For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment
Weekend Winter
E
|
| THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
LIVEWIRE: Singer Marianne Faithfull follows COVID battle with new album, E3 SUPERHERO MOVIES: From classic and widely loved to underrated films, E5 OFF THE MENU: Restaurant safety a concern of COVID-wary diners, E8
walks
Old Sturbridge Village plans weekend activities through February, Page E2
PLUS
Nostalgic television shows, E6
E2 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
WEEKEND
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Winter walks return to Old Sturbridge Village
Winter walks are being offered at Old Sturbridge Village through the end of February. To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, go online to OSV.org.
W By Cori Urban
Costumed reenactors will be available for conversations during the winter walks at Old Sturbridge Village. (JOHN COLLINS PHOTO)
Special to The Republican
CDC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are followed; all guests are asked to wear a face mask when in the village. All protocols can be found online at osv.org/ plan-your-visit. The village is open rain or shine, but will close when there is hazardous weather. In such cases, an announcement will be made via email to ticketholders for that date and on the village’s website, Facebook and Instagram. “In light snow, the village is all the more picturesque,” Friel said. Daniel P. Friel, director of The village is open 9:30 public and government a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is relations, Old Sturbridge half-price through Feb. 7. Village All visitors and members are required to purchase and/ or reserve tickets online to outdoor experience. “By manage capacity in accoropening and keeping the dance with current Massavillage open for weekend walks we are doing just that,” chusetts guidelines. Available tickets will be released he said. “We are also comDaily horse-drawn wagon rides will be available on the grounds weekly on each Wednesday mitted to being a learning of Old Sturbridge Village. resource of New England life, prior and arrival time blocks but the passion and love of During these unprecemust be chosen. inviting each visitor to find the program lives on with dented pandemic times, Old meaning, pleasure, relevance To purchase tickets in the safety of our staff and Sturbridge staff wanted to advance for Winter Walks or and inspiration through the visitors always being the top give visitors the opportunifor more information, go to exploration of history.” priority.” ty to have a safe, enjoyable OSV.org. Safety protocols from the
inter at Old Sturbridge Village tends to be quieter than other seasons, but quiet days here allow for longer conversations between guests and costumed historians. “If there is snow on the ground, it is especially picturesque — like walking into a postcard scene,” said Daniel P. Friel, director of public and government relations. “We want to share our rural New England village through all four seasons.”
Winter Walks are being offered this weekend, Jan. 29-31, Feb. 5-7, and Feb. 12-21 and Feb. 26-28. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful walk around the early 19th-century village and stop at numerous households and the print, tin, pottery, blacksmith and cooper trade shops. See farmers at work getting ready for the next season and visit the farm animals — cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, hens and oxen. There will be daily horsedrawn wagon rides too. “As always, our costumed historians enjoy having the opportunity to share the village with the public,” Friel said. “The winter months can make it difficult, especially with an all-outdoor program,
“The winter months can make it difficult, especially with an all-outdoor program, but the passion and love of the program lives on with the safety of our staff and visitors always being the top priority.”
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | E3
MUSIC / MOVIES
Marianne Faithfull follows COVID battle with new album ‘Miss Juneteenth’ is a real winner year after DVD RELEASES
A
being diagnosed with COVID-19, Marianne Faithfull has recovered to release a new album in 2021. “She Walks in Beauty” will come out on April 30, almost a year to the date of the singer’s positive test. Faithfull survived 22 days in intensive care to complete the project, which features her reading poetry from Lord Byron, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Wordsworth, and Lord Tennyson. The poems are set to music delivered by Nick Cave and Brian Eno. Faithfull became a star in 1964 with the hit single “As Tears Go By.” Liner notes • For those craving live entertainment during the stir-crazy COVID era, Mohegan Sun is offering comedy. Comix Roadhouse, the Uncasville, Connecticut, casino’s self-contained comedy club with a country twist features live entertainment Thursday through Saturday each week. Tickets for the shows are available through mohegansun.com. New York’s Gianmarco Soresi takes the stage this weekend with an 8 p.m. show tonight, a 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and two shows (6 and 8 p.m.) on Saturday. Upcoming performers include Mike Cannon (Feb. 4-6), Jordan Rock (Feb. 11-13) and Joe Machi (Feb. 18-20).
Tribune News Service
Top 10 in the U.S. and was a Number One hit in the U.K. Her upcoming documentary, “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” will premiere on AppleTV+ and in theaters on Feb. 26.
Donnie Moorhouse LiveWire
“a stunning visual narrative journey through her life” and Eilish handpicked many of the photos from searching through family albums. Only 19, Eilish is the youngest artist ever to win the four major Grammy categories (Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year) for her 2019 release “When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go.” Her single “No Time to Die,” the title song for the James Bond movie to be released in April, reached the
• The Hanover Theatre in Worcester is presenting a livestream comedy series. “Comedy Night at the BrickBox” will showcase local comics in virtual events on Saturday and Feb 14. Saturday’s performance will feature standup sets from Christine Hurley, Corey Rodrigues, Tooky Kavanagh and Will Noonan. The performances begin at 8 p.m. and tickets are available through thehanovertheatre.org. The shows are being broadcast from the new Worcester BrickBox Theatre at the Jean McDonough Arts Center, a program of The Worcester Cultural Coalition operated in SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E12
An award-winning mother-daughter pageant drama tops the new DVD releases this week. Winner of the Louis Black “Lone Star” Award at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival— a fitting accomplishment, given the historical significance of the Juneteenth holiday’s Texas origins — and with plenty of Oscar buzz, “Miss Juneteenth” follows a financially struggling single mom, Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), who enters her teenage daughter, Kai (Alexis Chikaeze), into the local Miss Juneteenth pageant. It’s a title Turquoise won herself, but was unable to take full advantage of its college scholarship prize due to having Kai. And 15-year-old Kai is less than enthused with the idea. Beharie gives an amazing performance in this complex role rooted in deep-seated traumas, with director Channing Godfrey Peoples deftly weaving in the holiday’s significance and history into this rich generational story, wrote Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review.
“Peoples and Beharie have established (Turquoise) as such a compelling character that you always root for her. It’s not that we want to see Kai and Turquoise necessarily win the pageant, but to see them find stability and understanding in their relationships, to learn to compromise and happily coexist as individuals, and to express themselves with dignity and grace,” Walsh wrote. “That right there is real Miss Juneteenth material.” Also new on DVD this week “The Kid Detective”: A former child detective (Adam Brody) keeps on taking trivial cases into his 30s. “The Cleansing Hour”: A pair of sham exorcists (Ryan Guzman and Kyle Gallner) face dire consequences when one of their girlfriends (Alix Angelis) is actually possessed by a demon. “The Climb”: Real-life best friends (Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin) grapple with how one slept with the other’s fiancee. SEE DVD, PAGE E4
ALWAYS HIGH PRICES PAID.
63 Cabot Street, Chicopee Center (413) 592-0220
3144179-01
• Billie Eilish has a book coming. The singer will deliver her self-titled photo book on May 11 through Grand Central Publishing. The book is described as
Singer Marianne Faithfull is set to release a new album following her battle with COVID, which included a 22-day stay in intensive care.
WEEKEND
E4 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
MOVIES ONLINE STREAMING
‘Rock Camp: The Movie’ leads new releases By Michael O’Sullivan
minutes.
The caricature of Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, a venture started in 1997 by promoter David Fishof to give un-famous music aficionados the opportunity to rub elbows with (and pick up a few performing tips from) such rawk gods as Vinny Appice, who drummed for Black Sabbath, and Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, is one perpetuated by a famous “Simpsons” episode, in which middle-aged suburban dads rocked out with the likes of Mick Jagger and Elvis Costello. And that stereotype of nerdy-nobody-meets-notable is both borne out and, to a certain degree, dispelled by “Rock Camp: The Movie,” an entertaining and surprising look at several participants and “counselors” at the 23rd annual iteration of the camp, which took place in 2019 over the course of five days in Las Vegas. There is, of course, the expected incongruity of watching accountant Tammy Fisher - a grandmother (!) and camp veteran switching her focus from drumming to vocals - but also the delight of seeing the effect of music on Blake Meinhardt, an autistic teenager with a singular love (and unmistakable talent) for the
“American Dream,” a thriller directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (“Schindler’s List,” “Saving Private Ryan”) stars Luke Bracey, Michiel Huisman and Nick Stahl in a story about a violent Russian mobster who becomes involved in the construction project of two naive Americans. The participation of a few recognizable actors and an acclaimed cinematographer scarcely renders the “dull” project less anonymous, according to Variety. R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains violence, some grisly images, a sexual assault, coarse language and some sexuality and nudity. 83 minutes.
Washington Post
DVD
Above, from left, singer Roger Daltrey of the Who, guitarist Slash from Guns N’ Roses and David Fishof, the founder of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, are featured in the documentary “Rock Camp: The Movie.” (GIANT PICTURES)
Rainn Wilson appears in “Don’t Tell a Soul.” (SABAN FILMS / LIONSGATE HOME ENTERTAINMENT)
Contains nothing objectionable. 87 minutes.
A scene from the documentary “Acasa, My Home.” (ZEITGEIST FILMS)
guitar. Just as you can imagine that rock camp is for its participants - whose skill levels vary, but not their passion - the film
Coming out on Digital HD Friday: “No Man’s Land”: A man (Jake Allyn) seeks redemption in Mexico after accidentally killing an immigrant child on the border. Sunday: “Stockton On My Mind”: Documentary follows Michael Tubbs, the first Black mayor of the California city.
In the cat-and-mouse thriller “Don’t Tell a Soul,” Rainn Wilson plays a security guard who becomes trapped in a well while chasing two brothers (Fionn Whitehead and Jack Dylan Grazer) who have robbed a house to pay for the medical bills of their sick mother (Mena Suvari). R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains strong language, some violence, teen drug use and a sexual reference. 83 minutes.
e t u C &
Now out on Digital HD “Bring Me a Dream”: A homicidal woman breaks into a sorority and summons the Sandman. Stars Martin Kove, Jesse Kove and Tyler Mane.
Classy 3145386-01
Robbie). “Hearts and Bones”: A Sudanese refugee (Andrew Luri) CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3 pleads with a war photojour“Always and Forever”: A nalist (Hugo Weaving) not to woman (Cynthia Addai-Rob- display photos of a massacre in inson) believes her friends’ his village. mysterious deaths are linked “Max Cloud”: A teenage girl to her traumatic past. (Isabelle Allen) gets trapped “Dead Reckoning”: A inside her favorite video game. woman in Nantucket (India “The Village in the Eisley) must stop the terWoods”: A couple attempting rorist who murdered her fraud in a small village become parents. marks themselves. “Dreamland”: A Great “Wander”: A grieving Depression era farm boy private investigator (Aaron (Finn Cole) struggles to Eckhart) becomes convinced a decide whether to turn in small-town case is connected or help a fugitive (Margot to his daughter’s death.
“Rock Camp” is a eye-opening treat. Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com, angelikaanywhere. com and themiracletheatre.com.
Also streaming The documentary “Acasa, My Home” is a portrait of a Romanian family that is trying to make the transition from life in a hut in the wilderness, where they have spent two decades, to government housing in Bucharest. According to Slant magazine, the “poignant” film is at its most moving “when it lingers on the face of children who are impotent to return to the world they used to call home.” Unrated. Available atafisilver.afi.com. In Romanian with subtitles. 86
Everyone Welcome
Pleasure, Ad Pl Adventure, & F Fun
AdamEveGreenfieldMA
18 Main St., Greenfield, MA • 413-774-9800 AEStoresGreenfield www.Greenfield.AdamEveStores.com Mon-Thurs 10am-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 12pm-7pm
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | E5
MOVIES MOVIES
Feeling let down by ‘Wonder Woman 1984’?
Erik (Michael Fassbender), Banshee (Caleb Landry Jones), Charles (James McAvoy), Moira (Rose Byrne), Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and Havok (Lucas Till) join forces to prevent the greatest disaster the world has ever known in “X-Men: First Class.” (MURRAY CLOSE / TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION)
Here are 6 great superhero movies to enjoy
Baymax gives Hiro a hug in a scene from “Big Hero 6.” (DISNEY)
By Noel Murray
New York Times
Last month, Warner Bros. released the coronavirus-delayed “Wonder Woman 1984,” a sequel to the 2017 hit “Wonder Woman.” The action-adventure movie has done relatively well at the box office (in places where theaters are open), even though it’s also available for a limited time on the streaming service HBO Max. But compared with the enthusiastic response to the first “Wonder Woman” movie, the sequel has drawn a mixed reaction, with some critics and comic book fans complaining about the film’s unlikely plot and lengthy running time. So for those who felt let down by “Wonder Woman 1984,” here are six other superhero options to stream — from the widely beloved and popular to films that never received the big audiences they deserved. ‘The Rocketeer’ Stream it onDisney+; rent or buy it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu orYouTube. The moviegoing public was still developing a taste for superheroes back in 1991, when Walt Disney’s Buena Vista Pictures failed to draw crowds
Google Play, Vudu or YouTube. In some of the most haunting superhero stories, the powerful dwell among us in the ordinary world, devoid of costumes or code names. One of the best known of these is M. Night Shyamalan’s “Unbreakable.” Film buffs who love that film should definitely catch up with writer-director Julia Hart’s similarly low-boil “Fast Color,” about a family of women who hide their extraordinary abilities from a government agency that wants to exploit them. Hart and co-writer/producer Jordan Horowitz add their own spin on this classic genre.
gives the picture the polish of a James Bond film, while James McAvoy (as Professor Charles Xavier) and Michael Fassbender (as Erik “Magneto” Lehnsherr) lead an ace cast in an adventure filled with international intrigue.
‘Big Hero 6’ Stream it on Disney+; rent or buy it on Amazon Prime, Margot Robbie stars as Harley Quinn in “Birds of Prey.” Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu or (CLAUDETTE BARIUS / WARNER BROS.) YouTube. for this charmingly old-fashwas entrusted with the 2002 Given that the superhero ioned pulp exercise. Based blockbuster “Spider-Man,” he genre became a phenomenon on a little-known comic by made his own twisted, R-rated thanks to the ink-stained medium of comic books, it’s too illustrator Dave Stevens, “The version of a Marvel Comics bad there haven’t been more Rocketeer” is a fast-paced pot- movie, about a mad scientist boiler set in a 1930s Hollywood driven by tragedy to become big-budget animated super‘X-Men: First Class’ hero movies. The Oscar-winfilled with glamorous swells a vigilante, disguised in an Stream it on HBO Max; rent ning “Big Hero 6” is a fine and optimistic go-getters — artificial skin that dissolves in example of how the exaggerincluding a bombshell actress sunlight. Anchored by a zesty or buy it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu or ated, cartoony illustrations Jenny (Jennifer Connelly) and Liam Neeson performance common to animation lend YouTube. her stunt-pilot boyfriend (Billy (getting an early start on the The X-Men movie franchise themselves well to kinetic, Campbell). The director, Joe “capable hero out for blood” Johnston, brings light and zip screen persona he’s mastered and its Deadpool and Wolver- fantastical action. The film ine offshoots have been hugely is also kid-friendly, telling to the film’s Nazi-fighting plot in recent years), “Darkman” — something he’d do again the story of a moody teenage combines elements of old Uni- popular but inconsistent. “X-Men: First Class” is the 20 years later with the mighty versal monster movies, gritty genius who assembles a group 1970s superhero comics and best of the bunch because it “Captain America: The First of tech-savvy nerds to help slapstick comedy. Although it’s isn’t bogged down by comAvenger.” him, along with his adorably rated R and not appropriate for plicated mythology. Instead, squishy super-robot Baymax, ‘Darkman’ younger viewers, the movie is the story starts at the beginunravel a conspiracy. At once Rent or buy it on Amazon ning, in 1962, as two young a true original. cute and visually dazzling, Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, mutant chums with different “Big Hero 6” is an old-fash‘Fast Color’ ioned superhero tale suffused Vudu or YouTube. ideologies work together to Stream it on Amazon Prime or recruit more of their own kind. with positivity. A little over a decade SEE MOVIES, PAGE E7 Hulu; rent or buy it on Apple TV, Director Matthew Vaughn before director Sam Raimi
WEEKEND
E6 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
TELEVISION
Shows that offer the nostalgia you need now 15 shows you can stream By Bethonie Butler
Washington Post
Thanks to a proliferating number of streaming networks, TV shows aren’t exactly in short supply these days. But amid the flashy new thrillers and slow-burn sagas, it can be comforting to return to the old stalwarts: network sitcoms and dramas. In fact, a new Nielsen analysis suggests many viewers did just that last year, as broadcast hits including “The Office,” “Criminal Minds” and the still-airing “Grey’s Anatomy” topped the research company’s ranking of 2020’s most-streamed shows. Nielsen cites those shows as garnering more viewership than any other title (including original series and movies), based on its content ratings for Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime. (Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Below, we’ve compiled a wide-ranging list of our favorite broadcast gems available to stream on, and beyond, those platforms.
You can also choose episodes by guest star, of which there are a seemingly infinite amount, including memorable turns by Martin Short, Cynthia Nixon, Robin Williams and Ann-Margret, to name a few. (Streaming on Hulu) “The Office” (2005) The beloved and oft-quoted workplace comedy was already a perennial hit on Netflix before moving over to NBC’s Peacock earlier this year. But the series became Above is a scene from “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” (JOHN P. FLEENOR / NBC) especially popular - and resonant - amid a global pandemic that unexpectedly took many people away from their offices and colleagues. The show’s real-time appeal goes beyond its meme-worthy humor, as Washington Post Associate Opinions Editor Autumn Brewington recently mused: “Losing oneself in Dunder Mifflin is a way of coping with pandemic isolation.” (Streaming on Peacock) “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005) Before “Scandal” and “Bridgerton,” Shonda Rhimes gave us this drama about the heavily intersected lives and careers of the beautiful, brooding and occasionally insufferable doctors at a Seattle teaching hospital. We haven’t quite been the same since. The series is currently in its 17th season, so settle in, McStreamy. (Seasons 1-16 streaming on Netflix; Season 17 streaming on Hulu) If you’re in the mood for a snarkier medical drama, try “House” on Peacock or Amazon Prime.
Peralta (Andy Samberg), stalwart Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) and their colleagues back to our TV screens. The eighth season of the series will premiere on NBC later this month. (Streaming on Hulu) “Girlfriends” (2000) Fans rejoiced when Netflix announced a slate of classic Black sitcoms - including Mara Brock Akil’s treasured series about four Black women navigating their late 20s and early 30s while living in Los Angeles - were coming to the platform last year. (Streaming on Netflix) “This Is Us” (2016) Dan Fogelman’s tender family drama, now in its fifth season on NBC, follows the triumphs and struggles of the Pearson family across generations, while poignantly exploring issues that affect all of us - most recently the pandemic and protests against racial injustice. (Streaming on Hulu)
“Black-ish” (2014) Over the course of seven seasons, Kenya Barris’s ABC Above, from left, are Mariska Hargitay as Capt. Olivia Benson sitcom about a multigenin NBC’s “Law and Order: SVU,” and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith erational and wealthy Black Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy.”(NBC / ABC) “Law and Order: family - has masterfully balSVU” (1999) “Lucifer” (2016) anced its humor with moving uh, Kirstie Alley - long before Few shows reflect our social Though this devilishly funny and nuanced explorations of she had a Twitter account. and cultural evolution the comedy landed on Nielsen’s issues ranging from police (Streaming on Hulu, CBS All way SVU does - after all, it’s list of most-streamed original brutality to colorism. (StreamAccess and Peacock) ing on Hulu) the longest-running (non-anYou likewise can’t go wrong series, we’re including this imated) show on prime time. here because it began on Fox. with the spinoff “Frasier,” “The O.C.” (2003) It’s also iconic: Taylor Swift The show’s trajectory alone available on CBS All Access, Josh Schwartz’s teen drama literally has a cat named after - from being canceled by Fox which follows Dr. Frasier is iconic for many reasons: its main character Olivia Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and after 3 seasons to enjoying a Seth (Adam Brody), SumBenson (Mariska Hargitay) of lively and well-reviewed refeatures some of the best TV vival on Netflix - highlights its mer (Rachel Bilson), Peter the New York Police Departbanter we’ve ever heard. ment’s Special Victims Unit. passionate fan base. (Stream- Gallagher’s eyebrows (which “New Girl” (2011) ing on Netflix) If you’re up for a serious apparently could have been “Cheers” (1982) This roommate comedy, USA Network-style maraJon Hamm’s?!) and, yes, Ryan thon, start at the beginning The TV equivalent of going which aired for seven seasons “Brooklyn (Ben McKenzie) and Marissa Nine-Nine” (2013) with Detectives Benson and where everybody knows your on Fox, is funny, sweet and (Mischa Barton). (Streaming Like “Lucifer,” “Brooklyn Stabler (that’s Elliot Stabler, name. The classic NBC sitcom once featured a cameo by on HBO Max) Nine-Nine” was canceled by played by Chris Meloni) and features a memorable ensem- Prince. And while it wasn’t ble cast: Ted Danson, Woody work your way through to known for its social commen- Fox - following its fifth season “Jane the Virgin” (2014) tary during its time on air, This dramedy, from Jennie - due to lackluster ratings. Season 22, which now follows Harrelson (whose character replaced the late Nicholas Co- fans have pointed out a few Disappointed fans lobbied for Snyder Urman, was inspired Captain Olivia Benson and lasanto’s beloved Coach), Bebe plotlines that evoke current by a telenovela - roots the CW its resurrection, prompting will soon feature Stabler’s SEE SHOWS, PAGE E7 Neuwirth, George Wendt and, events. (Streaming on Netflix) NBC to bring the goofy Jake return.
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Movies
“Suicide Squad” spinoff “Birds of Prey,” Margot Robbie reprises her role as the delightfully CONTINUED FROM PAGE E5 daffy Gotham City rogue Harley ‘Birds of Prey (and the Quinn, who joins forces with Fantabulous Emancipation some slightly more virtuous of One Harley Quinn)’ ladies in an explosive standoff Stream it on HBO Max; rent with a local mob boss. Director or buy it on Amazon Prime, Cathy Yan and screenwriter Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu or Christina Hodson load their YouTube. movie up with foul language, Comic book connoisseurs bloody violence and self-referdisappointed in “Wonder ential humor, making the case Woman 1984” had an excellent that while strong female heroes alternative last year for their DC are great, strong female antiheComics superheroine fix. In the roes may be more fun.
From left: Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Michael (Ted Danson) and Janet (D’Arcy Carden) appear in “The Good Place.” (COLLEEN HAYES / NBC)
Shows CONTINUED FROM PAGE E6
series playfully wove into its DNA with standard evil twin appearances, love triangles and that-character’s-notdead-after-all reveals. But it was always so much bigger than its twists and turns. The true heart of the story is the bond Jane (Gina Rodriguez) shares with her mother Xiomara (Andrea Navedo) and grandmother Alba (Ivonne Coll), three generations of Latinas who always had each other’s backs. (Streaming on Netflix)
“Parks and Recreation” (2009) Amid questionable pandemic-focused entertainment efforts from celebrities last year, this delightful Amy Poehler-led comedy resurfaced with a pitch-perfect reunion special that made us remember why we love Pawnee, Ind., so much. (Streaming on Peacock)
“The Good Place” (2016) Eleanor (Kristen Bell), a self-proclaimed Arizona dirtbag, dies and unexpectedly ends up a place that looks a lot like heaven in this comedy from “Parks and Rec” co-creator Michael Schur. Danson, “The Fresh Prince of “Cheers” fame, plays the of Bel-Air” (1990) afterlife architect who helps Will Smith’s breakout, Eleanor (and several other which aired for six seasons on spirited Good Place arrivals) NBC, was one of the most ex- navigate her new surreality. citing additions to streaming The thoughtful comedy last year. For all of its hilariended last year after four ous moments, the sitcom was seasons, so you can binge just as skilled at delivering the series and get all of the poignant scenes that we still answers to the universe in remember by heart. (Stream- one fell swoop. (Streaming ing on HBO Max) on Netflix)
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | E7
MOVIE REVIEW
Liam Neeson stars, charms audience in ‘The Marksman’ but full of starch and empty calories. To its credit, the movie falls short of becoming a bloodbath, and, while just violent enough to satisfy the average fan of this particular niche of filmdom, the movie spends as much time developing the relationship between Jim and Miguel as it does on confrontation. During a brief sojourn in a motel where Jim and Miguel are staying, the film “Hang ‘Em High” is playing on the television, reminding viewers, unnecessarily, of Liam Neeson, left, and Jacob Perez appear in “The Markswhat kind of film were watchman.” (RYAN SWEENEY / OPEN ROAD FILMS / BRIARCLIFF ENTERTAINMENT) ing: Western (check); vigilante By Michael O’Sullivan the boy, Miguel, to relatives in justice (check). Washington Post And yet that scene on the Chicago. In “The Marksman,” Liam TV isn’t a shootout, but one in They’re pursued all the Neeson plays Jim, a recentwhich Clint Eastwood is eatway by Mauricio, who wants ly widowed Arizona cattle ing a hard-boiled egg and kissthe backpack full of cash ing Inger Stevens at a picnic. rancher, former Marine and that the dead woman was That’s more in line with the recovering alcoholic whose carrying, and which she had mushier tone of “The Markshome (above which flies a bequeathed to Jim with her large American flag) is about dying breath: It’s drug money man,” which might disappoint the most hardcore fans of to be foreclosed. stolen by her brother. Jim spends his days patrolling his land on the MexTo its credit, the movie falls short of ican border in a mud-caked becoming a bloodbath, and, while just pickup, accompanied by his violent enough to satisfy the average fan beloved dog Jackson, his rifle - which, true to the title, he of this particular niche of filmdom, the really knows how to handle movie spends as much time developing the and a walkie-talkie, which he relationship between Jim and Miguel as it uses to communicate with the “B.P.” (Border Patrol) about does on confrontation. any “I.A.s” (“illegal aliens”) he might spot. When he Oh sure, there’s a bit of hes- Neeson’s action résumé. Does that mean the 68-yearcomes across a Mexican wom- itation at first. But Jim’s initial an and her young son (Teresa inclination to turn Miguel into old actor is slowing down? Ruiz and Jacob Perez) fleeing the authorities evaporates Not really. There’s a scene in a group of cartel assassins, Jim more quickly than rain on a which Jim - a man in a hurry does what anyone would do. hot, flat rock when he discov- - tries to restock his arms at a ers that law enforcement is Or, rather, he does what gun shop, only to balk when not going to be able to protect the owner tells him he’ll have “Liam Neeson” would do, Miguel - that some of them meaning he does what the to wait while a background may, in fact, be in cahoots stock character the actor so check is performed. Jim looks often plays - a gruff/grieving, with the cartel. the guy in the eye, harnessing In short, Jim turns into sometimes flawed/tortured that “Liam Neeson” magic that character that we have man-of-action with a particand, with little more than a ular set of lethal skills and a come to know and love from twinkle and some baloney, heart of gold - would do. Jim Neeson’s recent filmography: convinces him to let him walk steps in to protect the fugithe solitary hero who alone out with the guns, no questives and, when the mother is can save a helpless victim tions asked. killed, along with the brother from the bad guys. And “The Maybe here’s the question of the cartel hit man Mauricio Marksman” proves itself to be to ask yourself, in determining (Juan Pablo Raba), our hero the cinematic version of com- whether this movie is for you: fort food: satisfyingly familiar Wouldn’t you do the same? drops everything to deliver
WEEKEND
E8 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
DINE & WINE
Restaurant safety a concern of COVID-wary diners
A
LTHOUGH CONsumers might seem eager to get back to dining out these days, that eagerness is often tempered by an awareness that restaurants should be observing pandemic-related precautions. Media and various digital platforms are responding to that need-to-know, providing information on what health and safety practices should
the U.S., carried a “restaurant safety checklist.” Compiled by freelancer Kelsey Ogletree, the article encouraged readers to focus on various aspects of a dining experience when making choices about where to go. The listings discussed aspects of the tabletop (wrapped cutlery? no condiment bottles?) and the cleanliness of the restrooms “(if they’re clean, the kitchen is, too”).
in advance to see what safety protocols the establishment has in place. Another indication of such heightened public awareness is the decision by Yelp to enhance the “Health and Safety Measures” portion of its reviewing process. Algorithms will track individual Yelp user feedback on COVID-19 practices observed during visits. Based on a consensus of those user
com/2021/01/yelp-willdisplay-user-feedback-onhealth-and-safety-prac tices.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
distancing and mask wearing. According to Yelp represenBased on a consensus of those user reports, Yelp will post either a tatives, this health and safety data on individual operations green checkmark, signifying positive user feedback on the business’s will be updated daily. efforts, or an orange question mark, an indication that reviewer data The AARP’s “Coronavirus indicates lapses in practices like social distancing and mask wearing. Safety Checklist for Eating at Restaurants” can be reports, Yelp will post either a viewed at aarp.org/health/ be in place and whether or Awareness that servers green checkmark, signifying healthy-living/info-2020/ not particular locations are are gloved and that kitchen positive user feedback on the coronavirus-dining offering them. workers are wearing masks For example the December are other points on which the business’s efforts, or an orange -out-checklist.html. 2020 “AARP Bulletin,” a pub- article focused. Ogletree addi- question mark, an indication Yelp’s reporting on health lication the AARP distributes tionally suggested that diners that reviewer data indicates and safety practices are to its 38 million members in check a restaurant’s website described at blog.yelp. lapses in practices like social
Side dishes • Though many would think of roadside barbecue as a warm-weather indulgence, Pig Park BBQ in Ware plans to dish up its smoky, savory handiwork throughout the winter. An informal, drive-in style operation located at 97 East Street (Route 9), Pig Park BBQ is doing business on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Pitmaster and Pig Park owner Tim Barbiasz specializes in pulled pork, Texas brisket, Memphis ribs, and BBQ chicken served as either “plates” or sandwiches; he also offers traditional sides such as coleslaw, barbecue beans, and SEE MENU, PAGE E9
TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP
Dine in, Take out, and Save!
BOGO FREE Entrée
Wed & Thurs at The Duck & Avellino*
Family Style Take-Out Meals Every day at The Duck & Avellino call to order, visit website for menu
$10 off $50 Take-out
Every day online at The Duck, Avellino, & Cedar Street Grille use code SAVE10
20% off Take-out
Wed and Sun online at Cedar Street Grille use code 20OFFSW
$2 off Small Plates Wed at Cedar Street Grille*
The Duck & Avellino | (508) 347-2321 | theducksturbridge.com | avellinorestaurant.com Cedar Street Grille | (508) 347-5800 | cedarstreetgrille.com
3145326-01
Offers cannot be combined. Customer responsible for applicable sales tax.
*Dine in only, through January 31, 2021.
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Menu CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8
corn bread. Pig Park uses one of the largest mobile “smoker” in the Northeast to produce its barbecue. Pig Park BBQ maintains a web presence at pigparkbbq. com; the operation also answers at 413-544-4712. • For their part in what industry insiders are calling the “Chicken Sandwich Wars,” KFC locations have given the KFC Chicken Sandwich an upgrade. The breast cutlet is now 20% larger and breaded with KFC’s “Extra Crispy” breading formulation. The reworked sandwich is assembled on a brioche style bun; it’s also garnished with three thicker crinkle-cut pickles and dressed with a choice of spicy or classic mayonnaise. The suggested price of $3.99 of the newly made-over sandwich may vary with location.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | E9
dinners in the region, the Hunter’s Dinner tradition date back to the mid-20th-century tenure of the late Ruppercht Schreff, longtime owner of the Student Prince. This year’s six-course menu includes frog’s legs, game stew, elk sausage, garlic-lime mahi mahi, poussin, and buffalo ribeye. A Student Prince classic, strawberries Romanoff, will be served for dessert. The dinner is priced at $70 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reservations are essential and they can be made online at studentprince.com or by The Federal, a restaurant and bar at 135 Cooper St. in Agawam, calling the restaurant at 413is offering elegant take-home fare during its winter season 734-7475. curbside pickup. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO) Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and particular take on carry-home opened the reservation book culinary arts program and has dining. for its traditional Hunter’s nearly 45 years of restaurant The packs are designed to Dinners. Three dates are and educational experience. serve from four to six people available — Feb. 4, 16, and Robert can be reached online at and feature a baked pasta cre- 25. Billed as the original and ation, Caesar salad, meatballs, most authentic of wild game OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com. and focaccia. Pasta options change weekly, but choices like amatriciana or butternut and baby kale are typical. Smaller “Family Meal” packs are also available. Sized to accommodate two or three, • This month, the UNO Piz- they include a salad, an entree zeria & Grill on Boston Road selection, three sides, and in Springfield is participating house-made biscuits. Typical in a program to thank restaumain course possibilities are rant workers for their hard pan roasted chicken, NY strip work during the pandemic. steaks, or grilled salmon. Along with UNO locations Both pack options are availACROSS FROM THE BEACH - in Eastern Massachusetts, the able on Friday and Saturday THE VILLAGE GREEN. Rates from evenings and can be ordered Springfield store is offering $60 - $85 to 5/30/21 (excluding holidays, online at maxstavern.com $5 pizzas every Monday, or by calling the restaurant at Tuesday, and Wednesday in some restrictions apply). 3 Night Special 413-746-6299. January. During a time when off season starting from $145 all week. the hospitality industry and Ocean views and efficiencies available. • Through Saturday, The its workers have been impacted tremendously, participatStudent Prince Cafe and FREE continental breakfast in season. ing UNOs want their fellow Fort Restaurant in SpringAll rooms have refrigerators and cable TV. restaurant workers to feel the field is promoting a “German Street Food Pop Up” experilove. Heated outdoor pool. Take children to the To access this deal, which is ence. beachside playground. Close to several A selection of casual, eatavailable dine-in only, restaugolf courses, tennis courts, whale watch rant workers need merely ask on-the-go German specialties, their server for the $5 Restau- the Pop Up menu features cruises, ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s rant Worker Pizza. The offer “mains” like bratwurst & Vineyard, restaurants, shops, bike trails and applies to restaurant workers kraut in a hoagie roll, frikadelmany more of the Cape’s unique attractions. only, not the entire party they len (sweet & sour meatballs), and currywurst. are dining with. 10% Senior Discount. South Starter-style add-ons inFor more details and to see Shore Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. clude fried spaetzli balls and a list of participating restau1-800-487-4903. www.vgreenmotel.com. rants, visit unos.com/pizza5. flammkuchen (German flatbread); dessert choices such as apple strudel and flourless • Max’s Tavern at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame linzer torte are on the agenda has begun offering “South End as well. To-Go Packs,” the restaurant’s The Student Prince has also
New England TRAVELER CAPE COD
TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL 413-788-1165
3144896-02
• The Villa Rose Restau-
rant in Ludlow has temporarily suspended serving its regular menu, having opted for a more streamlined culinary agenda that it plans to update on a weekly basis. Open from noon until 9 p.m. for socially distanced indoor dining (as well as outdoor service when weather permits), Villa Rose is nonetheless offering plenty from which to choose, including butternut squash ravioli, baked stuffed haddock, boneless braised beef short ribs, and more. There’s also a small selection of sandwiches, salads, and appetizers available, and all menu items can be packed for carryout. For those looking for scaledup carry-home option, Villa Rose is making available “1/2 pan” meal packages designed to serve six. Selections available in that format include pasta jambalaya, chicken parmesan with penne, baked meat and four-cheese lasagna, and beef short ribs. The entire menu can be seen online at villaroserestaurant. com. Villa Rose answers at 413-547-6667.
WEEKEND
3135607-01
• For those who’ve grown a bit bored with delivery pizza and drive-thru fast food, The Federal in Agawam offers the option of indulging in more elegant take-home fare. The Federal’s winter season curbside pickup menu, which is available Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., presents an extensive sampling of that establishment’s New American cuisine. Entree options range from seared Atlantic codfish and a red-wine-braised short rib “beef stew” to rosemary-roasted duck breast and grilled lobster “Thermidor.” A “you be the chef ” option provides mix-and-match main dishes, sides, and sauces, while those looking for more casual choices can indulge in a New Orleans style oyster po’ boy sandwich or a lobster and charred asparagus pizza. Serves-five Family Packs are available, as is an assortment of desserts populated by the likes of fried apple pie ravioli and warm Nutella crepes. Curbside pickup from the Federal can be ordered online at thefederalrestaurant.com or by calling 413-789-1267.
WEEKEND
E10 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
DINE & WINE
I
Enough with New England IPAs
F YOU’VE BEEN READing this column regularly over the past 17 years, you’ll probably have noticed that one thing I rarely do is write negatively about anything. I don’t really review beers, and if I do in any way, I only do so if I enjoy them. This is because tastes are subjective and what I may find displeasing might be really tasty to someone else. It’s like any creative endeavor: I may love a certain book or film or song, and you may hate it. It’s just the way it is with anything that isn’t based on empirical data. (A certified beer, for example, can tell you if a beer is well-made according to the style it’s in, but their opinions mean nothing when it comes to whether you should like it
or not.) But today I am slightly breaking with my tradition. I’m not specifically giving the thumbs-down to a particular beer, nor am I condemning anything wholesale. But I am going to sigh and roll my eyes a bit about a trend: the glut of New England IPAs clogging the beer market. As I’m sure many of you know, I’m a big IPA fan, and recently wrote a column about how the market decided what’s popular, so IPAs deserve their top spot. And I’m not even going to say that NEIPAs don’t deserve their shelf space, based on their massive following these days. What I am saying, however, is that I don’t get it. I enjoyed a few beers of this style when it first hit the
weren’t enamored with the style begrudgingly made one because they were so popular. Now I can’t look at the beer fridge in most stores without having to weed through them to find a regular IPA. I will see an IPA I haven’t tried by a brewer I’m not that familiar with, and as often as not when George Lenker I read the label, it’s a NEIPA. I Beer Nut usually just put it back. I don’t think there are too many more market a few years ago. They surprises in that substyle. I were juicy and tasty and while am over it. I’ve lived in New I could do without the cloud- England my entire life, but I iness, they were a fun new wish we had a different style variation on a style. Then, attached to our area. after about my 10th different Like with almost everything, one, I started thinking, “OK, we as humans overdo it. And that was cool, but I’ve had of course it’s smart business enough of these.” But then to grab hold of a trend as everyone was brewing them. popular as NEIPAs are. I guess And brewing more than one. I’m just cranky about missing Even brewers I know who out on other new regular IPAs
because they can’t fit on the shelves. And I can’t believe I’m the only person who feels this way. So in the end, I guess somewhat I take back what I wrote back in August of last year: “The main whinge more recently has been that IPAs have crowded out other styles. But come on, are people trying to legitimately claim that they can’t find a wide enough variety in today’s diverse craft beer marketplace?” Because, yeah, now I get it. We could solve both complaints by cutting down the number of NEIPAs, but right now, that ain’t going to happen. Either way, drink what you like, as I always say, even if it is a NEIPA. Cheers!
VIDEO GAME REVIEW
‘Cloudpunk’: Exploited future workers unite By Christopher Byrd
Washington Post
After spending several weeks preoccupied with cyberpunk fiction and playing through the recently released “Cyberpunk 2077,” I decided to check out “Cloudpunk,” a game about a young woman working to establish a foothold in an economically cutthroat metropolis. Like Rania, the gig worker at the center of the story, I found myself initially disoriented by the multitiered sprawl of Nivalis – a city in the sky based around a flying car transit system. However, as the game wore on, I found myself increasingly looking forward to the end of Rania’s shift. Unfolding over the course of one night, “Cloudpunk” follows Rania as she pilots her HOVA – a four-seater air vehicle – around the city, making the rounds for an illicit delivery service. Her life in the city is fraught with precarity. She
Unfolding over the course of one night, “Cloudpunk” follows Rania as she pilots her HOVA – a four-seater air vehicle – around the city, making the rounds for an illicit delivery service. moved to Nivalis after losing the home in which she grew up to debt collectors. Her newfound employer, Cloudpunk, is riddled with a high turnover rate and, in recent times, drivers were involved in numerous accidents all over the city due to wild fluctuations in its A.I. controlled infrastructure. As someone who harbors a fondness for the chunky graphics of the 16-bit era, I was charmed by “Cloudpunk’s” voxel graphics – think
‘CLOUDPUNK’ Developed by: Ion Lands Published by: Maple Whispering Limited Available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
A scene from “Cloudpunk.” (MAPLE WHISPERING LIMITED)
“Blade Runner” meets Lego. The core gameplay loop consists of picking up packages and delivering them, and occasionally ferrying passengers to and fro. Such basic activities might leave something to be desired for those looking for a bit of pizazz in terms of gameplay, but I had no issue with such a setup since I was looking for something restive during my holiday downtime. Rather, what propels “Cloud-
punk” are the interactions Rania has with her fellow citizens. Although I quickly formed an attachment to Rania, whose subdued observations of the world are delivered with aplomb by the voice actor Andrea Petrille, a number of the other voice actors ham it up too much for my taste. I never, for instance, felt any affinity for Rania’s A.I. companion Camus (pronounced
“came us” as opposed to “cam-mu” – a winking distortion of the Algerian philosopher’s name) who longs to be placed in the body of a dog rather than serve as her co-pilot. And Rania’s encounters with the wealthy citizens of Nivalis, such as Mrs. Octavius Butler, hew so much to a look at this conceited, out of touch, one-percenter template that they feel like futile exercises in orthodox posturing. Still, there are splashes of good writing to be found. I chuckled the first time I heard a public broadcast warning that said: “Unlicensed jazz is
SEE GAME, PAGE E12
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | E11
DINE & WINE
How to read an Italian wine label Editor’s note: This is the second part in the “how to read a wine label” series. The first article, “How to read a French wine label,” can be found online at Masslive.com.
T
WO WEEKS AGO, I explained what each line means on wine labels for four different French wine regions. This week, I thought I would keep the ball rolling by focusing on Italian wines. Like France, many winemakers in Italy sure don’t make it easy to understand what type of wine is in the bottle. Often, there’s nothing on the label about what types of grapes were used to make Italian wines. Instead, like many French winemakers, Italian labels have more to do with where the wine comes from rather than information about the grapes. Then again, sometimes not. To be honest, I am still sometimes confused by certain wine labels from Italy. That might be because there seems to be so many tiny subregions within regions in Italy. So without further ado, I decided to decode a wine label line by line from one of the best known winemakers in one of Italy’s most popular wine regions — Tuscany. The wine I chose to help readers better understand Italian wine labels is a 2001 Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello Di Montalcino. (Don’t worry so much about the vintage. I’m simply using this older, empty bottle as an example.) And like the French wine labels I wrote about last week, I’ll start from the top and work our way down to the bottom of the bottle, line by line. Hope you enjoy. • Annata 2001: It’s easy to miss this small, second label near the top of the bottle. However, it contains some of the most important information about this particular red wine. Like many Italian
Ken Ross Wine Press
and Italian wines pay homage to winemakers of the past on their labels. This wine is no exception. Franco Biondi Santi (1922-2013) ran the winery for decades founded by his grandfather in the late 1800s. Under his tenure, Franco Biondi Santi helped maintain the traditions while also improving the quality of these magnificent red wines from Brunello di Montalcino. • Nella Cantina Della Learn how to read an Italian wine label. (KEN ROSS PHOTO) Tenuta ‘Greppo’ : This line winemakers, Biondi-Santi means “in the cellar of the the winery sometimes reads the Sangiovese grape used to makes more than one wine. ‘Greppo’ estate” in Italian. like a footnote near the botmake this wine. So if you like tom of the bottle. Here, there’s That simply means the wine This small label is especially Sangiovese wines, you’ll love was created in the cellar of the no mistaking that you’re important since it states which this show stopper. getting a wine from the winery Greppo estate at Biondi-Santi. wine this is from Biondi-San• Denominazione Di ti, its Annata wine. Annata • Montalcino Italia: This that was the first one in Italy Origine Controllata E Garantita: Italian for “designasimply means “vintage” in to labeled its wine Brunello di line refers to the exact town tion of origin and guaranteed,” Montalcino in 1888. Italian. But in the case of (Montalcino) in Italy’s TuscaBiondi-Santi, its Annata wine this line refers to Italy’s classi• Marca Propria: This line ny region where this magical fication system for its wine. In simply means “own brand” in winery is located. cost significantly less (about I hope you’ve enjoyed this $400 less) than its “Reserva” this case, this line refers to the Italian. wine, which has the word Reading each line, I was immediately transported back to the day “Reserva” instead of “Annata” on the same, small label near when I first tried this delicious, outstanding wine. It’s not the the top of the bottle. This small same as a trip to this legendary winemaking village in Italy, but I’ll label also contains the precise take memory lane for now and dream perhaps of one day going to number for the bottle since Biondi-Santi only makes a Montalcino. small number of “Annata” and week’s journey down the wine DOCG system. However, you • Tenuta ‘Greppo’: This “Reserva” wines. • Brunello Di Montalcino: might sometimes see DOC on line refers to the exact location label. Reading each line, I was immediately transported back a bottle of Italian wine instead of the winery. In this case, Moving down to the first line Tenuta Greppo is the name of to the day when I first tried on the main label, this line ex- of DOCG. What’s the differplains where the wine is from ence? DOCG means the wine’s the estate (“tenuta” in Italian) this delicious, outstanding as well as which grape was quality has been guaranteed where the winery’s main vine- wine. It’s not the same as a used to make the wine. That’s (garantita) by the Italian gov- yards and cellar are located. trip to this legendary wine• Inbottigliato all’ origine making village in Italy, but because “Brunello Di Montal- ernment as being of excepcino” is more than just one of tional high quality. (I’d like to dal viticultore: This line in I’ll take memory lane for now the most famous wine regions have that government job.) Italian means “originally bot- and dream perhaps of one day • Biondi-Santi: This line tled by the winemaker.” And in Italy’s larger, Tuscany wine going to Montalcino. in large, bold letters refers to in this particular case, this region. The word “Brunello” Cheers! the name of the winery. This wine was originally bottled refers to the grape used to Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every make this wine. Brunello is the is definitely a welcome change by... Monday and in The Republican’s • Franco Biondi Santi: word many Italians use in this compared to some French weekend section every Thursday. wineries, where the name of I love the way many French part of Tuscany to describe
WEEKEND
E12 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Game
estly, though, it could have clocked in at half that time and been better served by a CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10 more concentrated approach. punishable by death. Those As it stands, the game is too who wish to experience or much of a flyover experience perform jazz must apply for a – beholden to the cyberpunk yearly permit.” I also appregenre’s conceits and, as such, ciated some of the game’s mired in an aesthetic rut. morally ambiguous decisions Note: I played Cloudpunk that force Rania to choose be- on an Alienware PC with an tween acting in her own best Xbox controller. Initially, I interest or helping someone noticed that Rania’s vehicle who cannot return the favor. drifted to the side even when “Cloudpunk” can be idle. Going into the Steam completed in under 15 hours settings and selecting Xbox depending on how many side configuration support elimimissions one engages in. Hon- nated the issue.
Prime Rib Store made fresh
95
12
a portion Fridays at both locations
John Rich and Big Kenny of Big & Rich have postponed their Mohegan Sun Arena concert for the third time. Tickets purchased for any of the earlier dates will be honored when a new date is announced. (RICK DIAMOND / GETTY IMAGES FOR COUNTRY THUNDER USA)
LiveWire CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3
al Best De n! in Tow
debuted in 2004 with triple platinum “Horse of a Different Color” and their hit “Save a Horse, Ride A Cowboy.”
90 William Street, Springfield • 732-5428 www w.frig gosfood ds.co om Shaker Rd, East Longmeadow • eld 525-9400 90 159 William Street, Springfi • 732-5428 159 Shaker Rd, East Longmeadow • 525-9400
3145462-01
partnership with The Hanover • Singer Adam Lambert Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. has announced plans for a livestream performance. • Big & Rich fans will Lambert will perform live have to hold off on seeing the from the Roxy Theater in Los country duo until a date-toAngeles on Jan. 29. be-named at a later date. “Adam Lambert Live” is For the third time, the con- a celebration of the artcert scheduled for Mohegan ist’s 39th birthday and will Sun Arena in Uncasville, feature songs from his 2020 Connecticut, has been postalbum release “Velvet.” poned due to the COVID-19 The shows will air at 3 p.m. pandemic. and 10 p.m. through the The show was set for Feb. livestream platform NoCap 10 after being moved from and tickets, priced at $18.50, the Sept. 2 date (which was are available through nocap shows.com rescheduled from April). Adam Lambert was the Tickets purchased for any of runner-up on the eighth the aforementioned dates season of “American Idol” will be honored when a new and has most notably toured date is announced. Big and Rich, Big Kenny as a vocalist with rock band Alphin and John Rich, Queen.