LIVING

SECTION Features Editor: Rebecca Conroy Killian rkillian@tribweb.com 724-226-4669 LIVING Friday, February 22, 2008 B MATT SOBER Consider This Perhaps it’s worth a shot You see it time and time again in professional sports: a once-proud athlete whose best years are behind him. Take baseball. A great pitcher hits a certain age, and, as quickly as he ascended to stardom 10 years earlier, his skills begin to deteriorate. Within a year or two, he’s a shadow of his former self. He’s wildly inconsistent. Injury-prone. And increasingly humbled by has-beens and neverweres. Before you know it, he’s out of the league and making a living as a TV pitchman. Just as many professional athletes see their careers begin to slip away as they approach their mid-30s, I, too, have noticed a decline in my performance at work. More mistakes. Less productivity. And rapidly waning interest in being a team player. Unfortunately, retiring and living off the income from a Just For Men endorsement isn’t an option. No, what I really need — what all nine-to-fivers could use, really — is a performance-enhancing drug. Something a little stronger than Diet Coke, that is. We all know by now what the right drugs can do for an athlete. If you believe his former trainer, all it took for Roger Clemens to revive a Hall of Fame career after losing something off his fastball were a few well-placed steroid injections. And what do the rest of us working stiffs have at our disposal? Nothing more potent than a shot of espresso in the morning — which can’t even be administered directly into the bloodstream. At least not without creating a spectacle at Starbucks. Look, this isn’t about the money. This job has never been about the money to me. What it’s about is not being homeless. This desperation for a job-performance-enhancing drug has nothing to do with some competitive drive to be employee of the month, or even a desire to keep up with younger, more ambitious coworkers. Honestly, I’m really just trying make it through the day with my sanity intact. Considering that the employee handbook clearly regards alcohol consumption as grounds for dismissal, there appears to be just one option. One drug whose widespread use in the work force suggests such a soothing effect that people willingly exchange long-term health consequences for its shortterm benefit. So, wanna go out for a smoke? We won’t even have to worry about Congress getting involved. ——— E-mail Matt Sober at msober@tribweb.com. ISTOCK PHOTO WINNER: Dolly Mann of Oklahoma Borough carpet RED glam Participants go for the gold in Oscar Dress-Up Contest VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH RUNNER-UP: Laura Fields of Saxonburg Dolly Mann’s daughter Emily tells her, “You’re cute, mom!” “I don’t know what that means,” says the Oklahoma Borough resident, laughing, but she is pretty sure it is a compliment about her fashion sense. As well it should be, say the judges in the annual Valley News Dispatch Oscar Dress-Up Contest, who have named Mann the grand-prize winner. We asked readers to design a gown they imagined Oscar-nominated actress Laura Linney would wear to the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night. Competitors continued to impress us with an array of glamorous creations, many with miniature accessories, frills and flash. Mann, who was a runner-up last year and grand-prize winner two years ago, ran a weekend fashion marathon this year, producing four paper-doll dresses of varying interpretations in two days. “(Winning) makes me feel pretty good,” she says. “I really like to do things like that. I’m always trying to improve and get new ideas. This is fun — it’s my relaxation.” Judges liked the red outfit she chose for Linney the best. “I was going for something simple and elegant,” she says of the dress. The actress makes a good model, she adds. “She is the right body type.” In preparing for the contest, Mann went online to research Linney’s taste in clothing. “I like to see what she wore before,” she explains. She also loves to watch the various awards shows’ red-carpet ceremonies. “I like to see who is the best dressed, who is the worst dressed, and usually I’m pretty close picking out who the commentators like or dislike,” she says. Mann will receive a prize package that includes a pair of tickets to the “Lights! Glamour! Action!” black-tie gala, hosted by the Pittsburgh Film Office on Sunday; a $100 tux rental; a $100 certificate for hair and nails; and a set of “Glamorous Movie Stars” paper dolls. Runners-up Laura Fields of Saxonburg and Joan Zidek of North Apollo each will receive a $50 movie gift card and a set of “Glamorous Movie Stars” paper dolls. MORE PAPER DOLLS • B3 RUNNER-UP: Joan Zidek of North Apollo Coming-of-age comedy deftly tackles topic of pill dependency REVIEWS ‘Charlie Bartlett’ Rated R for language, drug content and brief nudity; ### (out of four) Directed by Jon Poll, “Charlie Bartlett” is the story of an awkward teenager finding friends and love in a new high school, but it also does a fine job of including some mature present-day themes. In this case, it’s the dependency on prescription drugs to combat emotional problems. “Charlie Bartlett” handles the subject cautiously, but doesn’t get overly serious or preachy. That approach makes for plenty of laughs in this dark comedy. Anton Yelchin (“Alpha Dog”) delivers in the title role. Bartlett is a troubled teen with a wealthy father in jail for tax evasion and a mother (Hope Davis) who’s making it through on prescription meds. When Charlie’s booted out of private school, his only choice is the public route. After a few days of getting his feet under him, he finds his niche — dealing pills to the student body and acting as a sort-of psychiatrist. Eventually, Charlie’s soughtafter popularity gains the attention of the school’s principal (Robert Downey Jr.), and at the same time, Charlie finds himself falling for the principal’s daughter (Kat Dennings). I In wide release — Garrett Conti ‘Vantage Point’ Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, some disturbing images and brief strong language; #‰ This preposterous yarn relies on a quickly strained gimmick — the shooting of the U.S. president shown over and over, from different characters’ viewpoints — to cover up the fact that it’s less of a story than a commotion of human pool balls clattering against one another in ways that defy sense and even physics. The gimmick must have looked good on the page, as director Pete Travis rounded up a superb cast that includes Dennis Quaid and Forest Whitaker. At first, it’s annoying as the action continually rewinds to play things back from another perspective. The ham-fisted manner in which the filmmakers present those transitions eventually becomes laughable. I In wide release — The Associated Press MORNING BRIEFING Out of ‘Order’ Jesse L. Martin is putting down his “Law & Order” detective’s shield, and Anthony Anderson is in negotiations to pick it up. Martin, who has been with the NBC drama since fall 1999, will film an episode to air this spring explaining the departure of his character, New York police Detective Ed Green, a person familiar with the show said. ∫ Comics — B2 ∫ To Your Good Health: Muscle weakness is the hallmark of polymyositis — B3 ∫ This Just In: After his big Grammy win, Herbie Hancock sees a 966 percent boost in album sales — B3 ∫ Television listings, Best Bets — B4 Coming Saturday How well do GPS units handle the twists and turns of Western Pennsylvania’s landscape? Friday, February 22, 2008 B2 ENTERTAINMENT · LIVING Muscle weakness is hallmark of polymyositis Dear Dr. Donohue: My mother recently was struck down by what her doctor says is polymyositis. I had to take her to the emergency room, and they kept her in the hospital for five days. She was released to a convalescent center. She has regained some strength in her arms, but her lower half remains weak. Could you shed some light on polymyositis? — G.B.Y. Answer: Polymyositis (POL-ee-MY-oh-SITE-iss) is a somewhat uncommon illness where many (the “poly” of polymyositis) muscles (the “myo” of polymyositis) are inflamed (the “itis” of polymyositis). It can strike at any age, but there are two age peaks for it. One occurs between the ages of 7 and 15, and the other between 30 and 50. The cause has eluded discovery, but there is strong evidence that the immune system is inappropriately involved in an assault on muscles. Genes also are implicated, and most likely some environmental trigger plays a role. Usually the illness creeps up on a person gradually. Muscle weakness is the hallmark symptom, and the weakness can become so profound that people cannot rise from a chair, climb stairs or reach up to their carpet glam RED DR. PAUL DONOHUE To Your Good Health head to comb their hair. The physical symptoms strongly suggest the illness. Finding strange antibodies — the work of the immune system — in the blood adds more evidence for the diagnosis. When the skin is involved, the condition is called dermatomyositis. Prednisone, one of the cortisone drugs, is the medicine most often used in treating this disease. Cortisone drugs are the most powerful anti-inflammatory medicines available. Sometimes additional medicines that have a direct effect on the immune system are added. ——— Dr. Donohue cannot answer individual letters but will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. Dolly Mann, Oklahoma Borough Kaylee Neil, 10, Allegheny Township TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS Announcer Don Pardo Actor Paul Dooley Hollywood “ghost singer” Marni Nixon Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) Movie director Jonathan Demme Actor John Ashton Actress Miou-Miou Actress Julie Walters Actor Kyle MacLachlan Actress Jeri Ryan Actor Thomas Jane Actress Drew Barrymore 90 80 78 76 64 60 58 58 49 40 39 33 Linda Ban, New Kensington Linda Ban, New Kensington NOW SHOWING Movie listings are furnished by advertisers. For movie times, call the theater numbers listed below. For more reviews and showtimes, visit www.movies.com. #### Excellent ### Good ## Fair # Poor MOVIES WITHOUT STARS HAVE NOT BEEN REVIEWED; RATINGS: TRIBUNE-REVIEW AND WIRE SERVICES 27 Dresses (PG-13) 107 min. ##‰ Katherine Heigl plays a woman who’s always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Cinemark Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG) 92 min. ## Live action and computer animation bring the cartoon critters to life. With Jason Lee. South Pike, Waterworks Be Kind Rewind (PG-13) 101 min. Jack Black and Mos Def remake films lost when their video store’s tapes are demagnetized. Cinemark The Bucket List (PG-13) 97 min. ##‰ Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star as dying men on a road trip. South Pike, Cinemark Charlie Bartlett (R) 97 min. ### Anton Yelchin makes himself his school’s psychiatrist. Cinemark, Waterworks Definitely, Maybe (PG-13) 111 min. Romantic comedy with Ryan Reynolds as a political consultant. Abigail Breslin as his daughter. Cinemark, Waterworks The Eye (PG-13) 97 min. Jessica Alba is a sightless woman whose new eyes see horrible things. Cinemark Fool’s Gold (PG-13) 95 min. # Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey star in a romantic adventure. Cheswick, Waterworks, Cinemark, South Pike Jumper (PG-13) 90 min. #‰ Hayden Christensen finds he is able to teleport anywhere. Not everyone is amused. Cinemark, South Pike, Waterworks Juno (PG-13) 92 min. ### Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision about her unborn child. Cinemark, Waterworks, South Pike National Treasures: Book of Secrets (PG) 124 min. ### The treasure hunter tries to clear an ancestor in Lincoln’s assassination. Cinemark No Country for Old Men (R) 122 min. #### A hunter stumbles upon some bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash. South Pike Persepolis (PG-13) 95 min. An outspoken Iranian girl finds her outlook on life repeatedly challenged during the Islamic revolution. Cinemark Rambo (R) 93 min. #‰ A group of aid workers recruits John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) to guide them into war-torn Burma. South Pike The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG) 97 min. ### The big-screen version of the popular books about an alternate universe. Cinemark, Cinemark IMAX, South Pike, Cheswick, Oaks Step Up 2 (PG-13) 98 min. ## Students find love at the Maryland School of the Arts. Cinemark, South Pike, Waterworks Strange Wilderness (R) 87 min. Jonah Hill and Justin Long co-star in a comedy about trying to find bigfoot. Cinemark There Will Be Blood (R) 158 min. ###‰ A down-and-out silver miner becomes a self-made oil tycoon after making a lucky strike. Cheswick, South Pike Vantage Point (PG-13) 90 min. #‰ An attempted presidential assassination told from different points of view. Dennis Quaid. Cheswick, Cinemark, South Pike, Waterworks VeggieTales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G) 85 min. The VeggieTales returns to the big screen, this time with a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas. South Pike Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (PG-13) 114 min. ##‰ Martin Lawrence as an L.A. talk-show host who returns to the Deep South. Cinemark, Waterworks Witness Protection (PG-13) 99 min. A hapless sheriff (Larry the Cable Guy) helps a woman escape from crooked FBI agents. Cinemark, South Pike, Waterworks Abigail Fields, 7, Saxonburg Maisy Bennis, 4, Lower Burrell (Mom, Robin, helped to cut dress) Alexandra Haas, Natrona Heights Fawn Martz, Vandergrift THIS JUST IN Hancock’s Grammy boosts music sales After winning the Grammy for album of the year, Herbie Hancock takes another victory lap this week with a 966 percent sales boost, the highest percentage jump in the post-awards chart derby. Hancock “River: The Joni Letters,” his modest-selling underdog, skyrocketed to No. 5 from No. 159 on “Billboard” after selling 54,000 copies, compared with 5,000 a week earlier, bringing total sales to 114,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It’s the jazz pianist’s highest position ever on the chart. Amy Winehouse, the Grammy leader with five trophies, including best record and song for “Rehab,” enjoyed the fattest boost. Her “Back to Black” sold 115,000 copies, a 368 percent leap from the previous week. That raises her to No. 2 from No. 24. “Rehab” sold 77,000 downloads, a 234 percent increase. — USA Today Timberlake gets role in baseball film The new star of the Corpus Christi, Texas, Hooks minor league baseball team wants some playing tips. Justin Timberlake will portray fictional Hooks player Carlton Garrett in the upcoming movie “The Open Road.” The 27-year-old pop star tried to meet with players of the Houston Astros’ Double-A team in Austin recently, but schedules didn’t align. “Justin wants to portray what it’s like playing for the Hooks, playing for an Astros minor league team and playing at Whataburger Field,” Hooks president J.J. Gottsch said. “The Open Road” is the story of a young man trying to reconnect with his father — a legendary athlete played by Jeff Bridges — as he struggles to get home to his ailing mother. Mary Steenburgen and Kate Mara also are in the film. Writer-director Michael Meredith, son of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith and a former University of Texas student, drew on his Texas ties for the concept, Gottsch said. — The Associated Press Cinemark, Pittsburgh Mills, Frazer, 724-274-0151 Cheswick Theaters, Pittsburgh Street, Cheswick, 724-274-6646 Oaks Cinema, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, 412-828-6311 South Pike Cinemas, Route 356, Buffalo Township, 724-295-2630 Waterworks Cinemas, Waterworks, Pittsburgh, 412-784-1402