LISTINGS/SCREEN Special Screenings FAMILY ON BIKES—Hop on your bike and head to the Egyptian Theatre to kick off Boise Bike Week with this multimedia presentation. The Boise family who rode from Alaska to Argentina will chronicle their adventure, and there will be a screening of the 2010 documentary on mountain biking. For more see Feature, Page 11. Sunday, May 15, 5 p.m. FREE. Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise, 208-345-0454, egyptiantheatre. net.
SCREEN/THE BIG SCREEN
CAGED MADNESS The Elephant in the Living Room is not for the birds GEORGE PRENTICE
IN-JUSTICE—International photojournalist Karen Day chronicles the work of the AWJP, an organization dedicated to helping women and children wrongfully imprisoned in Afghanistan. Meet Day and First Lady Lori Otter before the film—before they head out to meet with First Lady Michelle Obama. Scan the QR code to read more about the film at boiseweekly.com. Tuesday, May 17, 7 p.m. $25. The Flicks, 646 Fulton St., Boise, 208-3424222, theflicks.boise.com.
Opening
BRIDESMAIDS—Lillian (Maya Rudolph) has just gotten engaged, and there’s nothing maid of honor Annie (Kristen Wiig) won’t do to make sure her friend has the perfect wedding. (R) Edwards 9, Edwards 22 THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM—Documentary about the controversy surrounding people who keep dangerous exotic animals as pets in their homes. (NR) Flicks
PRIEST 3D—When his niece is taken by murderous vampires, a warrior priest struggles with the decision to break his vows to save her. (PG-13) Edwards 9
30 | MAY 11-17, 2011 | BOISEweekly
Five minutes into watching The Elephant in the Living Room, a gripping documentary concerning the epidemic of households containing exotic pets, I thought the subject matter might be best handled in an episode of PBS’ Frontline. As the movie concluded 90 minutes later, I was frustrated that the film didn’t go on for another half hour, at the very least. The Elephant in the Living Room is the When this guy calls to say his cat is stuck in a tree, the fire department has to call in a lion tamer for back up. most unlikely movie-going experience you may have this year: It’s entertaining, engaging and Harrison’s greatest challenge is Terry as if somebody turned a switch on.” In one infuriating. And you will never view a “cute Brumfield, a depressed hulk of a man who is recent 12-month period, Harrison responded animal segment” on television the same way. one prime rib dinner away from a quadruple to 19 alligator calls in Dayton, Ohio, and 10 On any given evening, Dave, Jay, Jimmy more in Cincinnati (more than in most sections bypass. Brumfield is convinced that his reasons and Conan clown around with lions, tigers, for living are his two fully grown lions, which of Florida). Harrison blames the outbreak on snakes and gators hauled onto the stage by soon become the parents of four cubs. The the number of people who buy baby gators as “Jungle” Jack Hanna. Most of us watch the pride of lions becomes Brumfield’s obsession, pets, ignorant to the creatures with curiosity. and Harrison knows full well that the scenario threat of a soon-to-be But those who know could end tragically. full-grown alligator. the animals best see THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM (PG) Elephant in the Living Room is far from Accompanied by an something that can— Directed by Michael Webber perfect. Its constant fade-out, fade-ins for each undercover camera, and might—eat your Starring Tim Harrison, Terry Brumfield, segue of the film is distracting, the soundtrack Harrison visits a face off. Russ Clear is syrupy and the film could use a first-rate ediPennsylvania reptile The recurring theme Opens at The Flicks on Friday, May 13 tor to craft more expert transitions. Above all, sale, where acres of of The Elephant in the the movie needs some input from a mentalcountertops are lined Living Room is the with Tupperware con- health professional to explain the pathology day-to-day policework of someone who thinks wild creatures are best tainers filled with baby boa constrictors and of Tim Harrison, who faces lions, tigers and chained up in a back yard. alligators. Harrison even purchases a Puff bears (oh my). Harrison is a public safety ofThe thesis is simple: exotic pet ownership ficer in the wilds of Ohio, one of 38 states that Adder, one of deadliest snakes on the planet. is madness. The film has no doubt invited In another jaw-dropping scene, Harrison allow the ownership of exotic pets. takes the cameras to one of the largest exotic controversy and sparked debate, as any great For many of his 34 years as a policeman, documentary should. Don’t ignore The Elpet auctions in the world, in the surreal setHarrison received occasional calls to handle ephant in the Living Room. snakes on the loose, but in recent years, “it was ting of an Ohio Amish community.
SCREEN/THE TUBE shaking off the soot. And where do these unemployed beasts get the money to buy Acme missiles? Basically, they’re terrorists with no regard for rudimentary laws of physics. They’ve even played basketball in At least nobody is turning Bugs Bunny into a baby this time. space with Michael Jordan. That happened several years ago on In the 1940s, Bugs Bunny was a Baby Looney Tunes—an idea only slightly violent, cross-dressing, suicidal, marginbetter than bringing Shirley Temple back ally racist drunk. The Looney Tunes Show as an old woman whose gout acts up. could have logically updated him as a In The Looney Tunes Show, the perendevil-worshiping meth dealer but that nial pop-culture icons have moved to a would’ve bothered some people. The subdivision. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, timid, new version is like playing pool no longer adversaries, are roommates. with a teetotaler. Also, for some reason, The show is about universal situations— instead of gray, he’s purple. like text messaging or going to a highThe thing about the original cartoons school reunion. is that they existed prior to modern irPeople are protective of the original ritants. Now, Yosemite Sam is a goddamn Looney Tunes legacy. Any deviations invite rapper. It makes you want to drop an denunciations and disgust, but it’s odd anvil on his head. to impose purist rules on talking animals The new version of Looney Tunes airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on —Damon Hunzeker that get blown up and then recover by Cartoon Network.
THE LOONEY TUNES SHOW: KIND OF LIKE RE-MAKING “FRIENDS” IN THE FOREST
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