January 26, 2016 • Page 18 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com n movies From Page 17 Angry, funny and righteous, “The Big Short” features an impressive cast (Ryan Gosling, Steve Carrel, Christian Bale and more) playing the Wall Street insiders and outsiders who bet against the economy when they realized the housing market was a bubble on the verge of imploding. The willful ignorance and outright fraud that prevailed in so many sectors is maddening — even more so when you look back from our vantage point today and realize there were no lessons learned by many of our biggest players. The house always wins, and they are the house. As Mark Baum (played by Carrel) states: “As fun as it is to watch pompous, dumb Wall Streeters be wildly wrong … I just know that, at the end of the day, average people are going to be the ones that are going to have to pay for all of this, because they always, always do. … I have a feeling that, in a few years, people are going to do what they always do when the economy tanks. They will be blaming immigrants and poor people.” Sound familiar? 5. “Ex Machina” (available on DVD and on demand) I’ve long enjoyed Alex Garland’s work as a writer (“28 Days Later,” “Sunshine,” “Never Let Me Go”), and his debut as a director is no disappointment. First, a main character shares a first name with me. Three points for that. Second, it has great performances — especially Alicia Vikander as Ava — and takes a really measured look at the morality surrounding A.I. technology. It doesn’t depend upon special effects and action sequences to build suspense but rather our empathy as human beings. 4. “Room” (in theaters and available on demand) Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay put in incredible performances as a mother and son who are kept in captivity and yet, amidst this inhumanity, show us the great depths of the human spirit. In fact, if this film doesn’t have you in tears at some point, you might want to check your pulse. Though the premise may sound too dismal for some, there is so much light in this film that it would be a mistake to avoid it because of that fear. 3. “The Forbidden Room” (in theaters and available on demand) Guy Maddin concocts a fever dream of a movie that combines elements of silent film, German expressionism, 1950s-‘60s horror films, David Lynch and his own unique sensibilities. This film about a woman kidnapped by a band of thieves, amnesia, men stuck deep under the sea in a submarine and about 100 other things is so confounding, beautiful, funny and exhilarating that I immediately had to watch it a second time. If you’re looking for a narrative film that takes you on a sustained emotional journey, this is definitely not for you. But if you are like me and enjoy films that are unpredictable, challenging and unafraid of pursuing an artist’s vision, then you are in for a treat. 2. “Mad Max: Fury Road” (available on DVD and on demand) It’s the blockbuster hit you’ve been waiting for on this list! “Mad Max” was the rare combination of action, intelligence, acting and cinematic mastery that appealed to both critics and mainstream audiences. It stands as one of only two films I saw twice in the theater during 2015. (The other was “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” a film I really, really enjoyed and debated with friends but did not make the list.) I hope George Miller revisits this world because I’m dying to go back. Furiosa! Mad Max! The Doof Warrior (aka Guitar Guy)! Sorry, I got stuck in fanboy mode for a moment. 1. “Spotlight” (in theaters and available on demand) “Spotlight” is a must-see movie. It’s the most gripping film I saw all year, even though there is no gun play, car chases or explosions. It simply shows how real journalism is actually done (very rare in film and TV!), and demonstrates how a community did “the right thing” to help an institution they felt obligated to protect. However, they ended up failing the hundreds of children who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of priests. These Boston residents who may have been conflicted and/ or meant well were tools in helping Church officials cover up the allegations. Not only did Church officials go to great lengths to silence the victims and their families, but they also repeatedly put the priests accused of wrongdoing back into contact with children and gave parents no warning. The most heartbreaking and infuriating thing about this — as we’ve all learned in the last decade or so — is that the pattern of moving these accused priests around was not limited to Boston. It was happening in communities with Catholic churches all around the world. I feel that, in many ways, the public has not held the Church fully accountable for this horror. Nor do I feel that the Church has fully repented. Whether you agree or disagree with my heated opinions on this subject, don’t let that prevent you from seeing this powerful, nuanced film that is majestically directed by Tom McCarthy and features a plethora of great performances. “Spotlight” will be talked about for decades to come in the same reverent tones as that other great journalism film, “All the President’s Men.” Other movies that didn’t quite make the list are “The Revenant,” “The Hateful Eight,” “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” “Carol,” “It Follows,” “Timbuktu,” “Brooklyn,” “The Tribe,” “Phoenix,” “Tangerine,” “A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “The Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Sicario,” “45 Years,” “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” “White God,” “Heaven Knows What,” “Queen of Earth,” “While We’re Young,” “’71,” “The Martian,” “Bridge of Spies,” “The Look of Silence,” “Amy” and, believe it or not, many, many more … 3 Reasons to Shop at Small Businesses (StatePoint) Big box retailers may offer certain conveniences, but shopping at a small business near you can be more satisfying -- from the personal service received to the unique items you may find, not to mention that shopping on Main Street benefits the local economy. Here are some retail trends and other things to consider as you shop at your favorite small businesses. The Local Economy By supporting small businesses, you are supporting local job creation. In fact, small firms accounted for over three-fifths of the new jobs created between 1993 and mid2013, according to government statistics. Spending your shopping budget locally strengthens Main Street and can help your community’s economy thrive. New Technologies A common stereotype of mom and pop stores are that they are antiquated and overpriced, but many small businesses are adopting new technologies to streamline their operations; which can be an important consideration for shoppers in a hurry or on a budget. New Android based point of sale terminals, such as the ergonomically designed V-R7000 and V-R7100 from Casio have widescreen LCD touch panels, and an intuitive, highresolution interface for faster sales and fewer transactional snafus. For example, these terminals come equipped with a battery to protect memory data in the event of a power failure, and offer efficient store operations by eliminating common hardware problems experienced with PC based hardware. These information terminals can transform retail management and offer small businesses a chance to compete against their big box counterparts. Exclusive Items From the gift shop with handmade crafts made by neighborhood artisans, to the bookshop selling the works of local authors, shopping at small businesses means encountering items on sale that you won’t find elsewhere. Whether you’re redecorating your home or revamping your wardrobe, going local can help you get inspired. The next time you’re on a shopping spree, consider making a point of supporting your small, local businesses. ********************************************* Mercy Meals Yankton Mercy Meals Yankton is a nonprofit 501C3 corporation whose mission is to help feed children in need who are at risk for starvation. The meals consist of rice, soy meal, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins and minerals. The meals are packed by volunteers at space provided by Calvary Baptist Church in Yankton. Once packed, the meals are then transported to Haiti where they are distributed by Helping Hands for Haiti to over 1,000 children at the 6 schools they sponsor. Often, this may be the one main meal these children receive each school day. Mercy Meals packed their first meals in December 2011 under the name of Kids Against Hunger. Two years ago, the ministry changed affiliation to Orphan Grain Train and became Mercy Meals Yankton. This new partnership helps with all the transportation and logistics of getting materials into Haiti as Orphan Grain Train sends medical supplies, food, and clothing all over the world. If you would like to learn more about how you can help make a difference in the lives of children, please visit our web page at www.mercymealsyankton.org. Interested in more helping hands... this spot? certified public accountants Harry Lane, Electrical Contractor • Commercial • Residential • Farm Wiring • Prompt Service • Quality Work • Competitive Prices New Construction or Remodeling • Home 665-6612 USD Medical Student Pack - sponsored by Yankton Medical Clinic INTERESTED IN THIS SPOT? Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. For Flooring with a Professional Touch Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. 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