By Dave Montalbano

While I am not a fan of end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-flicks, The Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a pleasant surprise on so many levels — good story, interesting character development with a clarity of vision. Thought-provoking and fully entertaining, Rise of the Planet of the Apes has set a new standard with summer Science Fiction movies, while remaining true to the wild and original ideas of Pierre Boulle’s novella.

San Francisco Professor Will Rodman (James Franco) seeks to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, as his father Charles (John Lithgow) suffers from this malady. When a female test subject reacts badly to treatment, Professor Rodman adopts her son, a baby ape. While Charles names the ape Cesar (Andy Serkis), Professor Rodman provides a nurturing environment and pharmaceuticals that promote intelligence.

Tragically, paradise is lost and Cesar ends up being a captive in a monkey house run by John Landon (Brian Cox)and his sadistic son Dodge Landon (Tom Felton).  After torture and abuse, Cesar organizes his cell-mates and creates ‘the rise of the planet of the apes.’

Director Rupert Wyatt provides realistic logic to Cesar’s evolution, making Cesar’s growth a joy to behold. The audience gets to know Cesar and his compatriots, as well as the rogues’ gallery of brutal humans. Wyatt is not afraid to present static scenes with no dialogue. When dialogue is spoken, the words actually have meaning.

In spite of the epic grandeur of this movie, this film is full of clever details for the Apes fans. Shortly before one climatic moment, a cameo appearance from the late Charlton Heston helps set the dramatic moment on a subconscious level.  It is a bone-chilling moment.

Given his performances as “King Kong” and “Gollum,” Serkis is the perfect actor to play Cesar in his motion-capture costume. The Academy Awards should create a special category for this type of performance. As Professor Rodman, Franco puts behind his public relations fiasco at this year’s Oscar’s ceremony. Given his success as Draco Malfoy, hopefully Felton will be able to play a nice guy soon, for the actor is quite good as the cad you love to hate.

On Aug. 20, Deerfield Beach High Class of ’81 reunion commences at Deer Creek Country Club. Tickets are $125 and include open bar, buffet, prizes and music. Save $25 by contacting Kelly Palmer-Skidmore at 561-445-6854 by close of business tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 12.

A few weeks ago, I had some ideas as to what events should be held at the new FAU Football Stadium.

I spoke to Associate Athletic Director for Corporate Sponsorships Michael Smith. He took this position after serving as Director of Collegiate Sports Properties for the University of Mississippi in the Southeastern Conference.

Smith gave me his reasons why he moved to Boca Raton and in this Observer interview, he talked about what the South Florida Community has to look forward to.

Q: What made you decide to take this position at FAU?

A: To be Associate Athletic Director was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I am looking forward to the inner workings of working behind the scenes, of what it takes [to build]  a new stadium for a Division I School. I see the athletic program growing into a Conference USA, Big East or ACC member one day. I am thrilled to see the excitement of the Boca Raton Community.

Q: How many events do you foresee and what type of financial benefit will Boca Raton receive?

A: I anticipate that the stadium has a $1.7 million impact to the community of Boca Raton. It’s the largest facility between Miami and Orlando. It will hold 15 events the first year … five football games, along with 10 other events. I anticipate concerts, college events, international soccer, high school all-star games and, eventually, landing a college bowl game. We hope to expand to at least 20 events.

Q: Were you familiar with FAU before you took this position?

A: Yes. Football Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s reputation speaks for itself. Mike Jarvis won 21 games this year for the basketball team and has an excellent track record for taking his teams to the NCAA Tournament. John McCormack’s baseball team [players] are perennial winners.

Q: How will your previous position benefit you here?

A: I worked in the multimedia areas. I worked in marketing, advertising and promotions so we have lots of inventory here. I will be working on selling signs for the Football Stadium, radio spots, coach’s call-in radio shows for all sports, Internet and promotions on the field.

According to Smith, there has been an increase in landing new students. Last year, FAU had 9,000 applications from incoming freshman. This year, the total is 22,000.

Oct. 15 is right around the corner and, by the end of the week, the FAU Football Team will be in training camp, preparing for that inaugural season. It will be interesting to see which players go down in history as the ones who score the first touchdown, have the first yard, etc.

If the growth of the football program goes according to planned, the football stadium has the ability to be expanded in two phases, from 30-45,000 and 45-65,000. The addition of more students, as aforementioned, could be the beginning of what lies ahead.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

As I returned home from work the other day, I did what I always do … I stopped on the way up to my condo to pick up my mail. I started thumbing through and, in the midst of all the junk mail, I noticed an envelope that showed that my health insurance company, which has been wonderful, sent me my renewal rates.

I am on the small business guaranteed issue plan. When I first went on the plan, my wife of blessed memory, worked as my bookkeeper, and we were fortunate enough to get in as a two-person group. When she passed away, even as I dealt with my grief, I was concerned about my health insurance. Caring for my beloved wife had taken its toll on me and I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Fortunately, I was informed that, as I had been on the plan for quite some time, I would be grandfathered in at the two-person rate.

Now, please don’t get me wrong, the two-person rate was not exactly what you would call inexpensive. But I needed a good insurance plan and I stayed with it. This year, however, I was informed that I would be receiving rates based on a one-person group. Well, let me tell you something, when I saw the rate increase, I almost had a heart attack… So you might be wondering what the new rate is? Well, let me tell you, and before I do, remember that I am only 56. I do Zumba two to three times a week and I do ballroom and Latin dancing twice a week. It is true that I had bypass surgery within the past five years, but my cardiologist says that I am in better aerobic shape than most people my age. I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. So what is the new rate? Are you ready for this? $1,553.71, and that is not the yearly amount … no, that is what I am expected to pay each and every month to keep my health insuranc!

On top of this raise … since I hope to remarry again someday, I asked my agent what the rate would be if I had a wife whom I wanted to put on the plan. He said, “Double it.” For those of you who don’t feel up to doing the math in your heads, doubling it would meant I would be paying just under $40,000 dollars a year for health insurance premiums on a high deductible no less.

I needed to come up with a solution and fast. So I did a little research and found that the small business rate I get is based on the age of the owner of the company. So I thought about marrying a 21-year-old and making her the owner of the corporation, but let’s face it, 21 is a wee bit young for me.

So when I was at one of the health centers the other day, I walked over to the nurses’ station and announced that if any of them have good insurance and would like to get married that I am available. While they found the announcement amusing, the truth is that their response was … “Rabbi, we work in healthcare, we don’t have good insurance … you’re looking in the wrong place.”

So, dear readers, I now turn to you … and who knows … maybe this will get passed on to the national or international press … If any of you ladies out there have a good insurance plan and that plan entitles your husband to go on it for a reasonable (or at least, affordable) price, give some thought to the possibility of marrying me … a good insurance plan is all I ask … okay, there may be one or two other things I ask for, but, sadly, right now, insurance has become a top priority.

Shalom My Friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

This tax “free” holiday, Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering its Florida guests FREE Food With Integrity.

Simply eat at any Miami or Ft. Lauderdale Chipotle on Tuesday, August 9, or Wednesday, August 10, and save the receipt. Return any time during tax “free” weekend, August 12 – 14 and receive a free burrito, bowl, order of tacos or salad with your receipt. No charge. No tax. No strings attached.

Highlands Christian Academy hosted its annual summer basketball camp recently. Trophy winners for opening week pictured (L to R) (Back row): Cameron Caputo, Marvin Jean-Pierre, Herman Robinson, D.J. Kottke, Vance Houston, Tyler Bronson, George Giourgas; (Front row): Jordan Willis, Emily Teason, Allyson Steincamp, Lettie Cronin, Riley Berry, Danielle Domino, Karl Schuberth, Dylan Farrell. Submitted photo

By Gary Curreri

Highland’s Christian Academy held its annual summer basketball camp at the campus recently.

There were two sessions this summer – boys and girls’ grades 7-12 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and grades 2-6 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Reg Cook, the summer sports camp director and former long-time basketball coach and athletic director at the school, began the basketball camp in the early 1980s. Jim Good (head boy’s varsity coach), along with Luke Still (head boy’s JV coach), Josh Good (head boy’s JH coach), and Lindsey Shein (HCA alumnus) were the camp coaches.  Several high school athletes worked the second week of camp to earn community hours.

There were 55 campers in the first session and an additional 60 campers in the second session.

“Once again, our summer basketball camp was a success,” said Jim Good. “It’s a great environment with quality coaches who are not only teaching the game of basketball, but also the game of life. What a great opportunity we have to share our love for the Lord and also our love for the game of basketball.”

Good said the morning session included a devotional given by a coach followed by some warm-up activities, ball handling and dribbling. He said they then began their Gatorade and trophy contests.

The trophy contests included 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 competitions, free throw competition and hot shots. The campers would travel by bus for lunch at a Chick-fil-A or CiCi’s Pizza.  Then, they would return for afternoon 5-on-5 full court games.

Simply Soccer Camp returns

The Simply Soccer summer camp plans to hold its 5th camp in the city of Pompano on Aug. 15-19. Registration will be held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting.

There are three sessions each day (for the Pompano camp) ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (cost is $115 weekly); extended hours camp is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $130 each week, and a Tiny Tot program is offered for kids ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m.to noon for $60 weekly.

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch.

You can register at the Pompano Civic Center at 1801 NE 6 St. in Pompano Beach from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Department at 954-786-4119.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Forty summers ago, I saw my first western on the big screen – Big Jake, a box office champion that particular summer. Big Jake starred John Wayne, his family and his stock company; it featured gorgeous landscapes and a morality tale about family values. The Duke’s grandson, Brendan Wayne, was born the following year and now has a small role (as the Sheriff Taggart’s Deputy) in the current box office champion, Cowboys & Aliens.

The film opens when an amnesiac cowboy named Jake (Daniel Craig) wakes up in the desert with a strange device attached to his forearm. Jake strolls into town and runs afoul Percy (Paul Dano), a spoiled brat son of a cattle baron, Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). It turns out that Dolarhyde and Jake have a bad history together and are headed for a show down.

As a torch-bearing vigilante prepares a lynching, a strange light comes out of the sky. Within moments, the townspeople witness their neighbors get lassoed into the sky. Jake and Dolarhyde put aside their differences to rescue friends and families who have been abducted by sky demons.

With a title like Cowboys & Aliens, one does not need to look deeper for a theological subtext. The sky demons are aliens from outer space, with petty motivations. In fact, the science fiction aspect of this film is routine, yet the film excels when it remains a western.

The best thing about Cowboys & Aliens is the ensemble’s characters.  Character actor Sam Rockwell is given some rare moments to shine as an everyman bartender. Keith Carradine, as Sheriff; Clancy Brown, as Pastor; and Adam Beach, as ranch hand, are given genuine moments of character development.

While top-billed Daniel Craig recalls Clint Eastwood’s younger days, Cowboys & Aliens can be seen as Harrison Ford’s comeback film. Looking more like George “Gabby” Hayes than Indiana Jones, Ford creates a whole character. While gruff most of the time, Dolarhyde is given some quiet moments to shine with a boy who soon becomes an orphan.

While the showdown with the aliens gets a bit clunky toward the end, director Jon Favreau makes up for it by providing great visuals of cowboys riding across the range on horseback. Cowboys & Aliens succeeds as Saturday Matinee popcorn-eating entertainment, but I doubt it will have the durability of Big Jake.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

It was the worst of times! It was the worst of times … except this Pollyana sees a sliver of “Best.”

Chaos at the Capitol, weeks of wrangling, deals made, deals fade. Leaders dashing in and out of closed doors, hallways, talk shows, anywhere but home, at all hours of the night – pontifications to the max. By Sunday, both Republicans and Democrats were squealing, almost in unison, “Just get it done already!”

Despite the rancor, the accusations, the finger pointing, the political sashaying, it was obvious that the main spokespeople for both points of view felt equally passionate and righteous about their principles, even as bundles of lobbying dollars were securely tucked in their coiffeurs.

But you don’t go to the Capitol to sit on your principles without budging. And with a ticking time-clock snapping at their heels, an exhausted Congress made a deal that everyone basically hated, the operative words being – “made a deal.”

For sure, we don’t know what will happen in the days to come, what follow-up clashes we’ll see, how the “committee” will work, but for now I think we’d be smart to take another look at how we got to where we are and to take big note of what did not happen.

As dysfunctional as it seemed, a certain (limited) civility was present. Rules were adhered to. Procedures were respected. And major ideological diversities were recognized, and accepted as being the fabric of our country. The folks who espouse them will never stop attempting to bring the opposition into their camp – with big mouths and rhetoric, and, yes, and, alas, dollars, but not with guns and torture.

If you are not a political junkie (as I am), you missed probably the most exciting news day of modern memory this past Sunday. It made every political movie and TV sitcom look like waiting for the fish to bite. And powering all the frenetic activity, and blowhard commentary, was the basic truth that the balance between spending and revenue in our country is askew and has been for decades. It was much too easy to slide by when there was no crisis looming.

No leader, no party  and no disinterested citizen is immune to blame. Admittedly, some of the numbered details concerning this stuff is a cure for insomnia, but these past few weeks have been a jolting wake-up call.

We are a country bursting with diversity, changing at speeds heretofore unknown, and if we don’t accept that compromise is what holds us together, then we are doomed … to extinction … or bloody revolution.

The best of times? Maybe not quite, but surely not what the naysayers have put out there. History has chronicled the demise of many great civilizations. It’s possible that this seeming debacle has put the brakes on our journey in that direction.

My family and I love summer … going to the beach, playing golf, riding bikes and hanging out at the pool. Growing up in the North has made living in South Florida feel like summer all year round. Somebody said to me the other day that even South Florida has seasons. I won’t debate here if that’s true or not, but I will tell you that in New York, where I grew up, summer didn’t last too long. That’s what makes living in South Florida so much fun for our family. We love summer.

Among all the wonderful activities we enjoy during the summer, one in particular is not outdoors. We enjoy getting some snacks and sitting down to watch America’s Got Talent. We love that show. We have watched as a family every year it has been on. We really enjoy the beginning of the show when people from all over come to audition – people who have absolutely no talent, yet believe they do, people who are very talented, but have no idea how gifted they really are.

The part of the show that we love the most is the variety. You never, and I mean never, know what you’re going to get. I mean where else can you watch a magician, a singer, a family riding motorcycles in a giant ball, gymnastics, Latin dancing, three 6-year-olds rapping and a guy diving 40ft. into 12 inches of water, on the same show, on the same night? Only on America’s Got Talent. We find our favorite acts, and then we cheer them on as they move toward the finals.   We look forward to the acts that surprise you, like the little girl last year, Jackie Evancho. She walks onstage and looks like the cutest little girl you’ve ever seen, then she sings opera like a seasoned veteran of the stage. Or, this year, the guy walks on stage, an African American, with dreadlocks past his shoulders, who looks like he just walked in off the street, and then he sings, “My Kind of Town” and you swear you’re hearing Frank Sinatra. We love that show.

Life is like that. I get surprised every day. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” That tells me that God’s criteria is not the same as ours. God looks at what He can do through people, not what people can do on their own. God looks for people that will be willing to give their lives to Him so He can mold them into something useful and be able to fulfill God’s purpose for their life. That’s what makes church so interesting. Just like America’s Got Talent, you never know what you’re going to get. And people will always surprise you.

At our church, we are studying through the book of  Ephesians. Ephesians 2:21-22 says this, “In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him, you, too, are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” What Paul is saying is that God, not you or I, chooses who He wants to use. He says, “You, too, are being built together.” There is a place for you! He needs all kinds of stones for his dwelling.  Looking for a place to fit in, a place to feel loved and welcome? That word “built” actually means “fitted.” That’s what God wants to do with you. He wants to fit you, into His dwelling. That’s why I love our church, like Americas Got Talent, you find the variety that makes God’s family so wonderful.

Deron Peterson is is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach.

Braylan Fleming, 11, of Deerfield Beach, throws a pass under the watchful eye of Coach Fred Davis during the 11th annual Crockett Foundation Life Skills free football camp in Pompano Beach. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Zack Crockett and his brother, Henri, were back at it again – doing what they do best. The two Blanche Ely grads, and former NFL football players, were at the 4-fields complex in Pompano Beach recently hosting their annual free football camp.

The 11th annual Crockett Foundation Life Skills free football camp in Pompano Beach attracted 500 youths ranging in age from 6 to 16 from throughout South Florida.

“We are just going to keep pressing forward and passing the torch to the young guys coming out so they see how we do it and then they keep it going,” said Zack Crockett, 38, who spent 13 years in the NFL and is now a scout for the Oakland Raiders.

“We are just trying to help the kids and let them know they have a chance to do great things, as long as they take care of the grades and let their athletic ability take care of itself.”

Youngsters took part in everything from running 40-yard dashes to obstacle courses. They were schooled in running, catching, throwing, and then Zack Crockett pulled them aside and spoke to them about the importance of school and being a role model. The day ended with a 7-on-7 tournament.

Crockett said the kids got free food, T-shirts and customized football mouth pieces provided by TAPOUT. They also had an opportunity to play video games in a truck.

Among the other athletes volunteering was Isaac Bruce, 38, who spent 16 years in the NFL for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

“We were goal-minded and one of those goals was to play in the NFL,” Bruce said. “The mentality has changed, and that is why people like Zack and Henri and Al (Harris) all come back to remind them. I think us being here gives them hope and that is an important factor. We teach them faith.”

Bruce said their main focus is to make sure they become productive citizens.

“I think it is a no-brainer for us to be here because we know we are doing this for the kids,” Bruce added. “We want to try and build character. We didn’t have anything like this when I was growing up, not to this extent. We did have guys from the Dolphins, who would come and talk to us at the high schools sometimes, but, here, we get their full attention. They get our full attention.”

Henri Crockett, 36, a 1992 Ely grad, said they have contributed more than $500,000 to the community through their foundation, although they have only been able to generate about $40,000 in contributions. They have two reading centers for local youths. Crockett said their mother, Sylvia Ann Hall, instilled good family values.

They will also host the 3rd Annual Family and Health Community Festival this Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pompano Citi Center, 1955 N. Federal Hwy. in Pompano Beach.

“We have fun each and every year,” Zack Crockett said. “The kids learn and they see different guys each year. The message we keep giving these kids is obviously working because they listen and they keep coming back.”

For more information visit their website at www.crockettfoundation.org.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Earlier this year, Superman talked about renouncing his U.S. citizenship, claiming to be a citizen of the world. A product of the DC Comic book universe, Superman seemed to forget that he was fighting for “Truth, Justice and the American Way.”

Perhaps seeking public relations leverage, Marvel Comics has unleashed Captain America: The First Avenger,  one of the most patriotic movies to be released in a decade. The American public rewarded Captain America with an impressive non-holiday box office gross of $65 million.

While this film is a stand-alone motion picture, it is part of the series of Marvel Comics movies released since 2008, (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor) that will lead to next Summer’s first blockbuster, in May 2012, The Avengers. Of all of the recent Marvel motion picture heroes, Captain America is easily the most likable.

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is the runt of Brooklyn, who wants to serve America during World War II. Despite the protests of Colonel Chester Philips (Tommy Lee Jones), research Professor Erskine (Stanley Tucci) sees a good heart in Steve Rogers and recruits the scrappy Dodgers fan for a special scientific experiment. With Howard Stark’s (Dominic Cooper) technical influence, the experiment is a success and Steve Rogers becomes known as Captain America.

First used as a propaganda tool, Captain America comes under the radar of the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), a villain who takes up where Adolph Hitler left off. As the Red Skull plots the destruction of America, Captain America recruits the Howling Commandos and kicks some “Nazi” butt.

Given his work with The Rocketeer, October Sky and Jurassic Park III, director Joe Johnson is perfect to bring both the spectacle and sensitivity to this picture.

The acting ensemble has fun with this film. Jones’s fast-talking delivery has audiences howling with laughter. As Iron Man’s daddy, Cooper does a good impression of his fictional son (played by Robert Downey Jr.)

Yet, this film belongs to Chris Evans and thrives because of his sincere performance. Captain America is what a summer Saturday matinee blockbuster should be.

For those who cannot get into Harry Potter, Captain America or Cowboys & Aliens this weekend,  the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival presents the 10th Annual French Film Festival at Cinema Paradiso July 28-31. 954-525–FILM or www.fliff.com.