Weekend - April 01, 2021

For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment

Weekend

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Online guide to the

stars

Virtual Stars Over Springfield offers presentation about nighttime skies PAGE E2

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ON THE COVER

Online guide to the

stars

Virtual Stars Over Springfield offers presentation about nighttime skies

K

By Cori Urban

Springfield tomorrow from 7 to 8:30 p.m.; it is a free, online event. evin W. Presented by the Science Kopchyns- Museum and Springfield STARS club, the program ki, STEM will include an overview of educator/ the night sky detailing the constellations and planets that planetarare visible through the month ium manager for the and images that STARS memSpringfied Science bers have made the previous month.

Museum, has two In the past, the program strands of interest in on-site included, weather-permitting, a look through space. the telescope in the rooftop “One is an interest in mathe- observatory and a program in matical patterns that underlie the planetarium, taking a tour our natural world. Findings of the constellations seen that in cosmology and other areas evening. of astronomy draw heavily The STARS president, Richard Sanderson, is a co-host on sophisticated, advanced and will give a brief overview mathematical concepts and of the club. tools,” he explained.

Second, he sees the sky Questions from those at— and the night sky — as tending online will be welcomed. an extension of the natural This is the 20th anniversary world. “The changes we see year of the International Space in the constellations through the year are directly tied to the Station, which contributes to seasons. In fact, the stars were the public interest in space.

Kopchynski said there is “a the first way humanity had drive to explore that seems to to anticipate and predict the be a part of who we are as huchanging seasons,” he said. mans.” Thus, the space station “The earliest astronomers of represents current efforts in ancient Sumeria were tracking the seasons by noting the space travel and exploration. timing of constellations near “There is something about the time of sunrise, and much being under a starry night of our lore and mythology sky that prods us to think of of the constellations derives bigger questions of ‘Life, the from this.”

Universe and Everything.’ The Kopchynski will be a prebranch of cosmology is specifsenter at Virtual Stars Over ically focused on the origins Special to The Republican

The Seymour Planetarium in the Springfield Science Museum includes this Star Ball projector. Constructed in 1937, it is the oldest operating American-built planetarium. Kevin W. Kopchynski, STEM educator/planetarium manager for the Springfield Science Museum, will be a presenter at Virtual Stars Over Springfield tomorrow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The free online program will include an overview of the night sky detailing the constellations and planets that are visible through the month and images that Springfield STARS club members have made the previous month. (DAVID STANSBURY PHOTO)

IF YOU GO Event: Virtual Stars Over Springfield Where: Online via Zoom When: Friday, 7-8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free Registration and more information: springfield museums.org/program/ virtual-stars-spring field-apr-2-2021

and fate of the universe, and when I offer classes or talks on that they are often met with great interest,” he said.

“There is also great interest in planets at other stars and whether there may be life there, whether or not we are alone in the universe.”

In pre-pandemic days, the main focus of “Stars Over

Springfield” was to allow members and friends to use the museums’ rooftop observatory with its 20-inch telescope. “This is truly a remarkable resource for the region,” said Mike Kerr, who leads the Science Museum and helps to facilitate the Stars Over Springfield program. “The telescope took four years to build by hand by members of the STARS Club. It was completed in 1972.”

This program is a longstanding program and collaboration between the museum and the STARS Club; it went online last December in response to COVID-19.

During the pandemic, the model is to gather virtually via Zoom, sometimes feature a guest speaker, and always discuss the night sky — similar

to the in-person program.

As pandemic restrictions lift and it is safe to gather together again, the Stars Over Springfield program will go back to in-person presentations. “We’ve always been aware of the keen interest that people have in astronomy, but through these experiences we’ve also learned that our audience is just as eager to explore these wonderful topics virtually,” Kerr said. “And soon we hope to connect our observatory itself to the web, bringing our telescope’s views directly to people wherever they’re located.”

For more information and to register for the April 2 program, go to springfieldmuseums.org/program/ virtual-stars-spring field-apr-2-2021.

“There is something about being under a starry night sky that prods us to think of bigger questions of ‘Life, the Universe and Everything.’

KEVIN W. KOPCHYNSKI, STEM EDUCATOR/PLANETARIUM MANAGER FOR THE SPRINGFIELD SCIENCE MUSEUM

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THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 | E3

MUSIC Q&A

What did Harry Connick Jr. do during pandemic?

H

By JIM HARRINGTON

and all those concerns will be answered. That’s all I can say.

As much as your wife thinks I can do anything, Jill would say, “Oh, my goodness — we know how far from the truth that is.”

She’d be the first to tell you.

The Mercury News

arry Connick Jr. has accomplished so much during his lengthy career, from winning multiple Grammys and Emmys to selling over 25 million albums and starring in such Hollywood hits as “Independence Day” and “Hope Floats.”

On a purely musical note, he has recorded both instrumental and vocal efforts, delivered Christmas albums as well as a Tony-nominated original Broadway score, and he’s focused his talents on everything from Dixieland to funk to standards.

Oh, and he also found time to be a judge on TV’s “American Idol.” (But we won’t hold that against him.)

Yet going into 2020, the one thing Connick had never managed to do was record a faith-based music album.

And now he can check that one off his list as well.

The multitalented star spent part of his time during the COVID-19 lockdown in his home studio, recording such classic hymns as “Amazing Grace,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “How Great Thou Art” as well as other faith-oriented material.

The result is the newly released “Alone With My Faith,” which is Connick’s first studio offering since 2019’s “True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter.”

I recently had the opportunity to chat with the New Orleans native about the new album.

Q. Well, at least you didn’t

try and direct the album’s first video — for “Amazing Grace” — or take the album cover photos yourself. You left those for your daughter Georgia. It seems that talent runs in the family.

A.

Harry Connick Jr. sings at a Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center on Nov. 29, 2017, in New York. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Connick recorded a faith-based album, “Alone With My Faith.” (ANDREW SAVULICH / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS / TNS)

brewing, your tour is being canceled, and half of America decides to cuddle up on the couch and watch Netflix.

Instead of joining us on the couch, why’d you decide the time was right to record an album?

A.

Well, full disclosure — I watched as much Netflix as anybody else.

Q. Yeah, but at some point you presumably turned off Netflix — at least long enough to make an album.

A.

Q.

artistic ability isn’t going to win you any popularity points with me, given that my wife just loves to remind me that “Harry Connick is just so talented. He can do everything.” Where were your concerns for me in all this?

A.

Listen, you talk to my wife (actress/model Jill Goodacre)

SEE CONNICK, PAGE E5

Q. And you took the whole solo album concept to the extreme here, playing all the instruments, singing all the parts, arranging all the music. Basically everything on it is you, right?

A. Literally everything. Yes. Q. Even the horns? Back-

ALWAYS HIGH PRICES PAID.

ing vocals? That kind of everything?

A.

Absolutely every note you hear.

Q. You know, such a gaudy display of overwhelming

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I wanted to make some music. I was one of the lucky ones that was able to quarantine and kind of stay at home.

One of the ideas that had been floating around in my head for a while was a gospel album. I started thinking about some tunes. There was no recording engineer, no musicians, so I went into my home studio and started recording everything myself.

Take me back to March As I did a couple of those 2020. There’s a pandemic tunes, I’m having some feel-

ings, kind of all over the map, about faith and spirituality, just based on what was going on in our world. So I wrote some tunes and I incorporated those with the traditional songs. And it sort of turned into more of a faith album than a gospel album. I don’t know if I would have recorded this exact set of songs had this pandemic not happened. So I feel grateful for that chance.

Yeah, I am really proud of our kids. We have three daughters. Georgia is the oldest — she’s 24 — and she’s always been interested in film and editing and all that.

She went to NYU film school for a while and got different certifications for the things she needed.

It came time to shoot the album cover and I said, “Well, we are home. We can’t really be around anybody. Do you want to take the picture?” So we went up to the woods and shot the picture.

Then it came time to do the video — same kind of thing.

It was just me, Georgia, hair/ makeup people and our second daughter Kate, who was holding the reflectors and stuff.

E4 | THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

WEEKEND

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MUSIC

Mark Schwaber releases intimate record • Dave Chappelle will bring his trademark wit and sharp, irreverent social commentary to two performances of “Dave Chappelle and Friends” at the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino on June 25-26.

Masks will be required at all times while inside the Mashantucket, Connecticut, concert venue.

George Lenker Additionally, each ticket LiveWire holder will receive a mandatory rapid COVID-19 antigen ARK SCHWABER test, prior to entering the released his latest venue.

Dave Chappelle will perform album, “EveryIf COVID-19 is detected by two shows at the Grand thing Around Me,” the rapid test, that individTheater at Foxwoods Resort on Friday. ual and all members of the Casino on June 25-26. (TRISH The record may be his most same household will not be BADGER / IMAGESPACE / ZUMA PRESS / TNS) intimate album yet. allowed to enter and will be Written in the months given a refund. leading up to and after his Vaccinated guests are not from the band’s upcoming Greenfield musician Mark Schwaber released his album “Evmother’s death, the album’s exempt from the rapid test, live album, “Point of Know erything Around Me,” on Friday on Jack London Records.

12 tracks provide a raw but according to Foxwoods.

Return — Live & Beyond.”

(PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK SCHWABER) poignant look at the GreenIn addition, no cellphones, The first released track was field musician’s encounter cameras or recording devices recorded on April 4, 2019, with memory and grief. state that is allowing live mu- at the Balboa Theater in San will be allowed inside the “I ended up recording evsic shows — when he played show.

Diego, California. You can erything revolving around the a new song titled “Am I The Tickets — priced between hear it at youtu.be/WNPR death of my mom,” Schwaber Only One,” which puts the $99 and $349 — are on sale wxmhX6M. said. “While things aren’t singer’s conservative politics Kansas has sold more than only through Ticketmaster. directly relevant at all times front and center. The song com or foxwoods.com/ 30 million albums worldwide and is best known for with all the songs, I thought features lyrics such as: dave-chappelle. classic hits such as “Carry On that lyrically they lent them“Am I the only one willing Chappelle received the selves to the subject matter.

Wayward Son” and “Dust in Mark Twain Prize for Amerto fight / for my love of the ican Humor, the highest The process was at home, it the Wind.” red and white, and the blue was all alone, it was completeThe new album, which will award in comedy, in 2019. /burning on the ground as ly singular, really private — it More details on the shows the statues coming down in a be the first since 2017 for the was dealing with grief.” can be found at foxwoods. town near you / watching the band, will be released May The record was engineered, com/dave-chappelle 28. threads of Old Glory come performed, and produced undone / Am I the only one.”

by Schwaber in his home, But the Longmeadow High resulting in a work that feels School graduate isn’t just not unlike a bedroom. concerned with the removal Schwaber has released more Aaron Lewis played a new of Confederate statues, he than a half-dozen solo studio song at a Texas concert titled also is seemingly chagrined albums, as well as others rethat Springsteen doesn’t “Am I The Only One,” which leased under the band names puts the singer’s conservative share his admiration for Crack an egg and peep Hospital and Home.

Donald Trump and other politics front and center. your mystery sale!

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN He has also worked with conservative politicians. He Sale is valid from 3/29-4/5 artists such as Lou Barlow (of FILE PHOTO) also sings in the song: Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr.), “Am I the only one, who Everyone try crooner Aaron Lewis Matthew Sweet, Lloyd Cole, quit singing along / Every Welcome Transgender has apparently turned in his Shadows Fall, and Mary Lou time they play a Springsteen Bruce Springsteen fan club song.”

Lord.

The record was released membership card.

No word from Las Vegas, by the Oakland, CaliforOK, maybe Lewis has never but odds are that Springsteen AEStoresGreenfield AdamEveGreenfieldMA nia-based Jack London been a fan of The Boss, but will survive this salvo.

Records. it’s clear he isn’t any more.

Pleasure, Adventure, & Fun According to whiskeyriff.

• Progressive rock band 18 Main St., Greenfield, MA • 413-774-9800 Liner notes com, Lewis was performing and 1970s hitmakers Kansas www.Greenfield.AdamEveStores.com Staind singer-turned-coun- at a concert in Texas — a has released the title track Mon-Thurs 10am-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 12pm-7pm

M

Get ready to get EGG-cited!

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 | E5

MUSIC

Reclaim your groove with an online concert

By Adrienne Gaffney

Blind Boys of Alabama Easter Weekend Special: The Grammy-winning gospel group will perform a Good Friday show to celebrate the Easter holiday with a slate of new and old hits. The ensemble began performing in the late ’30s — its first members were children attending the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind — and since then there has been a rotating roster of band members, many of whom are visually impaired.

The socially distanced, in-person show, held at Nashville’s City Winery, will be livestreamed. Friday, 9 p.m., tickets start at $18; boxoffice.mandolin.com

New York Times

The performing arts have endured a year like no other, but the decimation of touring and in-person shows has in no way squelched music fans’ love of a live performance. And in many ways, the pandemic has yielded creative new ways for artists to engage with their listeners.

Since March 2020, for example, the wildly popular Instagram Live series Verzuz, created by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, has recruited some of the biggest names in rap, hip-hop and R&B for nostalgia-driven battles. Highlighting their musical oeuvres and mimicking DJ battles, each artist plays a song, then their opponent follows with one of their own works, chosen with the intention of one-upping. Engaged audiences argue passionately about the victor.

(In a testament to their popularity and relevance, the voting rights activist Stacey Abrams appeared on a November show featuring Atlanta artists Gucci Mane and Jeezy to promote voting in the Georgia Senate runoffs.)

At the same time that small concerts with socially distanced audiences are

Connick

Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle, “Woofstock at the Winery”: Steve EarDionne Warwick will be performing two le, who was recently featured on a cover virtual shows on Easter Sunday, one at 2 of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” to benefit Feeding America, will perform and 8 p.m. (JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP) live with country-music icon and avid gradually beginning to return, livedog-rescuer Emmylou Harris. Filmed at stream musical events allow the unvac- City Winery Nashville, the performance cinated and those across the country to will benefit the animal charities Crosstake part in intimate shows from some roads Campus and Bonaparte’s Retreat, a canine-rescue initiative founded by great artists. Here is a selection of performances in the coming week that are Harris and located on her property. Saturday, 9 p.m., tickets $15; form.jotform. worthy of a festival lineup, but with a comfortable front-row seat guaranteed. com/210543759066156

Dionne Warwick At Home With You: The legendary songstress has had a busy past year, increasing her fan base by becoming a must-read on Twitter, appearing on the third season of “The Masked Singer” (she was disguised as a mouse) and popping up for a guest appearance on the Gladys Knight vs. Patti LaBelle Verzuz battle. Warwick, who was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in February, will be performing two virtual shows on Easter Sunday, plus another two on Mother’s Day. She is also expected to resume touring in October.

Sunday, 2 and 8 p.m., tickets $20, boxoffice.mandolin.com/pages/ dionnewarwick Verzuz: Isley Brothers vs. Earth, Wind & Fire: The Verzuz battles have become one of the singular joys of quarantine. Following the esteemed pairings of Snoop Dogg and DMX, and Alicia Keys and John Legend, the Isley Brothers and Earth, Wind & Fire will appear in the next round of the beloved series, the first time that two bands have duked it out on the series. Sunday, 8 p.m., free to view on Instagram Live @verzuztv or on Triller.

You know, I use to sing that song in high school. I went to a cording these tunes related Jesuit high school.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3 to your faith? Did you spend (Years later) I was driving around and I just Siri’d “Be Not time praying or reading the Did you know what Afraid” and some collaborative Bible before going into the Harry Connick Jr. kind of album you wanted studio? effort of that song came up. to record right from the There was a bunch of people I don’t really think about start? these Instagram posts where he singing it — I don’t even know preparation that I did other things too much before I go than being 53 and living my life just sits and talks while he does who it was.

I knew at some point into the studio, unless it’s a big and being at this point.

I was just listening to it in his makeup. He was singing I wanted to make a gospel orchestral record where I have my car to remind myself of the it one day and I was like, “Oh, There are so many great man, I’ve got to do that one.” album. But had the pandemto write all the charts out. lyrics to the other verses. ic not happened, I probably In terms of the performances gospel numbers and faith And I just wept, especially Other ones like “Old Rugged would’ve just, at some point, — no matter what I am feeling, based tunes. How did you when it gets to that part about Cross” and “How Great Thou picked 12 of favorite spiritual if I am having a good day or a decide on the ones you want- Art” — those have personal “stand before the power of hell tunes and recorded them with bad day, if I sing “The Old Rug- ed to sing? meaning to me, because I have and death is at your side.” a band — like I would normal- ged Cross” I will immediately That’s heavy stuff. done them onstage and I just ly do.

To be honest with you, get into whatever headspace I Even if you’re not Christian, love those songs.

But because this happened, need to be in for that.

I picked the first ones that the notion of looking at an I really had a chance to pick I love your rendition of popped in my mind. But some But the other songs came as unclimbable mountain of a some tunes that I wanted to a result of — sometimes I woke of them didn’t pop in my mind. “Be Not Afraid.” In the midst challenge is daunting sometimes. And that’s what we were sing but also wrote some new up and I doubted my faith. I of the coronavirus storm, Like “Because He Lives” was songs.

I’m guessing you found a lot all looking at. I mean, I lost so one I knew — but I had never didn’t doubt the existence of So I really didn’t know many friends and family memof comfort and assurance God. But I doubted the strength really performed it and didn’t where it was going. It was just of my faith. And I wrote about bers over the last year. in singing the lines “Be not think about it. But a friend of a matter of writing things in Just to know that — “I go mine by the name of J. Harrison afraid/ I go before you alit. Other days, I felt on top of ways/ Come, follow me and before you. I got you. Be not real time and thinking about Ghee, who is this Broadway the world and I wrote about our shared experience and afraid. I’ll give you rest.” performer/drag queen/just all- I will give you rest.” that too. And everything in all the pros and cons of going between.

That stuff was emotional to around brilliant entertainer. He One hundred percent. sing. through this kind of thing. does this thing where he does But there was no sort of

Q. How did you prep for re-

Q.

A.

“I don’t know if I would have recorded this exact set of songs had this pandemic not happened. So I feel grateful for that chance.”

A.

Q. A.

Q.

A.

WEEKEND

E6 | THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

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MOVIES DVD RELEASES

‘Wonder Woman 1984’ pretty super This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows a scene from “Godzilla vs. Kong.” (WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT

VIA AP)

REVIEW

Marquee monsters bring spectacle in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

D

By KATIE WALSH

By Tribune News Service

Tribune News Service

irector Adam Wingard knows how to deliver what a movie titled “Godzilla vs.

Kong” should be.

Audiences watch Godzilla movies because we want to see the big lizard crush a bunch of buildings, perhaps while fighting another creature, not for deep myth-making or rich character study. Yet, the past three films in the MonsterVerse franchise that have led to this clash of the Titans, “Godzilla,” “Kong: Skull Island” and “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” have been heavy on the lore and characters, setting the stage for this matchup. Wingard knows the appeal of this film is two beloved movie giants pulverizing a city, and offers that spectacle dripping in neon and techno. Break out the glow sticks, it’s time for the kaiju rave that is “Godzilla vs.

Kong.”

When last we met our fair Godzilla, the monster had unexpectedly become humanity’s savior, fighting off the triple-headed King Ghidorah. Which is why Godzilla’s attack on Apex Cybernetics Pensacola comes as a rude awakening. Who ya gonna call? King Kong, living in a kind

Gal Gadot returns as Wonder Woman in “Wonder Woman 1984.” (WARNER BROS.)

From left, Kyle Chandler and Eiza Gonzalez appear in scenes from “Godzilla vs.

Kong.” (WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP)

‘GODZILLA VS. KONG’ rrts

Rated: PG-13 Running time: 114 min.

Playing at: Cinemark Hadley, West Springfield; Greenfield Garden Cinemas; South Hadley’s Tower Theaters

of Skull Island “Truman Show” biodome.

The screenplay by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein is both simple and ridiculous, and most importantly, it gets Kong off the panopticon of the Skull Island simulation and plants him where he belongs:

walloping Godzilla from the parapets of a skyscraper.

As befitting the franchise, entirely too many actors have been cast to run around the feet of Godzilla and Kong spouting vaguely scientific dialogue. Alexander Skarsgard plays a scientist with a special knowledge of “Hollow Earth” who is tapped to lead an expedition there to bring Kong to the earth’s core to find some kind of energy source that can be used as a weapon against Godzilla. Accompanying them are Kong chaperone Ilene (Rebecca Hall) and her adopted daughter, Jia (Kaylee Hottle), an indigenous Iwi girl who

SEE ‘GODZILLA’, PAGE E11

The new DVD releases this week are topped by a superhero sequel that doesn’t quite live up the original, but is still pretty super.

“Wonder Woman 1984”: The 2017 “Wonder Woman” was a critical and commercial success, with director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot infusing new life into a well-trod genre. Now the dynamic duo is back with “Wonder Woman 1984.”

But this time around, things are different for the title character.

As Tribune News Service film critic Katie Walsh explained: “The Diana of 1984 is no longer the wide-eyed innocent we met in the first film. She’s more mature but also sad, and lonely, having experienced war and lost her love, Steve (Chris Pine).

In this world of ’80s excess, she saves kids from burglars at the mall and works at the Smithsonian as a cultural anSEE DVD, PAGE E12

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 | E7

MOVIES ONLINE STREAMING

‘Senior Moment,’ ‘The Vault’ lead new films

By Michael O’Sullivan

Washington Post

There isn’t terribly much that happens in “Senior Moment,” a gentle romantic comedy starring William Shatner and Jean Smart, and filmed in 2017 in Palm Springs (a wealthy enclave where the median age is 55 and the view is quite pleasant). But it’s nice to see that Shatner — now 90 years old, but plausibly playing a 72-year-old playboy and former NASA test pilot — is still rascally as ever. The film gets underway as its protagonist is temporarily losing his driver’s license after a bit of reckless driving in his beloved 1955 silver Porsche convertible, which he tools around town in with his pal Sal (Christopher Lloyd, also frisky). Mostly, the film follows as Shatner’s Victor takes driving lessons in preparation for the test he has to take to get his license un-suspended, while tracking down what has become of his impounded vehicle. It’s not too taxing (for him or for the viewer) and Victor still has time to woo Smart’s Caroline, the owner of a cafe who’s attracted to Victor until she discovers he’s the reprobate who was doing doughnuts outside her establishment one night. The comedy is mild; the romance — which has to overcome Caroline’s faint objections and Victor’s jealousy of a younger man (Esai Morales) — is too. But “Senior Moment” is a sweet, inoffensive bit of escapism in the desert. Unrated. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains some coarse and suggestive language, brief, mild sensuality, objectification of women and drug use.

92 minutes.

Also streaming From the producers of “Jackass” and “Bad Grandpa,” “Bad Trip” is a hidden-camera comedy in which actors — in this case, Eric André and Lil Rel Howery, in the guise of best friends on a cross-country road trip — perform shocking pranks in front of unsuspecting bystanders. TV-MA. Available on Netflix. 86 minutes.

Christopher Lloyd, left, and William Shatner star in “Senior Moment.”

(SCREEN MEDIA FILMS)

Joan Chen plays a corrupt police chief determined to find her son’s killer in the noirish thriller “Sheep Without a Shepherd,” a remake of a 2015 Indian film.

The AV Club calls the actress’s performance “delightfully wicked.” Unrated.

Available on various streaming platforms.

In Mandarin and Thai with subtitles. 116 minutes.

Set in 1987, the drama “Shoplifters of the World” centers on a distraught fan of the band the Smiths (Ellar Coltrane) Eric André, left, and Lil Rel Howery who, after learning about the breakup appear in a scene from “Bad Trip.” of the group, holds a radio deejay (Joe (NETFLIX) Manganiello) hostage at gunpoint. Slant the lens of the pontiff ’s work on such magazine faults the film for a lack of issues as economic stratification, race fully formed characters, writing that, and gender inequality, the climate “All of the film’s flaws would’ve been crisis, xenophobia and others. The Los much more forgivable had it shown Angeles Times finds fault with director more of the empathy, curiosity or sense Evgeny Afineevsky’s “by-the-numbers” of humor that also happened to be approach: “Each topic is featured for defining characteristics of the Smiths’ a few minutes before the filmmaker music.” Unrated. Available at afisilver. diverts attention to the next calamity in afi.com. 85 minutes. need of awareness.” Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com; also on Discovery Purporting to be footage shot by a bar Plus. In English, Armenian, Spanish, mitzvah videographer, “Donny’s Bar Italian and French with subtitles. 116 Mitzvah” is a found-footage comedy re- minutes. volving around the attendees and antics at a 1998 Jewish initiation ceremony.

Based on Naomi Fontaine’s 2011 Featuring a cameo by Danny Trejo, the novel, “Kuessipan” tells the story of indie film has, according to Film Threat, two indigenous Canadian teenage girls a “Zucker brothers’ ‘Airplane!’ sensibil- (Sharon Fontaine-Ishpatao and Yamie ity” to it. Unrated. Available on iTunes Grégoire) whose friendship is tested and Amazon Prime. 79 minutes. when one falls in love with a white boy.

Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com.

The documentary “Francesco” is a In French and Innu-aimun with subtitles. Madeleine Sims-Fewer appears in a scene from “Violation.” (DM FILMS) portrait of Pope Francis, seen through 117 minutes.

Featuring appearances by brothers Stephen and William Baldwin, “Church People” is a faith-based comedy that pokes fun at the foibles of the American Christian church while delivering a message about what it means to have faith. According to heholdsmy righthand.com, the film is a “nutty (in a good way) Christian comedy, paired with the underlying message of the power of the Gospel, and rediscovering your passion for Christ.” Unrated. Available on salemnow.com, church peoplefilm.com and premium video-on-demand platforms. 115 minutes.

Judi Dench and Eddie Izzard star in “Six Minutes to Midnight,” a drama set in 1939 about German girls who have been sent to an English finishing school in the buildup to World War II. The Hollywood Reporter calls the “stodgy” spy thriller “watchable enough though unlikely to stir much feeling.” Unrated. Available on various streaming platforms. 102 minutes.

A suicidal bartender (Dawn Olivieri) falls for her neighbor’s boyfriend (Wilmer Valderrama) in “To Whom It May Concern.” Unrated. Available on various streaming platforms. 97 minutes.

A woman (writer/director/producer Madeleine Sims-Fewer) seeks revenge for a betrayal by her brother-in-law in the thriller “Violation.” Variety writes, of the “disturbing” film: “Through her performance of stupendous physical and emotional strength and vulnerability, Sims-Fewer wears her trauma so convincingly that by the end of it all, her pain sneaks up on you as if it’s your own.” Unrated. Available on Shudder. 107 minutes.

Freddie Highmore and Famke Janssen star in “The Vault,” a thriller about a crew that attempts to pull off a heist in a vault below the bank of Spain during Spain’s World Cup final. The Chicago Sun-Times calls it “preposterous but rich with personality.” R. Available on various streaming platforms. Contains strong language. 118 minutes.

WEEKEND

E8 | THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

Chefs reconsider chicken thigh meat as breast prices rise

B

REASTS VERSUS thighs — it’s a “parts is parts” chicken story as the food service business and the poultry producers that supply it continue to cope with a year of pandemic-caused disruption.

Like many other segments of the food supply system, the poultry industry pre-COVID had evolved into specialized segments. One group focused on serving the dining-awayfrom-home market, while a second set of growers and processors concentrated on chicken destined for the supermarket meat case.

Restaurant chains, especially those with chicken sandwiches on their menus, had originally specified those items to be made with smaller breast portions. At the other end of the production spectrum, supermarket chains continued to cater to consumer preferences for larger sized breast cuts. Markets had consequently become so specialized that poultry farmers adapted to this differing breast size demand by raising entirely different breeds of chicken for each use.

The pandemic scrambled all that specialization, with the poultry industry retooling, for the short term at least, to produce bigger breast cuts for retail distribution. At the same time export demand for dark meat chicken from thighs and drumsticks plummeted, meaning that more of the cost of production had to be recouped through breast meat prices.

Because of its traditionally lower wholesale prices, dark meat chicken has always been favored by some segments of the restaurant industry, particular those operations that used chicken meat in stir-fries, stews, and the like. Chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill, for instance, are big users of dark meat.

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

As the restaurant-based demand for chicken begins to increase again, breast meat prices have been climbing, encouraging some chefs to take a second look at using thigh meat, which many consider more flavorful. Consumers, however, continue to prefer white meat chicken, especially in the increasingly popular fried chicken sandwiches.

Needless to say, poultry producers are jockeying to meet surging breast meat demand as the “chicken sandwich wars” again heat up.

Side dishes • The Munich Haus German Restaurant in Chicopee will be holding its annual Hunter’s Harvest event April 17 at 6 p.m.

The menu of farm-raised “wild things” being offered will include chef-carved venison, bison, elk, and mountain goat along with a buffet of chafing dish creations like kangaroo kebobs, game stew, wild rabbit, and fried alligator.

Accompanying items such as cheeses, salads, chips and dip, spatzle, red cabbage, and sauerkraut will be served as well.

Tickets are $55 and are subject to advance purchase in blocks of four or six. All tables will be socially distanced.

Contact the Munich Haus at 413-594-8788 for more information or to make reservations.

SEE MENU, PAGE E9

Breweries collaborate on beer to fund scholarship

O

UT OF SOME 8,000 breweries in the United States, only 60, or less than 1%, are Black-owned businesses.

While Massachusetts is a bit above that threshold (about a half-dozen out of more than 200 breweries being Black-owned), the ratio still isn’t representative of the population.

“The fabric of the craft beer trade doesn’t mirror the fabric of the communities we work, play and live in,” said Ray Berry, owner and founder of White Lion Brewery in Springfield. Berry sits on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild.

Berry and the owners of three other Massachusetts breweries — Arcpoint in Belchertown, Crue Brew in

students of color who enroll in the school’s beer, cider and winemaking program.

“Throughout the country, there have been a number of initiatives driven by breweries, trade stakeholders, and guilds who recognize the diversity and inclusion deficits and want to be change agents,” Berry said. “Some of George Lenker those initiatives happen to be Beer Nut scholarship driven.”

As One was the brainchild of C.J. Eldridge, co-owner of Raynham and 67 Degrees in Arcpoint, who had read an article about the experiences Franklin — have banded together on a collaboration they of Black Massachusetts brewery owners in a historically hope will draw more people white-dominated industry. of color to brewing.

The collaboration is a beer The story featured interviews with Berry and Kevin Merritt, named As One, a juicy New owner of Crue Brew, and England IPA, from which a portion of the proceeds from also mentioned 67 Degrees, sales will go toward creating which is co-owned by Arnold Cruzeau. a scholarship at Holyoke SEE BEER, PAGE E11 Community College for

Celebrate Easter with Table 3 Restaurant Group | Sunday, April 4

Online Preorders theducksturbridge.com | cedarstreetgrille.com For a special Easter celebration leave the cooking to Table 3. Our talented chefs have prepared sensational menus. The Duck and Avellino will be serving a traditional à la carte menu with your holiday favorites. Cedar Street Grille at The Barn will be offering their unique brunch menu all day plus some great Easter specials. Enjoy a stress-free holiday in one of our fine restaurants. If you prefer to enjoy an Easter meal at home, we will also be offering an on-line pre-ordering menu where you select your favorite items and pick up times for Easter day.

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 | E9

DINE & WINE

Menu CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8

• The Student Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant in downtown Springfield will be hosting an Easter Brunch Buffet on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Special chef ’s selections on the buffet will include roast beef bourguignon, chicken cordon bleu, baked seafood with dill butter, and a ham carving station.

Tickets are $28.95 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 413-734-7475.

• The Table 3 Restaurant Group in Springfield has made two announcements regarding its restaurant operations in Sturbridge.

On April 8 the Cedar Street Grille will reopen in its original 12 Cedar St. premises after a yearlong pandemic relocation to Table 3’s The Barn at Wight Farm.

Cedar Street Grille will be observing all relevant precautions, including 6-foot spacing of tables, extra sanitation procedures, and enhanced air filtration.

• Starting in April Avellino in Sturbridge will once again be hosting monthly “Cooking with Rico” events.

The first such session, which is planned for April 15, will feature the flavors of Tuscany.

Chef Enrico Giovanello will demonstrate specialties from the region’s “cucina povera,” a form of economical cookery that focus on simple regional ingredients. Each course of Giovanello’s demonstration will be accompanied by a specially chosen wine pairing.

Cost to attend the Cooking with Rico event is $55 per person (or $45 without wine). Tax and gratuity are additional.

Reservations can be made by calling Avellino at 508-3472321.

additional charge option.

Although brunch walk-ins will be accommodated on a space-available basis, guaranteed seating can be reserved online at brassrailmeeting house.com.

Telephone inquiries about the brunch (or other Brass Rail events) can be directed to 413569-9585.

profile; a Bacon Cheeseburger finished with candied bacon, tomato jam, and Vermont cheddar; and a customizable Classic Cheeseburger. All sandwiches come with a complimentary jar of house-made pickles.

Spiked shakes, twenty different wines by the glass, craftbrewed beers, and specialty cocktails will also be available.

The Capital Burger, which • A sister operation to the will be serving seven days a upscale Capital Grille steakhouse on Newbury Street in week, is located at 159 Newbury Street. Its telephone Bill Stetson, owner of The Rumbleseat Bar and Grille in Chicop- Boston, The Capital Burger, number is 617-262-1333; its web ee, is offering a 20% discount to diners on Mondays if they have which is slated to open today, address is thecapitalburger. received the COVID-19 vaccine. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) will be specializing in an array com. of specialty and classic burger ity Group, the new 300-seat Hugh Robert is a faculty week the doughnut chain anconstructs. nounced that it will give anyone restaurant features signature member in Holyoke CommuThe Capital Burger, which showing a valid vaccination dishes such as satay of Chiluses a proprietary ground beef nity College’s hospitality and ean sea bass, lobster wontons, record card a free glazed donut blend for its between-bun culinary arts program and has Peking duck, crispy snapper in every time they visit a Krispy nearly 45 years of restaurant creations, will be featuring “sand,” and tuna sashimi prin- Kreme location. The free and educational experience. combinations such as The gle. Several menu offerings will doughnut promotion is slated Robert can be reached online at Capital Burger, a sandwich be unique to Mohegan Sun, in- to last until the end of 2021. with a French onion soup flavor OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com. cluding salt and pepper lobster, Locally, Bill Stetson, the owner of The Rumbleseat Bar and a 32-ounce prime Tomahawk Grille in Chicopee, is offering a steak, and hand-cut noodles.

20% discount every Monday to The restaurant will operate from Sunday through Thursday vaccinated customers. Stetson’s evenings from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. deal applies to both first- and second-shot recipients, dine-in and on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. until mid- only, and is planned to continue night. Proper social distancing for as long as mask mandates will be in force, and seating remain in force. will, for the time being, remain More information is available at Rumbleseat’s Facebook at 50% of capacity. page, facebook.com/rumble For more information, visit seat/. taomohegansun.com.

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The reprised French toast sandwich is available at participating Burger King locations.

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• With cuisine provided by the nearby Nora’s Restaurant, the venerable Brass Rail Restaurant in Southwick has been reborn as a banquet facility, the Brass Rail Meeting House.

Every Sunday the Brass Rail now hosts a Sunday brunch; on Easter Sunday, a special brunch menu is being offered from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Brass Rail brunch features a butler- and chef-attended buffet. Among the breakfast-style selections available are quiche, French toast, an omelet station, and a waffle • Will a COVID-19 vaccistation. Savory chafing dishes • Now open in the Sky Tower nation record card become a specialties range from Bourbon Hotel lobby, TAO Asian Bistro passport to restaurant food soy salmon to Nora’s chicken. A & Lounge brings distincfreebies? That might prove carving station, a pasta bar, and tive Pan-Asian cuisine to the to be the case if a promotion a dessert table are also part of Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in launched by the Winston-Sathe buffet experience. Bottomlem, North Carolina-based less mimosas and bloody mary Uncasville, Connecticut.

Operated by TAO HospitalKrispy Kreme catches on. Last cocktails are available as an

WEEKEND

E10 | THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

E

6 wines worth splurging on this week

VERYONE LOVES something worth celebrating.

This week you have a whole host of reasons to raise a glass of something special.

Good Friday.

Passover.

Easter.

The Final Four of the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments.

Or perhaps just a nice, warm, sunny spring day — or maybe another last gasp of winter weather.

Whatever the reason, here are six wines worth splurging on this week — four reds, one white and one sparkling wine.

Some of these wines might be familiar to regular readers of this column. But I also made a point of picking out some excellent wines from some lesser-known wineries that deserve some extra attention.

Hope you enjoy.

Ken Ross Wine Press

Leap reds, this one is smooth and dry and easygoing from the first to last sip. No decanting or waiting required. Just soft notes of blackberry, raspberry and cherry that linger quietly in the background for a full 30 seconds after each taste.

2019 J.J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Region: Mosel, Germany Grape: Riesling Tasting notes: Another Six wines worth splurging well-known, well-established on this week winery (founded in 1911 by J. J. • 2017 Stags’ Leap Winery Prum, whose family has been Napa Valley Petite Sirah ($47 making wine in this part of Germany for hundreds of years) Suggested Retail Price) • 2019 J.J. Prum Wehlener this winery remains the gold Sonnenuhr Kabinett ($40 SRP) standard for producing subtle, • Nyetimber Classic Cuvee understated luxurious white Multi-Vintage (SRP $55) wines in this famed Mosel wine • 2018 Justin Vineyards & region of Germany. If you like Winery Justification ($60 SRP) your wines on the drier side • 2018 Penner-Ash Yam(like myself) make sure to get hill-Carlton Estate Vineyard the “kabinett” version of these Pinot Noir ($75 SRP) wines. Let me add that now’s • 2018 Darioush Napa Valley the time to stock up on these Cabernet Franc ($80 SRP) wines since 2019 is widely considered the best vintage for Wine tasting notes Germany’s Mosel region in the 2017 Stags’ Leap Winery past 20 years. Crisp, dry, reNapa Valley Petite Sirah freshing and perfectly well-balRegion: Napa Valley, Calianced. Wunderbar! fornia Grape: Petit syrah Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Tasting notes: Not to be Multi-Vintage confused with Stags Leap Wine Region: England Cellars in same area in Napa Grape: Blend of chardonnay, Valley (seriously?), Stags’ Leap pinot noir, and pinot meunier Winery has been making wine Tasting notes: English in this part of California since sparkling wines have become 1872. One of the things I love increasingly popular in recent about its wines is how consisyears. I was skeptical before I tently great they are, no matter first tasted them a decade or so what the price. This elegant, ago. But all it took was a few sips delightful red wine is no excep- of these sparklers to convince tion. Like many other Stags’ me of England’s potential for

Ken Ross recommends splurging on these wines this week. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

producing truly great, dry sparkling wines. This distinct blend from Nyetimber has a wonderful toasty, dry finish with hints of almond, spice and baked apple flavors. If you love dry Champagnes with a dry, flinty, chalky finish, you’ll likely love distinct sparkling wine from the other side of the Channel.

notes. Just silky smooth and intense from start to finish.

2018 Penner-Ash Yamhill-Carlton Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon Grape: Pinot noir Tasting notes: Oregon has been on a roll the past few years, consistently producing 2018 Justin Vineyards & outstanding pinot noirs, one Winery Justification Region: Paso Robles, Caliyear after another since 2014. fornia This voluptuous 2018 pinot noir Grape: Blend of 65% caber- from Penner-Ash Wine Cellars net franc, 35% merlot is another stunning wine from Tasting notes: Another long- another great vintage. Made time favorite winery that dewith grapes from the Yamserves more attention, this Cal- hill-Carlton subregion in the ifornia winery in Paso Robles widely-respected Willamette (the outstanding, unpretentious Valley famous for its complex wine region located midway pinot noirs, this wine hits all the between San Francisco and Los right notes — bright yet subtle Angeles) consistently produces fresh berry flavors, a hint of outstanding wines year after toasted almond, vanilla and year. Last year, I raved about the fresh herbs mixed with a dash of 2017 vintage for this same wine roasted figs. This is an outstanding wine that will drink well for in my annual column about at least the next 10 years. wines worth splurging on for the holiday season. The 2018 2018 Darioush Napa Valley is just as delicious and understated and bursting with subtle, Cabernet Franc Region: Napa Valley, Caliripe fruit flavors. No cloying oak

fornia Grape: Cabernet franc Tasting notes: California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys are filled with dozens of distinguished wineries famous for their renowned wines. Some, frankly, are overrated. Others deserve all the attention.

Darioush has a well-deserved cult-like following for its austere, understated wines.

This dazzling cabernet franc illustrates why. Make sure to give this wine an hour or so open up properly. Like many restrained wines from France’s Bordeaux region, this wine took its time to slowly reveal its flinty flavors, which range from dried blackberries to roasted cherries and toasted almonds. Everything about this wine is crisp, clean, refined and subtle. A great wine with at least another decade of aging potential, but which can easily be enjoyed this coming weekend.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 | E11

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

‘Mutropolis’ is definitely worth watching on YouTube Better to enjoy game as passive experience than solve its puzzles

By Christopher Byrd

Special To The Washington Post

Here are some facts I gathered from textbooks printed 3,000 years in the future: roses were once used as projectile weapons to repel opera singers; Al Capone was either a quiz show host or a celebrated actor; Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man was the first 16th century underwear model; Jane Austen is best remembered for, among other works, the novel “Clear and Present Danger”; and Frida Kahlo, as evidenced from her many portraits, was a queen who ruled over several conti-

A scene from “Mutropolis.” (APPLICATION SYSTEMS HEIDELBERG)

nents. I acquainted myself with these historical coordinates while helping Henry Dijon, a kindhearted archaeologist from Mars, investigate the mysterious disappearance of his boss who was abducted

“The fabric of the craft beer trade doesn’t mirror the fabric of the communities we work, play and live in.”

Ray Berry, owner and founder, White Lion Brewery

Beer CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8

“I saw all those guys in the article and it inspired me to want to get together with them and brew something and also bring some awareness,” Eldridge said. “We want to attempt to spread brewing out to more people of color, not necessarily just Black, but people of color in general, and get them into the business. Let them know what it’s about.”

HCC launched its beer, cider and winemaking certificate program last fall, so the decision to partner with the college made sense, Berry said. “Craft beer is all about local,” said Berry.

“If we want to expand the

conversation, this is a perfect opportunity for us to align ourselves with a great local institution.”

Amanda Sbriscia, HCC vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation, joined Berry, Eldridge, Merritt, and Cruzeau on March 11 at the White Lion Brewery for the one-day brewing of As One. Canning was scheduled for March 29 and the beer was to be available starting yesterday, during White Lion’s weekly “Cans to Go” sessions at the brewery, which run every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., and every Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m.

The scholarship, as yet unnamed, will be administered by the HCC Foundation.

while leading an excavation in a cave on the planet Earth.

Although one might reasonably think of Henry and his fellow co-workers as Martians, they’re really just gainfully employed people who have

returned to humanity’s old homeworld to investigate the remains of civilizations that flourished before a cataclysm sent mankind scurrying to the Red Planet. Henry’s boss, Totel, regales his team with his belief that the Earth holds a place where the bones of long-extinct, giant, prehistoric creatures (“dinotaurs”) were once kept on display. Totel’s name for this citadel of knowledge is Mutropolis.

As much as Henry respects his boss, he is skeptical about the reality of “Mutropolis.”

However, after he discovers a hidden wall in a cave that leads to a mural with the faded letters TROPO on it, he and colleagues begin to wonder if their leader might be onto something. (To the antediluvian eyes of us 21st century people, the mural seems to also

“MUTROPOLIS” Developed by: Pirita Studio Published by: Application Systems Heidelberg Available on: PC

depict a bit of the New York skyline, but such knowledge is lost on the Martian academics.) Alas, they have little time to contemplate their momentous finding before their lighting equipment fails and, in the ensuing darkness, they are set upon by an assailant who knocks Henry out, kidnaps Totel and defaces the mural.

After Henry comes to, he returns to the laboratory station that serves as the headquarters for the expedition to piece together the circumstances surrounding his boss’s kidSEE VIDEO GAME, PAGE E12

‘Godzilla’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE E6

communicates with Kong via sign language. Also along for the ride is Maya (Eiza Gonzalez), a sleazy Apex scion, who certainly won’t try to do anything nefarious with any mysterious energy source, nope, not at all.

Meanwhile, a disgruntled Apex employee-turned-podcaster, Bernie (Brian Tyree Henry), has hooked up with teen Godzilla fans Madison (Millie Bobby Brown) and Josh (Julian Dennison) to infiltrate Apex and find out why Godzilla attacked. Through a series of unfortunate and befuddling events (Skullcrawler egg transport stowaway; Godzilla blasting a hole into Hollow Earth with atomic breath), all the Titans and all the humans end up in Hong Kong, as Kong and Godzilla wreck stuff against a vivid urban nightscape.

Kong has the richest and most tragic backstory, and the more expressive face with which to empathize, and while the film seems firmly Team Kong, we’d never have to choose between

Kaylee Hottle appears in a scene from “Godzilla vs. Kong.”

(WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT)

these two Titans (the villain is always capitalism anyway).

What makes “Godzilla vs. Kong” worth watching is Ben Seresin’s cinematography. Though every scene seems to take place at night, underwater, on a barge or underground, the non-CGI moments are lit with contrasting colors gleaming on metal and moisture, rendering the human scale scenes as visually

interesting as the massive skyscraper-crumbling brawl.

The score by Tom Holkenberg, aka trance DJ/producer Junkie XL, enhances the futuristic disco-clash aesthetic.

If it’s vibes (and destruction) you seek, “Godzilla vs. Kong” delivers. Now to convince the powers that be to let Wingard direct a “Tron” movie, the ultimate electro-neon vibe-out franchise.

WEEKEND

E12 | THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

DVD CONTINUED FROM PAGE E6

thropologist. But her greater purpose is lacking, until she encounters a powerful ancient crystal, a wishing stone of sorts, being investigated by a new nerdy co-worker, Dr. Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig).”

Walsh wrote that the film doesn’t hit the heights of the original, but it doesn’t disappoint: “‘1984’ doesn’t have the same jaw-dropping impact of ‘Wonder Woman’ (how could it?), but Jenkins maintains a steady hand on the character and her story, giving us more of what we loved about the first film.”

And ultimately, Gadot’s Wonder Woman is a hero worth rooting for: “Why does she want to save the world?

Because she believes in humanity, and that’s just what she does,” Walsh wrote.

Also new on DVD “Our Friend”: Dane

Video game

(Jason Segel) moves in with Matt (Casey Affleck) and his family after a devastating diagnosis. Based on a true story.

“55 Steps”: Patients-rights lawyer and her client help each other transform their lives. Stars Hilary Swank and Helena Bonham Carter.

“A Perfect Planet”: Sir David Attenborough delivers dire warnings about our perfect planet in this BBC documentary.

“Another Round”: Four pals test the theory that life is better if you are a little bit drunk all the time. Trouble ensues.

“The Toll”: A supernatural threat haunts a driver and his passenger.

New on Digital DVD “The Widow”: A mysterious creature known as “The Limping Widow” terrorizes a forest in Russia.

“Witness Infection”: A comedy crime thriller involving the Witness Protection Program and zombies.

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machine and take it to a cage where an unseen animal lives in a lab room. After feeding it CONTINUED FROM PAGE E11 the turnip you must hand it a napping. Over the course of paper clip and ask it to fashion his investigation he befriends a heart, and after it hands it to the goddess Isis, who is keen you, give it back to the critter on preventing her brother and ask it to flatten it to get Seth (Totel kidnapper) from the shape that you need for performing a blood rite that a lockpick. When I looked will lead to humanity’s eternal up the solutions to several enslavement. puzzles in an online guide, “Mutropolis” is a point-and- I didn’t think: “Oh, that’s click game that, for better or clever, I should have mulled worse, harks back to classics over that puzzle a bit more,” of the genre from the 1980s so much as: “My time is worth and 1990s. It is well written more than the effort it would — stuffed with a number of have taken me to arrive at lol-worthy gags — and nicely this, that, and the other.” animated, but I can’t say I I’m not ashamed to say that enjoyed playing it. Similar to a my appreciation of “Mutropnumber of those games from olis” skyrocketed when I gave up playing it and decided to back in the day, like “Grim watch the last fourth of the Fandango,” it’s filled with puzzles that turn on abstruse game on YouTube. Watching “Mutropolis” as I might an logic. This is one of those games where you are likely to Adult Swim cartoon, I was be diving into your inventory able to appreciate it as a solid constantly and using items in comedic work without having to suffer through trying to ina haphazard fashion to solve dependently work through its obscure puzzles.

For example, to build a puzzles. For me, “Mutropolis” lockpick you need to buy was a game best savored as a a turnip from a vending passive experience.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM