By Bob Garver What has happened to the “Ghostbusters” movie franchise? For over a quarter century Hollywood resisted the temptation to spoil the one-two punch of the 1984 comedy classic and its decent-enough 1989 sequel. Then there came the 2016 reboot, which was controversial for its female cast, and the controversy is all anyone remembers. The 2021 legacy sequel didn’t always nail its humor, but there were some charming new characters and a nice kick of nostalgia at the end. But now with “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” this once-mighty property has officially become, well, a ghost of its former self. After the bold decision to set the last movie in Oklahoma, this movie finds the Spengler family living in New York City busting ghosts in an urban metropolis. Mom Callie (Carrie Coon) oversees overzealous daughter Phoebe (Mckenna Grace) and saner son Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), and Phoebe’s teacher Gary (Paul Rudd) is along as an unofficial husband/father figure (“step-teacher” he calls it). They’re living in the Ghostbusters’ old firehouse (an NYC landmark, to be sure) with the financial backing of Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) and spend their days going on supernatural adventures with occasional help from classic characters Ray Stanz (Dan Aykroyd), Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts), and Peter Venkman (Bill Murray). Also back are Oklahoma friends Lucky (Celeste O’Connor) and Podcast (Logan Kim) as assistants for Winston and Ray, respectively. Oh, and their exploits constantly get under the skin of Mayor Walter Peck (William Atherton). I know on paper this sounds like a good setup. You’ve got the likeable old characters mixing with the likeable old characters and one unlikeable old character to be their foil. But all likeability and even unlikability has been stripped away. Phoebe and Trevor have become unpleasant and rude, Gary brings nothing new to the “unsure step-parent” architype, Lucky and Podcast were never memorable in the first place, the shine is off the returning Ghostbusters (the movie lets Venkman make a grand re-entrance late in the movie, seemingly forgetting that he was used in an earlier scene), and personal grudge or not, it’s clear from minute one that Peck is right to think that the operation is a danger to the city. One night while sulking, Phoebe plays chess with humanoid ghost Melody (Emily Alyn Lind), who is stuck on Earth until she can cross over via unfinished business. This part of the movie is relatively tolerable, though I will say that Callie and Gary letting a teenager hang out alone at the Washington Square Park chess tables after dark is worse parenting than anything that occurs while ghostbusting. Meanwhile, Ray buys an orb with ghostly energy off the money-hungry, but unambitious Nadeem (Kumail Nanjiani). Shared recklessness leads to the unleashing of an ice demon, and Ghostbusters young and old have to band together to save the city from a danger that is 100% their fault. I couldn’t latch onto anything enjoyable about “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” The jokes aren’t funny, the action sequences and special effects are all cheap CGI, and the heart-tugging moments are badly missing the sensitivity they had in the last movie. But I did hear laughing and cheering in my theater. It came from very young children. Maybe this movie is onto something there. Maybe the next “Ghostbusters” movie should shoot for a PG rating (and not the “80’s PG” of the original, which frankly is less family-friendly than this movie) so it can better play to kids. None of the “PG-13 humor” here is really doing the movie any favors. Of course, I don’t think any of this movie’s humor is doing it any favors, but cleaning it up so it can reach a wider audience wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Grade: D “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is rated PG-13 for supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references. Its running time is 115 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

Dear Members of the Press, As legal counsel for Keith Jackson, I would like to address the recent criminal charge brought against my client. This charge is serious, and we understand the public’s interest in this matter. However, everyone must bear in mind that our legal system operates on the fundamental principle that every accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Keith Jackson maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously defend against this allegation. Respecting the legal process, we have and will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities. Keith Jackson has the right to due process, including a fair trial, access to evidence, and the opportunity to present a defense. We trust that the justice system will uphold these rights. It is essential to separate legal proceedings from political discourse. While Keith Jackson is a public figure, we urge everyone to refrain from making premature judgments based on political affiliations or personal opinions. Please allow the legal process to unfold without undue influence. We are committed to transparency throughout this proceeding. We will pursue all legal avenues, challenge evidence, and vigorously advocate for Keith Jackson’s rights. We will provide updates as appropriate, respecting the boundaries set by legal ethics and confidentiality rules. Our goal is to ensure that the truth prevails. We recognize the importance of maintaining public trust. Our actions will reflect the highest ethical standards, and we encourage the public to rely on verified information rather than speculation.  In conclusion, we appreciate the media’s role in informing the public, but we ask for patience and restraint. Let justice take its course, and we remain confident that the truth will prevail. Sincerely, Christopher A. Collins Attorney at Law 601.774.9777 caclaw@hotmail.com

We were created by our God to be different from each other. We all have different personalities, likes, loves, dislikes and downright detests. Unfortunately, too much of the time the detests are each other. Why? Because we see our outlook on life as the only plausible way to view life. “And the rest of you morons are totally wrong about so many things.” That makes you and me really difficult to be around much of the time. Think about it. How many people in life have you ever completely agreed with – in every conceivable way on absolutely every topic. I already know the answer. Zilch. Nada. Zero. I am certain that you have read that there are no two snowflakes completely alike. Yes, it’s true, even though all snowflakes are white, cold, and small, they are never identical. And just like the snowflakes, we all differ, even though we do have resemblances. We resemble each other in that we are all human, skin-covered and have body parts. But apart from those basics, we each go our own way. But one more similarity? We want our own way. And that’s where the problems begin. If you put two people in the same room that is heated to sixty-nine degrees, quite often you’ll hear one begin to grumble. A June rainstorm causes a farmer to rejoice, while a bride having her outdoor wedding that day will be frantic. A rise in home sale prices brings a smile to a homeowner who has a For Sale sign in the front yard. Potential buyers, not so much. You get the idea. Most of the time, it’s not that we have decided we want to be disruptive, just for the fun of it. Rarely does someone declare their gleeful intention to serve as the grump of a committee. Similarly, you don’t often see someone who deliberately works at wearing exactly the wrong thing. And not very often does someone deliberately hold a completely opposing opinion on the new HOA ruling, just to be aggravating. Most of the time, it’s just that we have strong reasons for what we believe, causing us to have differing views that drive our needs and wants. Therefore, what you NEED could be what your neighbor absolutely FEARS. What is the answer? Beats me. I don’t believe there’s a pat answer for it. But here are a few suggestions that could enable us to live somewhat peaceably next to each other. 1) Communicate: But that involves listening as well as talking. So you might begin practicing that art. 2) Accept and tolerate small differences: But that takes communication and patience, so refer back to 1) 3) Agree agreeably to disagree on the big stuff: But again, that takes patience and communication, so refer back to 1) 4) Choose not to take offense. When you do disagree and decide to get hurt and angry, you suffer for that decision. Feel free to disagree with me - agreeably.

WHO:           The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). WHAT:         Temporary ramp closures. WHEN:         From 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27 to 6 a.m. on Thursday, March 28. WHERE:       The I-20 eastbound to I-55 southbound ramp, as well as Exits 43A and 43B (University Blvd. and Terry Rd.) in Hinds County. WHY:            Asphalt paving. HOW:           Motorists are advised to slow down and stay alert for roadside signage and crews during hours of operation. Stay updated and get live travel information at MDOTtraffic.com, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app, and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.

By Kara Kimbrough Christians celebrate Easter for one reason: to commemorate the resurrection of Christ three days following his death. As long as we remember this important fact and celebrate its true meaning, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a festive Easter brunch, lunch or dinner filled with favorite dishes. Likewise, I don't see a problem with adding a fun touch to the day by making a festive rabbit cake or other traditional treat. After all, holidays are important for another reason; creating lifelong memories. Special holiday meals, especially Easter lunch on this holiest of days, are times that we never get back. Adding to my own special holiday memories are stories from readers who share their favorite holiday traditions. One reader recalled waking up on Eastern morning to the aroma of her mother’s ham baking in the oven before church. Decades later, another longs for a slice of her grandmother’s lemon meringue pie served on fine chine and eaten with silver forks. Her “treasures,” were only brought out for special meals. And a friend has been making "bunny cake" with his daughter ever since she was a baby. This year's creation will be Bunny Cake #33. However, Easter food choices go back centuries further than our own family tables. The practice of eating lamb on Easter has its roots in early Passover observances before the birth of Christ. Baked ham became an Easter staple for economic reasons. In the olden days, ham was one of the first fresh meats available after a long winter. I'm not sure why cheesecake was added to many Easter menus; I'm just glad it did. Websites and magazines right now are full of cute and crafty Easter dinner ideas. I succumbed to the temptation to make a bunny bread bowl as the centerpiece for a dip and vegetable tray. It comes together in minutes; unlike the upright bunny cake I made years ago that slowly got fatter as its heavy head sunk into the lower layers. I will only say it was made with good intentions, the small children seemed to enjoy it and the photos are still funny to this day. Beyond Christ's resurrection, isn't that what Easter celebrations are all about? Spending time with family and friends and making memories that'll last a lifetime. Happy Easter! Bunny Bread Bowl and Dip 1 round sourdough bread or King's Hawaiian round read (I used King's Hawaiian bread since my supermarket didn't have sourdough) 1 long French baguette (or trim down regular French bread loaves to resemble ears) Matchstick carrots for bunny's mouth and whiskers (can also use fresh asparagus spears for whiskers) Sliced vegetables for bunny's features and for dipping (olives, pickles, etc.) Easy Tzatziki Dip (You can substitute another favorite dip, but this one is light and springlike) 2 cups plain Greek yogurt 1 cup peeled, shredded or diced cucumber 2 tablespoons lemon juice (more to taste) 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill Salt and pepper to taste Strain yogurt to remove excess moisture. Peel and sliced cucumber. In a food processor or blender, pulse together yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more of any seasoning you desire. To assemble bunny: Hollow out bread, leaving sturdy border; reserve leftover bread pieces. Slice ends of narrow baguette and place on top for "ears." using rounded ends for tops. (Hollow out ears and fill with dip, if desired). Form bunny's eyes, nose, whiskers and mouth with vegetables like olives, pickles carrots, etc. Fill bowl with dip and serve with torn bread pieces, chopped vegetables and crackers. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkrpco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver I’m not going to sugarcoat it: this was not a good week for new releases. The battle for the top spot at the domestic box office was a fierce one, with “Kung Fu Panda 4” in its second weekend narrowly edging out “Dune: Part Two” in its third. But after those two holdovers, the box office fell off a cliff, with newcomer “Arthur the King” taking a weak third place with barely a quarter of either’s take. Granted, the relatively small-scale production is not one that has ambitions of conquering the box office. It’s okay with being a nice little crowd-pleaser, which would be fine if it were actually more pleasing. Mark Wahlberg stars as Michael Light, the captain of a team of “adventure racers,” four-person teams that participate in multi-day races of over 500 miles across various treacherous terrains. He blew a big race three years ago, and he’s been stuck in a rut ever since. He stakes his family’s savings on one more shot at glory. His teammates are veteran navigator Chik (Ali Suliman), pretty-boy social media influencer Leo (Simu Liu), and rock-climbing prodigy Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel). I’m not sure if it’s intentional or not, but Olivia gives one of the most awkward line deliveries I’ve ever heard. It’s very serious subject matter, and I felt bad laughing at it, but the timing is just crazy. A similar mistake was made by bad-movie classic “The Room,” but honestly, it’s even more egregious here. The race is grueling and frustrating and includes a truly harrowing zipline sequence. As predictable as it was that the characters were going to get out of it, I couldn’t help but put myself in their place and wonder if I might die of fright even before the risky rescue. The movie gets this scene right, even if it’s more heart-pounding than heart-warming. About halfway through the race, Michael notices that a stray dog has been following the team. He admires its perseverance, and since they can’t really stop it from following them at its own discretion, they adopt him as an unofficial fifth member. The dog treats Michael’s much-maligned meatballs like a meal fit for a king, so Michael calls him Arthur. The dog is good at sniffing out danger, and the whole team owes him a life debt after about two minutes. But he’s also very sickly, and probably has only days – maybe hours – to live. The rest of the movie is the dog-centric adventure we’ve been promised. Arthur brings a unique set of strengths and weaknesses to the team. They’re soon in first place, but hinderances from both man and beast mean that they may not hang onto it for long. Even after the race is over, there’s still a lengthy portion of the film devoted to the dog’s health. I wasn’t sure which way the movie was going to go until it put so much effort into misleading me that I knew it had to go the other way. “Arthur the King” is your typical inspirational dog movie mixed with your typical inspirational sports movie, although the sport in question happens to be several sports at once. It’s hard to get truly mad at a movie like this, but I can’t say it delivered a lot of bang for my buck, and that clunky bit of dialogue, just… woof. I definitely recommend the two movies at the top of the box office over this one. Grade: C- “Arthur the King” is rated PG-13 for some strong language. Its running time is 90 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

Enter To Win Vintage Market Days Tickets We want to give you more of what you want to see - PLUS some free tickets to the Vintage Market Days of Mississippi event! To win tickets, just fill out the form below with your name, email address, the paper you read, and tell us what you would like to see more of in your paper. Ticket winners will be chosen on April 19, 2024 at Noon and will be contacted by email.

Ever suddenly been transported back in time by just a whiff of a lingering smell in the air? The sight of a house? A quick glimpse of a stranger’s profile who instantly reminds you of someone in your past? Or the taste of a certain food that suddenly takes you back to Grandma’s kitchen. Probably. Unless you suffer with complete amnesia, you have memories. Memories can flare instantly, caused by the basic human senses of taste, smell, touch, sight, and hearing. All of us know what it is like to suddenly relive times in our life that made an impression. Pleasant, anger-filled, or tragic. And the emotions we felt back then? Those same feelings can surge over us with the force of a fifteen-foot ocean wave. You can be sitting outdoors in the middle of a crowd of noisy concert goers, and the sudden powerful aroma of a concert-detesting skunk can make you want to laugh while everyone around you is gagging. All because you’re caught up in the memory of your big brother’s skunk face-off many years ago. Senses kicked into high gear have the ability make a forty-something year old man feel like he’s a first grader again. All because he picks up a piece of white chalk. The cool smooth texture on his fingers, and the powdery non-smell can trigger a memory of being the seven-year-old who back- talked the teacher. Consequences were instant and involved writing the ABCs fifty times on the chalkboard. Which also triggers the memory of the shame and anger that child felt. Similarly, the heady powerful scent of springtime lilacs can bring on childhood memories of cutting an enormous bouquet of those blooms to bring in to Momma. Each time she would smile and faithfully fill a vase with water and plunk in those long-stemmed beauties. Some hours later, you would come in from a day of playing outdoors and find those same flowers wilted and hanging dejectedly over the side of that container. Today, the realization that your mom knew what would happen in just a few short hours makes you smile at her love and tenderness. If memories are that powerful, and they are, then it is truly important to be careful making them. Oh yes, I know we can’t control our surroundings and the people around our family, only allowing a positive and happy environment twenty-four hours a day. But as adults, we need to make some effort at it for our children’s sake – for their tomorrows. Do your best to create a happy home life for your kids. So that when they are your age, those instant pops of memory at a sight, a phrase, or a smell have a lot better chance of bringing a smile to their face.

Central District Public Service Commissioner De’Keither Stamps will be joining MS Representative Stephanie Foster and Hinds County Supervisor Wanda Evers for a Zap the Gap Town Hall in Raymond, MS. The town hall meeting will provide an opportunity for Hinds County residents to voice their concerns, share personal experiences and provide valuable insights into the challenges they face due to inadequate cell phone coverage, limited access to high-speed internet and the absence of natural gas services. The town hall meeting will take place on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at Cain-Cochran Hall (501 E. Main Street, Raymond, MS 39154). The town hall is open to all members of the public and the media. (Link to event flyer) Additional town hall locations and dates in the Central District will be announced. “Our office hears from Central Mississippi residents and businesses on a daily basis regarding their lack of critical services,” Commissioner Stamps said. “The PSC’s ability to bring fixed broadband connections, more cell phone towers and natural gas services is largely dependent on contact from the people who live in those areas and have those needs. Their input is vital at these town halls and through our Zap the Gap surveys in shaping our approach to enhancing services and advocating for necessary changes. Together, we can work towards a better-connected and more prosperous Mississippi, even in some of the most rural parts of our state.”

By Kara Kimbrough It’s officially spring, which means our electric bills will soon skyrocket as air conditioners began operating at full capacity. Scratch that…on a more positive note, it’s spring – time to get out and explore beautiful spring foliage found throughout Mississippi. Regrettably, many city-dwellers lack easy access to a place to wander along wooded paths filled with blooming dogwood trees, vibrant azaleas and more of spring's beautiful flowering plants and shrubs. Don't worry, though; Mississippi's state parks spread from one end of the state to the other offer the best of spring foliage and so much more. And here’s the best part: seven of Mississippi’s parks were named to Reserve America’s Top 100 Campgrounds in the U.S. Several landed on other “best of” national lists, including one in northeast Mississippi that was named among the nation's Top 25 or Top 50 birdwatching, fishing, kid-friendly and “amazing views” spots, among other accolades. I’m referring to J. P. Coleman State Park in Iuka. In case you haven’t guessed, it was named for our 52nd governor. In Mississippi, there is no shortage of places bearing the name of a former governor, historical figure or as is the case of many of our counties, Native American tribes or derivatives. Coleman, also a state legislator and U.S. judge, is perhaps most remembered for, in 1960 inviting presidential candidate John F. Kennedy to sleep in the Theodore Bilbo bed at the Governor’s Mansion. Ironically, the beautiful park, opened in the mid-1960's and named in Coleman's honor, overlooks the Tennessee River, not the one bearing the name of the state he led from 1956-1960. But enough about history. J.P. Coleman State Park has been recognized for its beautiful scenery, camping amenities and ample fishing and water recreation opportunities in Pickwick Lake, a breathtaking 47,500-acre freshwater lake. The sparkling waters of the lake are filled with bream, catfish and most species of bass, resulting in a prime fishing spot for outdoorsmen. However, ask anymore who’s visited the park and they’ll tell you its most amazing feature is a 50-foot waterfall, Cooper Falls. In simple terms it is an amazing sight to behold. A continuous stream of water rushes over a massive stone wall etched into the scenic landscape and flows into the lake below. The falls alone are deserving of a visit, but if time allows, plan to stay a little longer and enjoy the spacious park filled with natural beauty and plenty of activities for the entire family. For those desiring to stay overnight, the park offers primitive camping sites as well as more comfortable accommodations, including parking pads for RVs, 23 cabins and a 19-unit motel. Many campsites are near the water’s edge, while others are located high above the water on one of the rocky bluffs overlooking the lake. Other activities to enjoy include miniature golf, picnicking and swimming in the lake or the park's pool. Or, take a leisurely stroll through the abundant wooded areas filled with, this time of year, colorful native trees, beautiful flowering plants and several species of birds. Once you visit, it’s easy to understand why, collectively, Cooper Falls, Pickwick Lake and J.P. Coleman State Park draw thousands of annual visitors from not just Mississippi, but around the nation. As spring progresses, I’ll feature a few more of Mississippi’s best places to enjoy spring foliage. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the fleeting balmy days of spring while we can. As we all know, they’ll be gone before we know it. If You Go: J.P. Coleman State Park Where: 613 CR 321, Iuka, MS Admission: Free (separate charges for overnight accommodations) Contact: 662-423-6515 for more information

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By Bob Garver Since Po (Jack Black), the main character of the “Kung Fu Panda” movies, is known for his corpulent eating habits, it makes sense to compare the animated franchise to a sort of comfort food. These movies aren’t exactly “healthy” choices that send the imagination soaring, but they aren’t “junk” that people outside the target audience are likely to detest. They’re agreeable, but not spectacular. Fortunately for “Kung Fu Panda 4,” it’s arriving at a time when kids haven’t had a decent movie for a while. Even though it coasts on preexisting goodwill at times, it’s not the painful, phoned-in effort it could have been. At the start of the movie, Po is basking in his fame as the legendary Dragon Warrior. He does his job well, fulfilling all his duties as protector of his village, but he’s also become complacent, using his standing in the community to endorse the noodle restaurant run by his adoptive goose father Ping (James Hong) and biological panda father Li (Bryan Cranston). His mentor, red panda Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells him his time as Dragon Warrior is coming to an end and he needs to pick a successor, but all he wants to do is continue to be the Dragon Warrior. And eat, of course, be the Dragon Warrior and eat. One day Po catches a fox named Zhen (Awkwafina) stealing artifacts from his temple. He battles her and she holds her own, but ultimately he wins and throws her in prison. But it turns out she may know something about a series of attacks that have been going on in nearby Juniper City. It seems Po’s old nemesis, the snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) has returned from the Spirit Realm and is seeking to regain power. Zhen knows to put emphasis on the “seems” part, because it’s really shapeshifting villain Chameleon (Viola Davis) plotting to steal power from the entire Spirit Realm. Zhen agrees to help Po in exchange for a lighter sentence, and the two reluctantly set out on a mission to save the village. I’m not going to pretend that the movie aspires to be anything more than standard “reluctant buddies road trip” fare. As a matter of fact, it’s two “reluctant buddies road trip” movies in one because Ping and Li set out on their own mission soon after Po and Zhen leave. But the Po/Zhen story has all the twists and turns you expect. Of course the too-trusting Po will have hard time navigating the city’s criminal underbelly and need the streetwise Zhen to bail him out. Of course Zhen’s duplicitous nature will get the two of them in trouble (my favorite sequence of the movie sees Po try to return money stolen by Zhen while simultaneously fighting the victims). Of course Po’s good-heartedness will rub off on Zhen. Of course there’s a secret that makes things complicated. And of course Po will eat everything he can along the way. But as unambitious as “Kung Fu Panda 4” is in its storytelling, it’s ambitious in its humor. What can I say – the jokes just hit. Black’s energy is infectious as always (he sings a new take on a pop song that might just be more earworm-y than the original), and everyone else manages to steal at least a few scenes. The visual gags work too, and it’s hard not to have your heart stolen by some psychotic bunnies. As an overall effort this movie may be just as complacent as Po is in the first act, but the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise knows what brings audiences comfort. The concession stand can handle the food. Grade: B- “Kung Fu Panda 4” is rated PG for martial arts action/mild violence, scary images and some mild rude humor. Its running time is 94 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu