WORLD WAR Z (Rated PG-13)

The fact that “World War Z” is rated PG-13 may be more informative than the film’s advertising about the frightening aspects of a global zombie invasion.

Most zombie films are full of blood and gore. “World War Z,” directed by Marc Forster, relies on suspense and gnawing tension, as the zombie contagion spreads quickly into an almost irreversible apocalyptic demise of the Earth.

This is not George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead.” It’s not even what Quentin Tarantino would likely envision if he had the chance. The use of blood and gore is minimal.

The film opens with Brad Pitt’s Gerry Lane, a retired United Nations investigator and global troubleshooter, making breakfast for his wife Karen (Mireille Enos) and two young daughters.

The morning TV news talks about a rabies outbreak in some desolate region of the globe. Nothing appears to be completely out of the ordinary, but we are left waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop, and it does soon.

All hell breaks loose during the morning rush-hour drive in downtown Philadelphia, as Gerry chauffeurs his family. At first, police helicopters cruise above and motorcycle cops rush through the streets.

Then complete panic and havoc reigns, as cars are overturned and hordes of zombies chase down pedestrians and pull people from their cars. The transformation to the undead state takes only a matter of seconds.

Gerry’s experience with terrorism in global hotspots like Chechnya and Africa serves him well to get his family to temporary safety outside the city.

His former employers beseech him to join their efforts to battle the zombie plague. But first, there’s the terrifying matter of trying to reach a safe zone in Newark for a helicopter extraction.

Once onboard an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean, Gerry’s family is granted sanctuary as long as Gerry agrees to join a task force to hunt down the source of the contagion.

Now bearded and long-haired, Gerry looks more like a surfer than the savior of the human race. There’s no explanation as to why he’s the essential guy to do a job that would seem to require scientific or medical training.

Nevertheless, Gerry is immediately dispatched to an Army base in South Korea where it is suspected the outbreak began. Meanwhile, North Korea figured out a way to address the threat, one that would be a boon for dentures.

Apparently, zombies are stirred to action at the sound of the slightest bit of noise, and so Gerry barely makes it back on to his plane and safely out of Korea.

His next destination is Israel, a country that is faring well, for the moment, in the war against the undead, particularly in the walled city of Jerusalem.

In what looks like the siege of an ancient medieval city, the zombie attack on Jerusalem, where the sheer number of the undead allows a pyramid of bodies to breach the wall, is one of the film’s most chilling action pieces.

Gerry teams up with brave yet wounded female Israeli soldier Segen (Daniella Kertesz) to get to the airport, catching the last commercial flight out of a city that is rapidly falling into the clutches of the flesh-eating zombies.

With the help of his new colleague, Gerry is hoping to make it a remote World Health Organization facility, where reportedly a group of scientists have isolated themselves from other colleagues already infected.

The airplane ride turns out to be another exciting action piece, which is better left as a surprise. I will say, however, that riding first-class is a better idea than coach.

OK, a very implausible thing occurs, but Gerry and Segen, against all odds, make it to the WHO’s medical research facility, where the key to saving the human race may be found in a lab occupied by zombies.

The trick, of course, is for Gerry to figure out a way to sneak into an undead-infested facility to retrieve toxic substances that may, or may not, prove effective in repelling the zombies.

Interestingly, the film’s climax doesn’t fit the chaotic, action-filled sequences that came before, when the fight against the zombies involved plenty of brute force.

And yet, “World War Z” sustains its thrilling suspense to the very end. In fact, when Gerry inoculates himself and stares down a zombie madly clicking his teeth, it’s just as exciting.

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

MAN OF STEEL (Rated PG-13)

Superman is an American action hero. Born on Krypton but raised as farm boy Clark Kent in Smallville, Kansas, in adulthood he donned the cape and became a reporter at the Daily Planet.

As a DC Comics icon, Superman always stood for truth, justice and the American way. From George Reeves in early TV series to the memorable Christopher Reeve performances, Superman has been a reliable staple in the pantheon of superheroes.

“Man of Steel” revives the franchise from the moribund efforts of its most recent cinematic past. Director Zack Snyder (“300”), who fancies loud spectacles, seeks a darker remake in tone but one that nevertheless goes into overdrive on the explosive action.

First appearing in Action Comics No. 1, published in 1938, Superman quickly became a cultural phenomenon, winning fans around the world in live-action and animated form, running the gamut from old radio programs to modern video games and social media.

Considering the caped crusader’s iconic status, little-known British actor Henry Cavill, who has the chiseled good looks for the part, has hit the cinematic jackpot in the role of the titular character in “Man of Steel.”

As the new Superman, Cavill’s journey to Earth begins when he’s only a small baby, placed in a spacecraft by his father Jor-El (Russell Crowe), the wise Kryptonian who wants to fight back against the despotic General Zod (Michael Shannon).

The film’s introductory sequence is an effective, efficient introduction to life on the dying planet of Krypton, and General Zod stages a coup, resulting in the first of many battles.

Fueled by a lust for revenge against Jor-El, the merciless Zod, after escaping imprisonment, sets course with his loyal henchmen to Earth in search of Kel-El (the birth name of Superman).

By now, Clark Kent, dutifully raised by his loving Earth parents Jonathan and Martha Kent (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane), is adrift on his own journey of self-discovery, working on a fishing boat.

It’s not easy for Clark to conceal his special powers, especially when innocent people are threatened by acts of nature or deeds of treacherous wrongdoing. Clark refuses to be a bystander to misfortune or injustice.

After Clark saves a crew on an exploding ocean-based oil rig, the film focuses on enough flashbacks to his childhood to show how the future Superman had a cross to bear, willing to shoulder responsibility while dodging the credit for heroic acts.

Superman’s incredible powers make him practically invincible, and yet he’s constantly trying to avoid drawing any attention. Yet the hard-nosed reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams) figures out there is more to the mysterious loner than his handsome features and charm.

The dark side of Superman is that, even with the support of a doting Earth-bound family, he’s never come to terms with his extraterrestrial origins, and that has been cause for a lonely existence.

Growing up in a small Kansas town, Clark was unable to remain unnoticed under the watchful and increasingly suspicious eyes of his neighbors, because he could never keep his special powers completely under wraps.

Informed by his Midwest values, Clark finds it difficult to ignore his gifts, and so he abandons all he knows and the family he loves, wandering in a metaphorical desert of odd jobs and emotional isolation in search of his true self.

Clark’s solitary existence is an existential dilemma, knowing he’s not of this planet but has a role to play. Being an outsider does not conceal his true nature, and that’s what makes him intriguing to Lois Lane, whose job is all about uncovering and exposing the truth.

On an expedition to uncover a spaceship frozen in the Arctic ice, Clark connects with the ghost of his father Jor-El, acquiring the famous cape and learning about his true potential.

Clark’s introduction to his full range of abilities could not come sooner, given that General Zod and his minions have a charted a path to Earth, with the total annihilation of human civilization as their primary goal.

As the humans are powerless to defend themselves against Zod, Clark assumes the identity of Superman in full wardrobe, informing Lois that the “S” on his costume stands for “hope” in the language of Krypton.

A full-scale assault is launched on Metropolis, the destruction so overwhelming that skyscraper buildings topple like toy models made of matchsticks. Director Zack Snyder loves explosive devastation, and it shows here.

The obliteration of structures is so overwhelming because the crazed Zod is obsessed with taking down Superman, no easy feat considering they are equally matched with super powers.

And so it goes that the violent clash between two beings with unearthly powers is not quickly resolved. I doubt fans will complain, but it does appear that “Man of Steel” continues the fight scenes longer than necessary.

A good measure of the success of “Man of Steel” is the very likely return of Henry Cavill in a sequel. I have no inside connection to the thinking at Warner Bros., but I would be surprised if the next installment is not already under way.

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

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Summer is here, school is out, students with time on their hands and creative instincts will be pleased that the Main Street Gallery, located at 325 N. Main Street in Lakeport, is once again offering a variety of arts and crafts classes beginning June 25 and continuing through July 27.  

The following is a listing of the classes, and all materials are supplied for each class.  

For more information, please call the gallery at 707-263-6658 or Barbara Funke at 707-278-0407.
                                                      
Making a mixed media artist's book – Phyllis Thiessen

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26; ages 7-12; cost, $15

A variety of media (watercolor, paper for collage, crayons, etc,) plus different types of paper will be offered for creating several artworks on paper.  The artworks will then be bound together into an artist’s book to take home. Note: The cost is $10 per student if more than one child is from the same family.
 
Fun with acrylics – Jeanne Landon-Myers

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28; ages 12-18; cost, $12

Students will learn drawing, painting and acrylic fundamentals and techniques to create an individual painting of their choice to take home.
                                                                
Beginning silk flower arranging – Susanna De Angelo

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29; ages 7 and up; cost, $12

Students will be taught fundamentals of art and application to the 3-D art of flower arranging using 1-inch and 2-inch flowers in a 4-inch to 5-inch container for the purpose of gift giving or decoration.

Friendship bracelets – Marilyn Grock

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 8; ages 6-8 and 8-15; cost, $10

Students will make a woven friendship bracelet using cord and a choice of braiding techniques. This is an introductory course which will include cord and pattern. Students should be able to complete a bracelet in the two-hour session. Optimum ages are 8-15 but there will be a simple braid pattern for 6-8 year olds if they choose to come.

Polymer clay sea turtle – Naomi Key

9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 11; ages: open; cost, $5

Students will have the experience and fun of working with clay to make a polymer clay sea turtle to take home.
 
The art of scrapbooking  – Susanna De Angelo

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13; ages 7 and up; cost, $15

Students will create one to two pages to begin a scrapbook of their own choosing a theme, color, accessory stickers and other elements provided. Students may bring two to four photos of a similar occasion, topic or theme, if they so choose.
                                 
Beginning watercolor and collage – Diane Stawicki

9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, July 16; ages 6-13; cost, $10

Students will learn basic watercolor and collage techniques to create an individual painting to take home.
 
Making a Mixed Media Artist's Book – Phyllis Thiessen

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 18, and Friday, July 19; ages: 13-18; cost, $15

Many different media (watercolor, paper for collage, crayons, etc.) plus different types of paper will be offered for creating several artworks on paper. The artworks will then be bound together into an artist’s book to take home.  

Note: The cost will be $10 per student if more than one student is from the same family.

Drawing your pet or animal portraits – Susanna De Angelo

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20; ages: 7 and up; cost, $10

Start or build on your drawing skills.  Students will be guided using their choice of pencil, colored pencil or other dry medium. Students may bring a photo of their pet or animal they choose to draw or photos will be provided to choose from.

Note: Cost is $7 for each additional student from the same family.
 
Pastel art – Richard Seisser

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 25; ages: 9-18; cost, $10

Students will learn the fundamentals of painting with pastels to create and complete their own individualistic painting to take home.
                                    
Drawing and Collage – Susanna De Angelo

9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 27; ages: 7 and up; cost, $8

Students will have fun exploring the fundamentals of drawing and collage as a 2-D model.

Note: Cost is $6 for each additional student from the same family.

There are many fine poems in which the poet looks deeply into a photograph and tries to touch the lives caught there. Here’s one by Tami Haaland, who lives in Montana.

Little Girl

She’s with Grandma in front
of Grandma’s house, backed
by a willow tree, gladiola and roses.

Who did she ever want
to please? But Grandma
seems half-pleased and annoyed.

No doubt Mother frowns
behind the lens, wants
to straighten this sassy face.

Maybe laughs, too.
Little girl with her mouth wide,
tongue out, yelling

at the camera. See her little
white purse full of treasure,
her white sandals?

She has things to do,
you can tell. Places to explore
beyond the frame,

and these women picking flowers
and taking pictures.
Why won’t they let her go?

American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation ( www.poetryfoundation.org ), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Little Girl” from When We Wake in the Night, by Tami Haaland, 2012 WordTech Editions, Cincinnati, Ohio. Poem reprinted by permission of Tami Haaland and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2013 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Watershed Books will host an author's studio for local author Peter MacRae, celebrating his newly released novel, “The Poppies of Mohammed,” on Friday, July 12.

The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The book traces the smuggling of a shipment of heroin from Afghanistan to the United Kingdom and the role of the heroin trade in providing weapons for al Qaeda and the Taliban's terrorist actions.

An interesting adventure, readers will gain a better understanding of the international drug trade, the nature and structure of terrorism, and the basis for the Jihad against the West.

“The Poppies of Mohammed” is the culmination of two and one half years of research and writing.  

MacRae has had a lifelong interest in international affairs and conflict, and has authored numerous essays on the subjects.  

He holds a master's degree in political science focusing on international violent conflict.

Watershed Books is located at 305 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Art House Gallery will host an evening of poetry with Sandy Stillwell and Chris Hoffman on Monday, June 24.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at 15210 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

This is open to the public and is a free event.

The Art House Gallery offers many different art classes throughout the month, musical instrument instruction, a unique clothing consignment, gift certificates, art supplies and a layaway program.

Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information call the gallery at 707-994-1716 or visit www.thearthousegallery.net .