Oscar-Winner Richard Dreyfuss to Speak at March 26 Quarterly

Oscar-winning actor and social activist Richard Dreyfuss will be the keynote speaker at the Association's March 26 Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

Dreyfuss won the Academy Award for best actor in 1977 for his performance in "The Goodbye Girl." He was nominated for Best Actor in 1996 for his role in "Mr. Holland's Opus." He has appeared in dozens of films, including Stephen Spielberg classics "Jaws" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Three of his films were recently included in the American Film Institute's list of the greatest 100 films.

"I am delighted that Richard Dreyfuss will be our speaker at the March Quarterly," said Chancellor Jane L. Dalton. "Although probably best known as a talented actor, Mr. Dreyfuss has been a longtime political activist. He is on the board of the National Constitution Center here in Philadelphia and has been studying the teaching of civics at Oxford University in England," she said.

"Mr. Dreyfuss speaks passionately and eloquently about the importance of an enlightened populace that understands the need for reason, logic, clarity, dissent, civility and debate. He urges that we educate our children to understand the important and unique ideals of the American republic, including the principals of freedom of thought, freedom of association and the personal responsibility of all citizens for their government," Dalton said.

Immediate-Past Chancellor Alan M. Feldman will be honored at the event. Feldman will be presented with a snuff box, an exact replica of the one presented to Andrew Hamilton for his defense of John Peter Zenger in 1735. The gold box is presented annually to the immediate-past Chancellor and is inscribed with the message, "Acquired not by money, but by character."

Tickets are $50 for Bar Association members and can be purchased online.

"Ghost Rider" Doesn't Set Screen on Fire by Bill Larson

2 Buckets out of 4

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love comic book movies. Going back to the original "Superman" (still the best super hero movie ever made) to "X-2: X-men United," "Spiderman" and "Batman Begins," these films show how it should be done - with excitement, great stories and a human center.

Then, you get the lackluster comic book movies - "Hulk," "Fantastic Four" and now "Ghost Rider," a film that really is the cinematic equivalent to a yawn.

In order to save his dying father, young Johnny Blaze (played as an adult by Nicolas Cage, who himself took his acting name from a comic) sells his soul to Mephistopheles and sadly parts from the pure-hearted Roxanne Simpson (played as an adult by Eva Mendes), the love of his life. Years later, Johnny's path crosses again with Roxanne and with Mephistopheles, who offers to release Johnny's soul if Johnny becomes the fabled, fiery "Ghost Rider," a supernatural agent of vengeance and justice. Mephistopheles charges Johnny with defeating the despicable Blackheart, Mephistopheles's nemesis and son, who plans to displace his father and create a new hell on earth.

Nicolas Cage always seems to bring a sense of humor to anything he does. However, you can tell that he did this for the paycheck and for sequels. Not to mention that Mendes, who shines in other films, is relegated to mere scenery here with her open shirts and throw-away lines. And if Academy Award-nominated actor Peter Fonda can't have fun with a juicy part like, say, the Devil, then you might as well recast the part. At least then you'd have a great scene-chewing actor relishing the part.

Is "Ghost Rider" the worst thing I've ever seen, nah. But would I ever recommend you run out and see "Ghost Rider?" No.

The Cast:

Matt Long ... Young Johnny Blaze

Raquel Alessi ... Young Roxanne Simpson

Brett Cullen ... Barton Blaze

Peter Fonda ... Mephistopheles

Nicolas Cage ... Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider

Donal Logue ... Mack

Tony Ghosthawk ... Team Blaze #1

Hugh Sexton ... Team Blaze #1

Marcus Jones ... Blaze Team #3

Matt Norman ... Team Blaze #4

Lawrence Cameron Steele ... X Games Announcer

Wes Bentley ... Blackheart

Eddie Baroo ... Motorcycle Gang Member

Jessica Napier ... Broken Spoke Waitress

Laurence Breuls ... Gressil

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for horror, violence and disturbing images.

Runtime: 114 min