Weekend - October 22, 2020

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Weekend

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OFF THE MENU: How one restaurant is surviving the pandemic, E8 BEER NUT: Fond farewell to Sierra Grille in Northampton, E9 WINE PRESS: 5 tips for hosting a fun, online wine tasting, E10

PLUS

Paul McCartney readies new album, E4

Frightful flicks 10 scary movies to watch on Halloween this year, Page E2

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10HALLOWEEN ON THE COVER

scary movies to watch on

Jack Nicholson terrorizes his family in “The Shining.” (WARNER BROS.)

A still from George Romero’s 1968 horror classic “Night of the Living Dead.” (FATHOM EVENTS / WITH AN O PRODUCTIONS) Jason Behr and Sarah Michelle Gellar star in “The Grudge.”

(KENJI TAKEUCHI / COLUMBIA PICTURES)

‘D

By Ray Kelly

rkelly@repub.com

o you want to see something really scary?,” Dan Aykroyd asked at the start of the big screen treatment of “The Twilight Zone” in 1983.

Well, if you are looking for something to watch this weekend with more chills than Adam Sandler’s “Hubie Halloween,” here are 10 picks that won’t disappoint.

Anthony Hopkins in a scene from the Academy Award-winning thriller “The Silence of the Lambs.” (ORION PICTURES)

Linda Blair stars as a possessed child in “The Exorcist.” (WARNER BROS.)

uncovers a disturbing secret when he meets the family of his white girlfriend in rural New York. The movie, which successfully marries suspense with biting social commentary, was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

“The Thing” (1982) Banish all thoughts of the lame 2011 prequel and check out this John Carpenter classic. Paranoia reigns in this thriller set in a remote research “Halloween” (2018) station in Antarctica, where the this black and white zombie classic.

In 1978, John Carpenter directed a monster may be lurking inside your Romero wrote, directed, photolow-budget memorable slasher flick best friend just waiting to burst out. graphed and edited the film on a featuring newcomer Jamie Lee Curtis shoestring budget of $114,000. It was It is based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s being hunted by the masked psychot- selected by the Library of Congress 1938 short story “Who Goes There?” ic Michael Myers. It inspired a string It also inspired the 1951 Cold War for inclusion in the National Film of lesser sequels and a fine remake di- Registry more than 20 years ago as a era chiller “The Thing from Another rected by Rob Zombie in 2007. Eleven film deemed “culturally, historically, World.” years later, Carpenter served as exec- or aesthetically significant.” All true, utive producer of this film which finds and it is scary to boot. The movie was “Saw” (2004) Cary Elwes and Leign WhanMyers on the loose again and Curtis shot in black and white, so if you prenel star as two men who awake to ready to take him down. Curtis’ char- fer your blood in living color, check find themselves chained in a large acter has been transformed over the out Romero’s 1978 return to form in dilapidated bathroom, with one being years from a damsel in distress to the “Dawn of the Dead.” ordered to kill the other or his family Linda Hamilton of slasher films.

“Get Out” (2017) will die. Shot on a budget a little more “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) Written and directed by Jordan than $1 million, it grossed $103 milThere was a time when the dead Peele, “Get Out” may be the best lion worldwide. It marked the feature did not just walk on Sunday nights “Twilight Zone” story since Rod debut for director James Wan. on AMC. George Romero created Serling left this dimension. In the SEE HALLOWEEN, PAGE E3 the whole flesh-eating genre with movie, a young Black photographer

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | E3

Halloween CONTINUED FROM PAGE E2

“The Silence of the Lambs� (1991) Anthony Hopkins stars as the classiest serial killer committed to celluloid in Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of the Thomas Harris thriller about FBI agent Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, and the notorious Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Two bits of trivia: It has the distinction of being the only horror movie to win Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) is the guest of a very odd the Academy Award for Best garden party in “Get Out.� (UNIVERSAL PICTURES) Picture; and Foster was not the first choice for the role.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Meg Ryan turned down role and the studio wouldn’t go with Demme’s third choice, Laura Dern.

MOVIES

‘Hocus Pocus’ cast to reunite Cast rejoin for sequel, virtual event

By Ray Kelly

Cary Elwes is concerned that he might have missed a call in “Saw.� (GREG GAYNE / LIONSGATE)

Shimizu. “The Grudge� refers to a supernatural entity created when someone dies in a state of uncontrollable rage or sorrow. Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer�) stars as an exchange student who comes face to face with the entity.

Writer Jack Torrance, played by the great Jack Nicholson, arrives at the remote Overlook Hotel in the Rocky Mountains seeking to become its winter caretaker. Supernatural forces and his own demons put him and his family at risk.

King found fault with how the “The Grudge� (2004) script deviated from his book, An American remake of the “The Shining� (1980) the casting of Nicholson in the Japanese horror film “Ju-on.� Like Stanley Kubrick’s adaptalead role and the hotel location of the Stephen King novel tion used in the shoot. In 1997, the original, it was directed oozes evil from every frame.

King wrote and produced a

by Japanese director Takashi television miniseries of “The Shining,� which is well worth checking out.

Ian Holm as Ash, left, Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, director Ridley Scott, and Tom Skerritt as Dallas on the set of the movie “Alien.� (SNAP / ENTERTAINMENT PICTURES / ZUMAPRESS.COM / TNS)

“Alien� (1979) Director Ridley Scott moved the haunted house genre into outer space with this sci-fi / horror classic. One by one the crew of the Nostromo is picked off by a terrifying extraterrestrial. The movie boasts a superb cast led by newcomer Sigourney Weaver, and includes Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt, Harry Dean Stanton, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto.

Special kudos to Swiss artist H. R. Giger, who designed the Alien.

rkelly@repub.com

Bette Midler has confirmed that the original cast of “Hocus Pocus� will reunite in an upcoming sequel movie for Disney+.

Variety had reported in March that Disney wanted Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy to return to the roles, rather than produce a reboot with a new cast.

Adam Shankman (“Hairspray,� “Step Up�) is set to direct the sequel.

Midler told Fox 5 New York on Monday that the trio has

agreed to appear in the sequel. “They want to make a movie, they’ve asked us if we were interested and of course all of us said yes,� Midler said. “I’m game, I’m totally game.�

Set in Salem, the 1993 film centered on the Sanderson sisters — three witches, played

by Midler, Parker and Najimy — who attempt to take over the town after they are resurrected.

In addition to “Hocus Pocus 2,� Midler and her co-stars will reunite for a special live, one-night-only virtual event, “In Search Of The Sanderson Sisters,� which is set for tomorrow.

Details can be found at nyrpshop.org

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“The Exorcist� (1973) Linda Blair turned heads as the possessed Regan MacNeil. Decades later, the movie is still frightening. You can repeat Campbell’s split pea green soup all you want, but be prepared for a sleepless night after a seeing a priest and demon battle for a young girl’s soul. More recent films like “Paranormal Activity� and “The Conjuring� owe a great debt to William Friedkin’s masterpiece. The movie inspired lesser sequels, a prequel and television reboot.

Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson Sisters in “Hocus Pocus.� Midler has confirmed the sisters will reunite in a sequel movie. The co-stars will also take part in a virtual event, “In Search Of The Sanderson Sister,� tomorrow. (ANDREW COOPER / BUENA VISTA PICTURES)

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E4 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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MUSIC

Paul McCartney readies new album, ‘McCartney III’

I

t has been 50 years since the release of Paul McCartney’s first solo effort and 40 since he released “McCartney II.”

Now the veteran rocker has announced a third album, which he produced and performed on all instruments.

He recorded “McCartney III” in Sussex amid the pandemic.

“I had to go into the studio at the beginning of lockdown to do a couple of bits of music for an animated short film.

So I got in and did that bit of work and sent it off to the director, and then I thought, ‘Oh, this is nice, I’m enjoying this, this is a nice way to spend lockdown,’ so I ended up finishing off some songs, looking at bits and bobs, making up stuff, and generally enjoying myself in the studio,” McCartney told Loud & Quiet. “And then I’d come home in the evening, and I just happened to be with my daughter Mary’s family. The combination of being able to go to work, make some music, and then hang out with four of my grandkids, I was very lucky. Y’know, we were being super careful, but being able to make music really helped.”

“McCartney III” will be out on Dec. 11.

Liner notes • A Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas show, a holiday tradition that goes back two decades, will take place online this season due to continuing COVID-19 concerns.

TSO will present “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” as a livestream on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $30 and available through tsolivestream.com.

“So many things have changed in 2020. Masks,

“The combination of being able to go to work, make some music, and then hang out with four of my grandkids, I was very lucky.

Y’know, we were being super careful, but being able to make music really helped.”

Paul McCartney

He was 78 years old.

Walker was born in upstate New York but is closely associated with the Austin music scene where he shared stages with icons like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to create what would eventually be known as outlaw country.

He is best know for his 1968 hit “Mr. Bojangles,” which has been covered by such diverse artists as Bob Dylan and Dolly Parton.

Walker was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017.

• When will it be safe to head back into the live concert waters? Organizers of the annual Aftershock Festival are aiming one year out.

Aftershock is set for an Oct 7-10 return in 2021 and has listed its headliners, including an appearance from Metallica.

The metal giants will join bands such as My Chemical Romance, the Offspring, Social Distortion, and Limp Bizkit will also be part of the fall metal music fest.

Springfield’s own Kill switch Engage, considered part of heavy metal’s “new” wave, will also be on the bill.

In all, 60 bands will perform at Sacramento’s Discovery Park. Ticket passes are available through aftershockfes tival.com.

date for Connecticut fans.

Originally scheduled to play Mohegan Sun Arena on Paul McCartney performs at Amalie Arena on July 10, 2017, Oct. 23, and postponed due in Tampa, Fla. Paul McCartney has announced that his third to coronavirus, the group has album in a trilogy of classics, entitled “McCartney III,” will be rescheduled to July 22, 2021. released Dec. 11. (SCOTT AUDETTE / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE) Tickets purchased for the original date will be honored. of concert tickets during its One of the most influential run. hip hop groups ever, Wu Tang Clan formed in New York in • Lucinda Williams has the early 1990s and has delivintroduced a livestream series ered four gold and platinum to benefit independent venues studio albums. who are struggling due to conThe group’s entire “Saga tinued COVID-19 restrictions Continues” tour has been regarding public gatherings. moved to 2021.

The six-episode series of mostly full-band, in-studio • One of the pioneers of Donnie Moorhouse performances will feature a outlaw country, Jerry Jeff LiveWire themed set of songs, curated Walker, passed away on Oct. by the multi-Grammy award 23 due to complications from SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E5 social distancing, home winner. cancer. schooling, and of course live Episode I airs today and entertainment. What will not features Williams’ tribute to change is all of us being able the late Tom Petty.

NON-TOXIC FLEA AND TICK SOLUTIONS to celebrate the holidays toThe shows will air on select that won’t harm your Pet! gether,” TSO’s Music Director Thursdays through the end of ONLY Al Pitrelli said in a statement. the year with Williams offer“It will just be in a different ing her own hits along with 98 way. For 21 years we’ve had themed sets paying tribute + FREE Shipping the privilege of bringing our to Bob Dylan, the Rolling tours, including ‘Christmas Stones, 1960s country, and Eve and Other Stories,’ to Memphis soul. hundreds of cities and milThe series, dubbed “Lu’s lions of people. This year we Jukebox” can be accessed will bring this timeless story through her website at to your living rooms.” lucindawilliams.com.

TSO is a progressive rock Williams has won three group formed in 1996 that has Grammy Awards and is conOrder now at PuraNaturalsPet.com/MBBT gained fame through its holi- sidered one of America’s great or call 1-888-989-4844 day themed rock opera tours. songwriters.

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | E5

TELEVISION

How to watch Charlie Brown specials ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ free this weekend

By Heather Morrison

hmorrison@masslive.com

Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Lucy won’t be making any appearances on broadcast TV for free for the first time since 1965.

The rights to “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” and

LiveWire CONTINUED FROM PAGE E4

• Influential punk band The Damned has planned a reunion tour of the United Kingdom.

The classic founding lineup which features Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies, Captain Sen-

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” were acquired by Apple TV Plus, Engadget reported.

The iconic shows first appeared on CBS in 1965, according to Vulture.

In 2000, they were sold to ABC and have been there ever since.

Fans who want to watch the show anytime will need Apple TV, which is available through Amazon Fire devices as well as Samsung, LG, and Roku TVs. There is a free trial for seven days. After that, it costs $5 per month.

But the streaming service is also offering free options to everyone.

sible and Brian James have reunited for the first time in more than two decades to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their first single “New Rose.”

The band was one of the original U.K. punk bands to make it over to the U.S. and a major influence on goth culture in both countries.

The group has currently

“It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” will be available to stream for free over Halloween weekend, Business Insider reports.

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will be free over Thanksgiving, including Nov. 25 to Nov. 27. But it will be available for subscribers on Nov. 18.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” won’t air over the Christmas holiday for free. Instead, it will be free Dec. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” will be 11 through Dec. 13. Subscribers, how- available to stream for free on Apple TV Plus ever, can watch the show anytime tomorrow through Sunday.

(UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE INC.) starting Dec. 4.

scheduled four shows in the U.K in July of 2020.

• The Iron Horse Entertainment Group has announced new dates for iconic blues acts Roomful of Blues and Ronnie Earl.

Originally scheduled to perform over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the shows

have been moved to 2021.

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters will play the room on Nov. 27, 2021, and Roomful of Blues arrive the following night.

Tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored and ticket information is available through iheg. com.

Roomful of Blues is a New England institution with nearly 50 years of live performing and countless awards in the blues genre.

The group has graduated solo blues and rock stars including guitarist Ronnie Earl who went on to form the all-instrumental blues group, The Broadcasters.

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MOVIES REVIEW

‘The Witches’ a tale of mice and women Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer star in fantasy comedy film

T

By Manohla Dargis

New York Times

here’s no eye of newt or toe of frog in “Roald Dahl’s The Witches,” Robert Zemeckis’ take on the 1983 book – just a mischief of mice, a cantankerous cat and an occasional s-s-snake.

There are people, too; some buzz around in the background while others push the story forward. Chief among these are an unnamed orphan, call him the Boy (Jahzir Bruno, sweetly sensitive), and his loving grandmother (Octavia Spencer), who form a wee bulwark against witches who appear fair but are most foul.

Narrated by a distracting Chris Rock, the story primarily takes place in flashback, in 1967, starting with an accident that kills the Boy’s parents. He moves into the Alabama home of his Grandma, whose warm embrace eases his pain. Zemeckis, working from a script written with Kenya Barris and Guillermo del Toro, handles

this setup effortlessly, with his two cozily inviting leads, lowkey visual panache and customary restive camerawork.

Within minutes, Zemeckis has created a vibrantly inhabited world, even if the golden oldies on the soundtrack are overly familiar, as is his habit, and Grandma’s caky cornbread looks more Northern

Above, from left, Josette Simon, Anne Hathaway and Orla O’Rourke in “Roald Dahl’s The Witches.” At left, a scene from the film. (WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

than Southern.

The witches sidle in, disguised and cunning. One materializes in a once-upona-time tale; another pops up in the present. Amid intimations of doom, Grandma and the Boy decamp to a resort

High Witch (an amusing Anne Hathaway), who arrives with a black cat, a trunk stuffed with cash and a vile plan. Speaking in a vaguely Eastern European hotel, a nonsensical turn accent with Nordic notes, she that’s effectively a narrative has a cavernous mouth and contrivance. There, they soon jagged teeth right out of del find themselves facing down Toro’s imaginarium. a coven of witches stirring Zemeckis improves on the up trouble. United by their first film adaptation, a 1990 hatred of children, the twisted oddity directed by Nicolas SEE ‘WITCHES’, PAGE E7 sisters are led by the Grand

ONLINE STREAMING

Bruce Springsteen documentary leads new releases

By Michael O’Sullivan and Ann Hornaday

Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa in “Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You.” (APPLE TV PLUS)

etic black-and-white, “Letter to You” features Springsteen Washington Post narrating brief introductions In “Bruce Springsteen’s Let- to 10 songs from the album ter to You,” filmmaker Thom (“Janey Needs a Shooter” and Zimny captures the moment “Rainmaker” didn’t make the of creation of the titular cut), which is a simultaneously introspective and explosive album, the first live studio panegyric to the musicians recording Springsteen made he’s worked with over an with the E Street Band since “Born in the U.S.A.” Over the astonishing 50-year career.

Starting with Springsteen’s course of a few snowy days tribute to his very first band, last year, the group got back the Castiles, “Letter to You” is together at Springsteen’s a lyrical, often moving testaThrill Hill home studio to re-create the alchemy that has ment to collaboration, and the abiding mystery of how one made them one of the most man’s artistic consciousness legendary ensembles in rock finds its fullest expression ‘n’ roll history. Filmed in po-

through a collective bond. It’s also a sly portrait of Springsteen’s undisputed leadership skills as the benevolent dictator of the E Streeters, “a unit 45 years in the making and decades in the refining” (listen as the room falls silent when the Boss calls, “Gentlemen, congregate”). Late-great band members Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici are invoked early and often, as are Springsteen’s early idols Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison, whose influences can be discerned in refurbished demos he made for Columbia

SEE STREAM, PAGE E11

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | E7

MOVIES DVD RELEASES

Not a lot to be grateful for in ‘Friendsgiving’

By Katie Foran-McHale

While Los Angeles is being invaded by aliens, a SWAT A group of friends spend a team gets trapped in a county messy holiday together in new building while holding a DVD releases for this week. dangerous crime boss. Stars “Friendsgiving”: Reeling Tara Reid, Richard Grieco and from a divorce and an ugly Robert LaSardo. breakup, respectively, Molly “Ben 10 vs. The Universe: (Malin Akerman) and Abby The Movie”: In this animated (Kat Dennings) have made film, Ben must leave Earth to plans to spend Thanksgiving save the planet from the evil together. Things immediately Vilgax. go awry when Abby is drunk“Black Lightning: The enly ejected from a grocery Complete Third Season”: store and Molly invites her The third season of The CW’s new philanthropist flame DC Comics series continues (Jack Donnelly) to join the Jefferson Pierce’s (Cress Williams) ongoing battles with party, and they spiral from the A.S.A. there. Their friend Lauren “The Flintstones: The (Aisha Tyler) invites more Complete Series”: Collecacquaintances to crash and brings magic mushrooms into tion features all six seasons of the classic Hanna-Barbera the mix; Molly’s mom (Jane Seymour) shows up out of the animated series following blue, and she has also invited everybody’s favorite modern Stone Age family.

Molly’s ex (Ryan Hansen); “Hidden, Series 2”: The white woman and self-proclaimed shaman Claire second season of the BBC (Chelsea Peretti) brings both series picks up nine months woo-woo and anger manage- after killer Dylan Harris (Rhoment vibes. dri Meilir) has died.

There’s so much talent “The Opposite Sex:” The in “Friendsgiving,” with 1956 film starring a singer some performances working (June Allyson) determined to (here’s looking at Dennings’ win back her husband (Leslie trademark sardonicism and Nielsen) has been remastered.

Seymour’s aloofness), some “Waterloo Bridge”: The not (Peretti and Tyler deserve better than these roles). 1940 film starring a ballerina Inconsistency is a theme here, (Vivien Leigh) who turns to with tonal shifts in writer-disex work after hearing the rector Nicol Paone’s script inaccurate news of her lover’s that don’t quite mesh.

(Robert Taylor) death in For a holiday about gathWorld War I has been remasering and gratefulness, none tered.

SEE DVD, PAGE E12 of these people seem to want to be in a room together. The film is stuffed with story, but without much heart, it’s all empty calories.

Tribune News Service

‘Witches’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE E6

Roeg. There’s more heart in the new version and more emotion, qualities which can go missing in those Zemeckis movies that get lost in his technical whiz-bangery.

Here, the Boy feelingly mourns his parents, creating a tangible sense of loss that strengthens the story and raises its stakes. As the Boy heals, Zemeckis pumps up the design and sets his cameras to giddily flying. Everything is slicker and grander in this iteration, including the hotel, which now looks like a supersized plantation.

The movie doesn’t do much with this iconography, but it resonates simply because the heroes are now Black.

Mostly the movie is all shivers and silliness until the High Witch and her minions gather. By that point, she has peeled off her wig and bared her sharp teeth, exposing her true evil self. Witches may look like women, as Grandma warns the Boy, but they’re demons. Roeg literalized that idea by revealing the High Witch (Anjelica Huston) as a blobby, warty monster who speaks with a German accent and calls her cat “Liebchen.” Hathaway’s witch largely retains her human shape, which only makes her more menacing when she explains her plan. She wants “every child in the world rubbed out, squashed.” To do that, the witches will turn children into mice.

In his review of the 1990 film, British critic Philip French singled out this

Stanley Tucci, left, and Octavia Spencer appear in a scene from “The Witches.” (WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP)

evoke the demonic figures of blood libel, the slander that Jews ritualistically sacrificed Christian babies.

Rated: PG “The Witches” isn’t a Running time: 104 min. hate tract; it’s just a weird Watch on: HBO Max stew of jokes, fantastical turns, swooping cameras, half-baked ideas and ugly scene, noting that “consciously or subconsciously, signifiers. It’s also a missed Dahl is playing with the rhet- opportunity because by not oric and imagery of the Final radically upending Dahl’s Solution.” Zemeckis seems story, the movie remains to have tried to attenuate burdened by its creepiness. this association by cranking That’s too bad, especially givup the comedy and the High en the fruitful liberties this version does take, notably Witch’s voice. Even so, the with its casting and shift to scene retains its queasiness the 1960s American South. when read through the lens Even if Zemeckis et al. don’t of Dahl’s anti-Semitism. do much with this transpoIts macabre humor can be sition, it’s satisfying that viewed as classic Dahl, a the story’s heroes are now modern riff on a grim fairy a Black child and woman. It tale. But it’s also ambiguously coded. The witches works like a charm, for one, aren’t Nazis; rather, they and it isn’t ambiguous at all.

‘ROALD DAHL’S THE WITCHES’

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Also new on DVD “My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising”: Animated film based on Kohei Horikoshi’s manga centers on Deku and his cohorts’ quest to save islanders from evil-doers. In Japanese.

“Attack of the Unknown”:

E8 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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DINE & WINE

How one restaurant is surviving the pandemic

T

HE OPENING OF Tucker’s Restaurant in 1999 was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for chef-owner Michael Anderson.

In the 20-plus years since, Anderson and his wife and business partner, Karen, have dealt with issues typical of those most entrepreneurs face — building a customer base, moving to new, larger quarters, and dealing with a seemingly endless succession of day-to-day operational problems.

In March of this year, however, they encountered a challenge neither could have anticipated — Gov. Charlie Baker’s pandemic shutdown order.

Always hands-on operators, the Andersons reacted to a new business reality in a predictable way. “We just continued to work,” Anderson says.

“It’s all I know how to do.”

Like many other eateries, Tucker’s quickly pivoted to takeout, offering a selection of individual and, soon after, family meals.

“We never closed,” he says, “and we started to do takeout; we didn’t know what else to do.”

During the early weeks of the pandemic shutdown — March and April — Anderson remembers that “people were very generous and there was a lot of community support. That was a good feeling.”

As the weather warmed and outdoor dining was authorized

by Baker’s reopening plan, Tucker’s further refocused its operational strategy.

“I got a tent in June,” Anderson said, “but it [outdoor dining] never really clicked.

We worked hard to make it attractive, but it was really just dining out on hot asphalt.”

When indoor seating was approved several weeks later, Anderson responded by reconfiguring the dining room at Tucker’s. He took out several tables and made sure the rest were generously spaced at least 8 to 10 feet apart.

20 to 30 guests don’t make egy, Anderson says “we keep up for the volume of banquet it kind of tight and build (the sales on which the restaurant menu) around items that can formerly depended. be used in several areas.”

Bar and beverage sales are Reflecting his training under also down. Though Anderson his mentor, Tucker Cavanahas been taking advantage ugh, from whom Tucker’s of selling beer, wine, and takes its name, Anderson cocktails to go, the demand continues to rely on a mostisn’t strong. “People don’t ly-from-scratch philosophy. order rum and coke to go,” he For instance, his kitchen uses observes. fresh split chicken breasts, Family Meal packages fabricating them into breast cutlets for chicken marsala and continue to sell, although chicken cordon bleu. Anderson their popularity has declined a Tucker’s Restaurant in Southwick has adapted to the pandemic reserves the breast tenderloins bit of late. Pot roast prepared with takeout options and socially distant seating. The restaufrom the butchering process to in the style that Anderson rant is also promoting a “Thanksgiving To Go” package that learned back at the Storrowuse for beer battered chicken includes roast turkey with all the fixings and a second entree ton Tavern remains the most fi ngers and chicken potpie.

The choice for $99. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) popular of Tucker’s takeout trimmings and bones go into family meals fully there will be another the stockpot.

Karen Anderson has been stimulus thing,” he added.

Desserts, sides, and salworking on various proThe events of the past ad dressings are all made motional angles to build six months have decidedly in-house. As of last week, business, such as a takeout changed the way Tucker’s does Anderson was still using lastpartnership with the nearby business. of-season, Southwick-raised American Inn senior living He’s had to tighten his belt tomatoes to make a chilled facility. in a number of ways. Since gazpacho that he garnished The Andersons also have March the restaurant’s kitchen with sour cream and fresh high hopes for a “Thanksgivhas been a five-day-a-week, lime. ing To Go” package they’re two-man operation, with AnThe level of business that Hugh Robert promoting. Priced at $99 and derson and just one other cook Tucker’s is doing is slowly Off The Menu serving four, the package handing all the back-of-house rebounding. Food sales in August and September were includes roast turkey with all duties.

The restaurant’s banquet the fixings as well as a second only down about 10% when “At first we were open for entree choice. A selection of hall, which had a pre-pancompared to the same two dinner only following a Tuessides and desserts will addidemic capacity of 120, was months in 2019. day through Saturday schedalso rearranged for socially It’s the lack of function busi- tionally be available. ule,” Anderson said. “We tried Looking to the months distanced, a la carte dining.

Sundays, but that didn’t make ness that really hurts.

Anderson’s wife, Karen, who Tucker’s has done some off- ahead, Anderson observes that sense financially. On Sept. 1 “it was tough before, but now manages the front of the site catering of small events we started opening for lunch, it’s even tougher.” He’s not house, made a special effort to but lunch hasn’t picked up, and – weddings, funeral lunches, SEE MENU, PAGE E9 make the space as attractive we’re in the process of rethink- and the like — but parties of as possible, and the room’s ing that move,” he added. exterior doors are left partially Tucker’s has never worked open during business hours to with an extensive menu, and WESTFIELD enhance ventilation. the restaurant’s current bill of Open for Lunch & Dinner Operationally, Anderson had fare limits itself to 10 individuto make some hard decisions al meal options supplemented in order to stay afloat. by a daily special or two.

He managed to secure about Anderson began his culinary $100,000 in CARES Act ascareer back in 1982 when, at sistance through the Paycheck age 15, he started work at StorProtection Program of that rowton Tavern in West Springlegislation, a cash injection field. Tucker Cavanuagh, then that helped make up for the the owner of Storrowton, and dramatic decline in business chefs such as the late Lenny Tucker’s had experienced.

Marquis influenced Anderson’s Thanks to that help he says approach to restaurant operahe’s pretty much current on his tions, which is about traditionIndoor and Outdoor Dining bills. “We can ride it out until al American recipe favorites, Curbside Take Out Service Available December” he states, but he’s with flavors enhanced by local definitely worried about what sourcing. happens come January. “HopeReferring to his menu strat2 Broad Street, Westfield • 562-0335

OPEN ‘TIL MIDNIGHT 7 DAYS A WEEK

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | E9

DINE & WINE

Fond farewell to Sierra Grille

A

S I’VE SAID A NUMber of times previously in this column, beer to me is more than a tasty beverage: It’s a libation that lends itself to camaraderie and sharing stories.

While all types of food and drink can lay claim to providing those integral circuits of society, for me, beer has always been the best one for that. Even the vernacular surrounding it lends itself to more casual, working-class lingo. We may say “Want to go for a cocktail?” when talking generally, but it’s often “Want to grab a beer?”

There is just a proletarian connection with the common person, which drinks like wine and spirits do not have as much.

(This is why I always have been against the fancification of beer. Beer snobs ruin beer for me.)

I have gathered with friends at many beer venues over the years and have enjoyed them all. But now there is one fewer of them, and it’s not just any one – it’s a huge one.

Last week, the continuing repercussions of COVID-19

Menu

the years, and I always take them with a grain of salt. It’s really hard to open and sustain a restaurant.

But I felt O’Brian’s idea was different. He was older and had successfully helped launch venues such as Amherst Brewing Co. and his plan sounded new and unique.

I’m not going to describe it all George Lenker here, but the main aspect that Beer Nut interested me was the beer.

Because even though caused The Sierra Grille in Northampton was on the craft Northampton to shutter its beer map with the Northampdoors, and the click of that final ton Brewery, which is one of the oldest continually running turn of the lock reverberated brewpubs in the Northeast, throughout the city. While it there wasn’t much beyond that was a full restaurant, I only until 2006, when The Sierra ate there occasionally (and Grille and The Dirty Truth the food was always great). I mainly went there for the beer – both opened up within two and to meet friends over a beer weeks of each other. Maybe a few taps here and there at or three.

Owner O’Brian Tomalin had various bars, but no real craft told me years before it opened beer bars.

But Sierra and The Truth that he was planning on opening a place and described it in changed all that, and shortly detail. He was waiting tables thereafter, many if not most at Spoleto in Northampton at bars carried a lot more craft the time. Now, I can’t tell you beer. Then places like Hinge how many servers have shared and McLadden’s opened, similar dreams with me over making the city a haven for

“Old School” Casa Anniversary Menu include cod Francese, sausage pizzaiola, veal scaloppini, and loaded chicken parmigiano. The one-price package also includes soup, salad, side dish, dessert, and soda or coffee.

Cafe Casa, the establishment’s outdoor dining venue, will also wrap up operations for the fall season on Oct. 31.

Reservations can be made online through the WaitList.Me link at the restaurant’s website, casadilisa.com. For more details, contact Casa Di Lisa at 413-786-1900.

craft beer. Not sure that would have happened without people seeing the success of those two venues.

Over the years, I have quaffed countless beers, shared innumerable stories and met a handful of new friends at Sierra. And I mean real friends, not

acquaintances. And that is what I mean about beer. It really can bring people together. And that was also the magic of The Sierra Grille: It truly was a “gathering place,” as O’Brian called it.

Here’s hoping he finds a new place for all of us to gather down the road.

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Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

3135660 3135607-01 31356 607-011

Starting today, the restaurant will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 4 CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the kitchparticularly optimistic about en taking orders from 5 p.m. to 2021, and he wonders how the 9 p.m. experience of the pandemic will The Irish House will also no change the public’s tastes when longer be featuring its Thursday Prime Rib deal, but the it comes to dining out.

“What will people think of establishment will continue to as ‘good food’ once this is all offer inside dining and takeout, over?” he muses. including its Family Dinner More information about Specials to Go. Tucker’s Restaurant, including Call the restaurant at 413the operation’s current menu, 342-4358 for information or to can be found at tuckersrestau- make reservations. rant.com.

The establishment’s tele• Casa Di Lisa in Feeding phone number is 413-569Hills is bringing its month-long 0120. celebration of its 20th anniversary to a close on Oct. 31.

Side dishes Throughout October the • The Irish House Restau- restaurant has been promoting rant and Trinity Pub at the a fixed-price, $20.20 menu of Irish Cultural Center in West dishes inspired by the Casa di Springfield has announced a Lisa menu of two decades ago. new schedule of dining hours.

Featured selections on this

The continuing repercussions of COVID-19 caused The Sierra Grille at 41 Strong Ave. in Northampton to shutter its doors.

WEEKEND

E10 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

5 tips for hosting a fun, online wine tasting

B

EFORE THIS YEAR, I’M not sure if I ever took part in an online wine tasting, or frankly, even heard of one.

Not anymore.

In the past few months, I have “attended” many online wine tastings with friends and winemakers.

At first, I didn’t always feel comfortable tasting wine while sitting in front of a computer. Who would frankly?

I’m sure most of us would prefer to be sharing a few drinks face to face in person. But that’s not always possible.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to wait to see friends or family members to share some wine with them.

Ken Ross That’s why Wine Press I thought I would share a few thoughts about hosting or organizing an online wine tasting.

Let me add there’s no right or wrong way to taste wine online with friends.

This isn’t one of those “this is the only way” or “the best way” to do something articles. I hate reading those know-it-all rule books and I hope you don’t think I’m trying to be some sort of hall monitor telling you what to do.

Always remember that tasting wine should be fun.

Always.

So with that in mind, here are five suggestions (not rules) for hosting a fun, online wine tasting with friends.

crowd pleaser. All of us enjoyed this earthy wine’s long, deep finish with hints of fresh blackberries and dark chocolate. In fact, we enjoyed it so much, my notes for this intense, wonderful wine were definitely shorter than normal.

When hosting an online wine tasting, Ken Ross recommends tasting one to three wines and having snacks, such as hard cheese, to go along with them.

(KEN ROSS PHOTO)

This might not seem that important right now. But trust me. Once you start tasting a few wines and talking to each other, you’ll likely get pretty hungry.

You don’t have to prepare “Babette’s Feast.” Even a jar of nuts will do just fine. But if you are planning ahead, Drink the same wines my advice would be a pick out two or If possible, buy the exact same wines three nice cheeses (especially hard ahead of time. That way, when you’re ones, which often go great with many tasting the wine with friends, you wines) as well as some olives, sliced will both have the same wines at the meats and dark chocolate. same time. I realize this is not always possible, especially if you live far away Make yourself comfortable from each other and can’t find the I realize you might not have a choice same wines in different stores. But if your computer is permanently set if you can, I definitely recommend doing this. It makes the people you’re up on your desk or somewhere else in your house. But if you have a laptop sharing the wine with feel so much or can use your cellphone for your closer throughout the tasting. tasting, I highly recommend doing so. That way, you can sit on a couch or Keep it small somewhere else comfortable inside or I know it might be tempting to taste even outside if possible. Believe me. several different wines with a large Sharing a bottle of wine online with

1.

4.

2.

2016 Valdibella Acamante Perricone ($14.99 at Provisions) The star of the tasting, this voluptuous, powerful wine from the Italian island of Sicily blew everyone away with its intense, earthy flavors. A bit spicy at times for some people, I was especially impressed by its well-balanced, ripe fruit flavors, especially hints of plum. You could also smell this wine’s wonderful aroma the most.

This wine tasted just as terrific the second day.

group of friends online. But I have found that the best tastings are often the smallest ones. And I’m not just talking about the number of people.

I’m also talking about the number of wines you share together. My advice would be to taste one to three wines with another couple. That way, everyone will have plenty of time to taste and talk about the wines together.

3. Have some snacks

2018 La Cabotte Colline Cotes Du Rhone ($14.99 at Provisions) France’s Rhone region is filled with wonderful wineries producing many affordable, complex wines. This delightful blend of grenache and syrah grapes was a smooth start to another fun, online tasting with friends. Some thought this wine was slightly sweet at first. I thought it had a velvety finish with a slightly plummy finish. Let me add this wine didn’t taste nearly as great the second day. But I think that had more to do with the friends we shared the wine with online the night before.

Some of the wines tasted during a recent online wine tasting. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

2018 Judith Beck Beck Ink Zweigelt ($14.99 at Provisions) Definitely the most unique wine of friends while seated in your backyard the tasting, this distinct Austrian red can be quite a nice way to end the day. wine was unlike any of the other wines I tried recently with friends online, for better and for worse. This wine has an Talk about the wines ... if you almost effervescent quality you don’t want usually associate with red wines. It This last bit of advice can be taken also had a slightly lemon-like flavor with a grain of salt – or a glass of wine. and even tasted a bit like grape juice, I’m not saying you have to spend the which shouldn’t be that unusual since entire time online with friends talking wine is made with grapes. But this about the wine. But you might as well wine’s quirky personality grew on me.

And the next day, the wine had just as talk a little bit about it, especially if you both went to the trouble to buy the much character and just as much to same wines. That’s what I did recently say as the day before – which is always a great sign of a good wine and even with two sets of friends. Below, you better friends. can find my tasting notes for these Cheers! four red wines.

5.

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on 2017 Vina Zorzal Graciano ($12.99 Masslive.com every Monday and in at Provisions in Northampton) This dry, refreshing, robust red wine The Republican’s weekend section every from Spain’s Navarra region was a real Thursday.

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | E11

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

‘Promesa’: Video game? Interactive art? Why not both?

By Christopher Byrd

appear at the beginning and in between the game’s short “Promesa” is a short, exper- segments. From these, we imental work deeply informed come to eavesdrop on a conby revered Russian filmmaker versation between a grandfather and his grandchild. Their Andrei Tarkovsky (19321986), much of whose work is conversation touches on the vagaries of memory, regrets, structured around evocative environments meant to draw and nostalgia. This is representative of their ruminations: one into a contemplative “You know that I keep forgetmood.

“Promesa’s” compact ting the names of streets? By story unfolds through paranot wanting to remember all graph-sized intertiles that the bad that happened, I forWashington Post

Stream CONTINUED FROM PAGE E6

Records chief John Hammond (and there’s a touch of Van Morrison in “Baby I,” an early-early Springsteen song that provides a thoroughly delightful coda in the film).

On the heels of “Springsteen on Broadway” and last year’s “Western Stars,” “Letter to You” punctuates a revealing trilogy in which an artist ruminates on life, art, mortality and connection – in this case, to the bands that helped make him and to the mystical gift he continues to interrogate and earn, with every song. TV-PG. Available on Apple TV Plus.

Contains some mild profanity.

91 minutes.

– Ann Hornaday Loosely based on Chang-rae Lee’s 1995 New Yorker essay about returning home to care for his dying mother, “Coming Home Again” centers on a young Korean American aspiring writer named Changrae (Justin Chon), who quits his Wall Street job to help care for his ailing mother (Jackie Chung). Revolving around preparations for an elaborate New Year’s Eve dinner including the traditional Korean short rib dish kalbi, the film moves slowly, as Chang-rae cooks for a parent whose stomach cancer means she can barely eat, confronts his father (John Lie) about infidelity and argues with his sister (Christina July Kim). The rest

got a lot of things. ... Look, the only thing I will always regret, is not having learned Russian.

One should be born again, what can we do. ... There are things that I did not learn and that I’ll never get to learn.”

Playing through “Promesa” prompted me to recall a memorable passage in Tarkovsky’s “Sculpting in Time,” the book in which he lays out his aesthetic principles: “Art is born and takes hold whenever

Modern art has taken a wrong turn in abandoning the search for the meaning of existence Developed by: Julián Palato affirm the value of the indicios Gechtman Published by: Strelka vidual for its own sake.”

Games, Julián Palacios Whether “Promesa” is best Gechtman described as a video game Available on: PC, Mac or a piece of interactive art is debatable. (Personally, I’ve never seen a reason one there is a timeless and insatia- can’t encompass the other.) ble longing for the spiritual, Unfortunately, those who for the ideal: that longing measure video games solely SEE VIDEO GAME, PAGE E12 is what draws people to art.

“PROMESA”

the directorial debut of the Baltimore-raised sibling filmmaking duo known as Running Bear Films (Stephen Kinigopoulos and Alexa Kinigopoulos). Described in press material as a “coming-of-age thriller,” the film tells the story of three sisters being raised by a father obsessed with the Three retired Italian men Rapture. Unrated. Available on (Georgio Colangeli, Ennio Fantastichini and director and various streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video co-writer Gianni Di Gregorio) wander around Rome and iTunes. 85 minutes. trying to raise enough money to finance their relocation Joey King and Abby Quinn Justin Chon stars in “Coming Home Again.” (OUTSIDER PICTURES) to Bulgaria in the comedy play young New Jersey factory “Citizens of the World.” The workers painting glow-inis mostly highly internalized, is a Norwegian psychological Guardian says: “It’s a sweet, the-dark watch faces – with as memories of Mom – bicker- horror film in which a starving sad, slightly flimsy film with radium – in the 1920s-set ing with her son about wheth- family of three takes advannice performances from the drama “Radium Girls.” The er it was wise to send him tage of a free meal offered to grey-haired gallants.” Unrat- Hollywood Reporter says ed. Available at virtualavaaway to Exeter in high school attendees of an immersive that the fact-based drama lon.org and afisilver.afi.com. “proves engrossing, thanks to – seem to materialize alongtheatrical performance in side the nearly bedridden In Italian with subtitles. 90 a hotel. The performance its powerful real-life tale and real version of the woman. minutes. takes a macabre turn when the excellent performances Thanks to Chon’s mostly un- audience members begin to by leads King and Quinn, who derplayed performance and Produced by Washington, disappear. TV-MA. Available make us fully care about their un-showy direction by Wayne on Netflix. 86 minutes.

D.C., novelist George Pelecharacters’ fates.” Unrated. canos and filmed in Ellicott Wang, whose résumé swings Available at afisilver.afi.com.

City, Md.,”Fishbowl” is between “The Joy Luck Club” The documentary “Freak 102 minutes. and “Because of “Winn-Dix- Power: The Ballot or the ie,” the emotions accumulate Bomb” celebrates the 50th nicely, with a subtle payoff anniversary of the 1970 politiabout the ways we are shaped, cal campaign of writer Hunter S. Thompson for sheriff of both by our parent’s gifts Pitkin County, Colo. Unrated. and their mistakes. Unrated.

Available on Amazon Prime Available at virtualavalon.

Video. 95 minutes. org and afisilver.afi.com.

Contains brief strong language Featuring performances by and drug references. In English and some Korean with subtitles. Malin Akerman, Margaret Cho, Kat Dennings, Chel86 minutes. sea Peretti, Jane Seymour, – Michael O’Sullivan Wanda Sykes and Christine Also streaming Taylor, the ensemble comedy From left, Gianni Di Gregorio, Ennio Fantastichini and Giorgo Set in the aftermath of a “Friendsgiving” centers on Colangeli appear in “Citizens of the World.” (LE PACTE) nuclear disaster, “Cadaver” a chaotic and dysfunctional gathering of friends, family members and current and former lovers over Thanksgiving dinner. R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains crude sexual humor and coarse language throughout, and drug use. 95 minutes.

WEEKEND

E12 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

A scene from “Promesa.” (STRELKA GAMES, JULIÁN PALACIOS GECHTMAN)

Video game CONTINUED FROM PAGE E11

by the range and quality of the interactivity will find meager reason to give “Promesa” a try as its playable sections amount to nothing more than passing through different environments at varying speeds.

The areas themselves vary from the mundane to the surreal. One moment, players may find themselves wandering through an apartment that looks either recently moved into or soon to be abandoned.

Soon after, they are trekking across a snow-covered field until they find a TV tuned to a pixelated image. (The order of the scenes change with different playthroughs.)

What is interesting about these incidents is the manner in which the environments are juxtaposed and suggestive details are highlighted. From a curtain billowing into a kitch-

DVD CONTINUED FROM PAGE E7

ating their own coven.

“Spell”: After a mysterious plane crash, a pilot (Omari Hardwick) must escape from an attic of a sinister woman (Loretta Devine). Out tomorrow.

“Christmas in Carolina”: An investment banker (Joslyn Y Hall) is reminded of the Christmas spirit after a man (David L. Rowell) invites her to his Southern hometown. Out Sunday.

“The World Without You”: A family grapples with the death of their journalist son, who was covering the Iraq War. Out Sunday.

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New on Digital HD “Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula”: A soldier (Gang Dong-won) is sent on a mission in a zombie-ridden wasteland. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray Nov. 24. In Korean.

“The Craft: Legacy”: Cailee Spaeny, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone, Zoey Luna, Michelle Monaghan and David Duchovny star in this stand-alone sequel to the 1996 film about a group of high school friends cre-

en, which calls to mind simple domesticity, to a multitiered panopticon structure, evoking endless days of tedious confinement, the game is steeped in mnemonic talismans.

Sometimes the environments warp and twist as you move through them so that a photograph seen from a distance acquires a skewed form of depth up close, or a television screen becomes a portal to a cave that opens to a nocturnal kitchen that leads to a tiny cave which contains a desk and a computer. Dislocated from chronological time and naturalistic space, the events depicted in” Promesa” exist in a state of open-ended subjectivity that beckons its audience to overlay its own impressions.

With a running time a little short of an hour, “Promesa” is meant to be played in a single sitting. For those intrigued by the more artistic side of gaming, it is a dream worth having.

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