Levitated Mass

Forty years in the making, and following months of logistical planning, one of the largest megalithic stones to be moved since ancient times was transported 105 miles from Riverside to Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) where it was publicly unveiled on Sunday.

The 340 tons granite boulder, named Levitated Mass, is artist Michael Heizer's latest modern abstract art sculpture made out of a combination of concrete, steel and stone. As part of LACMA's public sculpture program, the rock sits in an arid landscaped area of LACMA's north lawn, where it is suspended over a 456 foot long walk-through trench that descends 15 feet in depth underneath the boulder.

The $10 million acquisition was dedicated to the memory of LACMA's former board of trustees chair Nancy Daly's leadership and philanthropic vision.

Following podium remarks and a ribbon cutting ceremony, artist Heizer, Mayor Villaraigoza, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg's Director Michael Govan, and an audience of generous patrons, and trustees led the approximately one thousand guests underneath the rock where it was admired from all angles and from a variety of lighting conditions.

Levitated Mass sparked neighborhood celebrations along its route from Jurupa Valley through 22 cities in the counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles. The rock also inspired a documentary by filmmaker Doug Pray called The Boulder, a 4^th of July Levitated Mass balloon by artist Mungo Thomson and, like the Tower of Pisa, countless of pictures of people posing pretending to hold the rock up.

Free admissions to the museum is granted through July 1 for residents of communities that the boulder passed through on its way to LACMA.

For more information contact Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org

Rock of Ages

In this nostalgic prodding of the 80's Broadway and West End stage musical of sex, love and rock 'n' roll, aspiring singers Sherrie Christian (Julianne Hough) and Drew Boley (Diego Boneta) fall in love while working at Dennis Dupree's (Alec Baldwin) legendary rock club, the Bourbon Room on the Sunset Strip. Sherrie and Drew's life takes a detour after meeting the emulated Rock 'n' Roll superstar, Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) and his devious talent agent Paul Gill (Paul Giamatti).

Complicating matters are Justice (Mary J. Blige), owner of the Venus Club, Rolling Stone journalist Constance Sack (Malin Akerman), as well as Los Angeles Mayor Whitmore's (Bryan Cranston) prudish wife Patricia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who is determined to shut the rock club down.

Superb cast performances include Paul Giamatti's hilarious portrayal of the sleazy and opportunistic talent agent, Alec Baldwin and, in the role of Dennis' business partner Lonny, Russell Brand. However, it is Tom Cruise who owns the feature with his over the top performance of the nonsensical, sex crazed, aging and burned out, Rock and Roll god superstar, Stacee Jaxx.

The uplifting collage of music videos is heavily intertwined with the story through high energy classic soundtracks and choreography. Actors Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise and Russell Brand did their own singing. Surprisingly good is Tom Cruise's singing ability.

Cameo appearances of recording artists, many of whose songs are featured in the movie, include Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme, Night Ranger's Joel Hoekstra, Debbie Gibson, Skid Row's Sebastian Bach, and REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin.

Fun 80's hair, attire and accessories were included by costume designer Rita Ryack such as the huge phone and antenna with a phone bag. Slick production values by Jon Hutman include iconic landmarks such as Chateau Marmot and the former Tower Records.

Although simple and predictable, the performances and flashy musical entertainment deliver an enjoyable Rock of Ages.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

The wild adventure is on high gear in this latest 3D installment of Madagascar 3.

Lion Alex (Ben Stiller), zebra Marty (Chris Rock), giraffe Melman (David Schwimmer) and hippo Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) make Europe's most wanted list. While pursued by the relentless Captain Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand), they find refuge at a traveling circus where they meet Siberian tiger boss Vitaly (Bryan Cranston), seal Stefano (Martin Short) and Jaguar Gia (Jessica Chastain). The circus is also where lemur King Julien XIII (Sascha Baron Cohen) becomes infatuated with Sonya the tricycle riding bear in a tutu.

The feature maintains its stylistic simplicity, with talented voice cast and colorful, fast paced action. Spectacular circus dynamics make great use of 3D. New to the series are the circus characters as well as Captain DuBois. In the role of a crazed animal control officer, McDormand's portrayal is particularly captivating and entertaining.

Through heart and humor, Madagascar 3 amuses the young audience with relatable universal themes such as friendship and team work.

Snow White and the Huntsman

In his feature-film debut, acclaimed commercial director and state of the art visualist Rupert Sanders creates an innovative take on the 1812 Brothers Grimm fairytale with extraordinary use of CG and other special effects. 


While retaining all of the classic elements of the mirror, the evil Queen, the red apple, and the true love's kiss, Sanders added an edgier, gothic tone. 


Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron stars as the sinister Queen Ravenna who evokes dark powers to morph crows into demon-soldiers and who rips and eats young girls' hearts to preserve her beauty. Held captive in the castle, Snow White (Kristen Stewart) escapes into the forbidden Dark forest where, through Eric the huntsman's (Chris Hemsworth) martial arts tutelage, she turns into a warrior princess. 


While pursued by the Queen's evil brother Finn (Sam Spruell), Snow White encounters a group of brave women, an enchanted fairyland, Snow White's childhood friend Duke William (Sam Claflin), and eight feisty, tough looking dwarfs represented by a who's who of British acting masters: Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Johnny Harris, and Brian Gleeson. 


In her first role as an action heroine, Stewart is more convincing as a princess than a warrior. Her performance is balanced by Hemsworth's levity and strong portrayal of the widowed huntsman. 


Along with three time Academy Award® winner Colleen Atwood's impressively intricate costume designs and Dominique Watkins's sets, extensive visual enhancement were implemented. Director of Photography Greig Fraser's combination of visual effects and old-school techniques coupled with designer David White's use of prosthetics hair and makeup, heighten the overall entertainment.