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Bluegrass purists may blanche at the mere utterance of this group's colorful moniker, but the energy and enthusiasm evident on this, their second album, ought to win over anyone brave enough to ignore the name and listen to the music.
Led by former Legendary Shack Shakers member Todd Anderson, the Pickers lean well into an acoustic rockabilly blend on several songs here, including, "Little Enis," which references the pelvis of Elvis for additional rockabilly dancefloor credibility.
Most of the album continues in an uptempo, old time music pace, with lightning-fast picking and lots of stereotypical lyrics about farm life, drinking and general hell-raising from "Puttin' Up Hay" to, "River Of Blazing Bourbon." The most hair-raising track, however, is a nearly note-perfect twanged-up version of Talking Heads' "In A Lifetime." If David Byrne had done it this way in the "Stop Making Sense" concert film, he probably would have been wearing a giant pair of overalls instead of that oversized suit.


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All Wins Casino Offers
Unless you live in Las Vegas or another global gambling mecca, your choice of casinos is fairly limited. Most of the major cities do not have casinos. And unless you are willing to travel, you might have to settle for the lottery or bingo.
The good news, however, you do not have to take it or leave it, thanks to the invention of online gaming. Online portals allow you to enjoy gaming anywhere at any time at your convenience.
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While choosing an online casino is a wise decision you can ever make regarding online gaming, picking the right one is not always a straightforward proposition.
With more than a thousand gaming sites, how do you choose the right one?
In our review article today, we shall review one of the newest kid in the block: AllWins Casino.
In our AllWins Casino review, we shall look at what this casino has to offer, with regards to bonuses, promotions, games offered and many more. Additionally, we shall compare it with some of the leading casinos, and see what sets it apart from the rest.
What is AllWins Casino?
Inspired by the Irish folklore and packed with 4-leaf clovers and pots of gold, All Wins is a premier gambling casino whose existence is all about the pursuit of happiness. All the operations at All Wins casino are tailored to revolve around customer satisfaction.
The casino has more than everything you need to quench your gaming thirst: from the exciting missions, plenty of bonuses, lip-smacking promotions, a variety of games, attractive incentives to the player-centered VIP programs, you can expect to discover the very best of what the online gaming has to offer.
All Wins Site Design
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Classic experience aside, the site comes with a distinctive feature that categorizes all the options using tabbed menus, search bars, and expandable categories. Categorization allows players to quickly find their games, deposit money, cash out their winning and bonuses.
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Bonuses and Promotions
When casino bonuses and promotes first entered the gaming scene, it was not long before they became a staple. Currently, it`s virtually a guarantee that you will be in line for a bonus when you register an online casino account.
However, the bonuses are not a one-size fit all, and their amount, T&C, formats and usage vary across the casino.
With the All Wins Casino, however, you can always expect mind-boggling incentive, bonuses, and promos, with no strings attached.
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All Wins has taken a smart approach towards attracting customers and fulfilling the needs of every gamer.
Rather than running on a system powered by a single software operator, the All Wins platform uses software supplied by multiple companies. At All Wins, you will find more than 5 software developers providing you with an array of exciting games and options.
All the software developers at All Wins are among the crème de la crème of the industry and are infamous for offering high-quality and exciting games.
Some of the software providers include the high-acclaimed BetSoft, ELK Studios, Felix Gaming, Fugaso, Mr Slotty, NETENT, NextGen, among others.
All the games at All Wins are available in instant-play mode, they play incredibly smooth and provide endless hours of entertainments as well as generous payouts.
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As casino is as strong as the games it offers, and it turns out it`s essential to choose a casino that provides a wide variety of game; regardless of whether there is a single game you are looking forward to trying out.
See, choosing a casino with a limited number of games is the surest way that you will be on your way out, trawling the internet when looking for a new gaming site.
Fortunately, the All Wins casino is an excellent gaming site that offers a gamut of table games, slots, video poker, roulette, Blackjack, scratch cards and everything else you plan of playing; all housed under a single roof.
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Some of the favorite hot games include;
- Starburst
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And if you are looking for a real live casino feel, you will appreciate the dealer games provided by Extreme Live Gaming and Evolution Gaming.
Aside from the wide selection of games at All Wins Casino, the software providers here are adept at keeping tab of the latest games as they are released in the market. With this casino, you can rest comfortably knowing that you will always be the first get the latest and trending games as soon as they are launched.
Deposits and Withdrawals
When it comes to enjoying all that a casino has to offer, you need to have some real money in your account. The range of deposit methods available plus the corresponding cash out time is important in any casino you choose.
Nothing is more exasperating than to sign up for a casino only to discover your preferred payment method is not supported or takes an impractically long time to process your winning, or even worse, requires you to have astronomical amounts to cash out.
With the All Wins Casino, you will love the versatility and flexibility this casino offers to it esteemed clients with regards to money deposit and withdrawal.
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With this casino you can choose from;
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With regards to payment, the options are rather limited, but still, cover a wide range of clients.
Common, All Wins Casino payment solutions, include;
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What we love most about All Wins is that it does not charge even a dime on your withdrawal. Additionally, it has a realist withdrawal structure frame, which allows you to withdraw a minimum withdrawal of €100, and €5,000 withdrawal request limit of 30 days.
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When you walk into any Brick and Mortar operation in any country, you are assured of protection, since they cannot be set up without licensing and oversight from the local authorities.
With the online community, however, things are not clear cut since no local authorities are there, meaning you should be extra vigilant with whom you sign up with.
Fortunately, All Wins is a legitimate entity, owned by Topia Solutions N.V., which is licensed and regulated by the Government of Curacao.
As it follows, you can now play comfortably knowing that your money is on safe and trustworthy hands. According to their homepage, Topia Solutions believes in honesty and fairness to all its esteemed players.
With regards to the security money and information, you will appreciate the use of the latest 128-bit SSL encryption, which the casino uses. The encryption, tested to strict criteria by third-party companies, ensures that all the All Wins operations are in line with RNG.
Customer Care
Support is an essential subject to any established casino as players have an expectation which has to be met and questions answered about deposits, withdrawals, and bonuses.
All Wins casino has a team of a customer-friendly support team that is always ready to respond to your queries.
What`s more? The support is available 24/7. Additionally, they provide a multi-channel mode of communication including live chat, email, or phone calls.
All Wins Casino Review Conclusion
While many players are skeptical about newly launched sites, and it`s recommended to be, All Wins is more than your typical casino.
The casino integrates new technology, excellent support system, variety in games as well as software operators to give you the ultimate gaming experience.
What most users love about this platform is that it also caters to the linguistic needs of various people including the French, Spaniards, Norwegians, Danes, Germans, Italians, Swedes, the Finish, as well as the English-speaking majority.
Finally, All Wins adheres to the strict Privacy policy and has every of your penny protected by the gambling laws as well as encryption software.
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So, yes, All Wins Casino is worth trying.
Take a lifetime chance with All Casino today.
Table of Content
|August 2014
|Minimum Deposit
|Accepted Currencies
|Payment Methods
|email: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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All Las Vegas and Henderson Area
Business services
Our business services are designed with small and mid size businesses in mind. Our technicians provide fast, affordable business computer service and technical computer help - offering same day, weekend and evening appointments. Let us be your IT department for a fraction of the cost!
Our Computer Services has solutions for all businesses. Our technicians can take the place of an in house IT department allowing you to focus on your business and us to focus forecast the cost of IT service.
We are familiar with all server setups including file, domain, email and website. We can help move your information to an off site server so you have no in house storage. We also can move your information back in so you have quick access to your data more quickly without the internet.
residential services
No need to haul your desktop, laptop, or notebook computer to a computer repair shop every time it needs service or repair only to wait a week or more to get it back. ACS will come directly to your home and solve your computer problem right on the spot. Our technicians provide fast, affordable computer service and technical computer help - offering same day, weekend and evening appointments.
Fast and friendly Service
Fast friendly service at your office. No need to move or worry. We will come to your office to make sure your business's downtime is short or nonexistent. Our Computer Service's Technicians are extremely knowledgeable of the software and hardware used in small businesses today. From Mobile laptops to rack mounted servers we can help your computing needs. We sell and service all Windows based servers. We handles e-mail, file, dental, law or any other server application.
Service Contracts
Every Business needs reliability to enable smooth production. That is why we offer weekly or monthly service contracts. We can come out at a planned time every month or week so that your computer needs are met when you need them. Also offered are prepaid time or service at a discount. Please call for more information.
Featured Services
- Security and Networking - Worried about your network security? We can lock down a computer and or a wireless or wired network. Also our customers are given advice and software that works to stop viruses from coming in now and in the future.
- Online Child Safety - Stop worrying about what your kids are doing on the internet. If you own a computer and have children or teenagers in your home, then Internet filtering software is a must. We come to your home, help you purchase, install, and configure Internet filtering software that protects your children from Internet predators, obscene websites, objectionable chat rooms, and more. We then give you a personalized training session on using the software
- Tune-up and Optimization - We'll also perform several critical system updates, maintenance tasks, and repairs that will correct hard drive problems, clean and optimize your system registry, find and fix stubborn system errors, and more. Let us keep your computer running smooth, fast, and error free!.
Virus / Spyware protection
We have the experience to remove viruses from your computer. Viruses can create immense havoc on your machine, such as by erasing valuable files and data
Spyware slows your computer and may send private data to spammers. Then you get hit with junk ads and spam, including putting pornography on the computer that your children use. We can rid your computer of these pesky things and get you up and running again.


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These scissor lift trailers are designed to handle tough Australian conditions and are ideal for moving all kinds of plant in all conditions. Scissor-lift Trailers are made from High-quality steel with Hot dipped Galvanised finish.
7×4 Scissor Lift Trailers
There's nothing more unnerving than putting your heavy and expensive Scissor Lift, Ride-on Mower, Dingo or ATV onto a flimsy trailer. Not only that, if it fails while towing, the consequences are unthinkable.
The only way to move heavy loads with confidence is on a tough, reliable trailer. And at Road Rage Industries, we've got the right one for you.
Our plant and machinery trailers are built to suit a wide range of commercial, government and recreational users, including:
Builders / Landscapers / Commercial Gardeners / ATV Riders Etc.
From $86.5 p.w. – 0 Interest Free
In general, we recommend staying away from bolt together trailers. This does not say bolts are inherently inferior. We have just seen too many poor bolting applications. So we only provide fully weld trailer for Australia conditions.
Scissor lift trailer with mesh floor for lightweight, easy to clean, More grips
Our scissor lift trailers are low to the ground with tilt function and have long ramps for easy loading. They come with a full mesh floor so they can carry small and larger sized scissor lifts.
Solid Axle: 2500 KG ATM Car Trailer We are using 10-inch Electric Brake solid axle, more loading rate, Safety and reliable system in AustraliaRock N Rollers Spring: Best spring system for tandem axle trailers in Australia.
1.9-meter Drawbar, more strength, 100 x 50 mm tubes, Easy to reveries 8-inch jockey wheel 2 x Safety Chains Parking brake Tied down points welded into drawbar. Brake away system
- 1900mm Ultra Long Draw Bar makes reverse parking easy
- Fully Welded Frame and Chassis
- 1.8m Heavy Duty Fold Down Ramps
- Rocker Roller Suspension with Heavy Duty Springs
- 6mm Thickness Heavy Duty Mesh Floor
- 185 R14 Brand New Wheels
- LED Tail Lights
- Dual 50mm Solid Round Axles
- 50mm Override Coupling
- 8 inch Free Swing-Up Heavy Duty Jockey Wheel
- External Trailer Dimensions: 4050mm (L) x 1785mm (W) (Guard to Guard)
- Internal Trailer Dimensions: 2210mm (L) x 1120mm (W)
Deck Size: 2250mm (L) x 1200mm (W)


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The Cost of Windshield Repair
Windshields are a critical element of your vehicle that you may take for granted. A good windshield will protect you from debris which could cause serious damage to you and your family. It will also protect you from the elements and is a part of a vehicle's structural integrity.
A compromised windshield, including one with a large crack in it, can fail to maintain its structural integrity during an accident making it a massive safety risk. Cracks can also obstruct your vision which is of critical importance when driving. In fact, you can be pulled over in many states for having a cracked windshield.
How Much Does a Windshield Cost?
The average cost of a new windshield, including labor, is around $250. There are many factors that go into the price of windshield replacement. For some vehicles it could be as low as $200, while for others that have complex features built-in the cost could be $1,000 or more. The good news is that in the state of Florida, as long as you carry comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, your deductible must be waived by law – leaving you with zero out of pocket expense!
Factors in Windshield Replacement Cost
- Type of Vehicle – This is the biggest factor in the cost of a windshield replacement. The more common the vehicle is, the less the windshield is likely to cost. Less common vehicles or vehicles with more technologically advanced equipment built into the glass typically cost more and may require additional labor due to the complexity of the installation.
- Age of Vehicle – Some newer vehicles may have windshields with features such as rain sensors, condensation sensors, lane departure warning systems, and brake assist, making them more expensive to produce and complex to install. In most cases, windshields for cars produced within the last 10 years will have a higher cost than windshields for older vehicles.
- OEM or Aftermarket – OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) windshields are name-brand windshields that are certified by the Department of Transportation and meet industry safety standards. They are supplied by the vehicle manufacturer, making them a bit more expensive than aftermarket alternatives.
- Aftermarket windshields also meet DOT standards, but may not have the same overall quality, fit, and finish as the Original Equipment Manufacturer's glass.
Windshield Replacement and Repair in Pensacola
When you need your windshield repaired or replaced, you shouldn't have to worry about how much it will cost you. Lloyd's Auto Glass will provide you with a free estimate and handle everything for you, including dealing with your insurance company. You'll get all that plus a free box of really good steaks when you choose Lloyd's Auto Glass! What more could you ask for?
Please have the following ready when you call us:
- Your Insurance Information
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Call Today: 850-378-3253


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Adoption Locations
Come See Us!
Several Locations to Serve You
Come find your next best friend. All our dogs and cats are given the love and medical support they need while in our care, but nothing can replace the sense of belonging they feel when they are part of a loving, committed family. Come visit our dogs and cats available for adoption. We have hundreds of wonderful pets awaiting a new family.
HALO's adoptable dogs and cats are housed in many locations throughout the Valley. If you are interested in adopting a certain animal, look at their "Location" on their profile.
HALO Animal Rescue Main Shelter
Cat and Dog Adoptions
3227 E Bell Rd, Ste D151, Phoenix, AZ 85032 (map it)
Mon - Fri 11AM - 6PM
Sat & Sun 11AM - 5PM
HALO Pet Adoption Center
Metrocenter Mall (map it)
Cat and Dog Adoptions
9617 N Metro Pkwy W, Phoenix, AZ 85051
We have many dogs and cats available for adoption. We also have a retail side filled with toys, grooming supplies, bowls, treats and other fun animal goodies.
PetSmart Charities Everyday Adoption Center
PetSmart Deer Valley (map it)
Cat and Dog Adoptions
2901 W Agua Fria Fwy, Phoenix, AZ 85027
623-492-9045 Option 5
11AM - 6PM Daily
PetSmart Charities has generously provided us an enhanced adoption center at their Deer Valley store, featuring both cats and dogs available for adoption.
PetSmart Luv-a-Pet Adoption Centers
Cat Adoptions-we have cats available every day during PetSmart store hours at the following location:
21001 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, 480-513-4262 (map it)
Cat Adoptions--we have cats available every day during Petco store hours at the following locations:
10190 W McDowell Rd, Avondale, 623-936-4034 (map it)
9480 W Northern Ave, Glendale, 623-877-2730 (map it)
2501 W Happy Valley Rd, Phoenix, 623-580-5018 (map it)
6090 W Behrend Dr, Glendale, 623-376-0621 (map it)


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News for New Brighton, Mounds View, Shoreview, Arden Hills, St. Anthony and surrounding communities.
New Brighton - Mounds View Bulletin, Shoreview - Arden Hills Bulletin & St. Anthony Bulletin.
On Tuesday, June 25 the Mounds View School Board unanimously authorized the district to enter into lease agreements for two properties to house its K-8 Special Education Programs, Adult Basic Education Programs and Adult Learning Center Program.
Relocation of these programs is necessary to accommodate the free all-day kindergarten program the district will be offering starting in the 2014-15 school year.
The district has plans to move kindergarten out of its six elementary schools, making them first through fifth grade.
Council and city staff members held a discussion on food trucks at the Mounds View City Council Work Session on Monday, July 1.
Mounds View's Assistant City Administrator Desaree Crane told the council about the status of the sole food truck operating in the city -- The Los Primas taco truck that has been parked at the BP gas station at 2155 Highway 10 recently.
The city of New Brighton wants input from residents on what the city sees as a hot button issue -- urban farming, or more specifically, the keeping of chickens and other farm birds on residential lots.
Most communities around the metro have regulations either limiting the practice or prohibiting it all together but that is where New Brighton is unique, it has none.
"We don't have any regulations. That's one of the issues," New Brighton's Community Development Director Grant Fernelius says. "We have more and more people interested in keeping chickens and other fowl on their property and more and more people who think something needs to be done."
submitted photo
Friends, family and staff gathered at Brightondale Senior Community in New Brighton on July 2 to celebrate the 108th birthday of Gertrude "Trudie" Rhode.
The youngest of four, Trudie was born in a chicken coop on her family's farm in Wood Lake, Minn. because the house was under construction at the time. Trudie was the valedictorian of her high school class and graduated from Mankato Business School (others called it Mankato State College) with a business degree.
Do those lazy days of summer need a little spicing up? The east metro has plenty of chances for some dancing, historical learning, musical entertainment, outdoor adventures and more. Add some sizzle to your summer and try these 15 happenings near you.
In response to the Summer Solstice weekend storms, the city of New Brighton will begin free pick-up of tree and tree debris from city boulevards.
Ray Kinsella built the original Field of Dreams in the middle of an Iowa cornfield in a motion picture starring Kevin Costner. For the Mounds View High School baseball team its field of dreams is a few hours north of Kinsella's.
The Mustangs fulfilled two dreams on June 17 in downtown Minneapolis. No. 1, they got to play at Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins. No. 2, they won the first baseball state championship in school history.
"Target Field, it doesn't get any better than this," said senior co-captain Lars Anderson.
Tara Townsend, once in heart failure, has a heart device to help pump blood. Townsend, of White Bear Lake. has a busy schedule pursuing a degree in human services at Century College and working in Shoreview. (Linda Baumeister/Bulletin)
In attempt to escape the sweltering summer, Minnesotans take refuge in lakes and pools.
However, Tara Townsend, a 24-year old from White Bear Lake, can't enjoy this cooling relief -- she can't get wet.
Nor can the Century College student engage in contact sports, go through metal detectors or lift more than 25 pounds.
The New Brighton City Council unanimously authorized execution of a contract for private redevelopment with Pulte Homes at its Tuesday, June 11 council meeting.
Pulte has plans to build 86 single-family homes and 34 town homes at the 27-acre site once occupied by the former Midwest Asphalt and Beisswenger's properties.
Pulte Homes is a Michigan based company that has built several developments in Minnesota, including Arden Hills and Roseville.
The Shoreview City Council accepted a bid from North Valley, Inc. for the city's 2013 Street Rehabilitation Project at its Monday, June 17 council meeting.
North Valley's bid of just over $3.3 million was the lowest of the five bids Shoreview received for the project.
The project will rehab several streets scattered throughout the city (see map) and will include extending the water main on Gaston and Grove Avenues and St. Albans Street.
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Fax: (651) 777-8288
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Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. have diagnosed, and it's estimated that over 8 million people have undiagnosed diabetes. People with diabetes are unable to regulate the glucose levels in their blood and their bodies produce too little insulin, don't use insulin efficiently, or a combination of both. There are different types of diabetes, such as:
Luckily, diabetes can be managed to prevent other complications from developing such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation. Through lifestyle changes and medication, you can start to see a difference in your health and decrease the effects that diabetes has on you.
People with diabetes are at a higher risk for many health conditions, including:
The first step in managing diabetes is being diagnosed with the condition. At Virginia Heart & Vascular Institute in Fairfax, we can measure your glucose levels using:
Normal blood glucose levels are approximately:
After being diagnosed with diabetes, it's vital to make the necessary changes to avoid the complications described above. Below are some of the different diabetes management techniques we use and recommend.
People with type 1 diabetes will need insulin replacement therapy delivered through an injection or an insulin pump. There is also oral medication available to help increase your body's sensitivity to insulin so that the therapy is more effective.
It is very important to regularly monitor your blood glucose levels if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. There are several different options for testing blood glucose, including a variety of finger stick tests and tests that allow you to draw blood from your forearm.
It's recommended to meet with a nutritionist or dietician to create a meal plan safe for people with diabetes. There are certain restrictions that you should be aware of to manage your glucose levels. For example:
4-6 ounces of meats, poultry, and fish
It's best to plan your meals ahead of time, and eat around the same time each day. You should also not go too long in between meals or skip meals.
You should exercise for approximately 30 minutes at least 5 days a week. Exercise lowers blood glucose levels, so it's important to:
Exercising is also important to help lose weight, which allows your body to manage blood glucose levels more effectively.
Nicotine can interfere with the functioning of insulin, which makes it more difficult to regulate glucose levels, so it's highly recommended that people with diabetes quit smoking. Alcohol lowers blood sugar. Limit your alcohol consumption to 1-2 drinks a day for men, and 1 drink a day for women.
Diabetes does not have to take over your life. By taking the steps above and working with your physician, you can manage diabetes and live a normal, healthy life.


text: Willie K traveled to Berlin, German and recorded a bunch of tracks back in 2009 resulting in a mash-up of songs crossing all sorts of genres from Hawaiian to rock, pop and blues. Willie says," 'Twisted Ukulele' is probably the first project of its kind to ever hit the ear waves of the world. We introduce the variety of uses of the ukulele. Give it a chance and it can become the most powerful instrument in the world." The album was released in 2013 where Willie K unleashed his talent on hits like, U2's "With or Without You," Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately," and Hall and Oates' "Sarah Smile." There are also classics like, "Fly Me to the Moon," and Hawaiian classic "Waimanalo Blues" and so much more. The album was only available via his concerts and website. This is the first time the album has been launched in the market. Twisted Ukulele is one of those albums that never get old!


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TAMPA, Fla. - Mayors from Puerto Rico visited Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to thank him and the city for helping after Hurricane Maria.
Buckhorn, Mayor Carlos Delgado Altieri of Isabela, Puerto Rico; Mayor Manuel Santiago Mendoza of Aguada, Puerto Rico; and retired United States Air Force Col. E.J. Otero met Thursday.
"You are our fellow Americans and we don't forget that," Buckhorn said. "There may be some in Washington that do, but not in our state and in our city."
Altieri estimated the power grid is about 65 percent repaired in Puerto Rico.
"We stand in solidarity with you come hell or high water, Buckhorn said. "In this case, it was both."
Watch: Click or tap here to watch Thursday's meeting between the mayors in its entirety
Related: Puerto Ricans still stranded in hotels six months after Hurricane Maria
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email firstname.lastname@example.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.


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Says Mike Fisher of dallasbasketball.com:
Rick Carlisle will be the next head coach of the Mavericks, DallasBasketball.com has learned.
"It's very safe to say it's going to happen," a source told us late Friday. "Rick's the guy."
Carlisle, 49, coached the Pistons from 2001-03, going 100-64 an earning 2001-02 NBA Coach of the Year honors. In four ensuing seasons with Indiana, Carlisle was 181-147.
More to come throughout the day, including our addressing of some details of the deal and what Carlisle brings to Dallas – strengths, weaknesses, baggage and accomplishments, item-by-item. …


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We will be open 9 am - 7:35 pm Monday - Sunday for Online Orders mainly and walk-ins as needed. Pickup is happening in our normal Broadway entrance lobby. ATM is available in store as needed, or download the Hypur App and pay electronically.
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This afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting actor John O'Hurley and real-life catalog entrepreneur John Peterman at a small booth on the floor of the PGA Show.
A multi-talented actor for film, television, and voice as well as a classically trained music composer, pianist, and vocalist, O'Hurley has enjoyed a long and successful career in show business. Most notably, he portrayed a fictionalized version of Peterman on Seinfeld from 1995 to 1998. More recently, he was the runner-up on the 2005 version of Dancing with the Stars. He is an avid golfer who plays in a number of PGA Tour pro-ams and celebrity golf events, each year.
In an amazing case of fiction meets reality, O'Hurley became an investor of The J. Peterman Company. After declaring bankruptcy in 1999, Peterman sold his company, but when the acquiring firm also went out of business, the entrepreneur bought back the rights to his name with the help of O'Hurley and re-launched the brand name in 2001. Peterman wrote a fascinating account of the story in a book titled Peterman Rides Again.
On the floor of the PGA Show, the two gentlemen graciously greeted attendees in a modest booth that displayed their classic-styled shirts and sweaters. With the combined talents of O'Hurley and Peterman, I would not be surprised to see the J. Peterman name develop into a well-known golf brand similar to Clint Eastwood's wildly successful Tehama apparel company.
Good luck to John O'Hurley and John Peterman!


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Elaine Jackson BSc (Hons), DipION, mBANT, CNHC
Elaine is a registered Nutritional Therapist and experienced Metabolic Balance coach. She is founder of Connecting Nutrition and runs a busy practice in north London. She also works as an in-house Nutritional Therapist for YorkTest Laboratories, a leading provider of food and drink specific IgG antibody food intolerance testing programmes.
Elaine graduated with distinction from the world renowned Institute for Optimum Nutrition and has a degree in Nutritional Therapy. She completed the Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice AFMCP) programme in the UK and applies this approach in clinical practice.
Elaine is a member of BANT (The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapists), which requires her to abide by strict codes of practice. She is registered with the CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council), supported by the Department of Health which ensures she is trained to the highest standards laid down by the National Occupational Standards. She is a senior associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Elaine is committed to the highest standards of clinical practice and regularly attends conferences and further education at the forefront of nutrition science and optimum health:
- BANT: Exploring the use of Functional Blood Chemistry in Clinical Practice – Hosted by BANT
- The gut and SIBO in Clinical Practice Masterclass – Training day, London
- BANT: Female Health, Genetics and Functional Testing – BANT Training Day. London
- Brain Health Programme Training – Optimise your mood, memory and wellbeing- Hosted by Cytoplan
- Autoimmunity and Functional Testing – Hosted by Cyrex Laboratories
- Cancer: Nutritional Support before, during and after treatment and beyond. – NTEC post graduate Qualification.
- Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO) Clinical Strategies Certification. London
- Nutrition is the key to Alzheimer's – Hosted by Cytoplan
- Metabolic Enhancement for Neurodegenerative Diseases – Hosted by Cytoplan
- Nutrigenomics in Practice: Methylation – hosted Royal Society of Medicine
- DNA Life Genetic Testing Certification – London
- Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice – Institute for Functional Medicine – Hosted in London by IFM
- Supporting the Mind, Memory & Mood – Royal Society of Medicine. Hosted by Lamberts Healthcare
- Juggling the Endocrine System. Thyroid and Adrenals – Hosted by BioCare
- Nutrition and Sports Performance – Royal Society of Medicine. Hosted by Lamberts Healthcare
- Functional Medicine Conference – Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease. London. Hosted by Nutri
- Musculoskeletal Health – Hosted by Lamberts Healthcare
- Healthy Ageing – Hosted by Lamberts Healthcare
- Gut Health. Royal Society of Medicine
- Understanding Autoimmunity. Hosted by Cyrex Laboratories
- Stress and the Adrenal Glands – Genova Diagnostics
- Digestive Disorders – CAM and BANT Conference. London
- Female Health. The Reproductive Years – Royal Society of Medicine
- The Menopause Transition. RSM
- Chronic Fatigue and Mood – BANT and CAM Conference. London
- An Orthomolecular Approach to Allergy and Atopic Disease – Nutri Advanced
- Restoring Vitality through Mitochondrial Support. Lamberts HealthcareLondon
- Dietary Strategies for the Management of Cardiovascular Disease. RSM. London
- Integrative Medical Strategies for Candida. Nutri Advanced
- Women, Gut Disorders and Clinical Conference – BANT and CAM Conference. London
- Role of Stress, Nutrients and Inflammation in Sex Hormone Dysfunction – Genova Diagnostics
- Allergy Masterclass – Allergy and Free From Exhibition. London
- Thyroid Dysfunction – Genova Diagnostics


text: Everything you need to know. In Porto Antico you will find an efficient information and hospitality service. Courteous and prepared staff is ready to answer all your questions and advise you on how to enjoy Genoa and Porto Antico. But if you're in front of your PC, your tablet or your smartphone and you need information, this page is the right place to be. Below you will find everything you need to know to get to Genoa Porto Antico, park and move around the area. And, if you still have doubts or questions, contact us. Download the detailed pdf of the Area . Some alternative views of Porto Antico. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Love This


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Property Details
WA 6398For Sale $295,000
Commercial Farming
Commercial Farming - WALPOLE WA
This property is situated on the main street of Walpole.
Would possibly suit as a craft/gallery/café or any retail outlet. An added bonus is a
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Do Not Wait
Property Features
- Commercial Farming


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Jack Reacher (2012)
I did see this movie in theatres, but it was a week after release and I didn't have much ambition to write up a review. Now that it's out on home video, I can put my thoughts together on this very well made thriller that, yet, still lacks a certain memorable quality. Jack Reacher is based on One Shot by Lee Child, and while the movie does some significant departures from the 6'5″ towering blonde character with the casting of Tom Cruise, on its own merits, there is an enjoyable film to be had here from a very capable director with a fresh style.
In an innocent heartland city, five are shot dead by an expert sniper. The police quickly identify and arrest the culprit, former U.S. Army officer James Barr (Joseph Sikora), and build a dead bang guilty case. Regardless, Barr claims he's innocent and delivers only one message to the police, "Get Jack Reacher." A former Army Criminal Investigator, Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) sees the news report and turns up in the city, but comes only to condemn Barr based on past history. However, Barr's attorney, Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike), pulls Reacher into her investigation in order to get to the truth, but he will only do so if she looks into the lives of victims so to gain an objective, moral view of Barr's alleged crime. Reacher sets out to confirm for himself the absolute certainty of the man's guilt, but comes up with more than he bargained for as he uncovers a seedy conspiracy of corruption.
This film is directed by Christopher McQuarrie who also wrote the screenplay. He is most well known as the screenwriter of The Usual Suspects, but this is a distinctly different style and tone of film that I do feel he handles competently and sharply. The film starts with a strong weight of drama as we see the cold, calculating, and brutal sniper killings resulting in a traumatic, jarring impact. How Reacher is pulled into the story reflects perfectly on the character himself – smart, sly, quick-witted, and unpredictable. McQuarrie is able to firmly ground the drama of this story while still offering sharp dialogue with dashes of levity and personality. We do get these clever moments of humor that are somewhat unexpected, but for whatever reason, they are very entertaining and just work surprisingly well. The balance between the serious and humorous are in the right balance. He uses the humor to add levity and entertainment value to the movie while the drama creates the narrative's momentum. McQuarrie also knows how to solidly plot out a mystery, as The Usual Suspects demonstrated. He lays out all the facts, perceptions, and details in very intelligent ways. It never feels like a dry procedural, but a compelling web that Reacher is intricately and confidently pulling apart one strand at a time.
And it is the Jack Reacher character that makes the investigation so intriguing. How he approaches the evidence, what nags at his mind, how he perceives motive and reasoning create a fascinating deconstruction of this mystery. Tom Cruise embodies these qualities exceptionally well. I also love how he slyly bulldozes his way through a situation. He's not a guy who suffers anyone, and is determined to get to the truth no matter who's standing in the way. Yet, he's not a battering ram. He uses smarts, wit, and bravado more than force which makes him intriguing to watch. Cruise harnesses a hard edged confidence and presence that creates an intense electricity in his performance. Despite his average size and build, Cruise feels formidable from how he carries himself. While the Reacher of the books is meant to be this physically large man sort in the vein of a Dolph Lundgren, I feel that Cruise's smaller stature works to excellent effect. He's more unassuming, more average looking. You don't expect a brutal ass kicking from him, but that's just what you get. In Cruise's hands, Reacher is a skilled and intelligent man with a sort of dry yet sharp sense of humor who can assault any enemy with tactical efficiency. This has long been within Cruise's physical capabilities between his work on Collateral and the Mission: Impossible films, and he has always been an immensely dedicated physical actor. Altogether, I feel Tom Cruise is a stellar, wicked cool fit for this role as written here, and he puts in a solid performance.
Another great performance comes from Rosamund Pike. The script gives Helen Rodin a smart set of conflicts that are both internal and external. Reacher has her get personal with the victims of this sniper attack, and it forces her to realize the impossible nature of her position as the defense attorney. It gets pushed further as the truth is unraveled by Reacher, and it becomes more and more difficult for her to trudge forward with any course of action, yet she still does. Externally, she has her own father as the District Attorney opposing her from continuing on with this case, and there are conflicts with Reacher as they battle back and forth on their ideals and viewpoints on the case. Pike gives us a character that does question herself, and struggles with these moral quandaries that Reacher puts her into. Yet, she is her own person, making her own choices, and showing her strength while still being a vulnerable, compassionate person. Rosamund Pike is purely excellent in this role giving us emotional dimension and assertive strength, and it surely doesn't hurt that she is exceptionally beautiful to my eyes.
The film's villain comes from a surprising source – German filmmaker Werner Herzog. He portrays The Zec, a former prisoner of a Russian gulag, now the leader of this gang perpetrating corruption in this city. He's both a chilling, threatening presence and a darkly enjoyable villain. He's got this pretty extreme back story of having gnawed his own fingers off to survive his incarceration, and tries to force this average street thug into doing the same to prove his worth to him. It's a crazy moment in The Zec's introductory scene that really sets the tone for how tough and ruthless this villain is, and I really liked it. It surely feels a little over the top, but the dead serious weight given to it sells it in entertaining fashion. Herzog certainly has done acting in the past, but it's certainly a surprise turn in this film that succeeds in spades. And even Jai Courtney is thoroughly impressive as the more action centric villain Charlie who causes trouble for Reacher throughout the movie, and battles with him at the end. He's got a solid presence that sells a lot of his character without him having to say much. He showcases charisma with just a sly smirk, and just feels like a sharp talent with a lot of potential in him.
And lastly, we get a fun, quirky performance from Robert Duvall as this ex-Marine that runs a gun range and ultimately aids Reacher during the climax. His chemistry with Cruise creates some great levity during the very dark and heavy final act.
On all technical levels, this is a rock solid feature. It is excellently shot by cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. The fantastic use of smart angles and purposeful compositions really enhance the intrigue and calculating aspects of the story and characters. In conjunction with the great, conservative editing by Kevin Stitt, we get a very effective thriller with solid scenes of suspense and poignant character moments. With McQuarrie's very competent and solid talent at the helm, it really forged something that highly impresses in both technical skill and storytelling ability.
While the film has an intricately woven mystery at hand, it never overshadows the worth of the characters because without them the story doesn't mean as much. I do love that the film does take the time to flesh out who those victims were, what their lives were like, and allows us to connect with them on a brief but strong emotional level. Christopher McQuarrie does the same thing with us that Reacher does with Rodin in this instance – have us connect with those people on a personal level. These are not just faceless victims. These were people with lives and loved ones, and they are not trivialized in this film, which is immensely commendable and really a breath of fresh air. It emotionally motivates both Reacher and Rodin to move forward in their efforts to unravel this plot and expose the truth, and it has purpose in unraveling the mystery.
And indeed, this film features one of the best car chases in recent memory. It has a very tense stare down between Reacher and David Oyelowo's Detective Emerson after Reacher has just been framed for a murder. That stare down then explodes into this visceral 1970's throwback car chase. It's fantastically shot never tightening the frame too much, or shaking it all around with incompetence. We have beautiful compositions all around with an intense visceral quality fueled by the mere rumbling sounds of a muscle car engine, and solidly paced editing. That's a page taken right out of Bullitt, and I think this chase does follow strongly in that tradition. It was a great happenstance that the Chevy Chevelle actually wouldn't start during filming creating this great, real moment of it stalling out in the middle of the chase. This is an awesomely hard edged chase that does not overstay its welcome. It's right to the point delivering a dose of adrenalin in the middle of the film, and the sly, clever ending to that car chase is so right for this character. The film does have very good action scenes, but it's not proper to call this an action movie. It's definitely a mystery thriller with solid shots of action. There are some entertaining fight scenes, and a very hard edged, very violent climax.
McQuarrie does choose an interesting tone and approach to the action scenes in that there's hardly any score that plays through any of them. I saw this approach taken during the anti-climactic shootout in 2006's Miami Vice, and I didn't feel it was especially successful. Here, while I was undecided about it after my theatrical viewing, I do now feel it is rather effective for Jack Reacher. The tactical shootout in the quarry starts out with just the sounds of gunfire and some stellar cinematography and editing to make it work. However, when it moves further along, we get some suspenseful music cues, but the action itself remains raw and visceral without any music accompaniment. When Reacher and Charlie finally throw down, it's just the harsh sounds of bones cracking and rain pouring to sell the hardened violence. The conclusion to this is very telling of the character in regards to his code of justice. It's not really what you'd expect from an procedural crime thriller, but it is fitting overall. Now, I do feel like the ending lacked maybe a definitive sense of closure or consequence. There aren't any actual hanging plot threads that I picked up on, but a more solid, stronger ending might have given it that extra added punch to please audiences. Reacher simply departs after all the action is done leaving others to clean up his mess which creates a feeling of an unresolved something. The ending has some poignancy and sly qualities in two separate scenes, and this ending is far from being poor in any aspect. I just think it could've used a stronger punctuation for the story and characters.
Ultimately, Jack Reacher is a very well directed, well acted, and overall very solidly made movie. The screenplay is very smart with a unique balance of dramatic weight and humorous levity that oddly works very well. The Reacher character is a very interesting one well embodied by Tom Cruise. He's not explored in a lot of depth, but we get insights into who he is, what he values, and what his convictions are. How he operates, how he thinks, and what actions he takes tell us all we need to know in this story about Jack Reacher. It's great seeing that despite Reacher having a predisposition towards Barr's guilt, he's able to maintain an objective point of view in his investigation. His own personal feelings against Barr never cloud his judgment. He wants the truth, no matter what that might be. These are sure signs of a very smartly written film and well developed character that is thoroughly understood by both McQuarrie and Cruise, thanks to the novels of Lee Child. Yet, despite of all this, I do feel the film lacks that extra spark that would catch on with audiences. It probably stems from the fact that this is not especially an action film, despite the marketing, and more of an intelligent thriller that doesn't lend to a rousing, exciting experience. For everything that these filmmakers were striving to achieve, they did so with great success, but I don't feel there's a great demand for a franchise based on this outing alone. If the filmmakers can put together a film with more action and excitement, I think it could take off fairly well, but as it is, this film didn't set audiences on fire with anticipation for another installment. While it's not impossible, Cruise surely has plenty of other projects he's quickly developing, including a fifth Mission: Impossible film, that he's not in a major need to launch another franchise.
Collateral (2004)
On a midnight screening in August, 2004, my entire filmmaking aspirations changed with this film. While I had seen Thief previously, Collateral struck a brilliant, fascinating chord in my creative mind. While I consider The Insider to be Michael Mann's best film to date, and Manhunter to be my favorite, there is a special unique quality to this movie that I love. I believe it stems from the atmosphere of isolation and nature of introspection that Mann delves into. Above all else, Tom Cruise puts in one of the best performances of his career under Mann's direction.
Max (Jamie Foxx) has lived the mundane life of a cab driver for 12 years. The faces have come and gone from his rearview mirror, people and places he's long since forgotten – until tonight. Vincent (Tom Cruise) is a contract killer. When an offshore narco-trafficking cartel learns they are about to be indicted by a federal grand jury, they mount an operation to identify and kill the key witnesses, and the last stage is tonight. Tonight, Vincent arrives in L.A., and five bodies are supposed to fall. Circumstances cause Vincent to hijack Max's taxicab, and Max becomes collateral – an expendable person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Through the night, Vincent forces Max to drive him to each destination. And as the LAPD and FBI race to intercept them, Max and Vincent's survival becomes dependant on each other in ways neither would have imagined.
I love how the movie is soaked into this dark, isolated feeling of the night. While the film has those first few minutes of transition from the late afternoon into nightfall, it feels right. We are getting an easy, gradual introduction to Max along with a very brief and enigmatic one to Vincent. At this point, the film is relaxed and getting you comfortable, but once night sets in, the mood begins to soak in. Los Angeles descends into this sparse, disconnected landscape. There's a sense of vast emptiness which isolates our characters into a somber atmosphere. There maybe pedestrians in the background, traffic on the roads, but Max and Vincent are in their own reclusive scenario apart from the awareness of anyone around them. Michael Mann achieves that deeply penetrating mood throughout the movie with a brilliant use of cinematography, music, and environments. The nighttime world of Los Angeles is alive with danger and lethal threats on an ever-accelerating ride into darkness.
In the beginning of the film, there's some lovely, heartfelt chemistry between Jamie Foxx and Jada Pinkett-Smith in a cab ride together. It's a beautiful, warm introduction to both characters who we need to greatly empathize with as the film progresses. This is especially true for Pinkett-Smith's character of Annie, a prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney, who doesn't return to the film until the final act, but she makes such a wonderful, adoring impression that we haven't forgotten a thing about her by then. Both actors make a rich use of those few minutes of screentime together, and Michael Mann really strikes a different chord than he has before. In his other films, it's usually two people that have already had some history together, or are already married with some kind of emotional or ideological strain upon them. We hardly see the initial spark of a romantic relationship, and never has it been this sweet and charming. Jada Pinkett-Smith does a spectacular job in this role throughout all the light-hearted, heart-warming, and emotionally and physically intense demands upon her.
Jamie Foxx surely deserved the supporting actor Oscar nomination he got here. He absorbs himself fully into Max, grasping the details of the character with a lot of care. Max is surely a flawed person, but that's what makes him relatable and real. Max is an entirely unlikely hero. He's just a cab driver opposing a trained professional killer, but it's that intensely real fear and genuine humanity of Max that makes him work. He's not designed to battle Vincent on a physical level. Instead, it's slowly getting into Vincent's head, unraveling who he is and how he works that allows Max to gain some measure of courage to fight back against him. However, it's that journey from the guy who can't even muster up the courage to ask Annie for her phone number, let alone out on a date, to someone that does take a stand against this cold, vicious killing machine which makes Foxx's performance amazing. It's Max's experience with Vincent, especially when he's forced to impersonate Vincent in a meeting with cartel lord Felix, that begins to bring out that self-confidence. Vincent repeatedly criticizes Max for taking abuse from his boss, allowing his mother to believe in false truths about his line of work, and being a general pushover that inadvertently mold and motivate Max into being an adversary instead of a frightened hostage. Your attention might gravitate to the stronger personality of Vincent as the standout, but Jamie Foxx delivers a very textured, emotionally realistic, and genuine performance that does have a lot of substance and standout qualities about it.
Tom Cruise starts out as his usual charming self as Vincent, who warms himself up to Max so to convince him to hang with him through the night, feeding him a story of being a real estate agent. It's then a beautiful turn when that cold, calculating sociopath emerges. That intimidating edge shows through immediately, and I love that you can see the gears turning in Vincent's head. He checks his surroundings, seeing who might've witnessed the dead body crashing onto Max's cab, and determines his next move. This is the detail Michael Mann instills in his actors in order to portray these characters as realistic, intelligent people with a specific way of thinking and reacting with a depth of history that stretches beyond the context of this story. Vincent is a fascinating character with a complexity and depth that is the brilliant result of Mann and Cruise's collaboration mixed with Stuart Beattie's excellent screenplay. He is a stone cold sociopath that has a justification for everything he does, and he regularly tries to impart that onto Max. Perceiving a few dead bodies as insignificant on a cosmic scale makes it no wonder that he is so disassociated from any semblance of humanity. Most of us rarely think of the repercussions of our actions on even a global scale, and the closer, more immediate the consequences are, the greater they have impact on our choices. Vincent is likely the epitome of Neil McCauley's "thirty seconds flat" rule from Heat of abandoning everything at a moment's notice in order to stay ahead of the law. McCauley dictated that in order to do so, you must not have attachments to anyone or anything, or risk being caught. However, Vincent is even more than that as there's clearly a far deeper, more emotionally fractured explanation for being as he is, and it is not just from a matter of staying out of a prison cell. Tom Cruise conveys that complexity with masterful skill and a dash of natural charisma that makes him compelling. There is so much depth and nuance to what Tom Cruise delivers in this performance of a sociopathic hitman that finds himself slowing cracking throughout this night that I couldn't possibly detail all of it without making this into an entire essay about him. If you want that, I immensely suggest listening to Michael Mann's commentary on the film. It provides more detailed insight than I can do justice to here. In short, Tom Cruise is riveting and brilliant as Vincent, and delivers a relentless performance unlike any you've seen from him. He's an entirely different, fully absorbed animal in this film, and Vincent is a testament to Mann's extensive work of building a character from the ground up, from the inside out with a massively talented actor.
The scene that sells the lethal threat of Vincent is the incident with the gangbangers who steal his briefcase. The razor sharp reflexes he demonstrates in taking both of them down is near unreal, and shows that this is a man of hard earned, professional skills that should not be tested. If he wants you dead, you'll be a corpse before you know it. As I've mentioned in past reviews, Tom Cruise is an amazingly dedicated physical actor. He will put himself through whatever rigorous training is necessary to make his performance everything it needs to be on every level. These skills are not learned easily or quickly. Cruise had handled firearms before in the Mission: Impossible films, but this was a whole different level of discipline and dedication. And indeed, it shows through in how he carries himself, how he cases his surroundings, and operates like an efficient machine in every action sequence. He creates a full, total package that gravitates energy around him.
Furthermore, I really like Mark Ruffalo as Detective Fanning. His look is excellent as a narcotics cop who looks like a dealer, but seeing him in the thick of things, you can see this is an LAPD Detective that is intelligent, instinctive, and seasoned. He's a consummate professional, but is also very streetwise and perceptive. Ruffalo strikes that perfect balance which makes both work cohesively. Fanning follows through on his instincts and intellect despite anyone's insistence to the contrary, making him a capable secondary protagonist an audience can get behind. He's hotly on the trail of what's going on as more and more bodies go down, and that motivates the law enforcement end of the story forward as they try to secure what witnesses they have left before Vincent can eliminate them.
Collateral is filled with solid supporting actors like Peter Berg's combative Detective Weidner or Bruce McGill's hard edged FBI Agent Pedrosa. However, the two best standouts are Barry Shabaka Henley and Javier Bardem. Henley portrays Daniel, the owner of a jazz club, and he gives us two brilliant showings in his scene. The first is Daniel's passion for jazz music as he relates a story about meeting Miles Davis, and the stunning impression it made in his life. Then, when the scene turns imminently lethal, we see the purely human fear and subtle tremble that courses through his body. It's an inspired performance, and Daniel is someone that has a noticeable resonance upon Vincent. This is the first moment where we see his sociopathic exterior cracking, and it is a gorgeous moment of dramatic and emotional storytelling.
Javier Bardem is just excellent as the cartel lord Felix. He's strongly intimidating and intelligent, but one of conservative emotion. You can see the fire underneath when he learns that Vincent has lost his hitlist, but he's a confident man that knows how to deal with problems decisively but has a short tolerance for failure. Bardem has only one scene, but he makes a strong, intriguing impression that resonates for a quite a while after his screentime has ended. It's stellar work by him all around.
I think Collateral is possibly the Michael Mann film that most deeply peers into its lead characters. While Manhunter gets very deep into their psychology, Collateral is focused more on the emotional level. It shows what makes Vincent and Max who they are from the heart and soul outwards. These two starkly different men are inexplicably connected on this violent, dangerous ride, and they each peer deeper into one another's souls. Collateral simply broods with this fascinating level of deep, introspective drama making itself just as much about the complex nature of its characters as it is about its adrenalin pumping danger and occasional action.
One of the things that attracted Michael Mann to this project was the idea of a compressed timeline. All events take place over a single night which creates an inherent energy and urgency to the story and the actions of the characters. Everything's going down now, and there's no tomorrow to deal with it. There's also the great feeling like we're in the third act of another story, that of Felix's impending indictment. All of these events have already taken place to move these people into these exact situations on this night, and we're dropped into a story where everything is already in motion. Everything's moving forward at a brisk pace, and there's no slowing down now. The whole movie has this feeling of an impending deadline. The feeling that we've long passed the point of no return well before this movie began, and it's all full speed ahead from here. It's not a film of break neck pace, but Mann is able to maintain that sense of urgency very cleverly through the actions and behavior of these characters. The pacing itself is great, tight, and dead-on. There's such a great punctuation of drama and emotion using everything Mann has at his disposal at exactly the right doses at exactly the right times. It's an amazingly well edited movie.
Collateral features an awesome collection of score and music from eclectic artists. The primary score is provided by James Newton Howard who creates the most emotional and stirring cues of the film. It has the most presence and creates the grim sense of isolation and somber reality. Howard is also responsible for the long form, tense, suspenseful, and ultimately, driving percussion score in the film's action climax. Antonio Pinto also has some excellent pieces of score that really penetrate the soul of select moments. The addition of Audioslave to the soundtrack was a stroke of genius as "Shadow On The Sun" perfectly fits the vibe and tone of this movie. It's only one track, but it is used in a very memorable sequence. Appropriately, we get some jazz in there, and a few other contemporary music tracks that oddly don't feel dated in the least. It's been nearly nine years since the film's release, and it still feels fresh, original, and excitingly new to me. I own this soundtrack, and it is still a wonderful, moody listen to this day.
The vast majority of Collateral was shot on high definition digital video, and for this movie, it works beautifully and brilliantly. Mann knew he couldn't get that depth of clarity to see into the nighttime landscape of L.A. if he shot on film. So, he embraced this new technology to create a signature look for Collateral. What makes it work for this movie where it didn't as much for Miami Vice or especially Public Enemies is how well it is shot. I believe the cinematography work of Paul Cameron and Dion Beebe should have been given far more recognition at the time than it did. It got some nominations and wins from a few organizations, but it may have been the unique digital video look of the movie that might have deterred some. I embraced this look, and it inspired me to no end. It still does. Collateral is a brilliantly shot movie with an amazing use of color temperatures that evoke certain moods throughout. It's much different than Manhunter in that its feels very urban and grounded with the sodium vapor and mercury vapor street lights creating diffused orange, green, and turquoise tones. It just makes the night come alive in a new way that had never been achieved with such vibrant, dramatic results before. It's also remarkable how so much of the film takes place in that cab, and each scene gives us a new camera angle or composition that suits the context of that scene. It never gets repetitive or dull. These filmmakers had to get inventive, and they ultimately achieved something with get artistic value. There is plenty of handheld work, but it's done immensely well. Public Enemies was a blatant example of doing it terribly, and Miami Vice simply employed it too much to where it almost became a crutch. The cinematography of Collateral is very similar to that in The Insider, but progressed further and given more vibrancy than before. And those overhead aerial shots of Los Angeles are simply striking and inspired. I've since seen this replicated in many other films and television shows, and I immediately make the connection back to Collateral when I do.
We have very few action scenes here, but the large doses we get are riveting and awesome. The biggest is the Korean night club sequence where Max, Vincent, the FBI, and more converge in a violent exchange of physicality and gunfire. It's an excellently done sequence with sharp editing and a pulsating remix of Paul Oakenfold's "Ready Steady Go." Vincent weaves his way through the sea of club-goers, dispatching of bodyguards with merciless efficiency, but it ultimately all breaks down into chaos. Yet, it is this turning point in the film where all the law enforcement and other elements surrounding Max and Vincent are stripped away, and we're left with a lean, intense final act. As Vincent hunts his final target through a dark office of reflective surfaces, we are treated to some taut suspense and edge-of-your-seat tension. This is another instance where only digital video could've been used. On film, this would've been an unintelligible blob of nothing, but the high definition video gives the low light detail that feels so atmospheric and visually amazing. The climax is just excellently done on so many levels, and ends with poignant drama. I know there was a time early on that I felt the ending left a little to be desired, but I've since gained the understanding of it all with full respect and appreciation. This is a very introspective film that documents Vincent's somber emotional deterioration over this one night, and it ends with a weight of purpose and ironic reflection. The climax might be very adrenalin pumping, ramping up the imminent, lethal danger of Max and Annie, but the final moments resolve the character depth and emotional resonance we've seen build up throughout this film. It is a brilliant work of screenwriting by Stuart Beattie forged and meticulously crafted by the masterful talent of Michael Mann.
This is an amazing film that has a different substance of depth than Mann had given us before, and wraps that up in a very riveting, tense crime thriller. Cruise and Foxx have excellent chemistry together that even sparks one or two humorous beats. It's just a great, happy surprise sparked from two great talents that have that charismatic spark of brilliance. Overall, it's a film that still inspires and drives me to this day to be a creative filmmaker in the dark crime genre where characters like Vincent are immensely fascinating, complex, and violent individuals. I reference Michael Mann's work often enough in my reviews of crime thrillers that I definitely want to actually get more reviews of his films done. I've already done Miami Vice and Manhunter, but those were a good year apart. Collateral should be the start of me covering more of his filmography in a shorter span of time with Thief, Heat, and The Insider surely on my slate for this year. Reviews like this are more than just telling you if the movie is good or bad, but instead, they are delving into the depth of it all to really discover what truly makes it great and why it has enthralled me so much. However, look for some potentially shorter reviews soon for a few soon-to-be-released movies that I hope will be quite good, but we'll see.
Shakedown (1988)
So, after watching The Exterminator this morning, I chose to follow that up with a 1988 entry into James Glickenhaus' filmography starring Peter Weller and Sam Elliott. Backed by Universal Pictures, this film is a warp speed jump ahead in polished filmmaking, tight storytelling, and an entertaining picture with lots of energizing action. Yet, it has plenty of substance and strong characters realized by great actors. Shakedown was a fun ride that I would like to share with you now.
When a local drug dealer shoots a dishonest cop in self-defense, lawyer Roland Dalton (Peter Weller) and renegade undercover cop Richie Marks (Sam Elliott) join forces to clear him. But when their investigation leads them into a maze of greed and corruption, they learn that in a town where everything is for sale, anything can happen. Amidst this, Dalton realizes the prosecutor in this, his last case, is a former love interest, the smart and sexy Susan Cantrell (Patricia Charbonneau). Throughout the trial Roland rekindles this former affair with Susan unbeknown to his fiancée Gail (Blanche Baker). All of this twists and turns around Dalton and Marks as they battle through the web of corrupt cops who'd sooner see them dead at every turn.
This is a top notch movie all the way through. We're given a story that is sharply put together that always holds your attention, and keeps something moving forward at a tight rhythm at all times. There are enough interconnected threads to allow the film to do that, but not remotely so many as to complicate things. The trial of the drug dealer ties into the corrupt dealings of these New York cops, and with Dalton being the central focus of this plot, his own personal relationships branch out from that. So, there's always something unfolding and weaving its way into the momentum of the story to keep that energy and pace up. Yet, even though the film has a polished style, it still delves into that seedy underbelly of New York that James Glickenhaus enjoyed spotlighting in his films. So, we get something sharp, sleek, and immensely entertaining while still having that underlining presence of the sleazier side of things. Glickenhaus hits the mainstream with great success fueled by a very well written script, and a spectacular cast of talent at his disposal.
Peter Weller is just amazing in this movie. As Roland Dalton, he's a very charismatic and lively guy who loves his Jimi Hendrix and has plenty of enjoyable flare. He's a very relatable and intelligent character portrayed by an actor who exemplifies those qualities. Weller works the courtroom scenes with compelling energy and sharp wit. He also carries strong emotional and dramatic weight throughout the film. The building romantic relationship with Susan is touchingly handled with beautiful chemistry. It help creates a full, well-rounded character that has various aspects to his life that all tie into the threads of the plot. Weller really does have the meat of screentime, and thus, properly gets top billing. Weller's character never shies away from action or danger in his pursuit of truth. He regularly gets himself into dangerous scenarios, but is able to handle himself competently. Weller takes all of this in stride melding together a very fascinating, dimensional, and entertaining character. I loved watching him every minute he was on screen.
Of course, this takes nothing away from Sam Elliott who fits comfortably into this rugged loner. Richie Marks is very grounded, soaked into the thick of the grit of the city. We first meet him waking up in a 42nd Street grindhouse movie theatre with crack vials littering the floor, and brushing his teeth in the graffiti laden restroom. This is a guy whose luck is just about dried up, but he's still a solid cop that can rundown the worst the New York streets have to offer. Sam Elliott was only 43 years old when he made this film, and so, his shaggy gray hair and beard make him look older and gruffer than he truly was. Thus, he was still able to throw himself into some physically demanding action scenes, which are great. Elliott has a sly personality and fine charisma that make Richie charming in contrast to the filthy environment he surrounds himself with. He's a straight arrow cop that knows the crooked dealings in the department, but until now, hasn't had much motivation or back-up to do anything about it.
Elliott and Weller simply work excellently together. It's not the typical buddy cop formula where two conflicting personalities clash with a single purpose to bond them. Dalton and Marks might be distinctly different in how they lead their lives, how they present each other, but they are similar-minded men of law and justice that don't need convincing to join forces. They're friends from the outset, and we see they are more alike than superficial appearances would suggest. The two actors are tight fits, and have a sharp chemistry and wit that keeps the film energetic and entertaining.
Every other actor in this film does a tremendous, expert job. I've loved Larry Joshua in everything I've seen him in, and he portrays the main corrupt cop Rydell. He's got that streetwise, slimy quality mixed in with Joshua's usual charismatic edge and energy. Rydell is enjoyably corrupt with just the right amount of despicableness to make a villain you love to hate. You really want to see him taken down well before the end Patricia Charbonneau is excellent as Susan Cantrell. She brings a lively vibe with her, but balances that with a solid, assertive dramatic presence in the courtroom scenes. It's a full, well-rounded performance that holds up strongly opposite Peter Weller. Richard Brooks, who portrayed Paul Robinette on the first few seasons of Law & Order, portrays the drug dealing Michael Jones, and he is a really, strong fit for this role. It's also a very well written role that works very much to Brooks' strengths, and he couldn't be better. And for those that love him, John C. McGinley has a brief energetic and funny role as a lawyer and friend of Dalton's. There are no weak links in this cast anywhere at all.
Shakedown also has some first rate action sequences. Glickenhaus seems very proficient in this realm as he always finds a way to amp up the scene at some point beyond your expectations. He never settles for the standard chase scene. He adds something especially exciting on top of what already was a damn good sequence, and gives you that memorable punctuation. I was genuinely blown away at the intensity and impact of many of these scenes. They really deliver in full force on every bit of adrenalin and pay-off you'd expect from a solid action film. And I love that the film easily balances the action with the drama of the story. The struggle for justice in the courtroom is given as much poignancy as the crime on the street. They go hand-in-hand with this story, and it's great to see that both sides are executed equally as well making for a very satisfying narrative.
As I mentioned, there's more to the film than just action. With Roland, you can see that the relationship with his fiancée does have its turbulence, but doesn't come off as something that's falling apart. He starts out as a man on the verge of changing his life with a new career and a wedding on the horizon. However, the man that he is becomes anchored by Susan coming passionately back into his life both professional and intimately. It strikes a sentimental and deep chord with Roland, and I love where the film takes him by the end. It's a very satisfying character arc, and it never feels clichéd or contrived. It's smartly written with touches of levity, tenderness, and honesty. All of the dialogue in the film is smartly written highlighting personality throughout, and keeping things fresh, sharp, and entertaining.
Shakedown is also really damn well shot. I liked the use of wide angle lenses which highlighted either the excellent scenery of New York, or simply enhanced some big, dramatic action shots. The film has a slick, polished quality that still delves into the seedier areas of 42nd Street with the grindhouse theatre and a sleazy sex club. We get some nice uses of light and shadow mixed with neon colors that create a solid atmosphere. There is nothing here that is not shot superbly. I find it amazing what good filmmakers could do with $6 million back in the 80s. This film is high quality all the way with great authentic on-location shoots in New York, crane shots, steadicams, and just a big budget polish to everything while never losing an edginess or personality for the film. The editing is also excellent. Editor Paul Fried had a short career that ended the following year, and it's a shame because I can't levy a single critique against what he did here. It's an exemplary editing job from start to finish. It's tight and sharp hitting all the marks and beats dead-on-the-mark.
The music of Shakedown is also really good. It's a solid action score using more of a rock driven style that really complements the energetic quality of the film. Jonathan Elias doesn't have many notable credits to his name, but the fact that he worked alongside John Barry, the regular composer of the James Bond films through to The Living Daylights, is a big mark of quality in my eyes. If this film is any example, he learned quite a lot from Barry, and applied to with his own style that couldn't have been better for this film. Add in a little Jimi Hendrix "Purple Haze" and a solid upbeat rock/pop tune to close out the film, and you've got something that is greatly appealing and fun. It's a shame no soundtrack was ever released for Shakedown, and that aforementioned end credits song "Lookin' For Love" by Nikki Ryder is really nowhere to be found.
As if I need to say it, I really, really liked this movie! It was a lot of fun, and it gave me entertaining, dimensional leads with a lot of fresh chemistry and charisma to offer. I cannot reiterate it strongly enough that Peter Weller is stellar in every second of screentime here. I loved the character and his performance. Meanwhile, Sam Elliott delivered beautifully on his end of things. Shakedown was decently successful on its theatrical release grossing $10 million from a $6 million budget, and I think it deserves exposure to a wider audience. I rented this off of iTunes, which has the film available for purchase or rental in high-definition widescreen. I was thoroughly satisfied with this movie, which was released in international markets as Blue Jean Cop, and this gets my full fledged recommendation. I will be glad to add this to my DVD collection, and I hope you will give this 112 minutes of your time. It's an exciting, fun ride that has a lot to offer the action movie fan.
Deception (2008)
I've really liked this film ever since its theatrical release. It didn't get good reviews, and was a bomb taking in only $17 million out of its $25 million budget. It continues to show me that while I may love erotic thrillers, they are rarely marketable to a mass audience. However, the sexual aspects of this film are a backdrop for what I view as a fairly solid twisting thriller. What engages me about Deception are the performances of its leads in Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, and Michelle Williams, and the rich, stunning neo noir cinematography by Danté Spinotti. The latter is no surprise as he has shot many Michael Mann films including Manhunter and Heat. I find Deception to be an intriguing thriller that is heavily aided by that striking visual atmosphere, and some smart directing from Marcel Langenegger.
Jonathan McQuarry (Ewan McGregor) is an auditor in Manhattan, moving from office to office checking the books of various companies. While working late, a smooth, well-dressed lawyer named Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman) chats Jonathan up, offers him a joint, and soon they're pals. Jonathan is a very lowly, modest man, but Wyatt soon opens him up to a world of pleasurable desires and sexual confidence. When their cell phones are accidentally swapped, Jonathan answers Wyatt's phone to a series of women asking if he's free tonight. He soon discovers it's a sex club where busy, powerful people meet each other anonymously in hotels for discrete encounters. However, he fully breaks all the rules when he falls for one of the club members, whom he knows only as "S" (Michelle Williams), whom he's also seen on a subway. Yet, during an intimate night out, she goes missing, patterns emerge, and Jonathan faces demands involving violence, murder, treachery, and a large sum of money.
An excellent neo noir tone of mystery and isolation is struck right from the beginning with the quiet and moody opening title sequence. It's just Jonathan sitting in a conference room, alone, late at night, but the vibe just sinks in very deeply to establish his isolated nature. He's isolated from the world around him, always removed from the activity of the offices he's working at, and has no real social life to speak of. The film is very regularly set in at nighttime inside clubs, hotels, offices, taxicabs, and elsewhere allowing for that dark, subversive tone to seep in. However, even the daytime scenes have a certain drained quality that maintain that atmosphere. The visual tone eases up just enough in those moments allowing you to not get bogged down by the visual darkness. What we get, overall, is a multi-toned film that moves from that lonely isolation to a lively and exciting world that is full of mysterious passion, but then, segues into a very heartfelt romantic connection that becomes the emotionally motivating element of the story. From there, it delves fully into the tense and threatening first, main twist of the film where our villain reveals his true colors.
Within only fifteen minutes, the film establishes a strong relationship between Jonathan and Wyatt. It hits all the right beats fleshing out their personalities with quick, substantive exchanges, and showing us how Wyatt just pushes Jonathan out far enough to take some chances. He opens Jonathan's mind to being outgoing and perceiving the pleasures that one can indulge in, when the opportunities arise. This then sets Jonathan off on his own seductive, sexually charged encounters that really liven up his life. The sex and nudity are never raunchy. Everything has a beauty, vigor, and sensual quality that is very elegant and classy. We are given context for this anonymous sex club as it is something for the excessively busy successful person to gain "intimacy without intricacy," as Charlotte Ramplings' Wall Street Belle states to Jonathan. Still, for someone like Maggie Q's Tina, there's a compulsion to the danger of being with someone mysterious and anonymous. It has an attraction and outlet for almost anyone, and for Jonathan, it builds a more confident man. However, as I said, the erotic elements are merely a backdrop, a facilitating plot element that surrounds the film, but never dominates it. They tie directly back into the plot regularly, and the sex scenes are never gratuitous. They all serve a purpose towards the development of the story or characters. Most erotic thrillers use sex scenes as frivolously as many lower grade action films use action sequences. When they have relevance to the story, they work, but when they are just there to fill the skin quota, that's when you've got a late night Skinemax flick. Deception surely and thankfully fits into the former category.
Furthermore, there is nothing wasted in the run time of this film. The pace is tight with an even rhythm and stellar editing. The plot develops very organically, and progresses without a hitch. It's never too brisk to sacrifice character, but never lags at the cost of the story. Every aspect of the characters and plot fit in snugly, and propel the narrative forward in every scene. The filmmakers knew how far to weave their plot threads, and never stretched them out or rushed through anything. It's all evenly balanced to achieve the right pace. The story is rather lean, and maybe some would prefer a little more proverbial meat on the bone of the script. However, it really didn't require or demand more. What we are given works very well giving us enough substance to make this a full narrative, and avoiding any over complicated indulgences or dragged out sections of the film. We are given a few well placed twists that are well earned, and more importantly, are setup with care and intelligence. The little seeds of knowledge are laid out here and there to make the deceptions solid and convincing. All the qualities of the narrative flow together very smoothly and smartly. The second half of the film shows Jonathan's development as he has the confidence to take action against Wyatt, and become a more capable protagonist when under pressure. I also think the development of the romantic relationship between Jonathan and S is done beautifully, and brings a warm levity to the right parts of the film. This really sets the film apart from other seductive thrillers as they rarely feature a genuinely decent and charming romantic storyline. Ultimately, it is this element that the film is most concerned with, and does continue to make it a point of importance for the characters.
Ewan McGregor is an actor that I have a true fondness for. While I haven't seen many of his movies, I do find him an exceptional talent who always shows dedication and enthusiasm for his work. As Jonathan McQuarry, he demonstrates a very modest quality. He's clearly a man of humble upbringings that's never been adventurous or daring. His new sexual experiences do energize him, but don't taint the man he is underneath. He matures into a fuller person not held back by his old timid hesitations, but never loses the decency and heart that define him. When he meets and gets to know S, he is genuinely enamored by her in a touching, heartfelt way. McGregor embodies these endearing qualities authentically and with all the kind-hearted charm possible. There's nothing disingenuous about his performance. It all comes straight from the heart, and when Jonathan's forced into the more adversarial aspects of the film, the tension and fearful weight of the plot are carried wonderfully by him. He makes for an engaging and sympathetic protagonist.
I am also highly impressed by Hugh Jackman here, as I usually am. He's also an actor I believe has incredible talent, and he really sinks his teeth into this role. He starts out as a somewhat charming individual who enjoys indulging in all the lustful pleasures of life. He's charismatic and quite the arrogant jackass, but he's able to ensnare Jonathan out of his shell with temptations of new, daring experiences. Despite Wyatt's abrasive ego, you are able to accept him as an intriguing instigator of excitement in Jonathan's life. Now, I don't believe I've seen Jackman portray a full-on villain before, but he is intensely intimidating as one here. His manipulative turn later in the film is dark and devilish. There's enough mystery about his character to make him threatening, but when you find out what he is capable of, that only backs up and enhances the severe, frightening qualities of Jackman's character and performance. Overall, I think he relished playing every facet of this character, and it really shows through while never betraying the grounded weight of the film. Being a producer on the movie I'm sure only benefitted the quality of his on-screen work.
Michelle Williams puts on a beautiful performance, reflecting her own gorgeous physical beauty. She brings out a warm, soulful depth of heart to S. She just glows on screen with her bright smile and sweet presence. She also presents a sexually confident woman who is sensual and seductive, but not aggressive. Williams has a sparkling, heartfelt chemistry with Ewan McGregor that is the shining quality of this film. They play off each other with such genuine loving emotion that you truly feel how special this is for both characters. She is able to convey a rich array of emotions that really forge a connection with the audience in relation to Jonathan. She is a vibrant ray of light that gives this film an endearing emotional weight that we are regularly reminded of, and really has resonance in the end.
The score was done by Ramin Djawadi, who also later scored the Denzel Washington-Ryan Reynolds thriller Safe House, and he is amazingly consistent in his style and quality. As I mentioned in my Safe House review, his compositions are very evocative of the scores heard in many Michael Mann films such as Collateral. Meshed with Spinotti's cinematography, that couldn't have created a more desirable result for me. Djawadi does an impeccable job layering in tension, suspense, and an alluring, elegant mystique to the film. It's just a work of excellence, in my view, and I'm glad to experience his work regularly on the TV series Person of Interest. He puts so much depth and lush sensuality into the Deception score, and I highly recommend checking out the soundtrack release.
Deception was partially shot on digital video giving a bold, clear visual quality to all these dark environments, and this film pushes the visual darkness to a new, deep level. The strip club scene early on has rich, pristine colors. Yet, other scenes are more muted mostly utilizing soft greens and ambers to evoke a very inviting visual mood. Danté Spinotti's cinematography just makes such gorgeous use of color, as he's been doing since Manhunter, and his camera work and compositions are stunningly beautiful. This man makes art out of every frame using light, shadow, movement, and depth of field to masterful extent and detail. The Chinatown sequence is a special favorite of mine that motivated me to visit Chicago's Chinatown shortly after the film's release. The Chinese architecture and visual culture really creates a romantic mystique for Jonathan and S's most engaging encounter. Deception has a visual style that really is a feast and a pleasure for my eyes. It sets my artistic filmmaking imagination on fire. Now, I will admit that the first few times I saw the movie, the scenes in Spain at the end left me wanting from a visual standpoint. The rest of the movie was so rich with seductive atmosphere and shadowy moodiness that the soft, muted quality of the daytime scenes in Spain didn't do much for me.
The ending in general, story wise, left me a bit unsatisfied for a while as well. I won't spoil anything here, but I will say that the film deserved a stronger, more intense pay-off. It could've used a more personal and emotionally charged comeuppance in light of everything that Jackman's character had done. On early viewings, it did lack an especially impactful punctuation to that aspect of the story. Ultimately, it's focused on the relationship between Jonathan and S, and I can surely accept that as a vital part of the story. I just felt that the ending we got just didn't have as much resonance as I would have wanted between McGregor and Jackman. I'm not sure what that resolution would be, but it seemed like it needed a little more build up and pay-off. Of course, on repeated viewings, I have been able to easily accept it by way of familiarity. I still would prefer a stronger resolution to the adversarial conflict of the film, but I can enjoy the film quite well as it is today.
Regardless of this, I still feel that screenwriter Mark Bomback, along with creative input by director Marcel Langenegger, put together a very well crafted and sharply written script. The characters are fully developed and vibrantly inhabit this world and the story, and the plot is tightly wrapped around them. I think the character of Jonathan McQuarry has a wonderful arc that allows him to fully break free of his meek shell, and into a bright world of possibilities. Yet, he has to trudge through a dangerous and seductive world to get there, but it's an evolution that he earns. The deceptions that weave into the story are very cleverly threaded, and culminate in some chilling, intimidating moments that sell the danger Jonathan becomes trapped in. It's surely not the greatest mystery of all time, but for someone that just cannot write a mystery to save his life, I have to commend someone when they achieve a rather intelligently written manipulative tale.
So, the big critics didn't like it, and many didn't care to give it a chance. I'm not saying it's some unsung gem of cinema, but Deception is a fine film handled with care by a lot of exceptional filmmaking talents. I really like the narrative it tells, and the qualities of emotion and heart it focuses on in our loving leads. Unlike many dark, edgy, and dangerous thrillers, it doesn't delve you into the gritty violence or erotic sleaze. It's an elegantly made film enveloped in a very shadowy, sultry world of treachery and passion. If you have an appreciation for neo noir, I highly recommend this film for the gorgeous, brilliant cinematography alone. Still, there's plenty to enjoy and find beauty in, and being a major fan of crime thrillers, I'm very pleased to see this film go into some different directions and find something other than fractured souls and tragic crimes. Of course, that clearly means I'm going to have to review some more Michael Mann movies shortly.


text: Heather was amazing during the process of me buying my first home. She was responsive and really worked with me during the entire process. There was a few things that had come up during the inspection and she really went above and beyond to get them fixed so I could close. I'm happy to call her a neighbor in the community and look forward to the summers at the lake!!