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Body of Lies - Movie Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Potential Spoilers!

Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond, The Departed) returns to the big screen in all his bad boy glory in Body of Lies, a terrorism themed action thriller from infamous director, Ridley Scott (American Gangster, The Assassination of Jesse James). Though there is no shortage of movies based on the war on terror, this one sets itself apart by going for a more covert approach than its predecessors.

The appropriately titled Body of Lies focuses on Roger Ferris (DiCaprio), a young solider on the rise currently working in the middle east for the CIA. Ferris’ main target is a terrorist leader by the name of Al-Saleem, who is responsible for a series of high profile bombings across Europe. Aiding the operation stateside is Ed Hoffman (Russel Crowe, American Gangster, 3:10 to Yuma), a high level government leader who is the embodiment of America itself. Impatient and detached, Hoffman provides Ferris with orders, intelligence and generally plays the role of the speed bump in Ferris’ plans, oftentimes while dropping the kids off at school or taking pictures at a pee-wee soccer game.

After a successful yet explosive mission at a terrorist safe house, Ferris is lead to the country of Jordan where Al-Saleem may be hiding. Realizing that he cannot accomplish his goal with Hoffman alone, Ferris attempts to coordinate with the Jordanian government by befriending unpredictable covert ops leader Hani (Mark Strong, Babylon A.D, RocknRolla) who has an affinity for “punishing” (not torturing) people who betray him or have information he needs. Hani’s one rule for their partnership is that Ferris never lie to him, a promise that Ferris will find it difficult to keep. It is from here on that the movie lives up to its title.

Once all the players are introduced and on the same path, things start to get hectic. The Americans want results as quickly as possible, the Jordanians are prepared to for the long haul, and Agent Ferris is stuck in the middle trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to please everyone. All the while swimming in sea of deceit, or perhaps lies, from both sides.

As is rarely the case for a movie I was not particularly excited for, I was hard pressed to find fault in this film. DiCaprio’s performance was astounding, as is usually the case these days. The action sequences were not beyond realism and the mandatory underlying love story maintained a low profile and was actually bearable. People who have read the novel of the same title may find fault in the transition to the big screen, but seeing as I am not one of those people, I have no issue.

Ridley Scott is never one to disappoint when it comes to his films, and Body of Lies is no exception. Scott treats the audience to two hours of action, drama, and intrigue that never gets old. If you thought Body of Lies would be the same old war movie we have seen again and again, I suggest you see it anyway. You will be pleasantly surprised.

North Country’s Finest: Falconer

For more than five years, Ken Aubin of Watertown has been training in the art of falconry - using birds to hunt game.

His Harris Hawk sidekick, Zap, helps him combine his interest in medieval history with a north country native’s love of hunting.

Ken says having a trained Hawk in the woods makes every hunt exciting.

“When you go out with a bird, you’ve got to worry about the way the bird is acting that day, the way the game is responding, whether the game realizes how the bird is going to react. Then you’ve got yourself to keep in check at the same time. So there’s so many variables that every hunt is different,” said Aubin.

Ken often shows off his fine feathered flock to kids and grownups alike.

See Mike Boyce’s report:

The Autumn Splendor Oct. 10-12

Okay, let’s face facts.  The Economy is Dismal.  The Presidential election is vicious. And Winter is around the corner.  But the most beautiful of all seasons is upon us.  And the weekend is going to be sunny and warm.  So let’s try to enjoy it.  After all, joy comes from the moment, certainly not fretting about the future.

Fall Outdoorsy Stuff

30th Annual Autumn Festival

Minna Anthony Nature Center at Wellesley Island State Park.

If you haven’t been to Wellesly Island State Park in a while, this is most glorious time of year to go.  I often hike the trails in autumn.  You get close up views of the Magnificent St. Lawrence River, as you take in the sights (bold leaf color), sounds (birds, leaf ruffling) and smells (the woods-better than your Renuzit in your bathroom).  All the while, getting exercise, necessary to beat the stress of the stock market crash.

Events include: Crafts, games, demonstrations, scarecrow making, live animals, tree walk and Birds of Prey Interpretive Show.  Music will be on hand and lunch is available.  This is good to know because, after all you are on “this island” and can’t pop over to a McDonalds.

SATURDAY 10am-3PM

THIS IS A GREAT BARGAIN EVENT FOR KIDS AND FAMILY.

For More Information: 482-2479

Eighth Annual Scenic Road Race

In Old Forge

Saturday on the Streets of Old Forge and Thendara

Okay, the Adirondacks on a Sunny Autumn Day?  A Fantastic Thought.

A lot going on here. Be a spectator or race yourself.  Oh by the way it is a foot race.  5 and 10K walk and runs.

Call the Old Forge Visitor Center for more Information - 369-6983

OPERA

Okay how can I have a separate category for Opera? Simple two events to talk about.

In my on- air element on Fox I spoke already about what is happening at the Clayton Opera House.

Here is Jeff Shannon’s original report:

The Clayton Opera House gets to live up to it’s name this week, as the Syracuse Opera brings its Resident Artists Program to the North Country.

On Saturday night at 7 PM, there will be a community performance at the Opera House of Barrio Boheme, featuring members of the Syracuse Opera and several local students.

Barrio Boheme is an urban retelling of the third act of Puccini’s La Boheme . This new 40-minute, fully staged and costumed presentation is set in multi-lingual 1960’s Spanish Harlem, as four star-crossed lovers work through issues of jealousy, betrayal and true love.

The performance is the culmination of a three day residence at the Opera House for the Syracuse Opera. On Thursday, the company will offer field trip performances to students from area high schools. On Friday, the program continues with a master class for area students. It is these students from Thousand Islands, General Brown, and Lowville High schools that will participate in Saturday night’s performance.

Syracuse Opera’s resident ensemble consists of four singers including soprano Laura Bohn, mezzo- soprano Shirin Eskandani, tenor Nathaniel Peake, and baritone Carlos Aguirre,as well as pianist Eric Andries.

This program is supported by The Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund as part of its year-round programming at the Clayton Opera House. The Syracuse Opera Program is the second such program selected to support and supplement the arts curriculum of area school districts. This program has been generously supported by the John Ben Snow Foundation, a foundation which supports educational and humanitarian organizations.

Don’t miss this chance to see an actual opera at the Clayton Opera House, Saturday Night at 7 PM!

Here is the Website for The Clayton Opera House

Here is More Information about the Syracuse Opera Residence Artist Program

THE MET LIVE IN POTSDAM

The Metropolitan Opera Performances continue at the Roxy Theater.  Presented by SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.  Watch a live performance of Salome at 1pm from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.  Using state of the art HD cameras it is almost like being there.  Saves scores of dollars as you can see this event for $18 (discounts for seniors and students) compared to well over a hundred in Manhattan.  More information call 267-2277.

Saturday at 1pm.

THEATER

There will be Murderers at the Black River Vally Club Friday and Saturday night, Sunday afternoon. This is a revival of the hit that played earlier this summer at the Clayton Opera House. Dinner theater $27.50. Information at reservations.  788-8079. Presented by the Little Theater of Watertown.

AND

at the THOUSAND ISLANDS PLAYHOUSE

“Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad”

A romantic comedy set in a hockey rink.  Before Sarah Palin appeared on the scene there was this show.

Check out fantastic professional theater on the River.  A Great Fall outing.

Gananoque, Ontario.

Friday 8pm

Saturday 2:30 and 8pm

Sunday 2:30 pm

Call 866-382-7020 or 613-382-7020

CHICAGO

The big bang musical that inspired the Oscar winning Film.  Ogdensburg Command Performances 7:45pm Monday October 13th.  One night only.

For more information call 393-2625

MUSIC

Sit and relax at the Black River Valley Club, but get dinner first.

Dinner 5pm-7pm

Concert 8pm

Friday October 10th

The Syracuse Symphony

Delicious, classy, relaxing.

Call 788-2300

Chicken With Tomato, Apple and Onion Chutney

Just because fall is here doesn’t mean the grill has to be closed up and put away.

Use the last vestages of your harvest on this delicious mix that Chef Chris Manning has concocted.

You can get the recipe at the The Children’s Home of Jefferson County website.

Syracuse Opera Resident Artists Coming to Clayton Opera House

by Jeff Shannon

On Saturday night at 7 PM, there will be a community performance at the Opera House of Barrio Boheme, featuring members of the Syracuse Opera and several local students.

Barrio Boheme is an urban retelling of the third act of Puccini’s La Boheme . This new 40-minute, fully staged and costumed presentation is set in multi-lingual 1960’s Spanish Harlem, as four star-crossed lovers work through issues of jealousy, betrayal and true love.

The performance is the culmination of a three day residence at the Opera House for the Syracuse Opera. On Thursday, the company will offer field trip performances to students from area high schools. On Friday, the program continues with a master class for area students. It is these students from Thousand Islands, General Brown, and Lowville High schools that will participate in Saturday night’s performance.

Syracuse Opera’s resident ensemble consists of four singers including soprano Laura Bohn, mezzo- soprano Shirin Eskandani, tenor Nathaniel Peake, and baritone Carlos Aguirre,as well as pianist Eric Andries.

This program is supported by The Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund as part of its year-round programming at the Clayton Opera House. The Syracuse Opera Program is the second such program selected to support and supplement the arts curriculum of area school districts. This program has been generously supported by the John Ben Snow Foundation, a foundation which supports educational and humanitarian organizations.

Don’t miss this chance to see an actual opera at the Clayton Opera House, Saturday Night at 7 PM!

Here is the Website for The Clayton Opera House

Here is More Information about the Syracuse Opera Residence Artist Program

Eleventh Hour Pilot Review

by BJ Clary

Warning: Spoiler Alert.

“The eleventh hour” is a fairly common idiom that refers to the last possible moment to do something. After this week, Eleventh Hour will also refer to a new prime time series from producer Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Coldcase) staring Rufus Sewell (The Illusionist, John Adams) and Marley Shelton (American Dreamz, Grindhouse). Though the series has all the makings of a hit, due to its late start Eleventh Hour may have some trouble getting out of the gate.

Eleventh Hour follows Dr. Jacob Hood (Sewell), a brilliant government scientist who is called in at “the eleventh hour” to solve cases of an advanced scientific nature and are beyond the scope of normal authorities. Dr. Hood is accompanied by Rachel Young (Shelton), an FBI agent in the executive protection division. She is charged with keeping Dr. Hood alive since, as Young puts it, “he spends most of his time in his own head so he needs someone to watch his back.” Together, the two travel the country from crime scene to crime scene under the orders of a mysterious higher-up.

The premise shows some promise, but the pilot falters trying to deliver on that promise. The first case of the series begins with a man who appears to be stealing and burying dead fetuses. This man has apparently been at this for some time and is captured after attempting to bury number 19. The police are confused as to why someone would be involved in such an act until Dr. Hood arrives and reveals that all 19 fetuses are failed attempts at cloning a human being.

After questioning the man who was only giving the fetuses a proper burial, the police learn that these cloning attempts are the work of a rogue scientist Dr. Hood and Agent Young have been following for a few years. This scientist goes by the codename Gipetto, at least in this episode, and it is Hood and Young’s job to track down Gipetto and company before another failing clone kills its surrogate mother.

As is the case with anything Jerry Bruckheimer puts together, Eleventh Hour is extremely well made. The acting is spot on (if a bit dry), the characters are intriguing and likable, and the story is captivating. Jacob Hood himself is an interesting character. A man who has devoted so much of his life to science that he appears to have trouble with simple social constructs. He tends to often tell the truth to people with complete disregard for their feelings, which is part of the reason he has a bodyguard. At certain moments in the pilot, however, it appears that Dr. Hood knows more than he lets on.

This show has potential, but I do not feel prepared to make a full judgment about this series based on the pilot. The plot was interesting and is likely to stir up some conversation after it premieres, but I failed to see where it was necessary to call in Dr. Hood. The case was science based but I don’t feel that it was out of the hands of normal detectives. Any scientist could have found out that the fetuses were identical, and Dr. Hood’s knowledge of science never seems to come into play as it relates to the case directly. He does a good job of describing how cloning works and what someone would need to accomplish the task, but once again, a normal scientist could have contributed the same amount of knowledge.

Something else I found interesting about this episode was that it didn’t appear that Dr. Hood was called in at “the eleventh hour.” Dr. Hood arrives immediately after the 19 fetus are unearthed and before any theories have been proposed. It seems like the police could have squirmed for a bit longer before his help was necessary. Granted, there could have been other circumstances that the pilot did not touch on, but what was presented seemed to deviate from the established premise.

Though the pilot may not deliver entirely on what it proposes, I think Eleventh Hour needs more time to prove itself to the viewing public. I plan on sticking with the show at least through the second episode to see if later story lines conform to the basis of the show.  Jerry Bruckheimer tries once again to put a hit show on the air, but I will be waiting until the eleventh hour to make a final decision about this one.

Premieres this Thursday (Oct. 9) at 10 pm on CBS.

North Country’s Finest: Piano Man

The work never ends at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam for senior piano technician Lane Miller.

He has a brisk schedule since he keeps 150 grand pianos, each with 88 keys, working and sounding great.

It’s a job that combines a scientific mind with the heart of a serious musician.

See Mike Boyce’s report:

Autumn in Full Swing Oct. 3-5

GET OUT AND ENJOY THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND SMELLS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SEASON.

Let’s face it we are stuck inside all winter, so let’s enjoy October, Mother Nature’s little gift to us before..well you know..

PHILLY FESTIVAL

This Saturday, October 4th is the first year for the PHILLY FALL FESTIVAL.

TWO PLUSES:

This an outdoors event and a Bargain Event.

The organizers wish to emphasize that they know times are tough and families are struggling to put food on the table, so there isn’t much left over for entertaining the kids.  Rest assured this event is FREE.

The Philly Fall Festival will take place in the village of Philadelphia at the Primary School from 10am-4pm.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s the first year and that it’s a small town, the schedule is packed.

You got Pumpkin painting, jam and jelly canning contest, crochet contests, sack races, three-legged contests, baked good contests and plenty more.

This event is sponsored by the Philly Historical society, and the theme is of the festival is the olden days.  All the entertainment is geared toward days gone by.

It might not be such a bad idea to check old-fashioned entertainment that doesn’t require electricity, because due to the current economic situation we may not be able to afford cable television soon!

FLEE to PHILLY for FUN.

Autumn Potpourri:

Grandfather Frost’s Stories of Russia is being performed by Open Hand Puppet Theater 11 am Saturday in Russel, NY.  At the Russel Opera House, benefiting the Russell Opera House Restoration Fund.

Story of Grandfather Frost, who weaves his magic in the Russian forests, spinning tales with Baba Yaga and her mischievous black cat.

Art of Iraq and Afghanistan Exhibit: Sponsored by Arts Association of Northern new York 11am to 4pm Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday.  Sackets Harbor, AANNY Gallery.

READ WITH ANIMALS - Saturday noon to 2pm Thompson Park Zoo, Watertown.

FIRST FALL FOLLIES - Carthage Central School auditorium.  Features comedians Moody McCarthy and Matt Rohr, comic skits, singing, dancing and more.  Tickets $10 adults, $8 students, senior citizens, more information 493-0114.

A DAY AT THE FARM - CHASE MILLS - Saturday 10 am to 2pm, Saturday; McKnight Farm, Off county Route 14, corn maze, milk mustache contest (wow, unique contest of the weekend award).  FREE EVENT.

Irish Whiskey Garlic and Green Onion Steak

It isn’t as harsh as it sounds, so put your trust in Chef Chris Manning.

A light, simply satisfying flavor to add to your steak that will do for any dinner for two.

You can get the recipe at the The Children’s Home of Jefferson County website.

New DVD Releases This Week - September 30

The first of the summer blockbusters is released this week on DVD.

Iron Man  has a high caliber cast (Robert Downey, Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow), and had great reviews and box office numbers.

It will definately be the “must-rent” movie this week.

This is one of those “How Low Can He Go?” comedies. Peter is dumped by his TV-star girlfriend (Kristen Bell), in one of the funniest full frontal nude scenes ever (Him, not her).

Peter then goes on a solo vacation to Hawaii to forget his troubles, but guess who he runs into, with her new Rock Star boyfriend? Kila Munis, and Apatow regulars Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd also show up.

An interesting documentary that is now on DVD is Taxi to the Dark Side.

This documentary from last year takes an in-depth look at torture practices by the United States in the last few years, focusing on a taxi driver from Afghanistan who was tortured in 2002, and died from his injuries.

I have not seen it, but from what I hear, it is not for the faint of heart…

The TV shows on DVD this week is a strange collection. We start with “Adam 12: Season Two”

“Beauty and The Beast - The Complete Series” The show with Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman as the Lion-looking beast. (I’m sorry, I never got this show. She would get in trouble, and he would sense it, ride the top of a subway car to her, and show up just in time to beat the cr*p out of the bad guy. Even though he looked like an extra from the broadway show “Cats”, women swooned when he spoke in that growling, Lou Rawls type voice. “You never understood that show!” my wife just yelled at me! )

“Banacek - The Complete Series Box Set“  George Peppard in the detective series that was part of the Sunday Mystery Movie

“Sports Night - The Complete Series 10th Anniversary Edition“  Aaron’s Sorkin’s first TV series, this groundbreaking series about backstage drama at an all-sports network had it all: comedy, romance, drama, and pithy dialogue.

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