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Message: <br /><br /> If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/38424/full/38424/top-cable-picks-monsters-and-gangsters-battle-of-the-jews/ <br /><br /> <b>Top cable picks, Monsters and gangsters, ‘Battle of the Jews’...</b> <br /> Thursday, June 25, 2009 | by nate bloom <br /><br /><h2>Top cable picks</h2> <p>Cable network TBS is premiering two specials this weekend. First, Martin Short, a very funny guy who is among the “most Jewish” of non-Jewish comedians, hosts “Let Freedom Hum” (Friday, June 26 at 10 p.m.). Short’s special features four lesser-known, but funny stand-up comics. One is <strong>Jeremy Hotz</strong>, 43, a South African–born Canadian comic who is very popular in Toronto. Then, on Saturday, June 27 at 9 p.m., comedian Ellen DeGeneres hosts “Ellen’s Longer, Wider Show.” Her guests include magician <strong>David Blaine</strong> and musician Kanye West.</p> <p>Call me an old-fashioned relic of the Cold War — but I like sci-fi movies about a post-apocalyptic world in which humans have to fight evil mutants for control of the planet. If you’re like me, you might check out “The Mutant Chronicles,” airing Saturday, June 27 at 9 p.m. on the Sci-Fi Channel, with a repeat Sunday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. Actually, this semi-horror film was shown in a few theaters last year, but hardly anyone saw it.</p> <p>The cast is good — Thomas Jane, John Malkovich and <strong>Ron Perlman</strong>, 59. Perlman plays Samuel, a prophet-like figure who recruits human warriors to fight the mutants. I guess for Perlman it’s a change of pace to be human in a sci-fi film — after playing the beast in the TV series “Beauty and the Beast” and the son of the devil in the “Hellboy” movies.</p> <p> </p> <h2>Monsters and gangsters</h2> <p><strong>Shia LaBeouf</strong>, 23, reprises his role as the hero in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” a sequel to the 2007 mega-hit “Transformers.” As in the original, special effects are main attraction of this sci-fi flick. (Opened June 24.)</p> <p>“Chéri” is set in early 20th-century Paris and stars Michelle Pfeiffer, 50, as Lea, a famous seductress and courtesan of the rich and famous. Lea is contemplating retirement from her “position.” Before making her decision, she’s approached by a former courtesan and rival, played by Kathy Bates, who asks Lea to teach her 19-year-old son (Rupert Friend) a thing or two about women. Based on a novel by Collette, the film is directed by <strong>Stephen Frears</strong>, 68 (“High Fidelity,” Dangerous Liaisons”). He’s also the movie’s narrator. (Opens Friday, June 26.)</p> <p><strong>Michael Mann</strong>, 66, is the director and co-screenwriter of “Public Enemies.” Mann is known for his ability to bring a riveting dynamic quality to crime stories — he was the creator and director of “Miami Vice” (the TV and movie versions) and his other crime films include “Heat” and “Collateral.” His new movie tells the tale of the epic battle between famous ’30s gangster John Dillinger (Johnny Depp) and FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale). (Opens Wednesday, July 1.)</p> <p> </p> <h2>‘Battle of the Jews’</h2> <p><strong>Aaron Poreda</strong>, a Chicago White Sox southpaw pitcher who really can throw “heat,” made his major-league debut June 13. His friends and family in were in the stands for his first big league appearance. Poreda did great in a short relief stint — giving up only one hit and striking out three of the six batters he faced. One of those strikeout victims was Milwaukee Brewers slugger <strong>Ryan Braun</strong>, 25. A Chicago Tribune reporter asked Poreda about how he felt pitching to another Jewish player and Poreda replied: “I actually thought about that when he was coming up, the battle of the Jews. But he’s a great player, amazing, and I was just trying to do my best.” (Braun, whose father is Jewish, isn’t religious.)</p> <p>Poreda, a Walnut Creek native, is a graduate of Moraga’s Campolindo High School who pitched three seasons at the University of San Francisco. His father isn’t Jewish, but Aaron was raised in his mother’s Jewish faith. He had his bar mitzvah at Lafayette’s Temple Isaiah. Nice detail: He always wears a “chai” while pitching.</p> <p><br />Columnist  N<strong>ate Bloom</strong>, an Oaklander, can be reached at <a href="mailto:middleoftheroad1@aol.com">middleoftheroad1@aol.com</a>.</p>

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