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Arts & Entertainment
Conflict of interests The heroes and villains of 2011 by Tyler Hanley In 2011, Hollywood served up another tantalizing mix of valiant and vile characters to cheer or jeer. Two of Marvel Comics’ most famous dogooders, Thor and Captain America, finally hit the big screen (though only one made this list). Meanwhile, Sherlock Holmes’ classic nemesis Professor James Moriarty also found his way to the cineplex.
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Public Meeting Notice 2011 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Public Open House and Call for Ideas DATE: TIME: PLACE:
Johnny Depp as Rango
Rooney Mara
Chris Evans
Thursday, January 12, 2012 6:30-8:30 PM Cubberley Community Center: Room H-1 4000 MiddleďŹ eld Road Road, Palo Alto, CA
The City of Palo Alto is currently in the process of updating the existing Bicycle Transportation Plan, which will include a new Pedestrian Element. A community meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 6:30 PM at the Cubberley Community Center, Room H-1. This meeting will focus on connections between South Palo Alto to Mountain View and Los Altos. All interested parties are invited to participate in this community forum, where staff will present a summary of existing and proposed network connections. Staff would like to receive input on the connections that are most important to the community for walking and biking to and from neighboring jurisdictions.
CITY OF PALO ALTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Palo Alto City Council will hold a public hearing at the special meeting on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. or as near thereafter as possible, in the Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, to consider the Appeal of Director’s Architectural Review Approval of the CoLocation by AT&T of (Distributed Antenna System, a.k.a. DAS) Wireless Communications Equipment on 20 existing utility poles located at 179 and 595 Lincoln Av.; 1851 Bryant St.; 1401 Emerson Av.; 1880 Park Blvd.; 134 Park Av.; 109 Coleridge Av.; 1345, 1720 and 2326 Webster St.; 1248 and 2101 Waverley St.; 968 Dennis Dr.; 370 Lowell Av. (Waverley side); 105 Rinconada Av.; 2704 Louis Rd.; 464 Churchill Av.; 255 N. California Av.; 1085 Arrowhead Wy.; and Oregon Expy near Ross Rd. DONNA J. GRIDER, MMC City Clerk Page 20ĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>Ă€ĂžĂŠĂˆ]ÊÓä£ÓÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž
Kevin Spacey
Jared Harris
Heroes Captain America (Chris Evans), “Captain America: The First Avenger� Courage and sacrifice were standard procedure for Steve Rogers, who transformed from scrawny to brawny in becoming Marvel’s shield-wielding patriot. Cap’s heroics included rescuing a band of American POWs and foiling a megalomaniac’s plot for world domination. Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney), “Super 8� This admirable youngster demonstrated boundless bravery in helping send a stranded alien back to its home planet. Joe also proved to be a steadfast friend, often placing the wellbeing of others above his own. Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo� The inked-up anti-hero of “Dragon Tattoo� helped take down a sadistic serial killer. Lisbeth also made her mark on a despicable, potbellied rapist thanks to some good old-fashioned vigilante justice. Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2� Unassuming Neville Longbottom — an afterthought character low on the wizarding totem poll — shines when the odds seem insurmountable. Neville was stout despite threats of death, and beheaded Voldemort’s slithering sidekick with one masterful stroke. Rango (voice of Johnny Depp), “Rango� This quirky chameleon sauntered into the arid western town of Dirt and helped energize the downtrodden populace by playing sheriff during difficult times. Rango’s faux confidence eventually gave way to true leadership as he helped end a mysterious water crisis.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Villains Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks), “Drive� Albert Brooks steered clear of his comedic roots to portray this callous mobster whose close-quarters weapons of choice included a fork and a razor. Brooks’ cold-blooded performance will also likely earn him an Oscar nod. Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), “Horrible Bosses� The bane of the “Horrible Bosses� bunch treated one of his most valuable employees like a dirty doormat. Murder, deceit and greed were also part of Harken’s repertoire. Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard), “The Help� A manicured facade couldn’t mask this spoiled brat’s racist core. Dishonesty, prejudice and verbal abuse were part of Hilly’s daily routine as she lorded over the hard-working women around her. Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe), “The Lincoln Lawyer� Vile may be the perfect descriptor for this wealthy wretch who was a playboy on the outside but a killer at heart. Roulet’s deviant behavior veered from simple deception to sexual assault. Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris), “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows� Moriarty exuded a creepy confidence while plotting numerous killings for the sake of financial windfall. Being a celebrated professor in the position of power and influence made him that much more unsettling. N
2011 Movies
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art of street-style photography has no personal sartorial flair — unless a duct-taped poncho and a camera slung around his neck qualify. But the New York Times photographer and cultural anthropologist of fashion is fascinating, whether pedaling his Schwinn around Manhattan, shooting fashion-forward ordinary people, or musing about his principles and passion for his work. 4. Melancholia The sights and sounds of Lars von Trier’s meditation on the parallels between the cosmos and a pair of moody sisters (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) explode in an apocalypse wow. The visual imagery of the Danish writer-director demands attention, while the mounting depression and erratic behavior of the siblings earn it. As the planet Melancholia rushes on a collision course to Earth, you’ll have ample time to contemplate what it all means. 3. The Descendants Alexander Payne delivers another smart movie about ordinary people grappling with crises large and small. George Clooney wears his vulnerability on his Hawaiian-shirt sleeve, playing the lawyer-husband-father whose life gets upended in rough surf. A small film with plenty to say about personal and civic responsibility, the character-driven piece balances deadpan comedy with heartfelt emotion — and Hawaii emerges as an integral member of the ensemble cast. 2. Poetry Quiet and deeply humanistic, the multi-layered drama from South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong focuses on a 66year-old grandmother who learns how to see the world and find transcendence through her struggle to write a single poem. Yun Jung-hee’s delicate performance draws you into her awakening, as she gradually discards traditional trappings to follow her own moral compass and use her own voice. The film rhythmically develops emotional power that resonates long after the credits roll. 1. The Artist Infectiously joyful and charming, this black-and-white love letter to the movies reminds us that cinema is a universal language — no dialogue needed. French director Michel Hazanavicius proves that the best films cast a spell using the basics: lovable characters portrayed by fine actors, a captivating story and timeless themes. Debonair Jean Dujardin sparkles as the silentfilm star who gives a girl (BÊrÊnice Bujo) with a dream her big break. The sight gags of the pre-talkie era are delightful. And just as refreshing is the film’s generosity of spirit, as individuals lend helping hands rather than backstab for personal gain. When the sound era arrives in 1927, you’ll wanna sing, wanna dance alongside the couple in the spotlight. N Note: Susan Tavernetti opted out of writing a pans list this year, as she was not assigned to review any films bad enough to qualify, she said.