Monthly Archives: December 2020

The Movie Man: ‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’ Misses its Mark

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Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man.’

As somebody who looks for originality in nearly every aspect of life, I go into Christmas movies with a great deal of hesitation. And thus I approached The Christmas Chronicles 2.

My concern was justified.

Should anybody seek a Christmas-themed movie with an original take, The Christmas Chronicles 2 does not deliver … even for a sequel. With an abundance of unoriginal, rehashed story-elements, there are plenty of cringe-worthy cheesy moments to go around.

I originally looked forward to this installment, thinking it would be a flick that would be enjoyable in the end. That is, until I started watching it.

The movie depicts a disenchanted former elf named Belsnickel (played by Julian Dennison) hellbent on destroying Christmas, and once he appears to have the upper hand, our hero from the first Christmas Chronicles, Kate Pierce, must rise to the occasion again to save the holiday (one can already groan upon reading these details.)

Kurt Russell reprises his role of Santa Claus in the same manner as he did with the first installment. He defies the traditional depiction of St. Nick: overweight and jolly.

In these movies, the one visual detraction is his size, no longer overweight, but a slim and fit figure. He also is not happy and jolly, but rather a stud; bringing the cool vibes from Russell’s career defining action movies.

He delivers, however, the affectionate and caring Father Christmas traits that we would want in any actor depicting the man we on whom we pin our hopes as little children.

In contrast, the performance of Mrs. Claus (played by Russell’s real-life partner Goldie Hawn) does not deliver, appearing to lack the enthusiasm required for such a role. Russell’s run as Santa is probably the sole redeeming quality of this picture, in my opinion.

There are several appeasing action moments, usually involving Santa’s sled, but not every moment is spared the cheesiness (mainly seen in a sequence involving fighting off elves with a Nerf gun.) But I will concede there is a heartwarming moment or two.

Perhaps I am not taking into account that I am a cinephile and therefore not the target audience (which is most likely young families)?

But I am writing on behalf of all those who seek a good movie. There are moments when we will get excited when a child asks to watch a movie with us, and there are indeed plenty of family-oriented movies that we adults will watch on our own initiative.

But The Christmas Chronicles 2 does not fit either bill. All I can say it merits is an, “Eh, it’s the holiday season and I need to pass the time.”

About the Author: Though no longer a resident of Lyme, Kevin knows he can never sever his roots to the tree of his identity. When not attending to his job in Boston, he is committed to ensuring a better grasp of current (and past) releases of cinema to his home community as he strives to leave his own mark in the same field that has always been his guide to understanding life. If you enjoy his published reviews here on LymeLine.com, follow him on his new website at ‘The City of Cinema‘ and read more of his unique insights into entertainment.

Death of Julia Balfour Announced; Obituary Now Added

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Julia Balfour

LYME — Julia Balfour, who founded and led the integrated creative agency now located in East Haddam that bears her name, passed away Nov. 30, 2020. She ran the agency for many years from her home in Lyme.

The sense of shock among the local community and throughout the extensive business world in which she worked is profound.

Julia was a remarkable woman, whose very presence was not only incredibly powerful but also irresistibly magnetic. There was never a dull moment with Julia — her laugh is universally unforgettable. She was extraordinarily talented and has been taken from us far too young.

Julia’s colleagues at the Julia Balfour agency have published a beautiful tribute to their beloved boss.

Here at LymeLine.com, we extend our deepest sympathies to Julia’s family, friends, business colleagues and clients. She will be missed so deeply.

There will be a socially-distanced bonfire at Ashlawn Farm, 78 Bill Hill Rd. in Lyme on Sunday, Dec. 6, starting at 2 p.m. to celebrate Julia’s life. All who loved, liked or worked with Julia are welcome. Also, everyone who admired her or wished he or she had known her better is invited.

Come share a story, listen to a story, or just be together with a large group of her fans.

Wear a mask, dress warmly and BYOBubbly.

Read Julia’s full obituary at this link.

Dec. 4 COVID Update: Cumulative Total of 89 Confirmed Cases Reported in Old Lyme, 25 in Lyme

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash

LYME/OLD LYME — In light of the serious rise in Coronavirus cases, we have started a new daily update reporting confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Lyme and Old Lyme. The state is now issuing a COVID-19 metric report daily around 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, which includes current data up to the previous evening.

The Connecticut Department of Health (CT DPH) does not give any details of the age of those infected, their gender or the date the case was confirmed.

Ledge Light Health Department (LLHD) issued their weekly COVID-19 Report Friday morning, Dec. 4. It shows that in the past two weeks, Old Lyme had 20 new confirmed cases and Lyme eight. It also details that 864 Old Lyme residents had molecular tests and antigen tests while the equivalent number for Lyme residents was 254.

The LLHD report also does not give any details of the age of those infected, their gender or the date the case was confirmed.

The Daily Data Report for Connecticut issued by CT DPH Friday afternoon, Dec. 4, for data as at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3, shows the following:

Both Lyme and Old Lyme remain in the state-identified ‘Red Zone,’ defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town exceeds 15. This rate does not include cases or tests among residents of nursing home, assisted living, or correctional facilities.

OLD LYME now has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 89 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

This represents an increase of one confirmed cases over the 88 cases reported Thursday, Dec. 3.

The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 3,227.

There have been two fatalities in Old Lyme.

The Dec. 4 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 11/15 through 11/28, Old Lyme had 14 cases in Week 1 and 6 in Week 2. This data was updated Dec. 3.

The case rate for 100,000 population is 19.4, reflecting a decrease from the previously reported two-week-rate of 23.3. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’

LYME has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 23 confirmed cases and two probable cases, making a total of 25 cases.

This represents an increase of one in the number of confirmed and no change in the number of probable cases over those reported Thursday, Dec. 3.

There have been no fatalities in Lyme.

The total number of Lyme residents tested is 727.

The Dec. 4 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from11/15 through 11/28, Lyme had 7 cases in Week 1 and 1 in Week 2. This data was updated Dec. 3.

The case rate for 100,000 population is 24.4 reflecting an increase from the previously reported two-week-rate of 21.4.  A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’

The COVID-19 metric report is issued by the state once per day, every Monday through Friday. The report that is issued each Monday contains combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The state will issue its next report Monday, Dec. 7.

Learn How to Make a ‘Kissing Ball’ in Zoom Presentation, Thursday

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LYME — On Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., the Friends of the Lyme Public Library, the Lyme Garden Club and the Hadlyme Garden Club present “Design & Create a Holiday Kissing Ball,” a Zoom presentation by Nancy Ballek.

Plan and design your own holiday Kissing Ball with the provided selection of  greens, ribbons and decorations. Ballek will begin with a demonstration to teach you how to shape and decorate the kissing ball.

All participants will complete a beautiful 8” Kissing Ball of their own composition using the materials provided.

Class will be limited to 20 participants and the materials  fee is $15 per person.

Register for the program to receive the Zoom invitation by Saturday, Dec. 5 at programreg@lymepl.org or call the library at 860-434-2272

Collect your workshop materials at the Library  from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec. 9 or  10. Your box of materials will be ready for pick up at the library entrance with your name on the box. Keep the materials in a cool  place until you are ready to make the project with  Ballek on Zoom, Thursday.

This workshop is limited to 20 participants and there will be a  $15 fee for the materials due when you pick the box up at the library entrance. Make checks payable to: The Friends of the Lyme Public  Library (FLPL).

 

Lyme-Old Lyme HS Moves to Fully Remote Learning due to New COVID Cases, Plans to Reopen Monday

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Lyme-Old Lyme High School is moving to a fully remote learning model for week commencing Nov. 30.

LYME/OLD LYME — Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser sent out an email Friday afternoon to faculty, staff, students and parents saying, ” Over the last two days we have become aware of two other probable cases of COVID-19 at Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS.)”

He continued, “As such, LOLHS will move to a full remote learning model beginning Monday, Nov. 30, and will plan to resume full in person learning on Monday, Dec. 7.