By Howie Nave 

Before the 90th Academy Awards show takes place this Sunday there’s another awards show happening the night before the Oscars that’s been around since 1981. Hollywood doesn’t like to give it much recognition.

Why? Well, unlike the Emmys and the Golden Globes that are a barometer of who might win at the Oscars, the annual Razzie Awards celebrates Hollywood’s worst movies and all those responsible for making it, so Hollywood would rather you skip that show.

But, c’mon, how many times have you gone to see a movie only to find out that it was so bad you wanted your money back? Exactly. Enter John Wilson who majored in film and television at UCLA and after graduation worked on film marketing campaigns so he knows a thing or two about the industry. And yes, he asked himself that same question after seeing a couple of turkeys and realized there were so many bad movies out there that a niche just had to be filled. That laid the foundation what would ultimately become the annual Razzie Awards.

This will be its 38th year. It has become an institution right up there with all those other award shows. But I digress. Let’s go back in time shall we? 

Sandra Bullock embraces her Razzie by giving the audience free DVDs of the bad movie. Photo/Provided

The year was 1981, the year “Mommie Dearest” and “Wolfen” were released. Wilson told me he’d had enough after seeing a double feature of “Xanadu” and “Can’t Stop the Music” and the theater owner wouldn’t give him his money back when he asked for a refund. Granted it was 99 cents, but it was the principle. While driving home he thought about how bad those movies were and then thought of other equally bad flicks as well such as “Raise the Titanic,” “Saturn 5” and Neil Diamond’s “The Jazz Singer” among others. Wilson crystallized that idea at his next Oscar after party potluck that he had been having in his living room, but in 1981 this time almost as a goof came up with the idea of creating ballots that he passed out to his friends (who thought it was hysterical) for some of the worst flicks and as simplified as it sounds the very first Golden Raspberry Awards program (Razzie for short) was born. 

This marks the 13th or 14th year that Wilson and I have had our annual chat regarding the worst movies that Hollywood turns out each year. We could easily go on for hours taking turkeys a part because some years the bad movies seem to outnumber the good ones. I can’t believe how many movies released this past year were either sequels, prequels, re-boots or movies based on old television sitcoms that weren’t that great to begin with. Nowadays it’s all about creating the franchise, which is why when I reviewed Tom Cruise’s “The Mummy” (remade pretty close to the Brendan Fraser franchise which I thought was pretty good) I felt 10 minutes into that turkey it had a forced feel to it wanting, no begging you, the moviegoer to want this to become the latest franchise to join his “Mission: Impossible” and “Jack Reacher” franchises. So, I was not surprised that Cruise’s “Mummy” has been nominated at this year’s Razzies for worst picture, worst actor (Cruise), worst supporting actor (Russell Crowe), worst supporting actress (Sofia Boutella who is the first female Mummy), worst director (Alex Kurtzman), worst screenplay and my favorite, worst remake, rip-off or sequel.  

At least Cruise has been spared being nominated or winning the most Razzie awards for worst actor. That distinction goes to Madonna whose record could stand for quite awhile. The Material Girl has nine wins and 15 Razzie nominations to her credit. She received her first Razzie for 1987’s “Shanghai Surprise” and wound up winning in the worst actress category the following year as well for “Who’s That Girl.” A few more nominations and wins later and Madonna found herself the recipient of the worst actress of the century award beating out Brooke Shields and Elizabeth Berkley, among others.

In the male category Sylvester Stallone has eight wins with an incredible 22 nominations. He received his first nomination and win for the 1985 bomb “Rhinestone” and trust me, that was a tough movie to sit all the way through. I wanted to yell, “Yo, where’s Adrian?” 

Howie Nave and Razzie founder John Wilson. Photo/Provided

For years Wilson has extended an invite to attend his annual tradition and I finally took him up on his offer a few years back and had a blast. Like the Oscars there were singers and sketches. Just down the street where I was the red carpet was already rolled out for the stars that would make their way for Hollywood’s best movies. Very surreal to say the least. There have been many Razzie highlights over the years; Wilson telling me that at the 24th Razzie Awards actor Ben Affleck was up in the worst actor category for his performances in the movies “Gigi,” “Daredevil” and “Paycheck” (which I kinda liked actually because of the time travel significance). Affleck was on “Larry King Live” in 2004 and a perplexing looking Larry King (who seemed to have no idea what a Razzie was) gave Affleck his trophy live on-air.

Wilson has a lot of friends in the business and Affleck’s trophy found it’s way to King’s desk. Affleck commented that the trophy was kinda cheap looking and it fell apart (or he broke it on air ,I forget) and left it there. The very resourceful Wilson was able to get Affleck’s trophy back and he put it up on eBay, raising well over a thousand dollars auctioning off this Razzie, enough to rent the Ivar Theater for the 2005 Razzie Awards. But wait, there’s more.

The following year actress Halle Berry made a surprise appearance to accept her worst actress Razzie award for “Catwoman” and while holding her “Monster’s Ball” Oscar from 2001 with her Razzie trophy in the other gave a speech that would’ve made a sailor blush. It was all in good fun and gave The Razzie Awards are a ton of good willed credibility.

The biggest had to be at the 2010 Razzie Awards where actress Sandra Bullock showed up accepting her award for worst actress from the movie “All About Steve.” Her speech was classic saying she didn’t believe that all 700 of the Golden Raspberry Committee’s voting members had watched her movie so she wheeled out a Radio Flyer red wagon with DVD copies of “All About Steve” and tossed them out to the very appreciative crowd. OK, that to me shows just how cool Bullock is, and the best part? The following night at the Oscar Awards she won for best actress in the movie “The Blindside.” Now that is classic folks.

By the way, actress Meryl Streep has never been nominated for a Razzie and Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” (1987) is still the only film to win both an Oscar and a Razzie. Michael Douglas won best actor at the Oscars for his role in that movie, but his co-star, Daryl Hannah was nominated and won a Razzie for worst supporting actress. 

Here’s a list for this year’s lucky contenders: 

Worst Picture
“Baywatch”
“The Emoji Movie”
“Fifty Shades Darker”
“The Mummy”
“Transformers XVII: The Last Knight”

Worst Actress
Katherine Heigl — “Unforgettable”
Dakota Johnson — “”Fifty Shades Darker
Jennifer Lawrence — “Mother!”
Tyler Perry — “BOO! 2: A Medea Halloween”
Emma Watson — “The Circle”

Worst Actor

Tom Cruise — “The Mummy”
Johnny Depp — “Pirates of The Caribbean XIII: Dead Men Tell No Tales”
Jamie Dornan — “Fifty Shades Darker”
Zac Efron — Baywatch”
Mark Wahlberg — “Daddy’s Home 2 & Transformers XVII: The Last Knight”

Worst Supporting Actor 

Javier Bardem — “Mother” and “Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”
Russell Crowe  — “The Mummy”
Josh Duhamel — “Transformers XVII: Last Knight”
Mel Gibson — “Daddy’s Home 2”
Anthony Hopkins — “Collide”and “Transformers XVII: Last Knight”

Worst Supporting Actress

Kim Basinger — “Fifty Shades Darker”
Sofia Boutella — “The Mummy”
Laura Haddock — “Transformers XVII: Last Knight”
Goldie Hawn — “Snatched”
Susan Sarandon — “A Bad Moms Christmas”

Worst Screen Combo

Any Combination of Two Characters, Two Sex Toys or Two Sexual Positions — “Fifty Shades Darker”
Any Combination of Two Humans, Two Robots or Two Explosions — “Transformers XVII: Last Knight”
Any Two Obnoxious Emojis — “The Emoji Movie”
Johnny Depp & His Worn Out Drunk Routine — “Pirates of the Caribbean XIII: Dead Careers Tell No Tales”
Tyler Perry and Either The Ratty Old Dress or Worn Out Wig — “BOO! 2: A Madea Halloween”

Worst Remake, Rip-off or Sequel

“Baywatch”
“BOO 2: A Medea Halloween”
“Fifty Shades Darker”
“The Mummy”
“Transformers XVII: Last Knight”

Worst Director

Darren Aronofsky — “Mother!”
Michael Bay — “Transformers XVII: Last Knight”
James Foley — “Fifty Shades Darker”
Alex Kurtzman — “The Mummy”
Anthony (Tony) Leonidis — “The Emoji Movie”

Worst Screenplay

“Baywatch”
“The Emoji Movie”
“Fifty Shades Darker”
“The Mummy”
“Transformers XVII: The Last Knight”

In case you skipped it, go back and check out the Worst Screen Combo category and chuckle along with me at some of the items nominated? If you’d like to become a voting member of the Razzies, go online. If you’d like to hear my chat with Razzie founder John Wilson, tune in this Friday on my morning radio show, Howie’s Morning Rush here in South Lake Tahoe on 93-9 KRLT The Lake or listen in the online worldwide (starting at 6:45am PST). To hear our annual conversation uncensored, check out my podcast Friday afternoon where the entire one hour chat will be uploaded. Where? At Howie’s High Sierra Comedy Vault Podcast @ Howienave.com. 

Tahoe Improv Players are returning for the 25th year of comedy.

The first show of 2018 will be March 16 at Lake Tahoe Golf Course in Meyers. Doors open at 7pm, show is at 7:30pm. The $15 tickets are available online. The shows are appropriate for all ages.

Six players of the original cast members are still with the troupe: Colin Burrows, Dave Hamilton, Johnny Bolton, musical director Fabrizio, and co-founders Gerry Orton and Frank Riley. Bbecause scenes are made up on the spot, every show is new.

In addition to the Lake Tahoe Golf Course show, the Tahoe iMPRoV Players, will perform shows in Valhalla’s Boathouse Theater as part of the Valhalla Tahoe Summer Arts Festival on June 30, July 10, July 24 and July 31.

Frankie

Frankie is an 8-month-old Catahoula leopard dog mix. He is an energetic and skinny puppy, and would benefit from some training. He prefers girl dogs to boys, and would probably chase cats.

Frankie had an injury on his hip that is still healing, but he has been checked by the vet and it should heal completely.

Frankie is neutered, microchipped, tested for heart worm, and vaccinated. He is at the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter in Meyers, along with other dogs and cats who are waiting for their new homes. Go to the Tahoe animal shelter’s Facebook page to see photos and descriptions of all pets at the shelter. 

Call 530.573.7925 for directions, hours, and other information on adopting a pet. 

For spay-neuter assistance for South Tahoe residents, go online. 

— Karen Kuentz

By Michael Rubinkam, AP

A library without books? Not quite, but as students abandon the stacks in favor of online reference material, university libraries are unloading millions of unread volumes in a nationwide purge that has some print-loving scholars deeply unsettled.

Libraries are putting books in storage, contracting with resellers or simply recycling them. An ever-increasing number of books exist in the cloud, and libraries are banding together to ensure print copies are retained by someone, somewhere. Still, that doesn’t always sit well with academics who practically live in the library and argue that large, readily available print collections are vital to research.

“It’s not entirely comfortable for anyone,” said Rick Lugg, executive director of OCLC Sustainable Collection Services, which helps libraries analyze their holdings. “But absent endless resources to handle this stuff, it’s a situation that has to be faced.”

Read the whole story

John Wagnon and Tim Cohee will be having a conversation about the ski industry on Feb. 28 at 7pm at Blue Angel Cafe’s upstairs loft in South Lake Tahoe.

After 45 years in the ski industry, Wagnon is now retired. He had virtually every ski job there is, most recently as the head of marketing for Vail Resorts in the Tahoe basin.

Cohee is one of the leading resort operators in the U.S., with 17 years as CEO of Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Now he is a partner at China Peak Ski Resort, and is director for Sierra Nevada College’s ski business and resort management program.

The discussion will include a look back at the last half century of skiing as a sport and business, as well as a preview for where the industry will go next.

Doors open at 6pm with happy hour. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted, with proceeds benefiting the Sierra Nevada Avalanche Center.

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander provides big bang for the buck. Photos/Larry Weitzman

By Larry Weitzman

We always hear the words bang for the buck or big value, but here is a vehicle that personifies the term, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. First it has good looks. The lines are pleasant with no chances taken. Its proportions are also about perfect. The window line, the two-box shape, the sleek grille into which the body protrudes a bit as the fenders round into its simple design. Bright metal adorns its extremities and a single upper character line is used to tie the vehicle together in one cohesive package. It is a good-looking ride, taking little chances. Many people asked what kind of SUV is that? It’s all good and Mitsubishi should be happy.

But what really makes this is reality. The price, which I will discuss first as its most important, is just $32,260, including the boat from Okazaki, Japan, for this 99 percent Japanese produce CUV. And it’s got everything standard including the $3,000 SEL Touring package which gives it things like collision warning, land departure warning, adaptive cruise, automatic high beams (a superb feature), glass moon roof, Rockford Fosgate audio, Multiview camera system, LED headlights and fogs and even a heated steering wheel. It even has a GPS which gives you lat/long coordinates down to the second, so if you were searching for a sub in the Pacific it would be great. But it didn’t have a moving map. What’s up with that?

In other words, $32 large gets you a loaded, AWD, yes AWD, big compact SUV with three rows of seats. Leather is also standard. Not much else comes close in value, maybe a Mazda CX-5 which is the top of the class, but even the Mazda doesn’t have Multiview.

Specifications
Price $32,260 all in
Engine
Inline four cylinder2.4L SOHC, 16 valve 166 hp @ 6,000
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,200 rpm
3.0L V-6 SOHC, 24 valve (GT model) 224 hp @ 6,250 rpm
215 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3,750 rpm
Transmission
CVT
Six speed automatic (V-6)
Configuration
Transverse mounted engine/front wheel/AWD
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.1 inches
Length 184.8 inches
Width 71.3 inches
Height 67.3 inches
Ground clearance 8.5 inches
Track (f/r) 60.6/60.8 inches
Weight 3,527 pounds
GVWR
Weight distribution (f/r) 56/44 percent
Fuel capacity 15.8 gallons (AWD)
Cargo capacity (behind first row/2nd row/3rd row) 63.3/34.2/10.3 cubic feet
Wheels 18X7 inch alloys
Tires 225/55X18
Steering lock to lock 3.3 turns
Turning circle 34.8 feet
Performance
0-60 mph 8.78 seconds
50-70 mph 4.58 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 8.18 seconds
Top speed Who cares. It will certainly out run a Brink’s truck
Fuel economy EPA rated at 24/29/26 mpg city/highway/combined Expect 26 mpg overall in rural/country/suburban driving. 32 mpg on the highway at legal speeds.

So, what’s the catch? It’s only a 2.4L (a 3.0L V-6 is optional) inline four banger, an engine designed by a consortium of Chrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. But it is surprising spunky, especially considering its meager 166 hp rating (at 6,000 rpm) and 162 pounds of twist at 4,200 rpm. But these are very big horses and pounds (sort of like the British pound in 1968). Driving all four wheels as the computer deems necessary via its all wheel control system through a CVT tranny there is no torque steer as it romps from 0-60 mph in 8.78 seconds. Not bad for a 3,500-pound CUV.

Passing is equally sprite with a 50-70 mph level run taking 4.58 seconds and the same run up a 6-7 percent grade only slowing that time by less than 4 seconds to 8.18 seconds. That’s what’s called overachieving. And it feels responsive, especially tip-in where it can sometimes really jump off the line. It has a very responsive throttle and during passing maneuvers going up the Sierra on Highway 50, the Outlander performed admirably. It is the little engine that could.

That little engine pays dividends in fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 24/29/26 mpg city/highway/combined, but it does much better averaging a good 26 mpg overall in aggressive driving and 32.1 mpg at a constant 70 mph on a level highway in a two-way run. The engine spins a reasonably low and inaudible 2,200 rpm at 70 mph. Backing those numbers up was a 30.3 mpg average for my entire 210-mile trip to Carson City and back, ascending the Sierras from both sides. Fuel tank is an average 15.8 gallons. A front wheel drive version gets 16.6 gallons. Go figure, it should be the other way around as the FWD should get another mpg or so.

If there is a downside to this Outlander, its handling. It has decent creds, all wheel independent suspension with stab bars at both ends, 18 x 7 inch alloys shod with 225/55 tires and it has a wide 61-inch track. But steering is a bit slow at 3.3 turns lock to lock and on center feel is only fair. There is too much play when going straight ahead, enough so I could notice and demonstrate with steering wheel movement. And handling seems more disconnect than other compact CUVs. If you are a boy racer, you might notice. Otherwise, I am just making mention. Turning circle is tight at under 35 feet.

Ride is another area the Mitsu suffers a bit. While it is smooth and quiet on smooth roads and even over mild undulations, heavy chop enters the cabin a bit more than in some others in this class. And it is running a slightly taller 55 series tire which should help. There is a bit more head tossing as well. Ten years ago, it would be considered a fantastic overall ride, but ah, progress.

Safety does not take a back seat even in the third row, Outlander has it all as mentioned about. About the only thing missing is lane keep assist, found in much more expensive rides. Its headlights are fantastic, with a sharp low beam cut off and a deep, wide breath. Even the LED parking/fog lights are remarkably bright. I almost drove with them only by mistake. Almost one foot in diameter disc brakes were excellent.

Interior is done with quality. Lots of soft touch on the dash and doors. Comfortable leather seats, while looking a bit flat actually do a great job in coddling your backside. Second row seat is also roomy, but the third row is good for pre-teens.

Instruments are simple, large, legible and well laid out with a tach and speedo flanking the multi-functional trip computer. Perfect. The center stack deserves special mention. While it’s a touch screen it is only of the most intuitive and easiest to use. The touch screen is basically electronic buttons. The HVAC below is knobs, dials and push buttons. Again, simple and perfect. It’s not a BMW which requires an instore “genius” a couple of hours to explain the systems.

Outlander can carry the load. Passenger volume is over 128 cubes and cargo behind the third row is still over ten cubes. Behind the first row with its flat floor is over 63 cubes and over 34 behind the second row. I had a 65-inch flat screen in the box easily stowed flat on the floor. It was during Black Friday and I got to the discount warehouse a half hour after opening at 7am, they had free coffee for everyone and I was in an out in about 15 minutes with a loader helping me put the TV in. Black Friday was a good Friday. He even knew how to drop the seats and asked about the Mitsu. He was impressed, more so when advised him of the sticker price.

It all adds up to the biggest bang for the buck, $32 large for a very competent, loaded, near luxo CUV. I can easily over look its small faults and just tell myself, so it won’t be my weekend track car, but it will do double duty as a fantastic family adventure vehicle, on and off road. And I won’t cry all the way to the bank.

Larry Weitzman has been into cars since he was 5 years old. At 8 he could recite from memory the hp of every car made in the U.S. He has put in thousands of laps on racetracks all over the Western United States.

This is the third year the Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Truckee will be hosted by Mountain Area Preservation.

The April 20 event will be from 5-9pm at the Community Arts Center.

That Friday, MAP kicks off the film festival weekend with three hours of films, a raffle, local entertainment, food and libations at the Community Arts Center. 

On April 22 from noon to 4pm MAP hosts a stewardship project at the Trout Creek Pocket park to clean up the creek, plant native species and celebrate Earth Day by giving back to the local watershed.

Tickets will go on sale March 5. For more info, go online.

The Women Who Dare podcast will feature to Tahoe women on March 6.

Kerry Gross, the host of Women Who Dare, spent five months riding 5,800 miles to meet and interview various women. She tells their stories through weekly episodes. 

Brandi Brown, founder and owner of Tahoe Production House, and Megan Michelson, freelance writer and co-founder of the Tahoe Mills co-working space, will be featured next month. Kerry interviewed both women in Tahoe just before departing on her cross-country ride.

Brown and Kerry talked about founding a business as a young woman, breaking into the film industry, and deciding to make Tahoe home. Michelson talked with Kerry about her journey into journalism and how to honor a subject while still telling a compelling story.

Kerry spent last winter seeking recommendations of women to include in the Women Who Dare project. Then, she used these recommendations to plan a route from San Francisco to Camden, Maine. From April to September, Kerry biked 5,800 miles (and used Amtrak to cover another 1,600 miles) to meet and interview more than 20 women.

Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Sierra Small Business Development Center to provide small business consulting in the South Lake Tahoe area.

The free consulting services are focused on helping clients create a feasible business model, assess business opportunities, determine financial needs, identify potential sources of financing, and design an effective strategy to market and grow. This includes meetings at the chamber office with consultants who specialize in public relations and digital marketing, traditional and alternative financing, and business startup. In addition, the full directory of 15 Sierra SBDC consultants is available to small businesses and entrepreneurs through remote access.

The Sierra SBDC, headquartered at the Sierra Business Council, serves a seven-county region in northeastern California including Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties.

To learn more or register, go online.

By Kathryn Reed

One Seattle couple has turned short-term rentals into their home.

For Debbie and Michael Campbell they call home someplace new every few days. They are traveling the world, going from one Airbnb rental to the next.

The couple, who is in their 60s, have written a book about their experience. “Your Keys, Our Home: The Senior Nomads Incredible Airbnb Journey (Elliot Bay Events, 2016).”

It’s part memoir, part how to use Airbnb, and a big part about how to be the best host – according to them.

They choose to primarily stay in an entire house/condo. But they want a lot from their hosts.

While I have rented a whole house before – some with better amenities than others – I don’t want interaction with the owner. This is why in some ways I found the Campbells’ desires a bit off-putting. I wouldn’t want hosts or potential hosts, as Airbnb calls owners, to think the Campbells represent all guests/renters.

What they are doing is interesting, but the book itself wasn’t that great of a read. It was a bit jumbled. I kept wondering where the editor was.

What was interesting was to learn about the different types of rentals and how they are just about everywhere one would want to travel.