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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, March 7 Willow Wind students raise money for water Motorist who died Thursday was local craftsman Famed 'Star Trek' producer Harve Bennett dies in Medford Jacksonville plans to buy more Lost Creek Lake water Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 7 Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Convicted rapist gets life without parole Learn to protect yourself in free class on identity theft Politics and Elections Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Education Willow Wind students raise money for water District considers options to keep school tracks open, safe Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? 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Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love TMTO presents 'Bye Bye Birdie' 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment Music ZEPDRIX! at the Historic Ashland Armory The Bee Eaters play Headwaters Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays the Craterian Theater Live Music in Local Clubs Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state ... Famed 'Star Trek' producer Harve Bennett dies in Medford ... Jacksonville plans to buy more Lost Creek Lake water ... Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state ... Famed 'Star Trek' producer Harve Bennett dies in Medford ... Jacksonville plans to buy more Lost Creek Lake water ... MOVIE REVIEW 'Focus' is pure fun to watch By Chris Honoré for Revels MailTribune.com By Chris Honoré for Revels Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Chris Honoré for Revels Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Focus; 105 min; Rated R Now that the Oscars ceremony has concluded, it’s not uncommon to assume that we’re in the winter doldrums. The releases from this point forward will be film-lite, mere filler until the late spring and early summer big-tent movies arrive. So it’s a pleasant surprise when a film such as “Focus” appears, starring two actors, Will Smith and Margot Robbie, who both possess the “it” factor, meaning onscreen luminescence that oh so convincingly captivates and fills the screen. It doesn’t hurt that this movie is as slick and shiny as lip gloss and unrelentingly engaging. You can almost hear the audience say, during act one, “Oh, yeah. I’m in.” Smith portrays Nicky Spurgeon, a seasoned grifter who is running a New Orleans crew specializing in stolen credit cards, jewelry, watches and wallets. Robbie is Jess Barrett, a small-time hustler who meets Nicky cute and decides she wants to move up, improve her skill sets, and convinces him to mentor her in the dark arts of graft. Looking at Jess, well, how can Nicky refuse? And so they become a team, and the film takes off as Nicky and Jess repeatedly ask themselves the question whether trust is possible between two people who are slick as black ice while working their schemes and running their scams. Truth and honor among thieves is generally not an option. One hustle takes place in a Super Bowl mega-box where Nicky finesses a wealthy Asian gambler (B.D. Wong), leading him into making a huge bet that is so improbable and ridiculous and wonderfully executed that it seems actually believable. But then the viewer is by now completely on board with whatever Jess and Nicky do as long as they do it together. These two are having way too much fun, and Jess is the ideal foil and often more surprised than the mark as Nicky works his magic. Every setup shines like a commercial for ultra-sheen hair products. “Focus,” by way of contrast, is a long way from the gritty, dark side of the moon themes of, say, Dennis Lehane and his latest novel adaptation, “The Drop,” which was compelling and typical of the gangster genre. “Focus” is closer to “The Sting” or the “Oceans” franchise wherein the schemers work with a crooked smile, lots of hutzpah, and rely on their plan, sweetened with their flimflam banter, rather than their muscle. Mayhem and muscle are unnecessary. OK, there is a little blood. But no serious harm is done. “Focus” moves from New Orleans to Buenos Aires, involves double- and triple-crosses leavened with fast and furious Grand Prix racing. It’s all breezy and entertaining, and if there’s a template, it’s the film “Out of Sight,” with Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney, who also have the “it” factor that makes them so watchable in whatever role they assume. Tangentially, Robbie is not only gorgeous to look at, but she can act (as she did so well in Martin Scorsese’s “Wolf of Wall Street”) and is the perfect counterweight to Smith’s seemingly duplicitous Nicky. So, if you love going to the movies, and your expectations have now been appropriately adjusted post-Oscar, “Focus” is an ideal choice.   By Chris Honoré for Revels MailTribune.com By Chris Honoré for Revels Posted Mar. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. 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