a rape so violent and atrocious that it is extremely painful to watch. This is shock cinema at its worst, resulting in brutality so extreme that it seriously offends good sense.

The upshot is that the badly battered and sodomized Mari is left for dead in the forest, while the malefactors seek shelter from the stormy weather. Being in the middle of nowhere, this leads them to the Collingwood lakeside home, where John and Emma, obviously unaware of what has transpired, invite them to take refuge in the guest house.

For a time, there’s a decent buildup of tension, knowing the hosts and the visitors are unaware of each other’s relationship to Mari. Though I won’t reveal the details, the film veers off into the revenge thriller when John and Emma become alert to the vicious thugs in their midst and decide to fight back for vengeance.

“The Last House on the Left” is full of sadistic, grisly violence, especially the heinous and seemingly endless rape scene. It’s a form of torture having to sit through this mess. I can’t fathom any good reason to see this gruesome horror film and can only suggest that “The Last House on the Left” should be condemned.

Had it not been for a prior commitment, I would have been able to attend the screening of “Race to Witch Mountain,” affording the opportunity to write about something undoubtedly better and far less traumatizing.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

As a contrast to this week’s movie review, I want to tell you about the DVD release of “Azur & Asmar: The Princes’ Quest,” a family entertainment of brilliant animation realized by acclaimed French filmmaker Michel Ocelot.

The fairytale story involves two children who grew up together.

Azur, the blue-eyed son of a nobleman, and Amar, the dark-eyed child of a nurse, listened to enchanting stories, but their favorite was about a beautiful fairy waiting to be released from captivity by a good and heroic prince.

The two boys are as close as brothers, until the day Azur’s father cruelly separates them, banishing Asmar from his home and sending Azur away to private school. Years later, Azur and Asmar are reunited, but as grown-ups they become rivals in the quest to rescue a beautiful fairy princess.

“Azur & Asmar: The Princes’ Quest” is a magical story that is made even more enchanting about the superior quality of its colorful animation.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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