EL SEGUNDO HERALD August 30, 2018 Page 5
Entertainment
Film Review
Searching Is a Thriller from the
P.O.V. of Your Computer Screen
By Morgan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com
If you’re looking for one of the most original
films to hit the big screen this year, search
no further. The fittingly-titled Searching is a
“screen movie,” -- meaning the entire movie
is told from the point of view of a variety
Searching, Courtesy of Sony Pictures
of screen-based media, cutting between
laptops, smartphones, webcams and more to tell
the story of a father’s desperate search to find
his missing daughter. Much like how The Blair
Witch Project revolutionized the “found footage”
genre, Searching elevates the technology-based
storytelling genre to match how we as a culture
have come to communicate with each other
across formats in these times. Searching is
both a visually captivating feature film and
an emotionally riveting rollercoaster that will
stay with you long after watching.
David Kim (John Cho) is a father trying to
put the pieces of his life back together after
the unexpected death of his wife Pam (Sara
Sohn). Now a single father to their 16-year-old
daughter Margot (Michelle La), he struggles to
connect with the quiet and reserved high school
junior. Aside from their weekly TV nights
watching The Voice, David assumes Margot
is acclimating to this “new normal” on her
own terms and at her own pace. That is, until
Margot fails to return home from a study group
one night, prompting David to look for clues
as to her whereabouts through Margot’s past
and online history. This brings to light shocking
information that forces David to wonder whether
he ever really knew his daughter at all.
One woman attempting to help bring Margot
home is Detective Rosemary Vick (Debra
Messing), whose no-nonsense attitude clicks
with David’s unwavering parental protection
and determination. Together, they weed out
potential suspects, assemble search parties and
develop a platonic connection that is based on
their both being parents. David also leans on his
brother Peter (Joseph Lee) during this difficult
time… but as days pass without any information,
David becomes ever-more suspicious that things
are not what they appear to be.
The merging of technology and filmmaking
by first-time feature director Aneesh
Chaganty makes for a pure adrenaline rush. One
doesn’t have to be a millennial or even familiar
with the latest social media apps to enjoy the
thrills in this movie. We can all sympathize
with the thought of a parent’s worst nightmare
-- that of waking up to discover a child is
missing, gone without a trace. The format in
which Searching is shot and assembled only
heightens the suspense and, surprisingly, is
never a distraction to the story unfolding.
In another respect, it’s perhaps the perfect
time for the release of a movie like Searching.
Fresh off the heels of the box office hit Crazy
Rich Asians, Searching has its own statistics that
are quite impressive in assisting the rise of Asian
actors headlining Hollywood projects. As the first
mainstream, contemporary thriller headlined by
an Asian-American actor, Cho balances humor,
grief and optimism in his layered performance
as a father looking for answers (fulfilling the
wishes of the people behind the fan-led social
movement, #StarringJohnCho).
Premiering at the 2018 Sundance Film
Festival, Searching is a small and contained
movie that would best be experienced on the big
screen. Hopefully, the success that comes from
this independent thriller won’t leave audiences
“searching” for Asian-American representation
in mainstream movies any longer.
Searching is rated PG-13 for thematic
content, some drug, and sexual references,
and for language. 102 minutes. Now playing
at ArcLight Hollywood and Sherman Oaks,
and AMC Century City, in theaters everywhere
Friday, August 31. •
Morgan Rojas.
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The Rime of the Modern Mariner
Reviewed by Zachary Lee, Library
Assistant, El Segundo Public Library
When was the last time you read a classically
inspired poem? How about a gripping graphic
novel? Award-winning writer and illustrator
Nick Hayes satiates both of these interests with
The Rime of the Modern Mariner. Inspired
by the Samuel Coleridge poem of (almost!)
the same name, Hayes’s story fancifully
explores many of the ills plaguing today’s
ecosystem as a sailor recounts his encounter
with a polluted ocean.
The story opens with a divorcee on his
lunch break as Hayes’ titular mariner interrupts
him with his story. Like Coleridge’s mariner,
he too made the grave mistake of shooting
down an albatross while at sea. This leads
not only to the death of the ship’s crew,
but also to a long torment from an angry,
personified ocean.
To some, this story may come off as
heavy-handed—perhaps that’s the point. We
are surrounded already by so much media
about saving our environment that it can be
difficult to pay attention. In fact, even the
story’s divorcee is put off by the sailor’s
bombastic story -- leaving the latter at the
bench with the detritus from his lunch. This
story begs this question though: Will you
heed the modern mariner’s tale, or will it
fall again on deaf ears?
The Rime of the Modern Mariner is
available for checkout at the El Segundo
Public Library with your free library card.
For help finding more graphic novels or any
other great books, don’t hesitate to contact
our reference staff! •
Check It Out
The Rime of the Modern Mariner by Nick Hayes Zachary Lee
City Council from front page
and strike team reimbursements) to replace a
20-year-old pickup. Donovan’s remaining list
includes a combined $25,615 for technical
rescue air bags, vehicle stabilization struts,
and self-contained breathing apparatus parts.
Library Director Melissa McCollum’s ask
is to restore $18,100 in part-time salaries
inadvertently removed in 2015/16 due to a
“discrepancy in the organizational chart.” The
resulting “clerical” issue, according to City
Manager Greg Carpenter, led to a miscalculation
of the “number of part-time bodies” on
library staff. The funds will allow services to
remain at current levels.
Planning and Building Safety Director Sam
Lee proposes to eliminate a half-position of
Administrative Specialist from the Building
and Safety Division budget to save $40,000,
but seeks $130,000 to increase inspections on
large projects, bring in a crime prevention plan
check consultant, procure additional consultant
services to cover unfilled vacancies, and transition
to a new computer permit system. For the
Planning Division, Lee hopes to get $30,000
for professional and technical services plus
another $3,163 to reclassify one job description.
In justifying the pro/tech services request, Lee
noted that the $20,000 allocated last year was
insufficient. He explained that the monies help
cover costs for potential projects that don’t
come to fruition but still require upfront work.
Police Chief Bill Whalen reported that the
loss of an academy recruit now reduces sworn
personnel to 55 from the allotted 62. Vacancies
include a captain, lieutenant, sergeant and
four officers. However, the non-sworn area is
“doing much better,” he said, especially with
new cadets recently joining the force.
Whalen’s new requests include the Contract
Crime Analyst (Tasha Horn) already approved
but not officially funded ($65,520) and a new
policy manual ($16,612). He emphasized the
critical need for a full-time CSI/Property Officer
($92,893), a position unfilled since 2010 due to
fiscal limitations. A recent audit pointed to the
importance of this hire. Whalen warned that the
City is at “tremendous risk and exposure” in
criminal case prosecution without this position
in place. He also stressed the need for a new
SWAT van ($320,000, but the bulk coming from
asset forfeiture dollars and the rest from equipment
replacements funds) to replace the existing
25-year-old vehicle that is not in compliance
with federal guidelines and also “hinders operational
effectiveness and increases response
times.” While admitting the department could
wait an additional year for the new van, Whalen
said the additional cost to purchase it later will
make it more expensive than ordering it now.
Recreation and Parks Director Meredith Petit
spoke of items already included in the 2018/19
budget: The Parks Division has landscape and
tree maintenance contract services ($115,000
for Downtown planters and Memory Row upkeep)
and equipment replacement ($125,000 to
begin funding playground and park equipment
so the money is already there in future years
so as to avoid having to ask Council for a big
lump sum for a particular project). For the
Recreation Division, items previously budgeted
are operating supplies/enhanced programming
($67,000) and part-time personnel ($641,400
-- 95 percent of which is for aquatics).
Noting that a good chunk of the local
population does not use social media or digital
means for its communication, Petit argued to
add $50,700 in salaries and benefits for two
part-time video technician positions for El
Segundo TV. Though the hours needed will
require PERS enrollment, the additional outlays
may be offset if the hires are already in-house
and receiving those benefits.
Public Works Director Ken Berkman wants
to upgrade the current Senior Administrative
Specialist to an Administrative Technical
Specialist (plus $3,800). He also mentioned
the previously known $404,000 increase to
See City Council, page 11