‘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. <