MARCH FOR MEALS

County executive helps raise awareness of NaMoW, needs of seniors

Comedy

By RUSS TARBy Contributing Writer

Comedy sequels are infamously worse than its initial version. Think “Caddyshack II” or maybe “Men in Black II.”

“I’ve never seen one that was better than the first one,” said film director Jeremy Garelick.

But every once in a while, the sequel outshines the original.

That certainly seems to be the case with “Murder Mystery 2: Deux or Die,” now streaming on Netflix.

On Thursday, March 30 at the American High building in Liverpool, nearly 300 hundred curious movie-goers turned out to see the new movie directed by Garelick, founder of American High. Ana Olano, another American High staffer, worked as Garelick’s assistant director on the movie.

American High head of production praised Garelick’s comedy chops.

“Jeremy is one of the funniest screenwriters of all time,” Will Phelps told the audience.

As evidence, Phelps listed some of Garelick’s earlier script credits, “The Hangover, “The Break Up” and “The Wedding Ringer”

Screened at the old school’s auditorium at 800 Fourth St., “Murder Mystery 2” stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as Nick and Audrey Spitz, a cop and his hairdresser wife.

In the original film released in 2019, Sandler and Aniston play a couple who take a vacation in Europe where they get framed for a murder.

North Area Meals on Wheels (NAMOW) recently held a Community Champions event with local community leaders, including Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, in celebration of the 2023 March for Meals Community Champions Week. Across the country this week, Meals on Wheels programs have enlisted elected officials, local celebrities, and other prominent figures to deliver meals safely, speak out for seniors and raise awareness for the power of Meals on Wheels.

“We are so grateful to have our community leaders join us in our commitment to caring for our homebound neighbors.” said Jennifer Covert, NAMOW executive director. “Together we can positively impact and change the lives in our community, as well as continue to fulfill our mission of ensuring that no senior goes hungry”.

The annual March for Meals commemorates the historic day in March 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older.

This March, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces to celebrate more than 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to come.

“We commend all of our 2023 Community Champions for stepping up to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our senior neighbors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “The demand for services is already great and approximately 12,000 Americans are turning 60 every day. We must maintain and expand the programs that have helped so many get through this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. We can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to keep the nationwide Meals on Wheels movement going.” NAMOW serves nutritious meals to over 300 seniors, the disables, and homebound in Northern Onondaga County. (North Syracuse, Cicero, Mattydale, Clay, Liverpool. Bridgeport, Brewerton and Baldwinsville)

For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or speak out for the seniors in Northern Onondaga County, visit namow.org.

In “MM2,” the Spitzes are now full-time private detectives who find themselves at the center of an international abduction when their friend, the Maharajah, is kidnapped at his own lavish wedding.

Three years ago at American High, Garelick directed “The Binge” which included several wild party scenes, but nothing like the ill-fated wedding event. The “MM2” dance scene would be the envy of Bollywood. Cue the elephant!

From there, Garelick and his cast are off and running. And running rapidly!

The pacing of this humorous whodunit clocks in at breakneck speed. Supported by a seemingly bottomless budget, Garelick managed to film awesome action sequences, some involving jet skis, multiple helicopters, exploding vehicles and a car crash into a Parisian coffeehouse.

One of the movie’s most gripping scenes is a duel to the death inside a van speeding down the streets of Paris between our heroic couple and some ax-wielding kidnappers. But even that dynamic action is trumped by the finale on the Eiffel Tower in which Audrey is dangled from the tower’s crown.

In a 45-minute question-and-answer session following Thursday’s screening, Garelick said such scenes required “plenty of prep and a lot of effects.”

The cost of the needed technology was covered by what Garelick called the film’s “huge” budget, “bigger than all the American High movies put together.”

Five different production companies collaborated on the new movie, including Sandler’s own Happy Madison Productions, plus Echo Films, Mythology Entertainment, Vinson Films and Endgame Entertainment.

The 47-year-old Garelick reminded Thursday’s audience that one of his goals at American High is to offer opportunities to younger actors and filmmakers. He made sure that a couple of talented American High actresses were cast in this major Netflix product. Movie l Page 15

The Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse recently honored the winners of their 2023 essay contest and oratorical contest. The winners of this year’s essay contest, which was based on the theme, “Who is an everyday hero that brings out the optimism in you?” were: 1st place: Junior Ava Smith; 2nd place: Senior Colin Stanton; and 3rd place: Junior Lila Breu (pictured left)

All students received medals for their essays. Ava Smith’s essay will be sent to the next level to be judged along with winners from other Optimist Clubs in the area. College scholarships are available for contest winners at the next level.

“Ava did a wonderful job of articulating this year’s theme. She expressed herself well,” Susan Bradt, the president of the CiceroNorth Syracuse Optimist Club said.

The winners of the oratorical contest, the theme of which was “Discovering the optimism within me” were: 1st place: Junior Johnny Lisi III; 2nd place: Junior Haneefa Wahab; 3rd place: Junior Urguen Tamang. All students received medals for their speeches. Johnny Lisi III’s will be sent to the zone level where he will compete against winners from other Optimist Clubs in the area. The winner of the zone competition will be sent to the next level with the chance to win a scholarship. Those who continue to the Optimist International Regional/World Championship could win an additional $5,000-$15,000 scholarship.

“Johnny did a tremendous job presenting his speech about the questions posed to him,” Bradt said. “The members of the Cicero-North Syracuse Club have no doubt that Johnny has a bright future ahead of him.” students

The Optimist Club of Cicero-North Syracuse has been active in the community since 1990 and has been participating in the essay contest for 10 years. The club also serves the community through senior recognition programs, Salvation Army Bell Ringing and the Christmas Bureau. Serving the CiceroNorth Syracuse Club are: Governor Brian Bogan, Lieutenant Governor Barb Scirto, President Susan Bradt and Chair of Essay Contest Bob Crabtree. Serving as judges for this year’s essay contest were Bill Bradley, Ken Sherry and Dan Hogan. The judges for the oratorical contest were Lisa Goldberg, Stephen Nevins and Mike Damiano. the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International, please call 314-371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at optimist.org.