A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, February 7, 2019 Page 17 POPCORN Serenity It’s all Just a Big….. 2 popcorns

One Popcorn, Poor — Two Popcorns, Fair — Three Popcorns, Good — Four Popcorns, Excellent

By Michael S. Goldberger Still, all of this pompously es- film critic poused, week #12 of the Crandall & Viewing director Steven Knight’s Erickson Film Critic Correspondence Serenity, a film consumed with the Course that secured me the position I notion that things aren’t what they now enjoy, aptly instructs, “Make sure appear to be, I was uncomfortably you say at least something about the reminded that I don’t like to figure film you’re reviewing.” Furthermore, things out. I don’t do puzzles, don’t acknowledging the wisdom of H.L. do fancy mystery yarns unless they’re Mencken’s thought that no one ever old classics or approach the inven- went broke underestimating the intel- tiveness of The Usual Suspects ligence of the American public, there MAGIC OF POETRY..The Fanwood Arts Council and the Carriage House (1995), and if you ask me when train is hardly a movie ever made that Poetry Series will host a book launch, reception and poetry reading for award- B will pass Train A if both leave their didn’t have at least one person attest- winning poet Charlie Bondhus and his recently published book, “Divining Bones” original locations at so and so time, ing to its profound, life-changing in- on Sunday, February 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Patricia Kuran Arts Center. I’ll excuse myself, lie that I’ll be right fluence. back, and head for the veranda for Therefore, lest the short shrift I’ve something less complicated, like a heretofore afforded Serenity stunts Fanwood Arts Council will cocktail and maybe a few of those the intellectual progress of some good little hot dog hors d’ oeuvres. citizen who might otherwise see the So, if you’re looking for someone film and one day save our democracy Host Poet Charlie Bondhus who might prove useful in determin- from the current gang of polluting FANWOOD – The Fanwood Arts Branchburg. He grew up in Connecti- ing just where the blackbird turned up opportunists who have all but backed Council and the Carriage House Po- cut and earned his Master of Fine Arts after Sam “sends over” Brigid up their trucks to Fort Knox, I patri- etry Series will host a book launch, from Goddard College and his Ph.D. THE JOY OF ART...Untitled work from the new Art from the HEART exhibit, O’Shaughnessy in The Maltese otically redress my dilly-dallying as reception and poetry reading for award- from the University of Massachusetts now on display through Thursday, February 14, at the Freeholders Gallery in the Falcon’s (1941) final scene, I’m not follows. winning poet Charlie Bondhus and his Amherst. Mr. Bondhus was poetry edi- Union County Administration Building. your boy. However, if you’re in the Once upon a time, a screenwriter recently published book, “Divining tor at The Good Men Project from market for a moderately foppish film penning a fantasy that painted him Bones” on Sunday, February 10, from 2013 to 2018, and he received the critic who obscures the subject and into a corner could flee the strictures 3 to 5 p.m. Thom Gunn Award for Gay Poetry in Art from the HEART Exhibit traditionally avoids the issue when of his premise and weave a magical The celebration and reading will 2014. saddled with reviewing a movie that ending by suddenly having his pro- take place at the Patricia Kuran Arts In a review of his writing, the novel- he feels is underserving of serious tagonist awake from a dream, i.e., Center (“The Carriage House”) adja- ist Anne Rice said, “I don’t have words At Freeholders Gallery scrutiny, you’ve landed on the right The Wizard of Oz (1939). Now, as cent to Fanwood Borough Hall (GPS to praise enough the words I read COUNTY — The Art from the mit. Art from the HEART is celebrating square. employed in Serenity, the Brave New use 75 N. Martine Ave., Fanwood NJ here…this is the soaring achievement HEART fine arts program is on display its 18th year, led by art therapist Janice I did the same sort of thing a few Cyber World has created a newfangled 07023). The event is free and open to of an extraordinarily gifted poet with at the Freeholders Gallery now until Patrignani. The program encourages decades back when I also wrote a escape clause for fiction writers need- the public. an extraordinary heart.” Thursday, February 14. The public is self-expression, increases self-esteem, restaurant review column. Hesitant ing to explain away flights of fancy “Divining Bones,” published last For more information, visit http:// invited to visit the Freeholders Gallery and helps keep participants’ minds to hurt the prospects of a local eatery, for which there is no logical fall by Sundress Publications, is the charliebondhus.com. any time during regular business hours sharp. especially after just one visit, when- explanation…at least not in our old, fifth collection of poems by Mr. All are invited to attend this free weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the The Art from the HEART exhibition ever experiencing a less than impres- plain, three-dimensional world. Bondhus, who is an associate profes- celebration and reading. Copies of “Di- 6th floor of the Union County Admin- is made possible in part by the 2018 sive meal I found solace in tangential To tell what that latest bit of literary sor of English and creative writing at vining Bones” will be available for istration Building, located at 10 HEART (History, Education, Arts gossip and jibber jabber. Y’know, gimmickry is would divulge Serenity’s Raritan Valley Community College in purchase. Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. Reaching Thousands) Grant from the things like, “Saw the Rabinowitzes surprise ending. So suffice it to note, “The Art from the HEART program Union County Board of Chosen Free- chowing down during my visit to it isn’t until the film’s midway point is an opportunity for seniors to express holders. Additional funding is provided Henri’s Pretention Chophouse. Their that we realize things aren’t what we themselves creatively and freely, and by individual donors. son Trent, the little shaver, made honor thought they were, and that we’ve the exhibit provides members of the For further information about this roll for the 6th marking cycle in a been shanghaied into a suspense yarn. public with a window into a unique and and other programs and services re- row….says he hopes to one day at- Becoming hip to the jive at about the colorful world,” said Freeholder Chair- lated to the arts and history in Union tend Cornell and study ornithology. same time, Matthew McConaughey’s man Bette Jane Kowalski. County, visit online at ucnj.org/cultural, Never can have enough ornitholo- Baker Dill, a commercial fisherman The Exhibition is a partnership be- call (908) 558-2550, or e-mail gists, I always say.” who’s an amalgam of Captain Ahab tween the Visual Arts Center of New [email protected]. NJ relay users But while I’d like to think there was and the title character in “The Old Jersey and SAGE Eldercare, in Sum- dial 711. an altruistic bent to my essentially Man and The Sea” (1958), begins to accidental restaurant reviewing, in question his very own identity. the case of films deemed unworthy, Mix in a subplot about former wife, my declination is more about not wish- Karen Zariakas (Anne Hathaway), Free Concert Offered by the ing to grant such celluloid the right beseeching the already rather tortured time of day. It arrogantly suggests soul to kill her abusive, megaloma- that said fare should only be ingested niac husband (Jason Clarke) for $10 Musical Club of Westfield under one circumstance: Your much million and add hints that Dill might WESTFIELD — The public is in- Pianist Sophia Agranovich will anticipated, secret hideaway vacation be suffering from PTSD, which could vited to attend a free concert given by close the program with two selec- reservations got screwed up and explain everything. Not! But these The Musical Club of Westfield on tions: Beethoven’s Sonata No. 14 in you’re relegated to a dreadful cabin and a few other drifts of story impli- Wednesday, February 13, at 1:30 p.m. C# minor, Op. 27, No 2, popularly containing only Nancy Drew books, cation are only meant to set you up for This is the first concert of 2019 of- known as the Moonlight Sonata, and all of which you’ve read. You’ve al- the deus ex machina conclusion cyni- fered in a year-long series of events Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54 by ready manicured your nails, shined cally informing that everything you’ve sponsored by the Musical Club and Frédéric Chopin. your shoes, and, because you’re so witnessed thus far was a ruse, and will be held at the First Baptist Church There will be a reception with light disappointed in the foul-up, can’t get therefore a waste of your time. of Westfield located at 170 Elm Street. refreshments immediately after the to sleep. P.S.—There’s crumbs in the …. Pianist and composer Dan Crisci, a concert where audience members will bed. Looks like from Graham crack- Serenity. rated R, is an Aviron Pic- guest artist, will open the concert with have the opportunity to meet the per- ers. And anyway, the 16-inch tube TV tures release directed by Steven Knight his own work, “Asked and Answered.” formers. Should there be inclement gets only one station and its showing and stars Matthew McConaughey, This piece will be followed by “Over weather, the snow date will be Febru- Serenity. Your best hope is that it’ll Anne Hathaway and Jason Clarke. the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen and ary 20 at 1:30 p.m. The Musical Club cause you to fall asleep. Running time: 106 minutes. Irving Berlin’s “Cheek to Cheek”. Mr. of Westfield is a non-profit organiza- Crisci will close the first section of the tion whose mission is to foster and I’VE GOT AN IDEA...Research and preparation go into the “Wax Museum” at concert with two more of his own encourage good music, to provide Just Dance! Concert elementary schools in Westfield, where students dress as and answer questions works: “In a Sense” and “It’s a Start.” performance opportunities for local about the famous person they are portraying. Fifth graders at Wilson School held The concert will continue with Bass- musicians and to support young mu- their Wax Museum on January 18 when the notable personages included Olivia Baritone Glen Crane, accompanied by sicians from Union county with col- Happening This Weekend DiGregorio as Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, Megan Warmington as Ameri- Mary Beth McFall at the piano. Mr. lege scholarships. It also sponsors the can abolitionist Harriet Tubman, and Thomas Holland as American inventor and Crane will sing selections from Franz Junior Musical Club for students in AREA – This weekend, Just formed by Producer and Director businessman Thomas Edison, pictured, among the many famous personages. Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin: grades 8 to 12 from the surrounding Dance!, in it’s third season, will again Nikola Palivoda, and Choreographers “Pause,” “Mit dem grünen communities. Additional information take to the stage at Main Street The- Tonju Anik, Nathan Forster, Maggie Lautenbande,” “Die liebe Farbe,” “Die about the club can be found by visit- atre Company. For this dance con- Keller, Kelli Kranick, Nikola böse Farbe” and “Trockne Blumen.” ing musicalclubofwestfield.org. cert, choreographers and dancers from Palivoda, Krystal Wray, and Susan the Greater Central Jersey area will Zuckerman. come together to create all sorts of Just Dance! will take place on Fri- Nancy Ori in ‘Mixed Media dance works. day, February 8, at 8 p.m., Saturday, This concert provides an opportu- February 9, at 2 and 8 p.m., and nity for artists and performers to have Sunday, February 10, at 2 p.m. Main Masters’ at WAC a creative outlet in order to develop Street Theatre is located at 3018 AREA – The Watchung Arts Center receive different images that overlap mature artistic works, to collaborate Bordentown Avenue, Parlin. Tickets (WAC) has announced their February each other, working with positive and on profound themes, to work with are $18 in advance, and $20 at the exhibition “What Are You Looking At?” negative space, as well as using collage intricate and nuanced movement and door. Visit www.smstc.org for more by The Exhibitors Co-op, along with to layer images on top of each other to to have fun with like-minded people information. “Mixed Media Masters” by Nancy Ori create a final concept for interpretation. who are passionate about dance. and Heidi Sussman. An opening Art Ms. Sussman, an exhibiting photog- The dance concert will showcase a Thank you for your Reception will be held on Sunday, Feb- rapher, instructor and mixed media art- variety of genres and styles, from continued support ruary 10, from 1 to ist, who maintains a contemporary, to hip-hop, to Latin 4 p.m. and the ex- studio practice in and more. Within one performance, of local journalism: hibits will be on dis- East Orange, mixes there will be beauty and sadness, sto- goleader.com/subscribe play through Feb- natural and digital ries and abstraction. Just Dance! is ruary 26. art media with her “Mixed Media images. She experi- Masters” by Nancy ments with various This is your new home Ori and Heidi techniques and pa- THE JAMES WARD Sussman will be dis- pers to create tex- we are talking about played at the Lower ture and mood not MANSION Gallery. The two apparent in a tradi- photographers push tional flat, two-di- the limits of tradi- mensional photo- tional photographic graph. Her images, Make Our Mansion Your Mansion imagery by combin- both abstract, as well “THE BEST KEPT SECRET” IN NEW JERSEY ing their photos with by Nancy Ori as representational, various mixed me- presented on paper, Owen Brand Specializing in weddings, birthday parties, dia techniques. as well as wooden panels and canvas, Mortgage Development Officer anniversaries, holiday parties and fundraisers. Ms. Ori, owner of New Jersey Media incorporate image transfers and col- Phone - 908.789.2730 Center in Berkeley Heights, is respected lage, which integrate both hot and cold internationally as an industrial photog- wax processes. Cell - 908.337.7282 MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! rapher and video producer for over Located at 18 Stirling Road in Email - [email protected] three decades. Her current body of work Watchung, the WAC Galleries are open NMLS # 222999 %AST"ROAD3TREETs7ESTFIELD .*ss now addresses her fascination with lay- Tuesday through Friday noon to 5 p.m. All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender. Santander Bank, N.A. is a Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, S.A. ©2017 Santander Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Santander, Santander Bank ering images by running the same paper and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is and the Flame logo are trademarks of Banco Santander, S.A. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other www.JamesWardMansion.com through her printer several times to no entrance fee. countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. C0427_12F 12/09/16 The Leader/Times Website Provides Robust Features to Assist You! 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