‘Speak No Evil’ a perfect movie for this time of year

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes

I’d wanted to see this one for a while, and it did not disappoint. When Louise, Ben and their daughter Agnes become friendly with Ciara, Paddy and their son Ant while on vacation, Paddy invites them to join them for a long weekend at Paddy and Ciara’s home. When Louise, Ben and Agnes arrive there, Paddy and Ciara show an unwelcoming side of themselves and Ant stresses to tell Agnes a secret but struggles.

“Speak No Evil” stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Kris Hitchen.

Mackenzie (Davis) and Ben (McNairy) Dalton are vacationing in Italy with their daughter Agnes (Lefler). They meet a British couple, Paddy (McAvoy) and Ciara (Franciosi) and their son, Ant (Hough) – who has trouble communicating. Initially, Paddy is very friendly and invites the Daltons to come for a long weekend at their home. They accept his invitation.

Paddy lives out in the middle of nowhere. It starts out pleasant enough but doesn’t take long for things to get strange.

When Ben is taking the trash out, Ant tries to communicate something to him, but Paddy stops him before he can finish.

There are things that the Daltons find off-putting – like a stain on their sheets. Louise doesn’t find them pleasant to be around; but they try to stick it out.

The two couples go out to dinner, leaving Agnes and Ant with a babysitter. Ant tries to communicate something to Agnes again.

McAvoy’s sharp behavior from friendly one minute and unsettling the next is a constant occurrence through most of the movie and I found it to be one of its creepiest aspects.

Eventually, Louise has had enough and decides they are leaving. They are almost free, but Agnes forgets her stuffed animal, so they have to turn around.

Paddy is offended that they left without saying goodbye and the two couples argue. The Daltons are pressured into staying.

Later, Ant slips Agnes a note, but when Ciara approaches, he hides it to avoid getting caught.

Agnes relays everything to her mother.

There are more uncomfortable moments that had me cringing, like the dance scene with Agnes and Ant.

After an unpleasant dinner, Louise wants to go. Ciara gives a stern warning against trying to leave.

Ant steals Paddy’s keys to show Agnes a secret room filled with not-so-surprising items. Ant reveals his secret.

Once Agnes tells her parents what she’s seen, they plan to leave.

On the creep-out scale, I’d give this close to a 10. It does start a little on the slow side, but quickly the viewer is made aware all things aren’t what they appear to be – or maybe they are. As the movie progressed, I found myself more and more on the edge of my seat. It’s very uncomfortable pretty much from the beginning; James McAvoy plays a skin-crawling individual who does some crazy things. As a heads up this movie has moderate language, mild sexual references and violence. One of, if not the scariest thing I found about this movie is its plausibility. Hollywood can exaggerate a bit, but I found Ben and Louise’s situation, at the very least moderately believable. There are so many tense and disturbing moments and it’s the perfect movie as All Hollow’s Eve approaches.

Now available to rent. <

Windham Chamber Singers prepare for annual ‘An American Family Holiday’ concerts

By Masha Yurkevich

As the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to change colors, the Windham Chamber Singers are preparing for their annual An American Family Holiday concert.

Tickets for this year's performance of the annual 'An 
American Family Holiday Concert' to be presented on Dec.
7 by the Windham Chamber Singers go on sale on
Monday, Oct. 7. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style as the Windham Chamber Singers proudly present An American Family Holiday. The concerts will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Windham Performing Arts Center with two performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

This heartwarming event is set to captivate audiences of all ages and promises to be a memorable experience for families, friends, and music enthusiasts alike. Tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

For the concert, the Windham Chamber Singers are pleased to welcome back Daniel Strange, who is a Windham Chamber Singer alumnus and on the faculty at the University of Miami. Also returning will be crowd favorite Ashley Liberty.

This year’s headliner will be singer/songwriter Travis James Humphrey.

He will bring his unique country sound and promises to raise the roof. Humphrey was born in northern Maine and served with the U.S. Air Force as a band member for eight years. He returned home to Maine in 2003 and has opened shows for B.B. King, Blackberry Smoke, Redd Volkaert, Bill Kirchen, Roy Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Johnny Hiland, Bill Chinnock, and many other fine artists, both as a solo performer and as a backing guitarist for other feature performers. Humphrey has released four studio albums.

“We are excited to share the stage with Travis and continue our tradition of bringing the highest quality performers to Windham,” says Nickerson, who has been the conductor of the Chamber Singers since the group was founded in October 1988.

Nickerson said this year’s concerts will honor many local traditions and will also introduce some new surprises.

Longtime concert host Kim Block will once again return as Master of Ceremonies.

“While the Chamber Singers have always performed a holiday show, the ‘variety show’ type format and the name of the show began in December 2001,” says Nickerson.

An American Family Holiday is a holiday themed concert that brings in special guests to mentor and perform with students. It is modeled after the television variety shows from the 1960s and 1970s.

“The show began in the hopes of establishing a local tradition, not only for our singers but also for our audiences,” says Nickerson. “We try to emphasize the family aspect.”

The students are involved in every aspect of the show. They prepare, rehearse and perform the music, sell tickets, promote the show, decorate the stage, and sell advertisements.

“In short, they have ownership of the show which has helped us to build a tradition,” Nickerson said.

He said he guarantees that this show will put you in the holiday spirit.

“While I am biased, I think it's an incredible show. There is so much talent on the stage and the collaborations makes it special and unique,” Nickerson said. “We have strived to keep this show very affordable as well. This is the Chamber Singers’ only fundraiser which supports our tour and operating expenses. I can't think of a better fundraiser than one that allows us to use our voices.”

Tickets are $10 to $30 for reserved seating and can be purchased by calling 207-892-1810, Ext. 2875 or online at www.windhamchambersingers.com

Nickerson recommends purchasing your tickets early, as this holiday extravaganza sells out quickly every year.

To learn more about the concerts, call 207-892-1810, Ext. 2906, Visit online at www.windhamchambersingers.com or on Facebook under Windham Chamber Singers or on Instagram at wcsingers. <

First ‘Rocktoberfest’ event ready to launch in Naples

By Kaysa Jalbert

The newly formed events committee in Naples is gearing up for presenting the first Annual RocktoberFest and NightMarket that will feature over 100 booths of local vendors, live music, and open local venues serving food and hosting activities such as axe throwing, stein holding, and a kids’ midway.

This new event will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 on the Naples Causeway for a peak foliage sunset and night out with water views in the heart of Naples Village.

“RocktoberFest and NightMarket is not blues fest or brew fest. It will be a different type of experience,” said Chelsea McKamy, Events Committee Chairperson. “With family friendly hours and an evening portion, in the fall on the causeway with lake views and golden hour, it sets itself apart with all the festiveness and excitement when ushering in a new season and the upcoming holidays.”

The live music entertainment will feature Maine musicians, as well as the thoughtfully themed Bavarian band which will tour each establishment given each space the chance to have that Oktoberfest vibe. Additionally, there will be a set from a 25-member ukulele band and all local talent.

This year the event is free to the public. There will be a Town of Naples events committee and sponsor booth in the center of it all at Rick’s Casino building, where there will be items for purchase and a donation box. Parking is also free and in multiple locations from the multiple causeway options to the high school, legion and beyond.

The Songo River shuttle bus will be making all the stops to get everyone back and forth from their cars to the causeway establishments and beyond.

Dana Barrows from Freedom Café will be hosting the stein holding competition, Kirsten Hewes of Sun Sports retail store will host axe throwing and food, and Songo River Queen is hosting live music, food offering and a docked bar on the Songo River Queen Princess. Other nearby venues that will be open include the Beacon Bar & Bistro, Brother Flecker’s, Causeway Amphitheater, Rick’s Café and Captain Jacks that will each be offering food and hosting live music.

“We feel that the area has so much to offer not only to newcomers to town but also our supportive and amazing locals who live in Naples year-round,” says Hewes. “It will be great to extend our season into the fall as the area is so beautiful with the foliage and the lakes.”

Open local venues, that typically begin closing by Oct. 12, have extended their season for this event. Other food establishments from farther away will be setting up booths and feature menus.

“We are extremely thankful for their willingness to take a risk and for their support,” says McKamy.

The event is presented by the just-formed Town of Naples Event Committee, a group that was created only a few weeks before the town’s July 4th celebration this summer.

“Residents and business owners alike wanted to create events that were outside the traditional "100 Days of Summer," said Naples Town Manager Jason E. Rogers. “The Select Board formed an Events Committee over the summer to address this want and this is their first major event.”

McKamy said event organizers are very thankful to the select board and town manager and Colin Bracket for taking the steps to have this committee formed, which was put together through community nominations and volunteer applications.

“Their support has been key to this whole process,” she said. “Really every department of the town has been so supportive and that phrase, ‘it takes a village’ couldn’t be more true especially in Naples Village.”

The events committee has no funding and is relying on sponsorship which is still working with door-to-door pitching and persuasion for partnership. Additionally, there will be a town of Naples booth where the committee will sell some artisan goods, event T-shirts, and hold 50-50 raffles. There will also be a donation box with signage. The committee is paying for extra sheriff and fire department coverage to ensure public safety.

"We really wanted to come out swinging with something that would cultivate community and cater to local businesses,” said McKamy. “The event is peak, foliage, stunning, golden hours halfway through the event, and the temperatures are in a very comfortable festive fall feel, so you can almost envision wanting to be out there having hot cider and being with others to usher in this phenomenal season.”

This event is sponsored by Freedom Café, Maine Micro Artisans, Norway Savings Bank and the Town of Naples.

For more information, visit townofnaples.org. <

Review: ‘Trap’ kind of delivers, but in a different way

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

During “Trap” I thought I knew what the twist would be, but I was wrong. It’s hinted quickly that there is something up with Cooper, who has taken his daughter Riley to see popstar Lady Raven at a large arena. Police are looking for a serial killer, “The Butcher,” and security is extra tight at the concert. While the Butcher’s identity is unconfirmed, it seems like Cooper will stop at nothing to navigate around the FBI.

“Trap” stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills, Jonathan Langdon, Marnie McPhail and Kid Cudi.

Cooper (Hartnett) and daughter Riley (Donoghue) are seeing popstar Lady Raven (Shyamalan) in concert. Once they get to their seats, Cooper notices there are police and cameras everywhere.

While buying T-shirts, he learns from vendor Jamie (Langdon) that a serial killer named “The Butcher” is supposed to be at the concert and the FBI has set a trap for him.

At this point Cooper looks intrigued, but not alarmed.

It doesn’t take long for him to begin acting strange. Cooper averts Riley’s attention every time he sees FBI agents blocking an exit or doing security checks.

He steals a security card from Jamie and learns the secret password to gain access to restricted areas. He breaks into a briefing session and steals some equipment.

I felt like the viewer was being led to believe one thing, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure that the direction I was being pointed toward was correct.

He lies to Lady Raven’s uncle, in order to get Riley onstage to sing with her, because that got them closer to an unguarded exit. The whole time he’s observing his surroundings and forming a plan to leave the building.

At one point, a tour manager said, “your daughter’s never going to forget today.”

The look in Cooper’s eyes at various points were chilling. He eventually shows his cards to Lady Raven. When she offers Riley a ride in her limousine, maybe she can stop Cooper before it’s too late.

“Trap” follows a different line of actions than I initially anticipated. It was not as good as some of Shyamalan’s more well-known movies, like “The Sixth Sense,” “Signs,” or my personal favorite “The Others,” but if I stop focusing on the twist so much, I think overall this was a decent thriller/horror movie. Hartnett plays an unhinged character almost too well and the way he brings his daughter to a popstar’s concert and then makes crazy suggestions in an effort to avoid the FBI is more than unnerving. His actions, while you don’t really see them, are horrendous as well.

The movie leads you in a direction that makes you suspect Hartnett isn’t the nice guy you see him as in the beginning of the movie. I found his erratic actions and suggestions to Riley, like when he suggests they should go down a stairway leading to the basement of the venue, to be very unsettling – which made me eager to see how all this was going to play out. Was I scared? Not really. If you’re really curious to see where this went, I’d recommend renting it. Though if you are only somewhat curious, you can probably wait for it to become available on a streaming service you have.

Three and a half out of five stars.

Now available to rent. <

Movie Review: ‘Parallel’ has more than a few surprises

By Matt Pascarella

Not Rated
Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes

Vanessa and her husband Alex are coping with the loss of their son, Obe. Vanessa goes for a walk in the woods, where she encounters someone who takes a couple shots at her. She isn’t hit and does not see the individual. When she gets back to the cabin that she and Alex share with his brother, Martel, she notices something strange after Martel burns his hand and she sees it in two different conditions.

She returns to the woods where she meets a version of Alex who explains that the woods carry fragmented versions of a world in which Vanessa, Alex and Martel belong, called a multiverse. Vanessa is trying to find the space that might bring her son back. What follows is a very interesting, albeit confusing at times, hunt for different versions of the characters who Vanessa tries to decipher if they’re from the space she is looking to get to.

When I first read the description for “Parallel” I was expecting a science fiction-based horror movie, and what I got was not that, but I was still on board throughout this time-warped adventure.

“Parallel” stars Danielle Deadwyler, Aldis Hodge and Edwin Hodge.

Vanessa (Deadwyler) looks out the window moments before a bird then flies directly into it. She and her husband Alex (Aldis Hodge), along with Alex’s brother Martel (Edwin Hodge) live in a cabin in the woods.

Alex and Vanessa lost their son one year ago. Alex fears he is losing his wife. After an argument, Vanessa goes for a walk in the forest where someone sees through their scope someone take a few shots at her but miss.

Back at the cabin, Martel burns his hand on the grill; Vanessa goes to check on him. He says it’s not as bad as they originally thought, and his hand is unbandaged. However, moments later Martel returns from outside and has a bandage on his hand.

Vanessa returns to the forest and finds a bloody handprint on a fence marked with “do not enter” signs. She enters anyway. Vanessa finds it hard to stay on the trail without getting turned around. She puts trail markers on the trees. Could there be someone else watching her?

After reentering the forest, she meets a different version of Alex from a different space in time. The spaces are fragmented versions of the world. The other version of Alex explains this multiverse with a detailed drawing.

They each learn about the other’s past and try to figure out how to get back to their original space.

It’s here that things get strange. Vanessa returns to the cabin where she tries to explain the multiverse to Alex and Martel. I had a hard time figuring out which versions of Alex and Martel were interacting with which Vanessa. They tie her to a chair, because another version of Vanessa has appeared.

Alex wants to shoot a version of Vanessa, but Martel stops him.

Vanessa returns to the forest, looking for Alex. After they argue about what the right thing to do is, he tells her to find a space and take it.

Vanessa meets herself and there is a struggle.

As mentioned, I expected this to have more of a horror-theme to it, but what’s scarier than meeting a version of yourself in the woods and not knowing if the people you interact with may see you as a threat? The plot moves quickly, and my only real complaint is it was hard to follow at times, trying to figure out which version is the “correct” version(s) that Vanessa is looking for. This is not an action-packed movie, but my attention was grabbed and held trying to figure out how this multi-versed forest works, to which I still have no definitive explanation.

In past movies I’ve seen, sometimes a small cast can make the movie drag, because you are constantly seeing the same faces with no new interactions, but this was different.

Four out of five stars.

Now streaming on Paramount-Plus, Showtime and available to rent. <

Review: Hulu’s ‘Marmalade’ takes a bit to get going, but overall worth it

By Matt Pascarella

Not rated
Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes

This movie definitely gives off some “Forrest Gump” vibes early on. A man, Baron, from rural America meets Marmalade, an outgoing woman who’s not from his town. He falls for her almost instantly. Baron’s mom is sick, and the price of her prescription drug just went up. After Baron loses his job with the U.S. Postal Service, he and Marmalade decide to rob a bank. Ultimately, this lands Baron in jail, but who can be trusted?

While this movie dragged a little in the beginning, the ending took me by surprise – which was a good thing.

“Marmalade” stars Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, Aldis Hodge, Amy Warner, Ozioma Akagha, Hans Christopher, and Susan Brava.

The movie opens with Baron (Keery) stepping out of his house and apologizing before being tackled by the police.

He is taken to jail where he tries to convince his cellmate, Otis (Hodge), he needs to escape. Otis says he might be able to make that happen but wants to hear how Baron ended up there.

Baron has $250,000 cash and just wants to be with his girlfriend, Marmalade (Morrone). If Otis helps him escape, the money is his.

As a postal employee, Baron liked getting a peek into other people’s worlds. When he loses his job for refusing to cut his hair and the price of his sick mother’s medicine goes up, he finds himself in need of money fast.

He suddenly meets Marmalade, and they become inseparable. She suggests they rob a bank in order to correct the system that failed Baron and his mom. Marmalade seems to know a little too much about robbing banks, but Baron goes along with it anyway.

They go to a bank two towns over and come up with a multi-step plan.

“Marmalade had her own set of rules for everything,” said Baron.

It doesn’t take long before Baron falls for Marmalade. He learns she’s had a hard life. She convinces him robbing the bank is the only way they can be together. She says it’s him and her against the world.

When the bank robbery goes sideways, Baron takes the fall, with half of the money. However, he and Marmalade are supposed to meet again in the future.

Otis agrees to help Baron after learning more and more about his situation.

When I chose this movie, I thought it would be full of action and comedy. “Marmalade” has a joke or two peppered here and there, but generally wasn’t that funny. Now, as previously mentioned, it is a bit slow to start, but once I was deep into the story, I was hooked and had to see what happened. As for the action portion of the movie, let me say it was not what I expected, but that’s not always a bad thing. Otis was my favorite character. If you have the patience to deal with a less-than-exciting start to this movie, I thought it was worth the wait. I’ll go as far as to say this is a hidden gem. While not overly violent, it is a bit heavy on the language.

Steve Harrington gives it two thumbs up.

Now streaming on Hulu and available to rent. <

Review: ‘Inside Out 2’ is a real winner with positive messages about emotions, jokes for all ages

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes

It’s been 11 years since we first met Riley in the first “Inside Out” film. She’s now officially a teenager as she prepares for high school while attending a hockey camp. Her current emotions of Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness are smoothly operating inside her. When the Puberty Alarm sounds and new emotions Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui come aboard, they make Riley’s life complex. Anxiety takes hold of Riley and things get out of control. Joy and the crew must get to Riley’s sense of self before it’s too late.

“Inside Out 2” stars Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapria, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, Lilimar, Adele Exarchopoulos, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Walter Hauser, Yvette Nicole Brown and Ron Funches.

Teenager Riley (Tallman) is playing an intense game of hockey. Her emotions of Joy (Poheler), Fear (Hale), Anger (Black), Disgust (Lapira) and Sadness (Smith) are helping to keep Riley in check. She’s the top of her class and is a really kind person. Her original five emotions are helping to protect Riley. As she grows up her memories are creating beliefs, and her beliefs are creating a sense of self.

When the high school hockey coach (Brown) invites her to a hockey camp, she sees it as a promising chance for her to show how good she is.

Out of nowhere, the Puberty Alarm sounds, and everything goes off the rails. A demolition crew comes in and starts ripping Riley’s command center apart.

New emotions of Anxiety (Hawke), Envy (Edebiri), Embarrassment (Hauser) and Ennui (Exarchopoulos) become a part of Riley. On her way to hockey camp, Riley gets some upsetting news.

At the hockey camp, Riley meets the star high school hockey player, Val (Lilimar). Val is very nice to her and Riley picks hanging out with Val over hanging out with her friends, Bree and Grace.

Over time, the new emotions want to rebuild Riley’s sense of self. The new emotions bottle up the old emotions. This makes Riley experience a lot of change. Riley has trouble fitting in.

“Inside Out 2” features a lot of jokes for kids and adults; one of my favorites is when the ‘old’ emotions are heading down Riley’s stream of consciousness and encounter a sar-chasm, which creates problems for the original five emotions. They also come across a rumor mill and Mount Crushmore featuring boys Riley likes. The dialogue that accompanies the discovery of these places is extremely well-written.

Anger accuses Joy of being delusional on their way to save Riley from Anxiety’s takeover. Anxiety is using Riley’s imagination against her. It’s not about who Riley is, it’s about who she needs to be. Joy doesn’t know if she can stop Anxiety.

What a phenomenal movie; full of laughs, lessons and, in typical Pixar fashion, heart. Like most movies Pixar has released in the last 10-plus years, this one really works on a level that appeals to kids and adults. The characters are funny, and this movie does a good job explaining various emotions to a younger audience. What really stood out to me was the incredibly intelligent dialogue and storyline as well as the off-handed comments made by these characters that really made this movie enjoyable. I would even wager that this sequel is better than the original – something I haven’t experienced since “Toy Story 2.” Anxiety being the villain in this movie resonated with me, for reasons I don’t need to get into here. This was a sweet movie that I encourage parents and kids to watch together. It will definitely put a smile on your face.

Pouchy gives it two sticks of dynamite up.

Now playing in theaters. <

Review: ‘Thelma’ not action-packed, but still a decent movie

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Inspired by a real-life storyline that happened to writer and director Josh Margolin’s grandmother, “Thelma” tells the story of a 93-year-old grandmother who is tricked into mailing $10,000 when she thinks her grandson is in trouble. Once she realizes this was all a lie, she tries to figure out a way to get that money back – but she can’t do it alone.

“Thelma” stars June Squibb, Richard Roundtree, Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Bunny Levine, Nicole Bayer, Annie O’Donnell, Shelia Korsi, and Chase Kim.

Thelma (Squibb) is very close with her grandson, Danny (Hechinger). When she receives a call from a scammer whom she thinks is Danny telling her he’s been in an accident and needs $10,000 for bail, she follows the instructions and sends the money through the post office. She later finds out Danny is fine and that this is a fairly common scam.

The police cannot help, because she’s already mailed the money. It’s at this point that her daughter Gail (Posey) wonders if living alone is the best thing for Thelma.

When Thelma sees an article about Tom Cruise, who she was recently informed does all his own stunts, she decides she’s going to get her money back. She has the address of where she mailed it to, now she just needs a way to get there, as she no longer drives.

Thelma visits her friend, Ben (Roundtree) and lets him in on her plan. She steals his scooter but doesn’t get very far. After Thelma threatens to test his titanium hip, Ben won’t let her go on this excursion alone. She leaves without letting her family know what she’s doing. They soon worry and try to get her declared a missing person.

“We’re not what we were, and we need to take care of each other,” says Ben.

They have an argument, and something happens to hinder their transportation. Thelma may be in over her head.

After a while, Ben returns to Thelma. She makes some personal confessions. They catch a ride to the address where the post office box is located. They may have tracked down the individual who took her money.

Based on writer and director Josh Margolin’s real-life experience with his actual grandmother who was almost tricked by scammers pretending to be him. While this movie is a bit of a slow burn to start, it’s worth sticking around for. I’m generally not a fan of June Squibb, but this performance was different; it was the first time in her extensive acting career that she played a starring role.

At the age of 94, Squibb did most of her own stunts. It is funny in parts, while also being sad with the characters acknowledgment of realizing that sometimes you need to ask for help and Thelma admitting that a lot of her friends (and her husband) are gone. There is a very sweet relationship between grandson and grandmother. I did wish this was more of an action-comedy, but there is some action. It’s a reminder that you’re never too old to accomplish a goal – even if you cannot do it alone. I found the interactions with the older family members well-represented and heartfelt. This one is worth watching with relatives of any age.

Three and a quarter out of five stars.

Available to rent. <

Birdwatching remains a popular summer activity in Lakes Region

By Briana Bizier

If you are into birdwatching, you are in the right place for it this summer. Because of its wide variety of ecosystems, the Lakes Region is a wonderful place to birdwatch in Maine. From aquatic species to impressive raptors, you should be able to view a lot of new birds during a visit to the Lakes region this summer.

The pileated woodpecker is just one of the many birds
of beauty spotted throughout Maine in summer. 
COURTESY PHOTO

The many bodies of water in this region offer enormous opportunities for birdwatching. Several of the rivers and small ponds in this area, such as the Tenny River which connects Crescent Lake and Panther Pond, are easily accessible by even a novice kayaker or canoeist. These small waterways are home to many species of waterfowl and marsh birds, such as yellow warblers, northern water thrushes, and flashy red-winged blackbirds.

If you set out in the morning or evening, you may even spot one of Maine’s largest birds, the great blue heron, patiently stalking fish in the tall reeds along the shore. These stately and impressive birds tend to be tolerant of canoes and kayaks, so you may be able to linger if the heron chooses to pose for photos.

Of course, all the lakes and ponds in this area are home to one of Maine’s most famous birds, the iconic common loon. If you haven’t spotted a loon yet, try exploring the marshy edges of a large body of water, like the northern section of Crescent Lake and almost any other body of water in the Lakes Region.

Loons are also frequently found near several swimming areas, such as the beaches at Sebago Lake State Park. Loons tend to make their haunting, prehistoric calls during the morning and evening hours. If you haven’t yet heard a loon, consider booking a campsite at Sebago Lake State Park. Research has shown that the call of a loon is much more impressive if it is heard while sitting around a glowing campfire.

The Lake Region’s northern deciduous forests, composed mostly of red oak, white pine, sugar maple, red maple, and eastern hemlock, are also home to a wide variety of bird species.

In addition to spotting Maine’s state bird, the black-capped chickadee, birders may see the brilliant flash of a goldfinch or scarlet tanager swooping between the trees on any of our local hiking trails.

Southern Maine’s woods are also home to a wide variety of species of woodpecker, including the impressive pileated woodpecker, which can be very large, with a wingspan of nearly 30 inches, and very loud. If you hear what sounds like an axe hitting a tree somewhere deep in the forest, chances are good there’s a pileated woodpecker at work! Another way to identify the presence of a pileated woodpecker is to watch for holes in the trees. Pileated woodpeckers carve large and distinctive rectangular shaped holes in wood to get at carpenter ants and other insects.

Speaking of impressive birds, the Lakes Region is home to many birds of prey, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and merlins. Bald eagles are usually spotted swooping over a stretch of open water or lingering majestically in the top of tall pines along the water’s edge.

To experience views of other birds of prey, try a short hiking activity. Hacker’s Hill Preserve in Casco offers beautiful views and hosts an annual Hawk-Watch. Even before the fall’s hawk migration, a trip to Hacker’s Hill with a pair of binoculars will usually result in spotting at least one species of raptor gliding on the air currents.

While you’re searching for birds in southern Maine, a little technology can go a long way. The Merlin Bird ID app, produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, helps you identify birds by asking a few simple questions about the bird’s size, location, and activities - and then produces a list of likely species. The Merlin app is free, and well worth a download.

Birdwatchers in the Lakes Region are in very good company as the Loon Echo Land Trust, which manages Hacker’s Hill as well as many other hiking trails in the area, hosts frequent birdwatching events throughout the remainder of the summer and into the fall months. <

Movie Review: ‘My Spy: The Eternal City’ falls short of expectations

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes

Several years after the first “My Spy” movie in 2020, JJ and Sophia are back. When JJ chaperones a trip to Italy, Sophia’s friend Collin is kidnapped and there is threat from terrorists that could affect the entire Vatican City. It’s up to JJ, Sophia, Bobbi and others to save the day. While this isn’t the best action-packed movie, it’s decent, although I wasn’t overly impressed.

Amazon’s “My Spy: The Eternal City” stars Chloe Coleman, Dave Bautista, Kristen Schaal, Anna Faris, Ken Jeong, Flula Borg, and Craig Robinson.

JJ (Bautista) is the bodyguard for popstar King Kerr and when he’s attacked, Sophie (Coleman) is there to get them out of the plane. She saves them both – kind of, but not really.

Sophie wakes up to the sound of JJ telling her it’s time to get ready for school. JJ is her stepfather, and her mom is in Rwanda.

JJ is no longer working in the security field but is an analyst who is orchestrating a takedown at a Russian Black Site.

JJ has acquired data for Soviet nuclear weapons. Bishop Crane (Borg) wants that information. JJ’s boss, David Kim (Jeong) wants him back in the field, but JJ is reluctant.

Sophie is now in high school and is part of a choir group preparing to go to Italy.

JJ is training Sophie in kickboxing and wants her to be an agent. Sophie thinks JJ needs to let up on her a bit; she wants her space.

At the office, JJ’s partner, Bobbi (Schaal) points out he’s not as tough as he once was and compares him to an aging avocado; one of my favorite lines.

As the choir group gets ready for Italy, JJ is a chaperone, but is not well-versed in dealing with high school girls.

Vice principal Nancy (Faris) has assured JJ there better not be any funny business with the group he’s chaperoning.

When Kim’s son, Collin, is kidnapped, Kim and Bobbi arrive in Italy to save him. It turns out JJ and Crane know each other. Crane captures JJ and Kim. Crane is working for someone else though. This person poses a large threat to the entire city of Rome.

I enjoyed the original “My Spy” and while I’ve found that sequels can fall short of their originals, I had higher hopes for “My Spy: The Eternal City.” I enjoyed the return of many of the original cast along with several new additions who I thought played excellent characters. I wanted this to have more action and a faster-paced story; what I got was kind of a middle ground. It does start out with a very high intensity action sequence, but then there is a lot more setup for the third act. This may just be me being too impatient.

I liked that it still had a family sweetness to it; parents adjusting to kids growing up and kids trying to distance themselves from their parents – I found that relatable. It had a couple well-placed twists and turns. It was mildly funny, with some physical comedy that reminded the viewer you weren’t watching a serious action movie. Flula Borg is one of my favorite comedic actors and his portrayal of Crane had a real Hans Gruber feel at times. I thought Kristen Schaal’s dialogue was some of the best parts of the movie. It’s not overly violent but does have mild language.

Good, but not great; one thumb up.

Now streaming on Amazon Prime. <

Windham sculptor creates memorable works of art

By Masha Yurkevich

It was love at first sight for a Windham resident and Windham High School substitute teacher Anne Alexander when she first saw the beauty of sculpture. From the time she was a junior in college, she knew sculpture was her thing. Teachers, seeing her talent and great potential, guided her along the way.

Windham sculptor Anne Alexander carves a shell design into 
a log piece for a sculpture she is working on at the
Boothbay Railway Village. She hopes to have the sculpture
completed this summer. COURTESY PHOTO 

Alexander went on to obtain a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Sculpture from Alfred University, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sculpture from Bard College, a Certificate in Art Education from Elmira College, and has completed Sculpture Technique Courses at the Maine College of Art in Portland, at The Carving Studio in Vermont, Stone Carving at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, and Advanced Woodcarving with Chris Pye. With so many years of experience, Alexander’s sculpture art is truly breathtaking.

“Being an artist is my main purpose in life,” says Alexander. “I am really looking at nature and trying to create things more realistically.”

She works in three mediums: wood, stone and clay.

“I love them all for different reasons. Clay is a much faster medium; I can make a lot of sculptures in a day,” she says. “With wood carving, I can only do it for so long because my arm gets tired. Clay is easier and wood takes longer with repetitive motions of hitting the mallet; clay is more of a relief. Stone also requires upper body strength. I work in alabaster, which is soft stone, and sometimes granite.”

Her sculptures vary in size and in the time that it takes her to complete them.

“Some sculptures take me years to finish; I put them aside and go back to them,” Alexander says.

On her website, she has a page where she shows her sculptures locally as well as in other states: https://annealexandersculptor.com/outdoor-site-sculpture/

While her clay sculptures tend to be on the smaller side, her wood and stone art can get much bigger.

“My wood pieces I create things as big as humans,” says Alexander. “I’m working on one right now that I started last summer at Boothbay Railway Village where I carve for the public every Tuesday in July through September. I am carving a big log, and the theme is shells. I started this project last summer and hope to finish it this year.”

Alexander says that she gets her inspiration from nature.

“I am always looking at nature around me,” says the sculptor. “I get out into nature just about every day; I either walk or paddle or ski.”

It is the smaller tiny parts of nature that Alexander enlarges and abstracts to create her forms. She said she is concerned with inspiring emotional or kinesthetic responses in the viewer. She also wishes to enhance one’s awareness of his/her body, size, and surrounding space as it relates to the natural world.

“I might look at a seed pod of a plant, a part of a flower, an acorn, a shell, or a little piece of seaweed,” she says.

She also sells much of her work at art fairs.

“At these fairs, I sell my affordable ceramics in a booth full of sculpture. Come say hello to me in person and see numerous pieces on display,” she said.

Her upcoming exhibits are at:

Art in the Park Bridgton, Saturday July 20 with a rain date of Sunday July 21

The Beach Club at Higgins Beach Friday and Saturday Aug. 2 and Aug. 3

Art in the Park, Mill Creek Park, South Portland, Saturday Aug. 10

Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival, On the Grassy Mall, Brunswick, Aug. 17

Salt Pond Studio, Friendship, NYSCC Alfred University Alumni in Maine, Aug. 11 to Aug. 31

Casco Bay Artisans at The Library Park in Ocean Park, Maine, Thursday, Aug. 31

Parsonage Gallery, Searsport, Summer Group Show through Sept. 2

Her work can also be found on display at the Yarmouth Frame Gallery in Yarmouth and at the Hole in the Wall Studioworks in Raymond, as well as other art galleries in Maine.

“I also do open studios from time to time,” Alexander said.

Anyone interested can sign up for Alexander’s mailing list on her website at https://annealexandersculptor.com/. And you can also find Alexander on Facebook and Instagram under Anne Alexander Sculptor. <

‘Christmas in July’ Boat Parade a festive tradition in Lakes Region

By Ed Pierce

Every Christmas, it’s inevitable that someone wishes that the holiday spirit could last all year long. Here in the Lakes Region, the ‘Christmas in July’ Boat Parade in Naples has become a beloved tradition and revives the magic of the holiday season when it’s most needed.

Participants easily find the holiday spirit during
last year's 'Christmas in July' boat parade in
Naples. This year's event will start at dusk on
Saturday, July 20 and the parade route includes
Long Lake, the Naples Causeway and Brandy
Pond. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Launched by Naples resident Mark Maroon during the COVID pandemic as a safe way to bring people together to celebrate community, this year’s parade is hosted by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and the Naples Marine Safety Patrol. The boat parade will begin at dusk on Saturday, July 20 and turn Long Lake, the Naples Causeway and Brandy Pond into a festive occasion featuring holiday-themed lights and decorations.

Harbor Master Shawn Hebert of Naples Marine Safety said it’s tough to know in advance how many boats will participate in this year’s parade.

“The first few years we averaged between 48 and 62 boats,” he said. “Last year we only had 18. We attribute that to the amount of rain we received last summer. It is our hope we can get as many boats as we can to put on a great event.”

Hebert said the parade is a fundraising event to the Naples Marine Safety Association with members donating their time and efforts to put this event on.

“All of the sponsorship donations and any donations raised help purchase needed equipment, tools or specialized training that we would not be able to obtain through our annual operating budget,” he said. “This parade was developed during the height of COVID. It was a means of bringing members of the community together even when we needed to social distance. Over the years this parade has taken on a life of its own. We are seeing business participation, spectator participation on shore as well as ever increasing spectators watching the event from the shoreline, causeway or from a boat. In the midst of summer, this event brings people together, businesses prosper and just an overall feeling of joy.”

According to Hebert, the long-term benefits of the event help bolster the local economy.

“We see spectators coming out early to the venue,” he said. “Before they set up their seats, they are going to a local restaurant or ice cream parlor and even purchasing merchandise from local vendors. It is our goal for this event to help bolster our association’s mission but to also bolster the local Naples economy.”

Joanne Jordan is serving as a volunteer and committee member helping to organize this year’s boat parade.

“This event is unique for this area. There are other boat parades around the country, but the Naples Causeway provides a unique opportunity for this to happen in fresh water with a beautiful viewing area that allows the boats to get up close to the crowds when going under the causeway or visiting one of the waterfront businesses,” Jordan said. “The event is free for boaters to participate and free to watch. It creates a feeling of joy for both groups. We have been lucky to have talented music producers create a fun atmosphere for the crowd while waiting for the boats to arrive and when the boats reach the crowd, everyone is excited, and everyone feels like a kid at Christmas.”

She said anticipation for the parade in the community is always fun to watch.

“Every year the momentum builds. Many of our marina sponsors compete for the best decorated marina boat and some of the local shops and restaurants have started decorating their businesses with lights and trees and blow-up characters. Safety is key for this event so much of the committee's time is spent on route and boater safety. This year members of the Naples Marine Safety made up 800 packets with the information on the parade, and how to register, and dropped them in boats on Brandy Pond and Long Lake to encourage boaters to participate. Of course, letting the community be aware of when and where it is happening is key so they can enjoy the festivities and patronize our sponsors.”

Jordan said staging a parade on the water is interesting and challenging.

“Standard parades are able to close the streets and keep spectators in a safe viewing area,” she said. “We cannot close the waterway and the people who watch from their boats can create a challenge. We have not had any serious issues and have designated people along the route communicating with boat spectators.”

Friendly competition between the marinas makes the annual event special, Jordan said.

“One of our past marina boat winners is vowing to get the trophy back this year. After the parade some of the local kids will come up to me and tell me about their favorite boats,” she said. “Ice cream shops will tell me they had lines down the causeway while waiting for the parade. Restaurant owners on the waterfront say their patrons enjoy having prime seating for the parade while we have one restaurant sponsor not on the water who has sponsored every year just to support the community. People who own waterfront property have started launching fireworks when the parade passes by while other waterfront owners request that we go past their house. We love the enthusiasm of the community but know we can't go around the entire shoreline because of the size of the lakes. Luckily, we have a photographer who volunteers to capture the boats as they approach the causeway so everyone can enjoy the work the boaters put into making this a great event.”

The parade line-up for registered boats begins at 8 p.m. July 20 on Long Lake and the parade is sponsored by Captain’s Club members Brother Flecker’s, Dingley’s Wharf, Freedom Café, Naples Marina, and the Songo River Queen II.

To view the parade route map or to register a boat, visit the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce website at www.sebagolakeschamber.com. <

Movie review: ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ a wild, hushed ride on big screen

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

“A Quiet Place: Day One” begins at the start of the problems witnessed in the first two movies. Samira has cancer and is struggling in hospice care. When a chance field trip into New York City gets cut short because of an unknown emergency occurring, Samira finds herself at the center of an evacuated city, but not out of harm’s way. It’s been discovered that noise attracts giant monsters. In her efforts to survive she meets Eric; can the two escape the city before it’s too late? This third installment delivers in being more a fear-based thriller than a straight-up horror movie.

“A Quiet Place: Day One” stars Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Eliane Umuhire, Thea Butler and Elijah Ungvary.

Samira (Nyong’o) or Sam, is in a hospice center and, understandably, is not happy about it. When center director Rueben (Wolff) gives his support group the opportunity to see a show in New York City, Samira jumps on the chance. She brings her cat, Frodo, along.

Shortly into the show, Rueben tells Sam they need to leave because something is happening in the city. Sam gets on the bus and there is a giant explosion. She gets off the bus and the city is covered in a dusty smog. She’s told to take cover.

People are screaming and then quickly disappearing. There’s another explosion and this one knocks out Sam. She then wakes up in the theater with a man (Hounsou) covering her mouth and emphasizing she needs to stay quiet. Noises are attracting monsters that have destroyed the city.

Frodo runs away and Sam follows him. She stops short in front of some broken glass so as not to make any noise. TVs and radio are issuing warnings worldwide.

After Sam’s group leader is killed, she goes outside the theater to get supplies. Helicopters circle the city and say to seek shelter on water because the monsters can’t swim.

People flood the streets. Lives are lost. Sam hides under a car with Frodo to stay safe.

She later meets a man, Eric (Quinn) who follows her. She insists he stop following; he continues. The two eventually rely on each other for support.

Sam returns to the hospice center to get some of her things. She learns Eric has no nearby family.

Sam wants to go to Harlem to get pizza. Eric wants to go with her, but she doesn’t want that. A while later she goes out on her own, walking through a once populated city that is now desolate, silent and crumbled. She ends up running into Eric. Sam is struggling and needs her medication.

There are very good, very intense subway scenes that will have you gasping and nervous. The lack of dialogue adds to the intensity of this movie. This is a not a typical creature feature.

Since I saw the first “A Quiet Place,” I was instantly a fan of this unique and straightforward concept for a horror movie. I was slightly underwhelmed with “A Quiet Place: Part II,” although it was still quite good. If you haven’t seen the first two, I recommend it, but it’s not necessary for the viewing of this prequel. This third installment was full of jump scares and had an emotional aspect to it that I was not expecting but improved these fear-based movies. The special effects were good, and I liked getting a closer look at the mysterious creatures. I found the character’s confusion and panic with dealing with a completely new world relatable. I didn’t find it particularly gory or violent, although there are a couple parts – there is a lot of darkness though. I would say this is not as good as the first one but better than the second one; see it on the big screen.

Two thumbs up.

Now showing only in theaters. <

Amazon’s ‘The Idea of You’ is so-so at best

By Matt Pascarella

Rated: R
Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Solene is a 40-year-old single mother with a daughter, Izzy, in high school. When her ex-husband is unable to take Izzy and her friends to Coachella, Solene takes them. It’s here that she meets 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, a member of the band “August Moon.” Over time, they get to know each other and what could be classified as a relationship forms.

However, once the press gets wind of this, it blows things up for all involved. Is there a way to make this relationship work? While this movie started out pretty good, it’s a little on the longer side and I felt like it dragged a bit too much in the third act.

“The Idea of You” stars Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Annie Mumolo, Reid Scott and Perry Mattfeld.

Solene (Hathaway) is a single mom with a teenager daughter, Izzy (Rubin). Solene is going on a camping trip while her daughter and her friends go to Coachella.

At the last minute, Solene’s ex-husband (Scott) has to go to work, and Solene takes the kids to Coachella.

At Coachella, Solene is looking for the bathroom, and meets Hayes (Galitzine) who, to her surprise is a singer in the very popular band “August Moon.” They share a moment. He invites her to hang out after the show.

He says he feels inspired and kind of dedicates a song to Solene.

During Solene’s 40th birthday party, she talks to a bunch of guys her age who are weird or just boring, despite their interest in her.

Solene works as an art dealer and Hayes stops by to buy some art. She takes him to the gallery of a friend of hers where they learn more about each other. Hayes says he doesn’t meet people like her very often. He admits he’s attracted to her.

Paparazzi follow Hayes everywhere and are parked outside Solene’s house, which is distracting.

The two get to know each other more, and kiss. Solene is concerned about the age difference. Hayes wants to see her again.

While Izzy is off at a summer camp, Hayes invites Solene to join him on a part of the tour in New York City, then to Europe. They get to know each other better. The two are happy together dancing to Wang Chung.

Hayes tells Solene his greatest fear is that people think he’s a joke. Solene worries what people will say if they start dating; Hayes doesn’t care. Solene hasn’t told Izzy about Hayes yet.

Tensions emerge between Solene and the girlfriends of the other “August Moon” bandmates.

She finds out Hayes has not been 100 percent honest. He tries to explain himself, but Solene has already been down the road of having a dishonest partner.

Solene likes Hayes but is ashamed. They break up.

The paparazzi have published photos of Hayes and Solene and it’s all over the internet, being met with various reactions. She tells Izzy; and admits she still likes him.

This is generally not my favorite genre of movie, though this one started out OK. It did have a semi-sweet reverse “Mrs. Robinson” quality to it. The characters seemed genuine throughout most of the movie. However, by the end of the second act the story began to drag. There was too much “will they, won’t they?” As in most romantic comedies, the ending is almost always fairly predictable.

To its credit, I thought the ending left the final moments up to the viewer to interpret. I wanted to find myself rooting for them as a couple, but by the end I just wanted them to decide if they’d get together so the credits could roll. Maybe I’m being too harsh on this one, but this is one I think can definitely be passed on.

Two out of five stars. <



Available to stream on Amazon Prime. <

Strawberry Festival nears at Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond

One of Southern Maine’s beloved annual events, the Strawberry Festival at Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home at 40 Hawthorne Road in Raymond returns this year from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 29.

The Strawberry Festival will be held at Nathaniel 
Hawthorne's Boyhood Home at 40 Hawthorne Road
in Raymond from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Saturday, June 29.
Reservations are suggested. FILE PHOTO 

This year’s special guest speaker will be award-winning author/editor Tess Chakkalakal, professor of Africana Studies and English at Bowdoin College. Chakkalakal is creator and co-host of this summer’s podcast series from Maine Public Radio entitled “Dead Writers: Great American Authors and Where They Lived.”

Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children aged 8 and under, with reservations at Hawthorne@Maine.RR.com or by calling 207-329-0537.

Reservations are strongly recommended but walk-ins also are welcome.

Wrapping up the event, all attendees will enjoy yummy homemade strawberry shortcake, served with coffee, punch, and lots of friendly smiles.

Those who would like to donate to the ongoing restoration of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood House in Raymond may do so by sending a much-appreciated check payable to “Hawthorne Community Association” to: Hawthorne Community Association, P.O. Box 185, South Casco, ME 04077.

Secure credit card, debit card, and PayPal donations may be made online at https://www.hawthorneassoc.com.

The Hawthorne House is the boyhood home of the legendary author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables in Raymond and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1969.

Author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts, a descendant of William Hathorne, a Puritan who emigrated with his family from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Hawthorne’s grandfather John Hathorne was a judge who presided over some of the Salem Witch Trials.

Hawthorne’s mother was widowed when he was age 4 and after living for 10 years with relatives in Salem, the family moved to a home near Sebago Lake in Raymond built for them by Hawthorne’s uncles Richard and Robert Manning in 1816. He lived there with his family for three years until being sent to boarding school in 1819, but later in life, said the time he spent at that home was indeed the happiest period of his life.

For Strawberry Festival reservations and other information about the Hawthorne House, send an email to Hawthorne@Maine.RR.com or call 207-329-0537. <