A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, March 11, 2010 Page 17 ™ ‘Playing Politics’ to Open POPCORN Shutter Island: March 12 at Tomasulo Opens a Window to Bedlam CRANFORD – From March 12 to 2008, she was the recipient of the April 17, the exhibition “Playing Poli- Abbey Mural Workshop Fellowship, One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent tics” will be on display in the Tomasulo presented by the National Academy By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER pounding the fears his bizarre encounter Gallery in the MacKay Library of the Museum and School of Fine Arts in 2 and ½ popcorns raises, on returning he is told that the lost Cranford campus of Union County New York City. In 2005, she held the More crawl-under-your-skin icky than Mrs. Solando has now been found. The work of Colby Krolak College. Ucross Foundation Residency in scary, Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island All that’s missing for good measure in The exhibition consists of painted Clearmont, N.Y. perpetrates a major, if not really novel, this psycho-creepy atmosphere of evil SP-FAA Presents paper collages and mixed-media works The opening reception for “Play- twist. Still, a stellar performance by vs. paranoia is a cameo by Vincent Price. Scratchboard Artist by artist Susan Hamburger. These pieces ing Politics” will be held on Friday, Leonardo DiCaprio and great produc- It is the spooky stuff of a thousand B- were done during the past three years, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the tion values almost save the day. Too bad movie thrillers. And doubtless the mas- SCOTCH PLAINS – The Scotch primarily under the President George Tomasulo Gallery, found on the first neither O. Henry nor his filmic heir, M. ter filmmaker had fun etching his paean Plains and Fanwood Arts Association W. Bush administration but also under floor of MacKay Library on the Knight Shyamalan, were aboard to en- to this genre. Yet, it is so exquisitely meeting will be held on Thursday, that of President Barack Obama. college’s Cranford campus, which is gineer the movie’s big surprise. realized that, in surmounting its clichéd March 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the In her artist statement, Ms. located at 1033 Springfield Avenue. It is 1954. DiCaprio’s Federal Mar- roots, it becomes an anomaly. Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Cen- Hamburger said her works “...address Gallery hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. shal Ted Daniels and his partner, Chuck This film phylum is accustomed to a ter, located on Watson Road in contemporary social and political issues on Monday through Thursday and Aule (Mark Ruffalo), are taking the rag-tag, clanky-edged cachet unto Fanwood. A brief business meeting by way of updated 17th and 18th century from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. ferry to Shutter Island, namesake of the itself…the kind of thing that simply will be followed by a presentation on European design motifs...” Evening hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. on institution for the criminally insane where reeks of low-budget ghoulishness and Scratchboard Wildlife and Animal Art Ms. Hamburger has also received Tuesday through Thursday. For more a murderous inmate has recently es- near laughable dialogue. And so, as a by Colby Krolak. many awards during her career. In information, call (908) 709-7155. caped. These are macho G-men. But Ted result of Shutter Island’s expensive stan- Ms. Krolak has always had a pas- is seasick, a presentiment hinting that dards, we expect a better story, more sion for animals and art. Her child- McNamara Tells History even tough guys might have frailties. intriguing divulgences and a world-class hood was spent exploring and observ- Upon landing, the usual eeriness coup de grâce that truly sends us reeling. ing the nature and wildlife of New abounds. That building holds this sort of Nonetheless, Scorsese’s cinematic Jersey. From an early age, she discov- Of Mountainside Post WWII patient; over there is home to the highly sleight of hand has its fascinations. And ered a love of drawing. Growing up, dangerous; and that one, well, that’s a baby-faced Leonardo DiCaprio – who she took advantage of every artistic MOUNTAINSIDE – by town elders, of Mountainside’s big hush-hush and don’t ask. Making at first looks like a little kid playing dress learning experience, always looking Mountainside resident Connie prestigious historic architecture, the matters more disconcerting, the rules up – ultimately creates such a passion- to animals and nature for inspiration. McNamara recently released her establishment of the nationally re- demand that Ted and Chuck surrender ately wrought, noirish persona that it Ms. Krolak studied art and illustra- book “A History of Mountainside: nowned Children’s Specialized Hos- their firearms. But the expository capper puts us on tenterhooks. But the lack of tion at the duCret School of Art. Dur- 1945—2007, It Was Only Yester- pital and the Badgley House, where comes when they meet the big cheese. said knockout punch precludes adequate ing her three years at duCret, she prac- day” and will meet readers in Union Revolutionary residents concealed Waltzed into the magnificently ba- payment for our trusting anxieties. ticed with a variety of media such as County next month. their valuables from the British. roque chamber where Ben Kingsley’s Of course there’s no way you can oil, acrylic and charcoal. However, it She will appear at The Town Book Longtime Mountainsiders candidly Dr. Cawley and his associate, Dr. know this until it is far too late…long was not long before she discovered her Store of Westfield on Saturday, March recall the 1987 tornado, the 1995 Naehring (Max von Sydow), sip wine after you’ve forsaken a trip to the con- favored medium – scratchboard. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., The centennial celebration and the galva- and whimsically discuss the latest theo- cession stand as well as the facilities in She found that this traditional draw- Mountainside Public Library on March nizing day in 1985 when the historic ries on madness, Ted is put on guard. hopes of that dramatic clincher. Which is ing technique was ideal for capturing 13 at 2 p.m., the Hetfield House in Hetfield House was moved down What are these head shrinking fops play- why you need this review. Oh yeah, I the fine striking details and texture of Mountainside on Sunday, March 21, Route 22. ing at? Naehring’s accent sends him guessed the finale, but with about 10 her subjects. It was also during her at 1 p.m. and at Barnes & Noble of Produced in collaboration with the hurtling back to when he and his fellow minutes left on the clock. And even then time in art school that she found a love Springfield on April 10 at 1 p.m. Mountainside Historic Preservation GI’s freed Dachau. I was wishing for yet another twist. for painting digitally. This new media Bordered by the Watchung ridges, Committee, “A History of This will become a recurring theme, Thinking back, you try to recall if was perfect for creating whimsical Mountainside’s picturesque four Mountainside” unveils the character Ted equating his discoveries on Shutter there were clues. There are strict rules to and vibrant illustrations. square miles afford a park-like set- of this New Jersey town. Island with perceived analogies from his this sort of hornswoggling. Though the Whether it is the story of a frolic- ting in the midst of exurban activity. Ms. McNamara is a lifelong resi- war experiences. Yet for now, the first mind-boggling classic, The Usual Sus- some chipmunk or the legacy of a Author Ms. McNamara provides a dent of Union County. She has lived in order of the day is to find Rachel Solando, pects (1995), lets fall the requisite vanishing species, Ms. Krolak intends comprehensive look at this tight-knit Mountainside since 1974 and has the escapee who was incarcerated for breadcrumbs, you’d be a genius to pick to illustrate each creature’s personal- community that prides itself on its worked as a reporter for Newsweek drowning her three children. Oddly up on them the first time. Whereas ity, beauty and worth. She believes bucolic surroundings and its caring and editor at New Jersey Savvy Living. though, it appears to these high-class Scorsese’s approach is akin to the ploy there is always something to learn and cohesiveness. She currently works as a freelance gumshoes that she has vanished into thin that resolves it all with, “And then I woke from the wild and always room to She recounts anecdotes, passed on writer. air. up.” grow as an artist. In short, things are rotten in Denmark, Pity is all the ancillary goodies, such With her art, she hopes to convey Rupert Holmes to Attend and they’re getting fishier by the minute. as Ben Kingsley and Mark Ruffalo’s her love and respect for wildlife and Interviews with guards, orderlies and splendid supporting performances and encourages humans of all ages to ap- patients seem to have been rehearsed. the stunning art direction, can’t be put in preciate and learn from the natural Curtains, Drood Performances One inmate, perhaps not as loony as a doggy bag to be saved for a better film. world around them. To learn more some, slips a note to Agent Daniels. It It’s a nice thought if you can afford about Ms. Krolak and see some of her AREA – Both local high schools for her; however, he is best known for reads: Run.