By Bob Garver    Poster Credit IMDB           All January long, I’ve been mentioning (okay, “whining”) that the month is a dead zone for new movie releases. So it makes sense that the biggest release of the month would be one that opened on the very last day (Friday the 31st) before making most of its money in February. With an estimated $36 million in its first three days, “Dog Man” is already the biggest new movie of 2025. And its success isn’t just commercial, the joyful film also gets my first recommendation of the year. It’s a chilly recommendation, appropriate for January I suppose, but a recommendation nonetheless.             The animated film is a spinoff from the “Captain Underpants” franchise. Apparently it’s based on a comic book created by the two kid protagonists of that series. Although I’ve never read any of the books or seen the 2017 film, this film does indeed seem like the brainchild of actual children. This is good because the film never loses its childlike sense of wonder or energy. But it’s also a hindrance because the story can sometimes seem like it was thrown together for a school assignment. It was like one of the kids realized at the last minute that their story was nothing but jokes and action, so they halfheartedly threw in some serious moments and a lesson so the teacher wouldn’t take points off for lacking substance.             The story goes that human police officer Knight (Peter Hastings) and his dog partner Greg fail in an attempt to disable a bomb planted by the evil Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson). The resulting explosion destroys Knight’s head and Greg’s body, but thanks to a dubious feat of medical engineering, a singular being with the dog’s head and the human’s body can be salvaged. The resulting Dog Man is a “Supa Cop” with Greg’s smarts and Knight’s physical conditioning – the best of both worlds. He’s a great boon to the community, much to the chagrin of the unpopular Chief (Lil Rel Howery), but his sights are set on shutting down the villainous Petey for good.             Petey, irate that he unintentionally just created the best cop in the city, clones himself in an attempt to double his brainpower and productivity, but this too backfires. He does indeed get another version of himself, but as a newborn… or at least as an adorable young kitten (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) that essentially serves as a son, in need of love and care. Petey isn’t cut out for fatherhood because he’s so evil, and because he doesn’t need a youngster interfering with his plan to resurrect a telekinetic fish (Ricky Gervais) to defeat Dog Man, and because he had a bad relationship with his own father (Stephen Root). Petey has so many problems at once that he winds up stealing the movie from Dog Man, whose need to be a do-gooder following his creation is predictably commonplace and surprisingly dull at times. Though I did get a big laugh out of a heartbroken Dog Man eating big spoonfuls of dog food like it was ice cream.             Ultimately it’s the child character that brings out the best in the adults around him, and in a way that’s the perfect metaphor for this childish movie likely bringing out the best in the adults that watch it (if you can call my low-level recommendation my “best”). Simply put, even though this movie doesn’t do much for me, it’s practically impossible to dislike. Even though I wish the heartfelt moments weren’t so forced, there were fewer go-nowhere storylines (the Chief practically disappears toward the end of the movie), and the humor was more to my taste (I don’t like jokes about dogs licking things), I just can’t stay mad at a movie this silly and sweet. “Dog Man” is less a movie for adults to enjoy and more a movie for them to enjoy how much their kids enjoy it. But I can at least picture how much kids are bound to enjoy it, and that helped me enjoy it. Grade: B- “Dog Man” is rated PG for some action and rude humor. Its running time is 89 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com Sarah and Travis were trying to make it to his mom’s house that night before the storm hit. They had driven nonstop from Denver, except for filling the gas tank, buying fast food, and bathroom breaks. And those three events had to be perfectly timed to happen together. God help the one who drank too much unauthorized coffee. Now fifteen weary and bleary hours later, all that stood between them and a warm comfortable bed in mom’s guest room was one more hour of driving. Hopefully. But there was no wide open and well-traveled interstate for them anymore. Oh no, that luxury was left behind about three hours ago. In fact, now there were no plainly marked roads either. Just country roads wide enough for two cars to pass. Recently widowed and trying to make a new life for herself, Mom Linlee had decided to accept a job offer in a tiny community located in another state. In a community that had many winding country roads. Country roads lined with deep thick forests. Roads that the natives simply navigated by years of experience. In small intimate communities where everyone knows everyone, road markers can be nonexistent. “No need to waste our tax money on a buncha road signs. Evahbody ‘round here knows ‘zactly where things are.” But, if you are unfortunate enough to be a stranger like Sarah and Travis, who had no real clue where they were headed, things can get dicey very quickly. Especially if it is in the wee hours of a pitch-black night. With cell phone service left behind about twenty miles ago. And a bad storm racing toward you. Facing unmarked intersections and having to make decisions which way to turn. Not a good feeling. Ever been there? And not necessarily on a dark country road either. Just trying to live life. What to do next? Stay where you are, go forward, turn left, or just sit down and bawl in frustration. Should you make a change, or just stay on the same road you’ve been on? No way to know from what you can actually see. Your car’s headlights are on bright, but all they can show is straight ahead…and that road just may not be the right one. When this happens, most of us are desperately wishing for headlights that can bend. But all of us are in the same boat – or car. We’re forced to have faith and the guts to keep on going, hoping and praying that we’ll run across any kind of road marker or sign before long. Bright bendable headlights. Now THAT’S something for my next Christmas list. But until some inventor comes up with those, I have to do the same as everyone else.  Pray, panic occasionally, and persevere. Driving headlong into the black nights, doing the very best that we can to make good decisions. And often wishing that turning my chicken little tail around and heading for the hills was an option.

By Kara Kimbrough   Freedom Tower on the grounds of the former Twin Towers, now the 9/11 Memorial Museum, serves as a moving tribute to the 3,000-plus victims of the vicious attack in 2001 and the resiliency of Americans.      The northeastern U.S. in the middle of January might not seem like an obvious vacation choice. However, I’ve never been one to follow the rules AND by the way, the south was simultaneously covered in even greater amounts of snow and ice, so it all worked out.  A trip to New York City was filled with exciting adventures, gastronomical delights ranging from pizza and lobster rolls to a meal fit for U.S. Presidents (literally) and a luxurious, pampered stay at the newly-renovated Hilton New York Times Square within walking distance from everything on my must-see list.     But first, the timing of my visit during the dead of winter: if you’ve ever wanted to visit NYC or desire to return but need to cut costs, January and February are the months to go. Besides significant savings on hotels and meals for several weeks courtesy of special discounts offered by NYC Tourism + Conventions, crowds are smaller than those you’ll encounter in spring and summer months and the Christmas season. As long as you wear proper outer and footwear, braving cold temperatures and sporadic snowfall (which didn’t happen during my visit, but ironically, occurred in Mississippi) is not a problem.      It’s impossible to list all the meals, attractions, historic sites, fun and adventures accumulated during a week that also including networking with other travel writers and destinations. However, I’ve compiled a list of the highlights of my trip to a city I consider the most fascinating in the world.        Imagine dining at a restaurant that’s nearly 200 years old and was a favorite of Abraham Lincoln. Yes, there’s a restaurant still in existence that served the 16thPresident of the United States as well as other notable figures, including John F. Kennedy (and JFK, Jr.) and Richard Nixon, to name a few.    Delmonico's hash browns are rich, decadent, crispy and delicious.       Located in lower Manhattan in the Financial District (FiDi to locals), Delmonico's opened in 1837, becoming the first fine dining establishment in the U.S, (previously, Americans were only served food at taverns or hotels), the first to use the term “restaurant,” and the first to allow women to dine at their own table. In 1850, the restaurant’s signature ribeye, the “Delmonico Steak,” was created in the Delmonico kitchen.     In addition to its namesake steak, Delmonico is responsible for shaping American cuisine with the addition of famous dishes like Baked Alaska, Lobster Newburg and Chicken a la Keene. And while I’d always heard of and seen recipes for “Delmonico Potatoes,” I had no idea until now that they were copycat versions of the NYC restaurant’s original dish.    Additionally, I’ve seen cuts of beef labeled “Delmonico” in high-end meat counters and on restaurant menus offering their version of the famous steak, but never knew the origin. To say I was excited to sample the steak at the famous restaurant where it all began is an understatement.     A creative wedge salad topped with crispy prosciutto chips, heirloom tomatoes, red onion and a delicious Yuzu honey vinaigrette was the prelude to a memorable meal. The main event – a tender, perfectly-cooked New York strip was accompanied by the most amazing hash browns I’d ever seen or tasted.     I didn't succeed in coaxing the chef to share his secret recipe, but it appeared that diced potatoes were combined with a light sauce and crisped in a skillet, then turned onto a dish and topped with seasonings and crème fraiche. I'm still dreaming about this otherworldly dish.     Last, a delectable baked Alaska filled with banana gelato, walnut cake and apricot jam and covered with a light meringue before being lit to create a light toasty goodness was the perfect end to an unforgettable meal.  Grand Central Station has served as a transportation hub in NYC since the early 1900's.     Other highlights of the week were visiting Grand Central Station and taking in the stunning architecture of the 112-year-old building, then enjoying a typical “Northeastern” meal of lobster roll and cole slaw at Grand Central’s Oyster Bar; visiting the moving 9/11 Memorial Museum as well as the outdoor Reflection Pools and Freedom Tower after a hearty pancake breakfast at nearby Bubby’s; seeing the first Winnie the Pooh (and friends) doll at the amazing New York Public Library; darting into St. Patrick’s Cathedral across from Rockefeller Center to escape the cold and experiencing a Catholic mass complete with heavenly organ music; my favorite pastrami sandwich and cheesecake meal at Junior’s Deli and experiencing a magnificent sunset with 100-mile vistas from the 106th floor of the Empire State Building.    Important tip: purchasing a CityPass is the perfect way to see all the main attractions at a fraction of the cost of purchasing singular admission tickets. Plus, you often go to the head of the line, avoiding a long wait in the cold.     Last, a vital component of any enjoyable (and safe) NYC trip is the right accommodations. Last year, I stayed at the Hilton New York Times Square. I loved the spacious guest rooms and its location just minutes from all of the attractions listed above (with the exception of 9/11, which can be reached via a subway line located just outside the hotel’s front entrance).    Based on last years’ experience, I booked the Hilton for this year’s stay. I was shocked upon arrival to view the hotel’s $20 million renovation that included an entirely transformed ground floor lobby, 15th floor Sky Lobby, and three brand new food and beverage options.     Note: I especially love the fact that guests must pass by the doormen stationed around-the-clock in the ground floor lobby, then take an elevator 15 floors to reach the main, or newly-renovated Sky Lobby. In my opinion, this layout offers the upmost in safety and security for those concerned about visiting a large city.     Drawing inspiration from New York’s Gilded Age, the Sky Lobby is a spacious, calming oasis from the city’s noise and activity, outfitted with luxurious, yet comfortable furnishings and a beautiful collection of artwork. Also located on the 15th floor is High Rise, a dining option I enjoyed each morning that offers an indulgent buffet-style brunch in a calm, relaxed setting.     To fuel up for a long day of walking, I chose from among an impressive selection of traditional breakfast and brunch offerings, including freshly-baked pastries, waffles and breads, fresh fruits, meats, cereals and oatmeal with toppings, fresh juices and coffee.     Guest rooms at the 44-story-high hotel are some of the largest standard rooms in Times Square, an important feature that transforms any stay. Rooms, especially those starting on the 22nd floor, offer sweeping views of New York’s famed skyline, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Hudson River.     So yes, a winter visit to NYC is something I definitely recommend after two back-to-back January trips. Drop me an email for even more travel tips and tricks to save money, time and headaches while navigating transportation, dining, sightseeing and budgetary factors.     In the meantime, try this copycat version of Delmonico’s potatoes. I’m still working on replicating the best hash browns I’ve ever tasted in my life. If I ever come close to the original, I’ll share the updated recipe. Delmonico’s Potatoes 1 (2 pound) package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed (chunks, not diced version) 1 (8 ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese 2 cups half-and-half½ cup butter     Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place frozen potatoes in a 13 x 9 inch greased baking dish or large seasoned skillet.     In a saucepan on the stovetop or in microwave on low, melt together cheese and butter. When melted, blend in the cream. Pour mixture over frozen potatoes, and cover pan with foil.    Bake for one hour. Remove foil, and bake 15 minutes more. Top each serving with crème fraiche or sour cream. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at  kkprco@yahoo.com .

Absentee ballot applications are now available in municipal clerks' offices for the Municipal Primary Election on April 1, 2025. Absentee ballots will be available starting February 18, 2025. Mississippians may utilize the Secretary of State's Y'all Vote website, which includes an Absentee Voting FAQ, or contact their municipal clerk to verify eligibility. If eligible, ballots will be provided upon request by municipal clerks. Those who cast an absentee ballot may track their ballot through the My Election Day portal. To vote in the Municipal Primary Election, all Mississippians must complete voter registration by March 3, 2025. All mail-in voter registrations must be postmarked by March 3, 2025. The Secretary of State's Office is your primary and trusted source for election information. For questions, please email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov , call the Elections Hotline at 1-800-829-6786, or visit YallVote.ms . 2025 Municipal Primary Election Dates February 18  - Absentee Ballots Available March 3  - Voter Registration Deadline for the Municipal Primary Election March 29  - In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline for the Municipal Primary Election April 1  - Municipal Primary Election Day

By: Bob Garver Poster Credit IMDB             I notice that I’ve given a “C” rating to every movie I’ve reviewed in 2025. That’s four straight times I’ve basically said that the movie, while not worth writing off entirely, isn’t worth recommending. I even split the review last weekend and gave out two “C” ratings. Director Mel Gibson’s “Flight Risk” ends the “C” streak. It doesn’t end the streak by earning my recommendation, but by being a movie that I feel is indeed worth writing off.             The film follows U.S. Marshal Madolyn Harris (Michelle Dockery) as she captures mob accountant Winston (Topher Grace) in rural Alaska. Winston agrees to testify against a dangerous crime boss, which means that he and Madolyn will be targets for assassination until she can deliver him to ironclad protective custody in Anchorage. The handoff will be easy, as long as nothing goes wrong with the transfer flight. Things go wrong with the transfer flight.             The pilot, ostensibly named Booth (Mark Wahlberg), seems like a nice guy, if a little bumpkin-y and eager to share his romantic history. But there’s nothing to indicate that he isn’t a competent pilot, so Madolyn and a bound Winston board his rickety plane. It’s only when the three are in the air and miles away from anywhere safe to land that things start to go awry. The plane goes through more turbulence than it should. The communication system goes on the fritz. Booth says things that don’t add up. And Winston finds an ID for the plane’s pilot, who looks nothing like Mark Wahlberg.             It turns out that Wahlberg’s never-properly-named character is an assassin that took out the real Booth and stole his plane in an effort to kill Madolyn and Winston. The reason he didn’t kill them as soon as they boarded was that he wants to fly them deep into the wilderness and have unspecified “fun” with them. It’s weak reasoning, but without it the film can’t set up its central conflict: that of Madolyn and Winston trying to stay alive despite the threat from both the assassin inside the plane and the elements outside. Because neither Madolyn nor Winston know how to fly the plane and the assassin doesn’t have much interest in getting them to safety.             The bulk of the film is the three characters playing off each other as they try to make it out in one piece. Occasionally a call is placed to someone on the ground, like Madolyn’s superior at the Marshal’s office (Leah Remini) or the office’s director (Paul Ben-Victor) or a flirty piloting expert (Maaz Ali), but if the plane is going to land safely, it’s going to have to be by somebody on the plane. Arguments and negotiations inevitably ensue, but it’s easy to tell that the whole thing is going to come down to violence.             “Flight Risk” is trying to be the kind of “bottle movie” where the isolation itself makes for an intense atmosphere and what the cast lacks in quantity, the actors make up for in quality and chemistry. The problem is that these actors can’t come close to saving this material. Grace brings a sitcom-level energy to a character with sub-sitcom-level jokes. Wahlberg’s assassin, once exposed, is so sadistic and crazy that it’s unbelievable that he was ever smart enough to keep up the ruse for so long. At least Dockery gets out relatively unscathed with her perfectly rootable heroine that keeps this movie above the “D” level. Everything else about this movie wishes it could pass for average. The dialogue is below average. The action (especially at the end) is below average. And once his character loses his cap, we see that Wahlberg’s hairline is way, way below average. Grade: C- “Flight Risk” is rated R for violence and language. Its running time is 91 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com Have you ever walked down the sidewalk, determined to be friendly and cheerful that particular day, and looked up to see someone coming toward you, but you couldn’t figure out whether to say “Good morning, sir” or Good morning, miss?” Bluntly put, you couldn’t tell if you were speaking to a male or a female. Well, first of all, greetings on the sidewalks to strangers are rare anymore, anyway. No one bothers to be that cordial and polite in today’s society. Most of us employ the fine art of ignoring each other as we pass. But beyond those problems, our country now deals with a much more complex issue. Some among us seem to have decided to not be male or female anymore. And if they do acknowledge they are a specific sex, they prefer to act as if there are no differences in the two genres at all. It seems that we  now have masculine, feminine, and unilunine. Making it worse, some of our country’s esteemed leaders have taken upon themselves to enforce this ‘one size fits all’ outlook upon our impressionable young children. In some states, they want it to be forbidden to  teach a child to see themselves only with the gender identity of their birth. Kids are being told they can transition to whatever sex they think they want to become. And even medically aided in becoming that gender. All  this without the express knowledge and permission of their legal guardians and parents. They are simply kids, folks! And non-adults are definitely not emotionally and mentally equipped to make huge life-impacting decisions. The real results of this experiment tell us this is not only morally wrong, but it is ruining the lives of young people who have believed and acted on this garbage. Read the actual stories of some young people who  transitioned and later feel trapped in a different life that never should have been. Wishing that responsible adults would have counseled them to wait out the tumultuous teen years and let emotions heal and hormones  settle. And added to that initial trauma, some are now walking the terribly difficult road of de-transitioning. At the same time realizing their lives will never be the same, ever again. Folks, we were all created by the Creator, who is identified by whatever name you choose to use. I use the biblical identity, my God. And God chose what sex your body would be, and which race or mixture of races of  which you would be a part. He did not make a mistake when you were created. From the beginning He knew the ‘you’ that He wanted on this earth. Warts, glitches and all. Give yourself time to work through those problems. Accept you, and know that you will change as time goes by. Because no one on this earth stays the same their entire life. Our emotions, our thoughts, our outlook,  and our beliefs change as we mature. Give maturing a chance.

The Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) will kick off the new year with its first meeting of 2025 on Monday, February 3, at 5:30 PM. The meeting will take place at the BEEMS Library, providing an opportunity for parents, teachers, and community members to come together and discuss the upcoming year’s events and initiatives. This first meeting of the year is an important one, as it offers a chance for attendees to share fresh ideas, suggestions, and feedback on how to best support BEEMS students and staff. The PTO encourages everyone to come with new thoughts on how to enhance the school experience for all involved. In addition to the productive discussions, light refreshments will be served, creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for all participants. Whether it's volunteering opportunities, fundraising ideas, or ways to foster a greater sense of community, this meeting will be the perfect opportunity for everyone to contribute to the school's ongoing success. All BEEMS parents and guardians are encouraged to attend, get involved, and be a part of making this school year one to remember. The PTO is looking forward to a year full of collaboration, fresh perspectives, and a strong partnership between parents and the school. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation—mark your calendars for Monday, February 3, at 5:30 PM, and join the BEEMS PTO in the library for an engaging and productive start to the year.

By Kara Kimbrough Blue cheese dip works perfectly as a dipping sauce for wings as well as an accompaniment to sliced vegetables and chips.       14 billion hamburgers...12 million pizzas...3.8 million pounds of wings and the snack food without which no Super Bowl party is complete - 28 million pounds of chips - are expected to be sold, prepared and consumed by Americans during the biggest game of the year in a couple of weeks.     I love chips, so eating them solo doesn’t bother me in the least. But Super Bowl Sunday is a special food day. A lineup of dips on the table is required to dress up my favorite chips.      My #1 Super Bowl tip, especially if you're hosting a gathering of friends: serve a variety of simple, but delicious dips that will work well with several dipping items, including chips, crackers, chopped vegetables and toasted French bread slices. And, you get bonus points if your creations work well as dipping sauces for wings and chicken strips.     Most of the recipes below can be adapted for any dipping purpose. So, get ready, set, dip! Blue Cheese Dip or Wing Sauce  1 cup sour cream ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese 1 tablespoon vinegar (use white or your favorite flavor) ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Dash of hot sauce (optional)      Whisk sour cream, blue cheese, vinegar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. If you like it hot, add hot sauce and stir. Chill and serve as a wing sauce or with chips.  Shrimp Dip or Spread 8-ounce cream cheese 8-ounce container French onion dip 1 cup Velveeta cheese, shredded 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 small can shrimp, drained Dash of hot sauce, optional      Mix everything together; serve with chips, crackers or toasted sliced banquettes. What’s the Dill?” Dip 1 cup sour cream ½ cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon dill weed 1 teaspoon green onion, chopped fine 1 teaspoon seasoned salt      Mix all ingredients and chill before serving. Serve with sliced vegetables or chips. SUPER Easy BLT Dip 1 cup sour cream ½ cup bottled ranch dressing ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/2 cup chopped tomato ¼ cup bacon bits 2-3 tablespoons green onion, diced      Mix together first five ingredients in a bowl, then top with remaining three ingredients.   Crunchy Corn Cheese Dip 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups frozen sweet kernel corn, defrosted 1 teaspoon garlic salt Dash of ground black pepper 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded  8-ounce cream cheese, cut into chunks 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, divided      Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a skillet with olive oil, heat over medium-high heat. Add corn, sprinkle with garlic salt and ground black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and slightly crispy, around 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into oven-safe dip bowl. Stir in Cheddar and cream cheese, followed by half of chili powder. Bake until golden and bubbling, 18 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle baked dip with remainder of chili powder (if you like it spicy!) and serve with large corn chips. (This is better after it sits for awhile, so I make it the night before, chill and then microwave before serving.) Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School (BEEMS) invites parents, community members, and stakeholders to the Title 1 School Improvement Stakeholders Engagement Meeting on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 3 PM in the BEEMS library. This important meeting, led by Principal Mrs. Lashurn Williams and Assistant Principal Dr. Clancy Freeman, will provide an opportunity to discuss the school’s improvement plans, goals, and strategies for enhancing student success. Attendees will also have the chance to share their insights and collaborate on initiatives that impact the BEEMS community. Make plans to join this meaningful conversation and contribute to the success of BEEMS students.

Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School (BEEMS) is excited to host its 1st Semester Awards Day Program on Friday, February 7, 2025. The event will take place in two sessions: 8:30 AM for 1st-4th grades and 9:30 AM for 5th-8th grades. This special occasion will highlight the hard work and accomplishments of students from the first semester. Families, teachers, and community members are invited to join in celebrating the achievements of these young scholars as they receive recognition for their academic success, leadership, and dedication. Families are encouraged to attend and take part in this joyful celebration of student success.

By Bob Garver Since two new releases made about $11 million each at the domestic box office this past weekend, and since I don’t have much to say about either movie, I’ve decided to throw them both a quick review. Poster Credit IMDB “Wolf Man” January horror movies are a special breed. The studio knows they can’t compete with blockbusters in the summer or better horror at Halloween, so they dump them in January hoping that the lack of competition will lead to a minor hit. This year’s offering is “Wolf Man,” a film whose trailer was so spiritedly derided that the film was practically declared a bomb before it even opened. The film follows the Lovell family – father Blake (Christopher Abbott), mother Charlotte (Julia Garner) and daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) – as they head to the home of Blake’s estranged father (Sam Jaeger) in the mountains of Oregon. Before they can arrive, the family is involved in a harrowing car crash and Blake is attacked by a… his closest approximation is a wolf, but this creature stood on two legs. They seek refuge in the old house while hiding from the beast outside, but Blake starts going through a terrifying transformation that presents a danger on the inside. Early parts of the movie show promise. Abbott is putting in a sincere performance, good decisions are made with editing and special effects, and the themes of intergenerational trauma are taken surprisingly seriously. I was thinking that maybe horror fans had been too quick to dismiss the movie, but then the family started making stupid horror movie decisions, the movie started getting cheaper with its scares, and by the end all its life was drained and it isn’t even a vampire movie. “Wolf Man” wasn’t the outright bomb I was expecting, but I can see why it was stuck in January. Grade: C “Wolf Man” is rated R for bloody violent content, grisly images, and language. Its running time is 103 minutes. “One of Them Days” “One of Them Days” follows two roommates and best friends, Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), as they struggle to raise an emergency $1,500 to avoid eviction. Dreux is the responsible one, on the verge of a big promotion at work. Alyssa is the irresponsible one that trusted her no-good boyfriend (Joshua David Neal) with their rent money in the first place. Together they’ll get into some increasingly crazy and desperate adventures involving predatory loans, blood donation, abandoned sneakers, and more. The good news is that Palmer and SZA have given life to two very funny and likeable characters that play extremely well off each other. The bad news is that they’re only funny with each other, the film fails to create any other funny or memorable characters. This wouldn’t be a problem if the story could emphasize the mains more, but this is a movie that requires its leads to interact with a whole wacky neighborhood that can never find quite the right way to be wacky. It’s not even that the auxiliary characters are annoying or actively unfunny, they’re just so bland that they make no impression. Watching “One of Them Days,” I thought about the film’s obvious influences, from “Clerks” to “Friday” to “Do the Right Thing,” and I thought about how those films would have gotten the most out of the clearly-eager supporting cast and put together a more memorable film as a whole. As it is, we have a comedy where I’d estimate that a third to half of the gags work. I’ve had some painful experiences with worse ratios, but I can’t say this one made me feel fulfilled. Grade: C “One of Them Days” is rated R for language throughout, sexual material and brief drug use. Its running time is 97 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com Oh, shoot. Why am I writing about this question? Do I have a hidden ‘Go ahead and kill me now, and get it over with’ complex in me somewhere? Here we go over hill and dale anyway, and consequences bedamned. THE QUESTION: How many “I really am sorry” will it take to get forgiveness for something you did or said that offended someone?  Interesting question, and one that has many “Welllll, that depends upon ...” attached  to the answer. Here are a few of those ‘it depends upon.’ Depends on… how deeply the offense cut and how deliberately you cut.  Don’t be surprised if your loved one requires more than just a quick apology from you. They probably will need a sit-down-come-to-Jesus  conversation with you to clearly explain how deeply you cut. In many people, deep pain takes a lot of salve for healing, and deep talks with you can be just that. An offended loved one may need to be reassured, and  more than just once, that you are very aware and sickened by the hurt you caused. Depends upon… if the person you offended has experienced the same offence from you many times before, heard the same apology, and therefore doesn’t believe you mean it.  If that is the case, then you have  created a multi-layered dish full of toxin. Your first offense is layer #1, and the same repeated actions by you has caused layers 2,3,4, etc. First of all, seek help to address your personal issues that are causing you to have to keep saying “I’m so sorry.” That can allow the one you keep hurting to start believing in you, forgive, and make a fresh start with you – with no poison in the dish. Depends on… does the offended one just simply love to hold grudges?  If they are trained in the fine art of having the memory of an elephant, then, my friend, both of you are eating from that toxic dish, no matter how many layers. You keep dishing it up, and the offended one is relishing the results – their power over you - that you created. And both of you are ‘tearing down your own house around your ears.’ Yes, that is a phrase directly adapted from the Good Book. Depends on… is your apology truly sincere, or are those words just a way out of the doghouse that day?  Does the previous sentence ‘tearing down your own house around your ears’ ring any bells? If manipulation is your go-to, then you really need to take a really close look inside yourself. All of us say or do the wrong things in life sometimes, but the key is to realize it, own it, sincerely apologize, and set out to make real changes. Lying, deliberately going for the jugular, grudge-holding, insincerity - all are great ways to accomplish the same thing. Ruining a relationship. All ways to tear down your own house around your ears.