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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Police Reports Second suspect pleads guilty in cartel grow case City may restrict outdoor pot growing Middle school to sell discounted books What are your hopes for the new governor? Education Middle school to sell discounted books AHS Principal Zundel up for national award Library receives grant AHS students get the skinny on wide range of jobs during career day Levy supporters kick off campaign Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban Grant will help restore 'legacy' oak habitat in Southern Oregon and Northern California Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Mt. Ashland Ski Area announces layoffs Business Sammich does it Chicago-style Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan GT-R Ride & Drive: 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Silvio Calabi: Range Rover Sport, the off-road GT Where do Ashland’s top chefs go to dine? Politics and elections Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Sadness, relief greet Kitzhaber resignation locally Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation State News Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Federal investigation of Kitzhaber to focus on potential financial crimes Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Legislative leaders join in call for Kitzhaber resignation (updated) Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Death Notices Dominick (Nick) Dante Amorelli Arlene M. (Ryan) Mills Michael Wayne South Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Grizzlies suffer another tough loss; SOU softball team sweeps BC Former Trail Blazer Kersey dies at 52 His time to shine OSU's Reid reconciles past with present SOU hires first men's soccer, women's wrestling coaches High school Grizzlies suffer another tough loss; SOU softball team sweeps BC Millers smother Grizz on senior night Crater girls, boys cruise to victory in Midwestern League blowouts Grizz boys' upset bid falls just short in loss to Churchill Layton picks Western Oregon Southern Oregon University Grizzlies suffer another tough loss; SOU softball team sweeps BC His time to shine OSU's Reid reconciles past with present SOU hires first men's soccer, women's wrestling coaches Raiders perfect on senior day Voices Latest Stories Our view: GOP's last gasp on low carbon fuel bill GOP sometimes just can't help itself Editor's notes: Want to make your own newspaper? Feb. 18: Letters to the editor Our view: Mt. Ashland shines Editorial Our view: GOP's last gasp on low carbon fuel bill Our view: Mt. Ashland shines Our View: Pooling resources Our View: Support schools — again Our View: Kitzhaber's Delilah? Letters Feb. 18: Letters to the editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 14 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 11 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 10 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Legal poisons in our waters Chris Honoré: Public schools: separate, still unequal Guest Opinion: Why so anxious to tax marijuana? Herb Rothschild Jr.: A good day for peace Guest Opinion: A message to my health care colleagues Columns GOP sometimes just can't help itself Editor's notes: Want to make your own newspaper? Council Corner: Yes on welcome center Chris Honoré: The perils of religious hubris Workers need more power Revels Latest Stories Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Moore's journey is moving in 'Still Alice' 'Much Ado About Nothing' kicks off OSF's 2015 season A look at the first plays SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Theater 'Words' wordsmith went from copywriting to playwriting 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Looking inside yourself and finding a character is magic Classics, premiers highlight 2015 season for OSF Music Victor D. Infante: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, some favorite breakup songs The Farr Side: Smith dominates, Beck surprises at Grammys Frisell brings fine-tuned act to Armory The Farr Side: Trainor building a music niche Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Movies Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Moore's journey is moving in 'Still Alice' Movie review: ‘Fifty Shades’ of boring Movie review: ‘Kingsman’ transcends spy-movie tribute status Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Suzette Martinez Standring: The human voice Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business NEWS NOW Calendar: Thursday, Feb. 19 ... Second suspect pleads guilty in cartel grow case ... City may restrict outdoor pot growing ... Calendar: Thursday, Feb. 19 ... Second suspect pleads guilty in cartel grow case ... City may restrict outdoor pot growing ... Movie review: 'Fifty Shades' of boring Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Feb. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Feb. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News By Al Alexander More Content Now S&M is supposed to be painful, but not as painful as “Fifty Shades of Grey.” It unleashes a world of hurt, whipping you about the eyes and ears until you plea for mercy, which never comes. And that’s just the sex. The story is even worse. It’s supposed to be a romance, but plays like a long, boring business meeting in which the naughtiest bits are raised not in the bedroom, but the boardroom, where contract negotiations stagger on over the proposed merger of his manacles to her wrists. Arresting, it’s not. Titillating? Perhaps just a bit. How could you not be impressed by the impossibly well-toned bodies of Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, both of whom throw modesty and their designer clothes to the wind. They may bare their skin, but the film never allows them to bare the souls of a pair of stock characters better suited to a Lifetime movie. She’s a naive virgin; he’s a worldly perv; but just what is it that makes Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey so appealing to the 100 million readers of E.L. James’ runaway best-seller? Having never read the book, I looked to director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel for answers, but they never offer a persuasive explanation. They mostly grasp to fill time between the much ballyhooed sex scenes, all of which are about as stimulating as a Cialis ad. They also share a strong allegiance to cliches, from Grey being a poor, sexually abused orphan who built himself into a 27-year-old techno giant, to Anastasia being a frightened fawn who buries her vast insecurities in English-lit novels. Both have mother issues, natch. His (a wasted Marcia Gay Harden) is over affectionate, hers (Jennifer Ehle) is so unfeeling she rudely skips her daughter’s graduation ceremony. And OMG! Is that really a mirror – a la Austin Powers – on Grey’s bedroom ceiling? All that’s missing is a cute puppy and a horndog BFF for Grey to confide. The movie also can’t seem to decide what it wants to be. At various times, it oscillates between drama, soft porn and romantic comedy, never establishing a clear identity. And don’t get me started on the coitus-interruptus ending that will satisfy no one but the studio hacks who mistakenly think it will make fans hungry for a sequel. More likely, they’ll be thirsting for a refund. More than anything, “Fifty Shades” lacks a reason to exist. It has no discernible story, no subtext and no point – beyond bringing a new meaning to “binding contract.” But most of what happens in Grey’s “playroom” stays in his playroom. All we get are tame shots of Anastasia bound and blindfolded. At one point, her arms are shackled to the ceiling, but the scene looks more like an outtake from “Zero Dark Thirty” than anything approaching erotic. Dornan doesn’t do himself any favors, portraying Grey without an ounce of pizzazz. When he drops the line, “I don’t do romance,” he’s not kidding. And what’s a sex movie without, excuse the pun, a penetrating leading man? Johnson, however, is a real find. Beautiful, charming and loaded with charisma, she’s the lone shining light. It’s almost eerie how much she reminds you of her mother, Melanie Griffith, especially given the similarities between “Fifty Shades” and “Working Girl,” which was also about a mousy woman learning to assert herself in the company of a stinking-rich suitor. Both films also share a love of money porn: the private jets and helicopters, the posh penthouses and exotic sports cars. But take away the cash, what do you have? In Dornan’s case, nothing. He’s so dull, and drags Johnson’s performance down so much, that when she says to Grey, “I need you to leave,” you nod your head in agreement and say, “You sure do!” FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (R for strong sexual content including dialogue, some unusual behavior and graphic nudity, and for language.) Cast includes Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan and Marcia Gay Harden. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Grade: C- DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Feb. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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