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Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography.


With Dorianne Laux I've shared the experience of having a bird enraged at her reflection in a window. Laux lives in North Carolina and this is her third poem to be published in this column.

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ISLE OF DOGS (Rated PG-13)

Judging by his past work in such films as “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” writer-director Wes Anderson has a uniquely quirky style that has garnered him a cult audience following for those who enjoy something often pleasantly and oddly different.

His latest endeavor, the Japanese-themed stop-motion animation feature-length film “Isle of Dogs,” is definitely worth seeking out even if it may not immediately arrive at the local multiplex. This is one to savor and experience on the big screen.

Uniquely constructed in theme and style, “Isle of Dogs” is a visual treat, even if the settings are inordinately bleak, while the human characters speak Japanese with little if any translation.

Oddly enough, whatever is said by 12-year-old hero Atari (Koyu Rankin) and the corrupt Mayor Kobayashi (Kunichi Nomura), running Megasaki City with an iron fist, doesn’t really need subtitles, as the emotions they convey speak a universal language.

By executive decree owing to an outbreak of dog flu, the Mayor has banished all dogs to the isolated Trash Island. Young Atari, an orphan who has the misfortune of being a ward of the Mayor, makes off in a miniature plane to find his beloved canine Spots on the huge garbage dump.

The grungy mongrels Duke (Jeff Goldblum), Rex (Edward Norton), Boss (Bill Murray), and King (Bob Balaban) are all victims of the anti-dog hysteria fostered by the cat-loving Mayor Kobayashi. They take a keen interest in the arrival of the kid they call the Little Pilot.

Interestingly, the canines all speak English, which of course is essential to drive the storyline for the audience. Reluctantly joining the effort to find Spots is Chief (Bryan Cranston), a stray who is definitely the supreme alpha dog.

The scrappy pack of exiled dogs joins Atari on a perilous trek across Trash Island, a desolate wasteland that was once even occupied by a now-decaying amusement park, to combat robot dogs guarding the escape path.

There is much to love about this film, including the one human who speaks English, an exchange student (Greta Gertwig) crusading as a pro-dog activist and acting as the primary nemesis to the evil Mayor Kobayashi.

I would not consider myself a member of the Wes Anderson hardcore constituency but I have certainly enjoyed some of his films. “Isle of Dogs” ranks, in my mind, as one of his very best cinematic efforts on many levels. It’s definitely a must-see film.



‘DECEPTION’ ON ABC NETWORK

The ABC network’s new crime drama series “Deception” is a show about a disgraced magician turning his tricks into a useful enterprise of working with the government to trap and deceive criminals and spies that might not otherwise be caught by the authorities.

During the winter TV press tour, show creator Chris Fedak observed that capturing bad guys by using illusion seemed very much like a show they could call “Magician: Impossible.” This is an observation that obviously calls to mind the beloved “Mission: Impossible” series.

Remember that Martin Landau’s Rollin Hand used elaborate disguises and illusions to trick the bad guys into falling into his trap. That’s pretty much what happens when Cameron Black (Jack Cutmore-Scott) practices deception when he ends up consulting for the FBI.

Falling into a scandal within minutes of the opening scene of the first episode of “Deception,” Black is a popular Las Vegas illusionist (think David Copperfield) who stumbles badly when a dark secret of his success is revealed.

Catching the news coverage of an FBI mission gone wrong when an airplane carrying a most wanted fugitive explodes in a hangar, Black shows up at the crime scene and provocatively declares that law enforcement has been duped by a grand act of deception.

FBI agent Mike Alvarez (Amaury Nolasco) proves to be a big fan of Black’s TV specials, while fellow agent Kay Daniels (Ilfenesh Hadera) is a huge skeptic with zero interest in magic of any kind.

While Black still has a few tricks up his sleeve, he manages to convince the two federal agents that he might know something about how to make an airplane disappear, but head FBI agent Deakins (Laila Robins) throws cold water on any cooperation with a guy that has an ulterior motive.

For his part, Black favors dispensing weighty pronouncements like “magic is deception” and “our minds deceive us every day,” thus turning his showroom banter into a justification for the FBI to start using his services as a consultant.

Black brings along his team of magic act collaborators, including the always watchable Vinnie Jones, playing the growling yet somewhat lovable Gunter, to pad the federal payroll. While Black often preens for his newfound audience, it is a team effort in the end.

“Deception,” full of winks to sleight of hand nonsense, is patently absurd, but that’s not to say it is anything but plenty of fun as long as you are willing to suspend disbelief. It’s a show that seems promising for its entertainment value.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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The Mister Rogers Forever Stamp. Courtesy of the US Postal Service.

It really is “a beautiful day in the neighborhood” now that the U.S. Postal Service has immortalized Mister Rogers on a Forever stamp.

Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan dedicated the stamp honoring Fred Rogers Friday at the studio named in his honor where it all began 50 years ago — WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio in Pittsburgh.

“Mister Rogers and his Neighborhood of Make-Believe made the ups and downs of life easier to understand for the youngest members of our society,” said Brennan. “In Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, children learned, in a safe space, how to be a friend and create relationships. He shaped generations with his kindness and compassion. It’s why we honor him today.”

Joining Brennan in the dedication were The Fred Rogers Company President and CEO Paul Siefken, McFeely-Rogers Foundation Executive Director James R. Okonak and WQED-FM Artistic Director Jim Cunningham.

”We are proud to celebrate the enduring impact of Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with this new stamp from the United States Postal Service,” said Siefken. “Fred Rogers left an indelible mark on generations of young audiences through his groundbreaking series, and his timeless wisdom and important messages of inclusion and neighborliness remain just as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.”

America’s beloved television neighbor

Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children.

His groundbreaking public television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity and honesty.

Filmed in Pittsburgh and first distributed nationally in 1968 by a predecessor of the Public Broadcasting Service, the program was innovative and unlike anything on television for children at that time.

Each episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”began with its host welcoming the audience into his television house. While singing “Won't You Be My Neighbor?”

Rogers always put on his trademark cardigan, changed into sneakers and then introduced the day’s topic.

He discussed many of the experiences of growing up, delicately covering everything from sharing and friendship to difficult subjects like anger, fear and divorce.

The stamp features Walt Seng’s photograph of Rogers in a red cardigan and also includes puppet King Friday XIII, a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood character hailing from “The Neighborhood of Make-Believe.” The words “Forever” and “USA” appear in the left corner.

Each episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood began with its host welcoming the audience into his television “house.” While singing the show’s theme song “Won't You Be My Neighbor?,” which he composed along with hundreds of other songs, Rogers always put on his trademark cardigan, changed into sneakers, and then introduced the day’s topic.

He discussed many of the experiences of growing up, like sharing and friendship, and difficult subjects like anger, fear, divorce and death.

Every episode also featured a Trolley visit to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where the personalities and interactions of many characters helped impart real-life lessons.

Puppets like the self-important King Friday, wise Queen Sara Saturday, curious X the Owl, and shy Daniel Striped Tiger co-existed with human friends like King Friday’s niece Lady Aberlin and deliveryman Mr. McFeely.

Mister Rogers always managed to find wonder in seemingly everyday things, turning visits to factories, farms, and museums into engaging and educational journeys. Over the years, many guests, including famous musicians, artists, and authors, dropped by to visit Mister Rogers and share their talents.

New episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood aired nationally from 1968 to 2001. To generations of viewers who grew up enjoying his show, Rogers remains a beloved figure. Art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, designed the stamp.

The Mister Rogers stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks

Customers have 120 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at Post Office locations, at The Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724.

Customers must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to: FDOI – Mister Rogers Stamp, USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services, 8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64144-9900.

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by July 23, 2018.

Ordering first-day covers

The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the USA Philatelic publication and online at www.usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic publication online at www.usps.com/philatelic.

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