The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • E1

FRIDAY E1 THE FRESNO BEE-PRERUNTHE FRESNO BEE PRERUN 1 Logical Page is THE FRESNO 16:05 Weekend The Fresno BeeFriday, January 19, 2007Section EFresnoBee.com By Rick Bentley The Fresno Bee lint film From Iwo a sister project to his of Our finds its power in quiet moments. Against a chaotic world of death and destruction, there are wonderful instances of ref lection about honor, dignity, love and loyalty. decision to embrace those elements eliminates the distractions that eventually hurt of Our Both films look at the devastating battle on Iwo Jima during World War II. of Our examined the war from the Ameri- can perspective. The focus was on the men who became immortalized in a photograph as they raised the lag on Japanese soil.

From Iwo looks at the same horrific battle but from the Japanese point of view. Leading the defense is Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe). He is a man who must deal with a deep devotion to his country that clashes with his confusion over seeing so much futile pain and loss.

He is a quiet man who leads through example. Then there is Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya), a baker pressed into the service of his country. Saigo wants to do what is right, but what he is being told goes against his desire to return home to his wife and the child he has never seen. Saigo reveals his confusion during quiet talks with friends as they realize they will not leave the island alive. Each character, whether it be Olympic champion Baron Nishi (Tsuyoshi Ihara) turned leader or Shimizu (Ryo Kase), a man strug- gling with the definition of honor, brings his own quiet story to the mix.

Eastwood layers these stories until the viewpoint is shouted from the highest barren rock. This is not an anti-military film, per se. Both and ref lect a deep respect for those who charged into such situations driven by honor and courage. But both films do have an anti- war message. And that message seems far more distinct when seen from the Japanese point of view.

rare for a war movie to strip away the jingoism and reveal the human side of the enemy. It is easier to make the enemy a name- less phantom, a subhuman plague coming to sweep away our way of life. From Iwo is a reminder that even those we are supposed to hate are not that different from us. They miss their homes and families. They have to deal with the real fear that one day they probably will have to choose See IWO JIMA, Page E2 pon what, exactly, does onebase a decision when tryingto find a great place to watch playoff football in Fresno? There are many factors to consider, factors that hold different weight for different people.

Some people want a bunch of TVs or inexpensive beer. Others want good food. Or fellow fans who are really into the game. In anticipa- tion of the conference championships this weekend and the Super Bowl on Feb. 4, I spent two weekends sports-bar hopping, looking for great places to watch a game.

I found eight: Silver Dollar Hofbrau (333 E. Shaw Silver Dollar is the kinda place where Cowboys fans are still getting picked on after their loss the night before, where the insults ly and the brews get sucked down. While it have the same bells and whistles as some of the other places in town (there are only a few TVs), it has inexpensive beer, good food and the most energized, talkative fans. The only knock is that a dimly lit bar and not as family-friendly as others. Dog House Grill (2789 E.

Shaw Ave.) If looking for a place to get a group of friends together and watch football, this is a good option. There are enough big TVs and decent sightlines, so not a bad seat in the house. a full bar and plenty of sports-type munchies. The downside is that while often full, not everyone is there to watch football. Some are just eating.

So count on high-fiving your neighbor after a big play. World Sports Cafe (7746 N. Blackstone It has sports in the name, so gotta be cool, right? For the most part. There are 22 TVs, a wide menu, a full bar and dedicated legions of lively football fans all of which score points. But the food the greatest, and the place can be pricey.

It beats Dog House for fans, but falls short on food and TVs (which are older). University Chicken (2633 E. Shaw Relatively new, Universi- ty Chicken is a frat dream. pretty darn good for football fans, too. There are 11 TVs, all new plas- mas, a lot of beer on tap (you can buy a gallon, if you want) and lots of chicken to grub on.

The crowd is sparse, but lively. If you want a fun place without all the busy-ness of Dog House or World Sports, a good choice. Sutter Street Bar Grill (324 E. Shaw It looks like just a normal hotel bar, but this watering hole inside the Ramada is a great football hangout. The food and drinks are a little more pricey than other places, but the crowd sitting in front of the four TVs (two big ones) are really into the games, often cheering and yelling for both teams.

You feel like actually at a game. Sequoia Brewing Co. (1188 E. Champlain Drive): With a homey atmosphere, an ongoing football happy hour, pretty good food and a decent-sized crowd, Northeast Fresno location is a quality playoff hangout. There are only a couple TVs, but the place is arranged well enough so not bothersome.

Hooters (7735 N. Blackstone Aside from the usual Hooters there are beer and chicken wings (two pluses), as well as 15 TVs, though the biggest one is pretty jacked up. You can actually hear the game, which is another plus. And, for the most part, a lively football crowd. Crossroads (3315 N.

Cedar $1 beer. Also, there are three TVs (one nice, big one), lots of space, so you can see and hear well, plus the people shy about yelling and cheering. And $1 beer. no kitchen, but a few bar munchies are available. But $1 beer.

The columnist can be reached at or (559) 441-6479. Read his blog at www. fresnobeehive.com. By Mike Osegueda The Fresno Bee How can you stay warm this weekend? Well, you could run up the bill at home, or you could pack into a crowded local music venue and help turn up the heat. There are some choice options this weekend: Touring bands such as Tempest, Preston Reed and Airborne Toxic Event (a James Brown tribute), the Super Lucky Catz CD release and a couple of cool benefit shows.

Toxic spill The Airborne Toxic Event, a Los Angeles indie band recent named one of the Rolling top 25 bands on MySpace, headlines Saturday night at Tokyo Garden. Adding to the local interest: The band features Darren Taylor, who used to play drums in popular local band Pinkeye. Also coming over the Grapevine is another cool indie act, The Western States Motel. Locals Rademacher will perform as well. The show starts at 9 p.m.

Tickets cost $5. See MUSIC, Page E4 By Rick Bentley The Fresno Bee Some musicians embrace controversy. Others have contro- versy thrust upon them. Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines was not looking to become the center of a political storm when she quipped on a London stage, ashamed the president is from The backlash that exploded following the remark became fodder for headlines across the country. It also became the heart of the recent documentary Up and If you think the negative reaction was her plan, then you probably believe in Bigfoot, in the Loch Ness Monster and that Johnny Knoxville someday will win an Oscar.

But musicians making a choice to be part of a political cause has happened. From Bobby Darin to Bono, musicians have used their fame to attempt to bring light to subjects that many would prefer to ignore. The new documentary is the latest case of a political commitment by a popular musical act. The film blends a terrifying and heart-rending look at acts of genocide around the globe. It particularly focuses on the Armenian genocide of 1915.

The political messages are See SCREAMERS, Page E2 Film carries on crusade Deadly devotion In Eastwood hits the mark that he missed in of Our Ken Watanabe, top, as Lt. Gen. Kuribayashi and Kazunari Ninomiya, right, as Saigo reflect on the consequences of duty and honor in Clint From Iwo WARNER BROS. Movie review What: From Iwo a Warner Bros. release Rating: (war violence) Starring: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara Director: Clint Eastwood In Japanese with English subtitles Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes Grade: A Missed your favorite place? Go to blog at www.fresnobeehive and tell him about it.

Big games demand great venues MUSIC ROUNDUP This Toxic Event is a good thing PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE BEE In System of a Down shines a light on genocide. From left are John Dolmayan, Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian and Shavo Odadjian. Movie review What: a Maya Releasing release Rating: Not rated (lan- guage, graphic acts of violence) Starring: System of a Down Director: Carla Garapedian Time: 1 hour, 19 minutes Grade:.