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Movie Review: 'Beastly' is likable modern day spin on popular fairy tale

The film "Beastly," currently playing at the Casino Fadango Galaxy multiplex in Carson City is a modern version of the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast." It's set in a high school context with Vanessa Hudgens a Lindy Taylor (the Beauty) and Alex Pettyfer (the Beast).

Pettyfer is popular, rich and just elected to president of the Green Society, and in nasty egocenteric speech tells the rest of the student that he is superior to them. He makes the mistake of offending Kendra Hilferty (Mary-Kate Olsen) who turns him into a much besmeared youth (witchcraft, you know) with suitable talk bout beauty skin deep.

Alex holes up in his father's digs where the maid Zola (Lisa Gay Hamilton) sees to his needs He also has a blind tutor Will (Neil Patrick Harris), courtesy of his uncaring father.

As he story develops Alex runs around in a black hood checking on Lindy, whose father is an addict, putting her in danger. He brings her to his pad and showers her with gifts, even building a house atop the penthouse. Lots of flowers there and some also on his arm (they bloom according to the actions he takes.)

Since we know how the fairy take turns out no surprises await us, but getting there is kind of leisurely fun. Hudgens is attractive and has a nice smile and kind of dimple. Peattyfer is sufficiently handsome to make the story hold together and whoever did the makeup on him used a lot of imagination — no beast look, as in Disney's version of the tale, but complex enough rot merit an Oscar next year.

Not a prize winner of movie but by putting it in a teen scene it does hold together well. Just kind of easy enjoyment if you're not too critical.

— Sam Bauman

Cast and crew:

— Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy Taylor, the main female character of the story.
— Alex Pettyfer as Kyle Kingson/Hunter, the handsome man with an ugly streak who gets transformed when he ditches a girl at his school.
— Mary-Kate Olsen as Kendra Hilferty, the eccentric girl behind Kyle's transformation.
— Neil Patrick Harris as Will Fratalli, Kyle's blind tutor
— Lisa Gay Hamilton as Zola, the Kingsbury's maid
— Peter Krause as Rob Kingsbury, Kyle's father
— Dakota Johnson as Sloane Hagen
— Erik Knudsen as Trey Madison
— Regina King as Letisha
— Roc LaFortune as Lindy's father
— David Francis as Dr. Davis
— Brian Eastman as Dan Granburg
— Gio Perez as Victor

Directed by: Daniel Barnz
Produced by: Susan Cartsonis and Roz Weisberg and Michael Flynn
Screenplay by: Daniel Barnz
Based on: Beastly by Alex Flinn
Music by: Marcelo Zarvos
Cinematography: Mandy Walker
Editing by: Thomas J. Nordberg
Running time: 95 minutes
Rated PG-13

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Join the Senator Youth Football Camp for K-8th graders. $80 covers 3-nights of camp from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., June 17, 18, and 19. Led by the CHS high school coaches and players, children will learn techniques for all positions, play games, and compete.

Carson High School Wrestling invites you to our annual Golf Tournament on June 15th, 2024, at Silver Oak Golf Course in Carson City. This event is crucial for our program's success as it serves as our main fundraiser.

Spring is in the air and with it, babies! Several new foals have been spotted among herds in Mound House and Dayton. Photos submitted by Gary K. Gundlach.

In April Carson City Moose Lodge #2709 selected its officers for 2024. Jeff Williams is the new President, Rosemarie Menapace, Vice President, David Wroth, Sgt of Arms, Ron Rehn, Chaplain, Nathan Rakestraw, Treasurer, Allen Gosselin, Secretary.

On a sunny Saturday morning, 100 volunteer participants fanned out across Lake Tahoe’s South Shore to take water quality samples from 34 streams, creeks, ponds, and lakes to monitor the health of the Truckee River watershed and Lake Tahoe as part of the 24th annual Snapshot Day. They were joined by teams doing the same tests simultaneously in other regions of the watershed.

Just before noon on Tuesday a crash with injuries was reported on the I-580 on ramp from N. Carson Street.

According to dispatch there are two vehicles involved, one of which was towing a trailer.

Injuries have been reported and the number two lane is blocked.

Traffic cameras show vehicles are moving slowly but are able to get through to Washoe Valley.

Motorists must use caution in the area.

Reminder: Wednesday, May 15, will be Minimum / Early Release Days for all schools in the Carson City School District. Educators utilize this time for professional learning while students have the remainder of the day off.

Looking for programs to make your child’s summer more exciting and educational?
Why not enroll your children in Western Nevada College Continuing Education’s iLead and Summer Sports Camps?

Throughout Northern Nevada, seniors are finding fulfillment and purpose through giving back to their communities. Volunteerism among seniors in Northern Nevada isn't just an act of kindness; it's a pathway to enhanced well-being, social connection, and a legacy of service.

The Carson High School (CHS) Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) recognized Cadet Chief Petty Officer Vivi Mellow as its “Cadet of the Year” during its annual awards ceremony last Thursday in the Morse Burley Gymnasium at Carson High.

FISH will be closing ticket sales for the Historic Prison Breakout to benefit FISH at 4:30 PM on Friday May 17, 2024.

Are you ready for a unique summer camp experience, designed exclusively for adults? Sierra Nevada Journeys has just the thing! This perfect unwinding weekend awaits you, with no responsibilities other than showing up with your friends.

Join us from August 16 - 18, 2024, for a weekend in the mountains, free from all of those responsibilities.

With Nevada’s primary elections approaching, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) reminds community members that political signage is not allowed on state highway property.

Federal regulations and Nevada state law prohibit political and advertising signage on public highway property, including but not limited to political signs, yard sale/event signs, and realtor or business signage.

It is important to know that state road property often extends beyond the roadside, fence line, or sidewalk of interstates, freeways, highways, and urban state roads/streets.

The application deadline for Mile High Band Association’s 2024 Jazz & Beyond Festival art contest is Friday, May 31. Northern Nevada artists, including teachers and students are invited to apply, and participation is free.

Selected entries in the competition will be used to promote the festival, and the winning entry will be featured on the festival’s advertising poster and program cover. Festival T-shirts may also feature the winning design.

The Sierra Nevada section of the Society of Women Engineers recognized several Carson City students and one teacher at the 2024 Night of STEM Star Awards in Reno, Friday, April 26.

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I usually whistle past the obituaries, but Larry Young caught my eye. He was a scientist who discovered Love Potion Number Nine. Yes, Larry unearthed a chemical that heightens desire, not that the world needs it. A drug that would diminish desire might do the world more good in the long run.

Today was a very productive day working in the yard. The cold weather kept me in far too long recently. I wanted to be outside. The temperature was perfect with a bright blue sky and little wind.

A local couple's efforts to get the flag on C-Hill in Carson City repaired is well underway, with the president of the C-Hill Foundation working on getting the needed material.

As the summer sun begins to heat up, so does the excitement at Dayton Pop Warner as local athletes gear up for a two-day strength and conditioning camp.

Sunday in Carson City brought out a black bear with a shiny brown coat that lumbered through a yard in early morning light, probably looking for breakfast.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of May 13-19, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

“Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through thousands of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors.” – National Park Trust

The wait is finally over. The second annual Mark Twain Days Festival returns to Carson City and Virginia City this weekend! Enjoy themed train rides, concerts, literature, book sales, kid's stories, and so much more all throughout the capital city and Virginia City.

Let's take a look at the full list of events for the weekend.

The Misfits Theater Group presents its 2024 Spring Production: Gold Casino or Bar Be Tender on the weekends of May 18-19 and May 24, 25 and 26, 2024.

UNR Extension Native Plant Sale

UNR Extension Master Gardeners of Douglas County are hosting a Native plant sale on Saturday, May 18 at the River Fork Ranch (The Nature Conservancy) located at 381 Genoa Ln. Minden, NV.

The event is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Carson High Youth Tennis Clinic

CHS Youth Tennis is hosting a clinic June 17, 18, 19, 20 from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. It's being hosted at the high school at 1111 Saliman Rd. Carson City NV

Please click to expand the flyer for sign up options.

Free History Slide Show: Reflections of Lake Tahoe Tuesday May 14, 1:30pm, at the Carson City Senior Center.

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After review of the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s recommendations and consideration by County Advisory Board’s to Manage Wildlife, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners has approved big game tag quotas for the upcoming 2024-2025 hunting season.

Once again our cat of the week is the winner of our Whisker Wednesday contest at Catmandu. Meet Cutie Pie. While she loves to be called Cutie, you can also call her Pie for short.