The Hippo Press – Page 287

At the Sofaplex 20/11/05

The Opening Act (NR)

Jimmy O. Yang, Cedric the Entertainer.

Stand-up novice Will Chu (Yang, a comedian with a special on Amazon Prime) gets his big break as the emcee for a show headlined by his childhood comedy hero Billy G. (Cedric the Entertainer) in this sweet if occasionally uneven movie about starting out in comedy. These aren’t comedians taking big stages in New York or L.A.; Chu and his fellow comics are fighting for time at the local open mic night. Though Chu can regularly get a few minutes (assuming he brings in at least two paying customers), he can’t seem to break in at other clubs. Then his buddy, Quinn (Ken Jeong), a more successful comedian, recommends him for a long weekend gig as the emcee for a show that features Chris (Alex Moffat) and Billy G, a longtime comedy hero of Will’s.

This movie also features a slew of comedian cameos — Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Kathleen Madigan and more — and just a general love of the craft of stand-up comedy (along with a bemused look at the lifestyle). The movie isn’t really a definitive study of all stand-up comedy; it’s more a narrowly focused story about this point in one comedian’s professional development when comedy goes from a side gig to a possible career. There is such a “love of the game” quality to this movie that I found it easy to look past some of its indie scruffiness. B Available for rent.

Save Yourselves! (R)

Sunita Mani, John Reynolds.

Su (Mani) and Jack (Reynolds) head to a friend’s cabin to take a week off from everything — even their phones, even the internet, even social media. Thusly cut off from the world, they try to “work on we,” reconnect as a couple and discuss the future and reset their brain chemistry and a bunch of other vague “authentic”-sounding things. Unbeknownst to them, at pretty much the exact moment they were recording an outgoing message letting people know they were unreachable, aliens were landing on the planet — furry aliens that Su initially mistakes for an ottoman.

This short but fun comedy blends bougie-couple-stuff (they realize too late that all the microgreens in the world are no good when you need non-perishables) and end of the world panic. The fuzziness of the aliens helps to cut down the actual scariness of the situation and the likability of the leads helps to sell the jokes, or really the one joke, which is that modern urban online life does not prepare you for woodsy survival. B Available for purchase or rent.

The Binge (TV-MA)

Vince Vaughn, Skyler Gisondo.

In some respects this endearingly stupid comedy from Hulu isn’t so unlike the standard tale of teenagers trying to get to a party so one of their number can tell somebody they like them (see also Superbad or Booksmart). In this case, BFFs Griffin (Gisondo) and Hags (Dexter Darden), joined by onetime bud Andrew (Eduardo Franco), are trying to get to a wild party so Griffin can ask Lena (Grace Van Dien) to prom. The catch is that this party is happening on Binge night; similar to Purge night of The Purge movies, on Binge night Americans can load up on as much alcohol and drugs as their bodies can handle, but only once a year. On all other days, mind-altering substances, even beer, are illegal. For newly minted 18-year-olds Griffin and Hags (18 being the age when you can start participating in The Binge), this is their first chance to get totally wasted and make bad choices. For their school principal Mr. Carlsen (Vaughn), who is also Lena’s dad, it’s an opportunity to spread his “say no to everything” message. Like Bueller vs. principal fights for decades, it becomes an evening of crazy adventures and adult overreach.

The concept is dumb but the theme is classic and, as with most of this kind of movie, what carries it through is the sweetness of the friendship between Griffin and Hags. Also, the movie benefits from Vaughn leaning in to the Vaughnily off-kilter quality of his not-so-responsible adult. Come for the many many names for drugs, stay for the musical number. I’d still rather watch this than another The Purge movie (and this one-night-a-year setup might actually make more sense). B- Available on Hulu.

Wild Nights with Emily (PG-13, 2018)

Molly Shannon, Susan Ziegler.

Emily Dickinson (played by Shannon as an adult, Dana Melanie as a teenager/young adult) is in this sweet and funny biopic a woman in a long-term, though somewhat hidden, relationship with Susan (Ziegler as an adult, Sasha Frolova as a teen), her sweetheart from school days who marries Emily’s brother so that they can stay close. Emily is an ambitious writer in a world where ambition and innovation from a woman don’t necessarily work out. It takes her death and some repackaging by her brother’s mistress (Amy Seimetz doing solid wide-eyed comic work) to get Dickinson into the public eye and then Susan’s daughter/Emily’s niece to attempt a more accurate portrait. At times the movie has a bit of a Drunk History feel but it makes Dickinson more of a recognizable human and Shannon brings a liveliness to her reading of Dickinson’s poems and letters. B+ Available on Hulu.

Connery, Sean Connery

Remember the recently departed Sir Sean Connery, the standard-setter for the James Bond character, in 1964’s Goldfinger (PG technically; Common Sense Media rates it as 13+) which will screen starting Friday, Nov. 6, at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road) and Nashua (151 Coliseum Ave.). The movie will screen Friday through Monday, Nov. 9, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in Manchester and Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:45 p.m., according to chunkys.com on Nov. 2. Tickets cost $4.99.

Film
Movie screenings, movie-themed happenings & filmed events

Venues

Bank of NH Stage
16 S. Main St., Concord
225-1111, banknhstage.com

Capitol Center for the Arts
44 S. Main St., Concord
225-1111, ccanh.com

Chunky’s Cinema Pub
707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, chunkys.com

Cinemagic
with IMAX at 38 Cinemagic Way in Hooksett; 11 Executive Park Drive in Merrimack; 2454 Lafayette Road in Portsmouth; cinemagicmovies.com

The Music Hall
28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth
436-2400, themusichall.org

Red River Theatres
11 S. Main St., Concord
224-4600, redrivertheatres.org

Wilton Town Hall Theatre
40 Main St. in Wilton
wiltontownhalltheatre.com, 654-3456

Shows

• Red River Virtual Cinema Red River Theatres is currently offering indie, foreign language and documentary films via a virtual cinema experience. See the ever changing line-up on the website.

• Live Trivia Back to the Future Trilogy (21+) at Chunky’s Manchester on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. and at Chunky’s Nashua on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Teams of up to six players; reserve a team spot with $5 food vouchers.

• Warren Miller’s Future Retrovirtual screening via the Music Hall Portsmouth Saturday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. Access costs $30.

• Live Trivia Hamilton (21+) at Chunky’s Manchester on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Sunday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. and at Chunky’s Nashua on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Teams of up to six; reserve a team spot with $5 food vouchers.

• Lucinda Williams in studio concert series livestreamed event offered by the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Tickets start at $20 per event (with add-on options). Remaining shows include “Southern Soul: From Memphis to Muscle Shoals & More” on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m.; “Bobs Back Pages: A Night of Bob Dylan Songs” on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m.; “Funny How Time Slips Away: A Night of ‘60s Country Classics” on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m.; and “Have Yourself a Rockin’ Little Christmas with Lucinda” on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.

• Dr. Mabuse The Gambler, Part 1(1922) This silent film directed by Fritz Lang will screen at Wilton Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. with live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Admission is free but a $10 donation is encouraged. The movie, the first of two parts, is a crime thriller set in Weimar-era Germany, according to Rapsis’ website.

• Dr. Mabuse The Gambler, Part 2 (1922) Catch the second half of the film on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. at Wilton Town hall Theater. Admission is free but a $10 donation is encouraged.

• Flash Gordon (PG, 1980) Cinemagic will screen the Fathom Events 40th Anniversary screening of Flash Gordon on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. at its locations including Hooksett, Merrimack and Portsmouth. Tickets cost $13.25.

Quality of Life 20/11/05

The impact of an act of kindness

New Hampshire native Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion shared a heartwarming message on the band’s Facebook page following its Chaos & Kindness events at Rossview Farm in Concord last weekend. He wrote that a woman approached him after waiting in line for hours in the cold to meet the band — because she wanted to personally thank them for their, well, kindness at an event in Manchester four years ago. The woman had been homeless, living in a park where Recycled Percussion had a concert. Halfway through the show, Spencer wrote, he stopped and asked the people at the gate to let the homeless and less fortunate to come in and enjoy the rest of the show. “She said that was the moment she fell in love with us and has been waiting for 4 years to share how that act of kindness impacted her. … She has since gotten her life back on track and headed in a better direction and today I could tell how special it was to share that moment with us,” Spencer wrote.

Score: +1

Comment: Spencer’s post garnered 6,600 likes and more than 400 comments.

Goodbye, election flyers, calls and commercials

While we appreciate everyone’s efforts to get people out to vote, QOL will not miss the relentless barrage of political mailers, phone calls, texts and ads that led up to the general election. It is quite possible that we still don’t know who our new president will be by the time this paper hits the streets, and no matter what the outcome, there will likely be some strong feelings from both sides. But guys, no more calls or texts blowing up your phone! No more giant mailers that fill half your recycling container! No more House Hunters episodes being ruined by the onslaught of campaign ads!

Score: +1

Comment: This is a win no matter what side you’re on.

Confronting stigmas

Brielle Paquette, a videographer from Salem, has been named October’s Granite Stater of the Month by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan. According to a press release, Paquette is using her talent for filmmaking to confront the stigma surrounding mental illness, in part by opening up about her own struggles with an anxiety disorder. Pre-Covid, her mom filmed her standing blindfolded in the middle of a crowded area in Boston while holding a sign that read “20-50 percent of adolescents struggle with mental illness. Hug to show support for people who are struggling.” This footage of strangers hugging her became part of a PSA she put together in 2019.

Score: +1

Comment: Paquette has since filmed other PSAs about mental illness, and she uses her platform as Miss Londonderry to promote the message as well. She’s currently starting work on a PSA on body positivity, according to the release.

Award-winning trails in New Hampshire

The national Coalition for Recreational Trails has honored two Granite State trail projects with the Tom Petri Recreational Trails Program Achievement Awards, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. In southern New Hampshire, the Monadnock Trail Improvement Project won in the Youth Conservation/Service Corps and Community Outreach Category. Work on that project was done by the SCA NH AmeriCorps conservation services crew, which spent 10 weeks improving 4.5 miles of trails at Monadnock State Park. The other project award went to the Milan Trail Huggers Nash Stream Bridge in Milan, which diverted ATVs farther from area homeowners, according to the release.

Score: +1

Comment: Improvements to Monadnock trails — one of the most hiked mountains in the world, according to the press release — included new rock steps and rock staircases, and the closure of unofficial trails that bypassed eroded areas.

QOL score: 63

Net change: +4

QOL this week: 67

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

News & Notes 20/11/05

Covid-19 update	As of October 26	As of November 2
Total cases statewide	10,397	11,320
Total current infections statewide	1,002	1,407
Total deaths statewide	475	483
New cases	651 (Oct. 20 to Oct. 26)	923 (Oct. 27 to Nov. 2)

Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 news

On Oct. 25, Gov. Chris Sununu issued Exhibits V and W to Emergency Order No. 29, which had been issued on April 9. Emergency Order No. 29 requires state agencies, boards and commissions to submit recommendations to Sununu if any regulatory deadlines should be adjusted in response to the state of emergency. Per Exhibit V, in order to mitigate staffing concerns in police departments across the state, part-time officers who have not attended the full-time police academy will continue to be allowed to work during the pandemic. Per Exhibit W, in accordance with Emergency Order No. 12, the state’s Current Use Advisory Board will hold one public forum via phone and Webex in lieu of three in-person meetings. The forum will take place Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m.

On Oct. 27, Sununu issued Emergency Order No. 71, an order temporarily suspending the penalty for a school’s failure to file a financial report showing receipts and expenditures to the state Department of Education.

On Oct. 30, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-21, extending the state of emergency in New Hampshire due to the Covid-19 pandemic for another three weeks through at least Nov. 20. It’s the 11th extension he has issued since originally declaring a state of emergency on March 13.

In the last week, the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services announced two additional potential community exposures linked to positive cases of Covid-19, both at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club. The first one was announced on Oct. 27, with potential community exposure dates inside both Merrill’s Tavern and the Stagecoach Grille on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from noon to 7:30 p.m., and on Thursday, Oct. 22, from noon to 11:30 p.m. A second notice was issued on Oct. 30 in the same location, with more possible exposures, on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 9:45 p.m. Anyone who was there on any of those dates and times should monitor for symptoms and seek testing.

State health officials also announced 205 new positive infections on Oct. 31, the most reported in New Hampshire in a single day since the start of the pandemic in March. In a statement addressing this, Sununu said he expects cases to rise as community transmission increases. “As we enter these winter months, it will be more important than ever to wear your mask, practice social distancing, and maintain proper hand hygiene,” he said.

Details of all of Sununu’s Emergency Orders, Executive Orders and other announcements can be found at governor.nh.gov.

Inferior food

The New Hampshire congressional delegation has sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding concerns that the products the New Hampshire Food Bank has been receiving do not meet nutritional standards, according to a press release. The USDA contracts with farms to provide food to state food banks through its Farmers Families Food Box Program; New Hampshire’s current distributor is Delaware-based Vincent Farms. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Representatives Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas said in the letter that the distributor for the program from the previous round, Costa Fruit & Produce, provided high-quality products for families in need, while the product provided by Vincent Farms was of “enormously inferior nutritional quality.” The letter also alleged that the USDA is paying more than the food boxes being provided by Vincent Farms have been estimated to be worth. “We understand that the USDA is paying $40 – $60 per box under the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. However, the cost per box of food provided to the New Hampshire Food Bank by the round three distributor has been estimated to equal $10 – $12. This significant discrepancy in value indicates a large potential profit opportunity for this distributor,” the letter reads. The delegation has asked the USDA to investigate the matter before it awards the fourth round of contracts for the program.

PFAS report

Last week, the Commission on the Environmental and Public Health Impacts of Perfluorinated Chemicals released its first Interim Report to highlight its initial assessments on the impacts of PFAS in the air, soil and groundwater in Merrimack, Bedford and Litchfield. The report includes recommendations such as extending the statute of limitations on chemical and PFAS-related injury, establishing a policy related to the identification of any PFAS chemicals that pose a concern to public health and/or the environment, create and implement educational standards and practices related to health implications of PFAS chemicals for all health care personnel, and require any source company responsible for water and soil contamination to be responsible for the costs of medical monitoring over a long-term basis for those exposed. The full report with all recommendations and findings can be seen at gencourt.state.nh.us/statstudcomm/committees/1495.

At-home-school tool

Parents have a new resource to help them support their children’s at-home learning. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education, the Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide will help parents use digital tools and resources, and it outlines the benefits and challenges of remote learning. “As New Hampshire families adjust to remote and hybrid instruction, parents remain essential in supporting students, and keeping them on track,” New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said in the release. “This new Digital Learning Guide is a great tool for parents and caregivers to meet this challenge.” Access the guide at nhlearnsremotely.com.

EnVision Center

Harbor Care in Nashua has been designated as the first EnVision Center in New Hampshire, creating a centralized hub to provide resources to people in need, according to a press release. The EnVision Center program is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and provides services for HUD-assisted families. Harbor Care is one of more than 60 EnVision Centers in the country, but only the third in New England. The center supports four key pillars of self-sufficiency, according to the release: economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness and character and leadership. “Harbor Care’s designation as an EnVision Center provides those chances for success for low-income residents,” Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess said in the release. “It makes even stronger Nashua’s existing support network for individuals and families in need of not just housing and financial support, but actual tools to guide them on a brighter path.”

Tons of drugs

During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 26, New Hampshire collected nearly 17,000 pounds of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, as well as electronic vaping devices and cartridges, according to a press release. Throughout New England, the Drug Enforcement Administration collected more than 57 tons at 586 collection sites. This is in comparison to the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in September 2010, when the division collected 25,810 pounds of unwanted drugs. Massachusetts and Maine had the highest tallies (40,284 pounds and 40,100 pounds, respectively). New Hampshire collected 16,840 pounds, while Connecticut collected 8,002 pounds, Rhode Island collected 6,218 pounds and Vermont collected 4,498 pounds, according to the release.

Concord’s fall leaf collection started Monday with bulk leaf collection and bagged collection will start Nov. 23 for residents with curbside trash collection, continuing (weather permitting) through Dec. 11, according to a press release. For more details about how this year’s process will work, visit concordnh.gov.

Several roads will be closed for the Manchester City Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 a.m., according to a press release. Starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, Elm Street from Pleasant Street to Merrimack Street will be closed until 5 p.m. Sunday. Starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, Elm Street between Granite and Bridge streets will be closed, and portions of the following roads will be closed: Hanover, Merrimack, Central, Spring, McGregor and Granite streets, and the Bridge Street Bridge. All roads will be reopened by 5 p.m.

The Hopkinton and Warner Historical Societies will present a virtual discussion about the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. The Zoom talk is free; for login information, email [email protected] or [email protected].

Nashua will hold its final Household Hazardous Waste Collection of 2020 on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Nashua City Park & Ride, 25 Crown St. Residents from Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Pelham and Windham can participate, according to a press release. The cost is a $15 user fee per vehicle, with extra charges for waste that exceeds 10 gallons or 20 pounds. Latex paint, electronics and medications will not be accepted.

Drinks for Everyone

Drinks for Everyone
Need a drink this weekend? Whether you’re looking for new cocktail ideas or non-alcoholic offerings that still pack big flavors, this week’s cover story features drinks for everybody — including two ideas for drinks to warm you up when the nights get cold.

Also on the cover,
the Palace Theatre is hosting a live music-packed show — for free, p. 10. If you’re looking for something to do outside this weekend, we have 21 great ideas, from pumpkin hunts to full-moon hikes, p. 11. And the Annapurna Curry & Sekuwa House opens in Manchester, p.19.

The vote

In just a few days we may have an election that sees one of the highest turnout rates ever — ...

News & Notes 20/10/29

Covid-19 updateAs of October 19As of October 126Total cases statewide9,74610,397Total current infections statewide1,0201,002Total deaths statewide468475New cases603 (Oct. 12 to Oct ...

Moon mission

Local grad working on EagleCam project Bedford High School grad William Edwards, now an undergrad at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in ...

Sox sub-plots abound

Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball

Given what’s happening in Patriots-land right now, if we want to talk about them it might be better to focus ...

Quality of Life 20/10/29

Fin for the win Fin. Courtesy photo. If being adorable was a job requirement, it’s no wonder Fin got the ...

Come together (at a distance)

Palace Theatre presents The British Rock Experience The Palace Theatre in Manchester is ready to welcome you back with free ...

The Art Roundup 20/10/29

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities ”Mother West Wind WHEN” Stories by Elaine Caikauskas, featured in “Possessed.” ...

21 ideas for outdoor fun this weekend

Take a little break from, everything with some events happening in fresh air Pumped for pumpkins 1. Show off your ...

Kiddie Pool 20/10/29

Family fun for whenever Crafts and costume parties There are still a few more days to take part in Not ...

In praise of garlic

Plant now to have it ready next year When I was growing up, my mom served meat and potatoes nearly ...

The Weekly Dish 20/10/29

News from the local food scene • Fired up: Learn to make fire cider at the Beaver Brook Nature Center’s ...

Drinks for everybody

Drinks with John Fladd Cocktails and mocktails created for flavor-seekers of all ages The Dad: A new father does a ...

Himalayan eats

Annapurna Curry & Sekuwa House opens in Manchester Chicken chili. Photo courtesy of Annapurna Curry & Sekuwa House. A new ...

In the kitchen with Gary “Diz” Window

Gary “Diz” Window of Manchester is the head chef and owner of Diz’s Cafe (860 Elm St., Manchester, 606-2532, dizscafe.com), ...

Not all French reds are alike

A look at two very different wines France is unarguably and immediately associated with food and superbly diverse beverages. It ...

Album Reviews 20/10/22

Laura Jane Grace, Stay Alive (Polyvinyl Records) Laura Jane Grace has a lot her plate dealing with being the most ...

The Upswing

The Upswing, by Robert D. Putnam with Shaylyn Romney Garrett (Simon & Schuster, 350 pages) Robert Putnam, a political scientist ...

Rebecca (PG-13 ) The Witches (PG)

Rebecca (PG-13 ) The beautiful Armie Hammer and beautiful Lily James wear some beautiful clothes in the gothic romance/psychological thriller ...

At the Sofaplex 20/10/29

She Dies Tomorrow (R) Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams. Also Chris Messina and around the edges Josh Lucas and Michelle ...

The Music Roundup 20/10/29

Local music news & events • Rising star: A frequent opener for folk music legend Tom Rush, Matt Nakoa has ...

Ghouling pianos

Music and comedy with a Halloween twist With all the horrors already unleashed by 2020, what’s the point of Halloween? ...

Click to read our E-Edition PDF for FREE.
Our advertiser supported e-edition will always be free to view and download.

At the Sofaplex 20/10/29

She Dies Tomorrow (R)

Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams.

Also Chris Messina and around the edges Josh Lucas and Michelle Rodriguez. This, what, horror movie?, comedy-horror, I think I saw it called in the trailer?, is, as writer Joe Reid said in a tweet a few months back, either the best or worst possible movie for right now. A woman is convinced, for no apparent reason, that she is going to die tomorrow. She believes it, completely, to the befuddlement of the friend she tells until that friend also believes, wholly, that she is going to die tomorrow. Is it some kind of fast-acting neurological illness? A sudden realization of the destruction coming from some outside force? A highly contagious kind of mass hysteria (with all the weight that comes with the word “hysteria”)? Does it matter? The movie works however you see the thing that has everybody feeling doom. I’m sure even if 2020 hadn’t gone the way it’s currently going this movie would still feel relevant — the idea of sudden, life-ending disaster applies even when you aren’t in the middle of a pandemic. (At one point, three characters introduce themselves saying their names followed by “I’m dying,” which is true even if it isn’t true.) As different people get hit with “I’m going to die tomorrow,” the movie perfectly captures the “oh heck, why not have the whole box of cookies; gah, obesity is a comorbidity! No more cookies!” of this particular moment in the real world. It is at times funny, at times poignant, at times just weird — not unlike 2020. B Available for rent.

Relic (R)

Emily Mortimer, Bella Heathcote.

Kay (Mortimer) and her daughter Sam (Heathcote) arrive at Kay’s mother’s Edna (Robin Nevin) rural-ish house in Australia after neighbors report the woman missing. Post-It note reminders to do basic things and general disarray (plus a recent history of forgetting things) have Kay believing her mother is slipping into dementia. But Kay and Sam can’t completely deny that Edna’s house is also quite creepy. So when Edna suddenly reappears, with a strange dark bruise and no memory of what’s happened, Kay in particular seems to think it’s time her mother live somewhere else. But they, and we, also catch glimpses of strange shadows and sudden blooms of mold that suggest something more malignant is at work in the house.

There are, I think, a few different ways to read this movie, which to me plays out as kind of a nightmare of fears and anxieties more than as a straightforward spooky tale. I felt like, as the movie goes on, it’s making a physical reality of the way disorientation and fear feel and that the movie is more metaphoric by the end than it is introducing us to the next, like, Annabelle or some specific demonic thing. And that, the terror that awaits in your own mind (coupled with some deeply sad stuff about caring for an aging loved one), is way scarier, to me anyway. But I think this movie also allows you to figure out what flavor of horror movie it is for yourself. Either way, it does a solid job of presenting actually scary situations and settings and of ramping up a feeling of dread with all three of the movie’s actresses doing good work. BAvailable for rent.

Good Boy (TV-MA)

Judy Greer, McKinley Freeman.

Greer is Maggie, a down on her luck newspaper reporter who adopts a murderously loyal dog in this movie that is actually maybe an episode of a TV show called Into the Dark. It’s a Hulu thing and it’s an hour and 29 and I’m counting it as a movie, a comedy horror to be exact. This movie is entertaining largely because of Greer, who is fun to watch even if she’s cleaning up entrails after her dog, Reuben, has, say, murdered the landlady, who keeps trying to raise the rent. Reuben is supposed to be an emotional support animal, adopted just as Maggie’s reporter job went from full-time and in print to contract and online (which was not only a professional setback but a financial one and it meant she didn’t have the money to cover the fertility treatments she was hoping would give her just a little more time to find Mr. Right). The movie isn’t particularly deep but it’s off-kilter and just entertaining enough to brighten up your laundry-folding, bill-paying 90 minutes.B-

Quality of Life 20/10/29

Fin for the win

If being adorable was a job requirement, it’s no wonder Fin got the gig.The 14-week-old chocolate Labrador retriever has joined the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Law Enforcement Division’s K-9 Team, according to a news release on the department’s website. Fin met his new partner, Fish and Game Conservation Officer Kenneth St. Pierre, in September. “Fin will work on basic obedience, tracking, and exposure to both evidence and fish and wildlife daily,” St. Pierre said in the news release. Fin was donated by Wes and Belinda Reed of Rise and Shine Retrievers in Barnstead.

Score: +1

Comment: Who wouldn’t want to go to work with a partner like that?

Holiday stroll canceled

The 27th annual Winter Holiday Stroll in Downtown Nashua will have to wait, as the event has been canceled this year, according to a press release from Great American Downtown. Typically held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the stroll features performers, vendors, demonstrations and other attractions. With the ongoing community-based transmission of Covid-19, local health officials advised the City of Nashua and Great American Downtown that the event should be postponed until 2021.

Score: -1

Comment: As the holiday season approaches, Great American Downtown has planned several activities for downtown Nashua, including outdoor music, contests and the return of Plaid Friday to support small businesses the day after Thanksgiving.

New homes to help end homelessness

Four people who have been experiencing long-term homelessness will soon have new homes in the Green Street Apartments in Concord, according to a press release. The apartments, which have been renovated by the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness, are the culmination of efforts from numerous local businesses and organizations, from Warren Street Architects supplying designs and construction oversight at a drastically reduced rate to the Concord Food Co-op, Franklin Savings Bank, Keeler Family Realtors and Merrimack County Savings Bank furnishing, decorating and stocking each of the four homes.

Score: +1

Comment: “Green Street is really the story of so many people coming together and of an opportunity for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” CCEH Director Ellen Groh said in the release.

ELL teacher honored

Danielle Boutin, an English Language Learner teacher at Ledge Street School in Nashua, has been named the 2021 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year by the Department of Education, according to a press release. Boutin teaches multilingual students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and she also works to connect her students and their families to community resources that can provide support for issues like food and housing insecurity, domestic violence and trauma.

Score: +1

Comment: “This has been one heck of a year in education,” Boutin said in the release. “All of the parents out there are also Teachers of the Year as they teach their kids from home. It takes a lot of people to help students succeed.”

QOL score: 61

Net change: +2

QOL this week: 63

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

Author: The Hippo Press

At the Sofaplex 20/11/05

Quality of Life 20/11/05

News & Notes 20/11/05

Drinks for Everyone

At the Sofaplex 20/10/29

Quality of Life 20/10/29

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!