Page 6 June 23, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Beauty is, Literally, in the Eye of the Beholder in Stylish, Hypnotic “The Neon Demon” By Morgan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com After the credits roll and the lights come up, the older man sitting next to me says “So what’s for dinner?” and had we not just seen “The Neon Demon,” I may have said something like spaghetti and meatballs, but all I can muster up now is a slight chuckle while trying not be sick. Days later, I find that I’m still trying to ‘digest’ the visual rollercoaster that is „The Neon Demon.“ Elle Fanning plays Jesse, a small town girl with big dreams of making it as a top model in Los Angeles. Her doe-eyed innocence and all around aura seem that of a porcelain doll, and at 16, she is quickly becoming the industry‘s next „It Girl.” Her sudden rise to fame doesn‘t come without dangerous consequences. Jesse befriends the well-intentioned makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone) but is met with thinly veiled jealousy by the other genetically gifted blonde beauties, Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee). Playing into the cattiness of the fashion world and its unattainable ideal of beauty, the girls‘ relationship with Jesse is a mix between „Heathers“ meets „Mean Girls,” but far darker. We‘re talking necrophilia, physical torture, and other bizarre abstractions. At one point, Jesse is pressured by the famed yet creepy photographer Jack (Desmond Harrington) to strip naked while he rubs gold paint over her body in the name of “art.“ Sure it is evocative, but also quite disturbing. Not only is she underage, but instructed by her agent Jan– played by Christina Hendricks– to tell everyone she is 19 “because 18 is too on the nose.” She is fragile, literally a blank canvas slowly being stained by the industry and everything it stands for before our very eyes. It is at this point that we see Jesse’s transformation. Humility turns into confidence, that turns into entitlement, and the light that once illuminated her, fades. Director Nicolas Winding Refn‘s latest cinematic experience (just saying ‚film‘ seems to downplay his work) is more twisted and bizarre than others in his repertoire. He does again, however, manage to capture in his characters that unique feeling of emptiness within chaos, which made „Drive“ and „Only God Forgives“ memorable, for better or for worse. The performances from everyone involved, including Keanu Reeves as a sketchy motel owner and Alessandro Nivola as a major fashion designer, play well against Refn’s aesthetically ambitious vision. As the title suggests, neon hues are present in almost every scene, often a moving gradient like the screensaver of a 95 Macintosh computer. I also feel obligated to mention that there are also multiple scenes with bright, unrelenting flashing lights that may cause seizures (now you’ve been warned!). And for as much as fashion and beauty are eroticized by the actions of the characters, Natasha Braier’s artfully realistic cinematography adds sophistication and unpredictability to the film. While visually inspiring, there is not much of a narrative to follow, so those looking for a story in the traditional sense may find this film as vapid as the fashion industry it sartorially mocks. Any attempt to fully critique or even make sense of what is going on in the narrative can cause even more confusion. The result is that the audience just needs to go along for the ride in order to enjoy it. Perhaps this is a case of style over substance? But you’ve got to hand it to Refn, he is certainly far more than a typical “director,” he is a creator of cinematic worlds. Although I’m not speaking from experience, one could safely assume that “The Neon Demon” may best be enjoyed on an empty stomach and with some type of hallucinogenic? ‘The Neon Demon’ is rated R for disturbing violent content, bloody images, graphic nudity, a scene of aberrant sexuality, and language. In theaters Friday, June 24. • Film Review Elle Fanning in “The Neon Demon.” Courtesy of Broad Green Pictures. City Council from front page supporting the fee reduction, Mayor Pro Tem Drew Boyles opined that the City has “bigger fish to fry.” Councilmember Mike Dugan later displayed a $1 bill that he said could cover the next year’s rent. Also on Tuesday, the Council granted a request from Pacific Corporate Towers to install identification signage atop a building at 100 North Sepulveda Boulevard. Though in compliance with City code related to location and type, the sign (which will read “Guthy/ Renker”) required Council approval because it exceeds 500 square feet. In a related issue, “After stating that he didn’t understand why the City would need to impose fees after negotiating a “$115 million agreement” with Chevron, Councilmember Don Brann made the motion to set the Co-Op rate at $1.” staff will also begin the process of examining potential changes to the City’s signage ordinance in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision in Arizona. The ruling calls into question to what extent municipalities can regulate signage content. Fuentes and Brann said no to a local resident’s application for a special peddling permit to sell frozen pudding at certain events. Brann, who reminded the audience that a similar dissenting vote during his first term regarding an ice cream vendor became his “most infamous action,” went on to explain his stance on the matter. He stated concerns about safety (i.e. kids running across the street to get dessert) and taking potential monies away from teams trying to sell their own food or businesses that pay rent. He also didn’t want to go down the path of granting permits and end up similar to places like Lennox. The Council majority ultimately approved the item. Boyles said the vendor in question might not otherwise have the means to keep his business going and that it is “unfair to single out an operator.” During reports, City Manager Greg Carpenter provided updates on ongoing projects—including construction on Richmond Street that was delayed at least two weeks when the main contractor asked to replace the electrical subcontractor. He said the matter is now resolved, with work now in the second of four segments on the 100 block. Carpenter estimated that crews will begin the 200 block next month starting with removal of all the ficus trees. Other projects in progress include water main replacements on Center Street near the schools, sewer repairs in the east side residential area, and various sidewalk fixes. Upcoming will be library window replacement this month, Joslyn Center elevator refurbishing in July, storm drain catch basin installation in August, and ADA ramp additions in September. The Council, at the behest of Boyles and Councilmember Carol Pirsztuk, directed staff to develop a recommendation for expanding membership within the Technology Subcommittee to include local industry representatives and residents—as a way to tap into the wealth of IT knowledge and experience within the community. Boyles also received his colleagues’ blessing to have staff draft a proposal to form an Arts and Culture Advisory Committee to enhance opportunities and community/stakeholder input as El Segundo’s art scene continues to blossom. Fuentes and Dugan were open to the idea, but emphasized their opposition to using City funds towards the arts. During presentations, the Council recognized Los Angeles Air Force Base 61st Air Base Group Commander Colonel Donna L. Turner for her leadership efforts and role in establishing a partnership with the City. Colonel Turner, who is leaving the Base to take a new assignment in San Antonio, received an honorary key to the City from Mayor Fuentes. The Council also issued a proclamation to The Boeing Company as the latter will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding on July 15. Boeing representative Thor Kissman spoke of the breadth of the company’s products and philanthropic efforts. He also reported that it will host the upcoming Aerospace Summer Games, taking place on July 16 at Dockweiler Beach. A final proclamation noted that July is National Park and Recreation Month. City Recreation Supervisor Jesse Bobbett listed several upcoming events including the July 4 Celebration as well as Concerts in the Park July 10 and 24. He thanked Chevron, Kumon and Scot Nicol Real Estate for sponsoring several events to keep those going. Finally, Sam Pena of Consolidated Disposal Services announced that trash/recycling pick-up will be delayed by one day during the entire week of July 4. He added that the next Community Shred Day will take place at the City parking lot (Holly and Standard) on July 9 from 10 to 1. • PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE INVITING SEALED BIDS FOR THE ADA CURB RAMP INSTALLATION (PHASE II) PROJECT IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO PROJECT NO.: PW 15-24 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECT NO.: 601718-15 The City of El Segundo is accepting sealed bids in the City Clerk’s office, 350 Main Street, El Segundo, California 90245, until 11:00 a.m. on: TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2016 at which time they will be publicly opened. Bids will not be accepted after that time. As described in the Bidding Documents, the bids are for a public works project (“Project”) which consists of installation of ADA ramps and related work as shown on the plans on file with the City’s Public Works Department. Work on the Project must be performed in strict conformity with Specifications No. PW 15-24 as adopted by the El Segundo City Council on February 2, 2016 which is filed with the Public Works Department. Copies of the Plans, Specifications, Contract Documents and Engineer’s estimate are available from the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, City of El Segundo, 350 Main Street, El Segundo, California, 90245. Plans And Specifications are alternately available electronically via http://www.elsegundo.org/depts/works/ project_request_contact_form.asp A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:00 am, in the City Council Chambers, 350 Main Street in El Segundo, CA 90245. Bidders’ attendance at this meeting is not mandatory. Questions regarding the bid shall be submitted by 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2016 to http://www.elsegundo.org/depts/ works/project_request_contact_form.asp. The terms and conditions for bidding on the Project are described in the attached Bidding Instructions. This project requires payment of State prevailing rates of wages for Los Angeles County. The contractor must post copies of the prevailing schedule at each job site. Copies of these rates of wages are available from the State of California Department of Industrial Relations Prevailing Wage Unit, Telephone No. (415) 703-4774. The website for this agency is currently located at www. dir.ca.gov. Note that the Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by California Department of Industrial Relations. Pursuant to California law, the City must find bids failing to comply with all applicable Labor Code requirements including, without limitation, Labor Code §§ 1725.5 and 1771.4 to be nonresponsive. The contractor to whom the contract is awarded must assist in locating, qualifying, hiring and increasing the skills of minority group employees and applicants for employment, as set forth in Executive Order 11246 and 11375. Any contract entered into pursuant to this notice will incorporate the provisions of the State Labor Code. Compliance with the prevailing rates of wages and apprenticeship employment standards established by the State Director of Industrial Relations will be required. Affirmative action to ensure against discrimination in employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, or religion will also be required. The City of El Segundo hereby affirmatively ensures that minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this notice and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, or religion in any consideration leading to the award of contract. Prevailing Wage: This is a federally assisted construction contract. Federal Labor Standards Provisions, including prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts will be enforced. In the event of a conflict between Federal and State wage rates, the higher of the two will prevail. The Contractor’s duty to pay State prevailing wages can be found under Labor Code Section 1770 et. Seq. and Labor Code Sections 1775 and 1777.7 outline the penalties for failure to pay prevailing wages and employ apprentices including forfeitures and debarment. Five percent (5%) will be deducted from each progress payment and retained by the City. The remainder less the amount of all previous payments will be paid to the Contractor. Pursuant to Public Contracts Code (“PCC”) § 22300, the Contractor may substitute securities for retention monies held by the City or request that the City place such monies into an escrow account. The Contractor is notified, pursuant to PCC § 22300, any such election will be at the Contractor own expense and will include costs incurred by the City to accommodate the Contractor’s request. In entering into a Public Works contract, or a subcontract, to supply goods, services, or materials pursuant to a public works contract, the Contractor, or Sub-Contractor, offers and agrees to assign to the awarding body all rights, title and interest in, and to, all causes of action it may have under Section 4 of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. Section 15) or under the Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 [commencing with Section 16700] of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code), arising from purchases of goods, services, or materials pursuant to the public works contract or the subcontract. This assignment shall be made and become effective at the time the awarding body tenders final payment to the Contractor, without further acknowledgment by the parties. Bids must be prepared on the approved Proposal forms in conformance with the Instructions to Bidders and submitted to the City Clerk, 350 Main Street, City of El Segundo, in a sealed envelope plainly marked on the outside: ADA CURB RAMP INSTALLATION (PHASE II) PROJECT “SEALED BIDS FOR PROJECT NO.: PW 15-24 (CDBG) PROJECT NO.: 601718-15 IN THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO DO NOT OPEN WITH REGULAR MAIL” The bid must be accompanied by a bid bond, made payable to the City of El Segundo for an amount no less than ten percent (10%) of the amount bid for the base contract. No bid will be accepted from a Contractor who has not been licensed in accordance with the provisions of the State Business and Professions Code. For these projects, those acceptable classes of license shall be “A”, “C-8” or “C-12”. The successful Contractor and his Sub-Contractors will be required to possess the correct license for their project classifications, and valid City Business Licenses from the City of El Segundo. The City of El Segundo reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any irregularity, and to take all bids under advisement for a period of ninety (90) calendar days. Any contract entered into pursuant to this notice shall become effective or enforceable against the City of El Segundo only when the formal written contract has been duly executed by the appropriate officer(s) of the City of El Segundo. DATED this d ay of J une 23rd , 2016 . CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA Tracy Weaver, City Clerk El Segundo Herald Pub. 6/23, 6/30/16 H-25164
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