LAMORINDA WEEKLY | 'Hail, Caesar!'


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The Coen brothers are back with their latest movie, "Hail, Caesar!" Joel and Ethan Coen have brought audiences many great films over the years, including but not limited to, "No Country for Old Men," which won four Oscars, including Best Picture in 2008, "The Big Lebowski" in 1998, which will be the Free Movie next month on Thursday, March 10 at the Orinda Theatre and one of my favorite films of all time, "Fargo" in 1996. This time the brother-directing team makes fun of the industry that made them household names. "Hail, Caesar!" takes place in the 1950s and is centered on a Hollywood "fixer," Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin). In Hollywood at this time, the "fixer" was the one who would make sure the gossip columnists did not print any scandals that would damage the actors or studio in any way.

When Eddie, a family man, takes the job at Capitol Pictures he soon finds out it is a whole new world, as he must deal with the kidnapping of Capitol Pictures' biggest star, Baird Whitlock (George Clooney). The Coen brothers like kidnapping storylines, as we have seen in their previous films, "The Big Lebowski," "Raising Arizona" and "Fargo." As if kidnapping is not enough to deal with, Eddie is faced with DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson) as the "Esther Williams" synchronized swimming star who is pregnant. The studio wants her to marry the dad-to-be, Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich), who plays a spaghetti western star. Add to the mix, the studio's highest paid musical dance star, Burt Gurney (Channing Tatum), who is also hiding a few big secrets. Sounds like a normal day in Hollywood!

Is "Hail Caesar!" the Coen brothers' best movie? No, but their movie meter is far higher than most Hollywood standards. "Hail, Caesar!" is worth the price of admission and the 1 hour and 46 minutes TRT. It is rated PG-13.

Live Opera at the Rheem

Are you looking for something different to do at 7 p.m. in Lamorinda this Saturday, Feb. 13? How does a live opera concert sound? The Rheem Theatre is presenting Soprano Litz Plummer as she sings the greatest opera arias of all time, live at the Rheem. She will be performing music from Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart and Carmen by Bizet, among others. Hari Bayani will be Plummer's accompanist. Come experience Plummer's glorious vocal gift. Tickets are limited and recommended to purchase online at www.lamorindatheatres.com.