Category Archives: Arts

92-Year-Old Alison Mitchell, Formerly of Old Lyme, Releases Second Children’s Book; Author Presentation in OL, Sept. 9

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Children’s author Alison Mitchell is seen here at StoneRidge Senior Living in Mystic with Cappie, one of the canine companions who helped inspire her second children’s book.

Mitchell Presents Story about Canine Adventurers and Their Senior Companions at Old Lyme Church

MYSTIC, CT/OLD LYME—Author Alison Mitchell may be 92, she but isn’t letting age slow down her writing pursuits. 

That’s according to a publicist for StoneRidge Senior Living, where Mitchell, formerly of Old Lyme, just released her second book in as many years. The children’s tale was illustrated by Old Lyme resident Edie Twining and edited by Twining’s sister, Kinny Kreiswirth.

Townsend: The Positive Dog of Mystic Senior Living is a week-in-the-life tale of “Townie,” a mutt, who resides at a senior living community.

The trio last year collaborated on Letters to Papa: Summers in Old Lyme to benefit the Old Lyme Historical Society.

The adventures of Townie and his friends were inspired by the busy lives of actual canine residents of StoneRidge Senior Living in Mystic, according to the press release. 

“This was a fun group effort as I had plenty of StoneRidge friends suggesting names and activities for Townie to encounter,” said Mitchell. 

The book was self-published by Twining Design of Old Lyme. 

All profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the StoneRidge Scholarship Fund, which recognizes full-time employees and children of full-time employees, who are pursuing a post-secondary education. 

This year, the committee granted awards totaling $211,000 to 23 students who were selected on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, scholastic potential, and their commitment to career goals. 

Mitchell will give a presentation of the book on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. in the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 4 Lyme Street.

A special presentation at StoneRidge Senior Living will be held at 4 p.m. on Aug. 22. Tickets are free but seating is limited and advanced reservations are required.  Call 860-780-0741 for tickets. 

Townsend: The Positive Dog of Mystic Senior Living is available for $16 and can be purchased at Bank Square Books (80 Stonington Road) or at the StoneRidge Country Store (186 Jerry Brown Road) in Mystic. 

The Movie Man: Though Falling ‘Just Short’ of Original, ‘Nobody 2’ is a ‘Worthy Follow-up’

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Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man’

Nobody 2 continues the action-packed thrills of the original Nobody. But, like most sequels, comes up just short its predecessor. 

Imagine 10 years ago a fortune-teller saying that beloved comedian Bob Odenkirk would someday play a dangerous government assassin trying to pursue the straight and narrow path of life? And that his family of assassins included Christopher Lloyd as his father and WuTang Clan’s RZA as his brother?

And, above all, that the movie was actually pretty good? You’d probably think this was just another smooth-talking con artist.

Turns out this fortune-teller was the real deal.

The original Nobody is a rare movie with crossover appeal. It appeals to fans of all varieties of movies. Its runtime is just a lean 90 minutes, and its clear storytelling includes character depth and exhilarating action sequences. It unites fans of Michael Bay with subscribers to the Criterion Channel.

What is it about action movies that makes them so appealing? Why do we like watching people beat each other up? Why do we like watching explosions? What is this catharsis of destruction? Is it something that appeals to our anthropomorphic origins? Is it a vessel to channel our stress and imagine ourselves solving similar problems with our own fists? Is this why video games like Grand Theft Auto are so addictive?

It’s one thing to make a movie with great stunts and choreographed fights, but to include great writing and direction is a special treat.

There is also our appreciation for the acting range of comedians. We love people who can make us laugh hysterically, but when they can prove their acting range—like Robin Williams or John Candy—we admire them even more.

Bob Odenkirk isn’t giving an emotional performance that will win him an Oscar (yet). But his character, Hutch Mansell, is badass, mysterious, and relatable. Unlike the action gods of days past, Nobody’s fights are visceral and realistic. Hutch doesn’t just win the fight, we feel the injuries he endures.

Nobody 2 is intentionally similar to the first movie—familiar arcs and beats—but that’s part of the appeal. It excites the audience as we anticipate how this installment will be familiar, but will push our favorite characters forward.

It is a craft of storytelling that dates to the origin of movies. Think of the “Bond, James Bond” line or Star Wars’ iconic “I have a bad feeling about this”.

While not quite the knockout the original movie is, this sequel is a worthy follow-up (similar to Happy Gilmore 2 and Freakier Friday). Anybody can tell Nobody 3 is on the horizon and I can only hope pick up on this Nobody 2’s (minor) shortcomings.

One thing is for sure: I’ll be first in line once it’s released.

About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.)

Lyme Art Association Hosts ‘Paint The Town’ Contest, Sept. 6; Evening Reception, Sale Follow

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Artists will be painting ‘en plein air’ all over Old Lyme today. Their work will then be on view and for sale at a reception this evening at the Lyme Art Association. Photo courtesy of the LAA.

Artists, Prepare Your Easels to Paint ‘Plein Air’; Art Lovers, Help Celebrate

OLD LYME — On Saturday, Sept. 6, “Paint the Town: Plein Air Painting from Dawn to Dusk” celebrates a day of creation and an evening of appreciation at the Lyme Art Association (LAA.)

The event will begin with the LAA’s plein air competition as artists scatter across Lyme, Old Lyme and East Lyme to capture the region’s unique beauty. It will culminate when they bring back their work to the Association for awards, an art show, and reception.

The rain date is  Sunday, Sept. 7. 

All paintings must be made the day of the competition within the borders of the three towns. Prizes include $300 for first place, $200 for second place, $100 for third place, as well as three Awards of Merit and a People’s Choice Award. 

An awards presentation at 5:15 p.m. will follow jurying from 4:30 to 5 p.m. by artist Eileen Eder. A registration fee of $30 includes participation in the plein air competition and tickets for the artist and one guest at the reception. 

Reception and Art Sale

Artists and art lovers will converge at the Lyme Art Association on Sept. 6 for a celebration of ‘plein air’ painting.

The art show and reception, from 5 to 7 p.m., will include an exhibit of the artists’ work, hors d’oeuvres, and live music by Ramblin’ Dan Stevens. Attendees are invited to vote for their favorite piece in the People’s Choice Award. All art is available for purchase. 

All are welcome. Reception tickets are $10. 

Register here for the competition or the reception. 

The Movie Man: ‘Freakier Friday’ is a Sequel Worth the (22-Year!) Wait

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Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man’

Freakier Friday is a sequel worth the 22-year delay. Everyone is back and the comedy of errors is as unpredictable as the original.

I planned this review with low expectations. I’ve always said sequels are generally not well-received (especially when they’re released decades after the original). No mass marketing campaign can atone for the desperation to catch lightning in a bottle.

I only saw the original Freaky Friday once when it was released in 2003. I knew if I wanted to give this a proper review, I should refresh my memory by watching it again.

To my surprise, I enjoyed it. This gave me hope because I watched it as an adult with critical thinking skills, not nostalgia goggles. I even read that Mary Rodgers, the author of the original 1972 novel, hailed it as the best adaptation because of its authenticity.

The storyline is not original, it’s a body-swap movie.

But this sequel turns it up a notch. Anna (Lindsay Lohan) prepares to marry Eric (Manny Jacinto), but her teenage daughter, Harper, and her soon-to-be worldly stepsister, Lily, struggle to accept each other. Not only has this tension caused Anna and Tess to experience a second body-swap, but it now includes Harper and Lily.

A double-body-swap with double the chaos. They’ll all find that just because it’s the second time around doesn’t mean it can be solved any easier.

It’s the 2003 movie on steroids.

Like any sequel (especially ones that are long delayed) there are Easter Eggs that not only pay tribute to the first movie but go beyond the original material. The wedding is scheduled for October 3rd (a nod to another Lohan movie, Mean Girls.)

And we can also appreciate all the generational jokes in between both movies.

Disney clearly meant business with Freakier Friday, bringing back most characters for the sequel. This includes those who seldom act nowadays, such as Ryan Malgarini (Anna’s little brother, Harry). There are Anna’s friends, Maddie and Peg from their band Pink Slip; and even Anna’s love interest, Jake (still rocking the same hair 20 years later).

My favorite reprisal was the spiteful Mr. Bates (played by legendary character actor Stephen Tobolowsky), still working since the school district’s retirement was sunk in crypto.

All the performances are superb. We loved Jamie Lee Curtis’ performance as a teenager back in 2003, but she takes it even further in her second round as a wannabe social media influencer.

I particularly loved Manny Jacinto’s performance as the thoughtful and well-spoken Eric, contrasting with his role as Jason, the idiotic Florida-Man on The Good Place. 

But above all, I was happiest with Lindsay Lohan’s return as Anna. She stepped away from the spotlight for her well-being, and it appears to have worked. Watching this movie, you would think she never stopped acting. This was clearly made for her comeback. Disney knew that she still has a lot to offer. Why else would they go to great lengths to bring back almost every cast member of the original?

Maybe this is a new starting point for Lohan to get back to her craft without the scrutiny of the paparazzi? If the original Freaky Friday is a family classic, then Freakier Friday belongs there, too.

It continues the spirit of authenticity and lessons about family and love. With a theatrical-only release, it’s a perfect family outing that reminds us of one of the best ways to connect with youth is to share the stories that shaped us.

This warm, heartfelt, and funny sequel is worth checking out.

About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.)

Lyme Public Hall Hosts Writer Seminar Series with Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Janet Roach; Enrollment Open Now, Course Starts Oct. 6

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Old Lyme Native’s Course Always Oversubscribed

Janet Roach. Photo courtesy of Janet Roach.

LYME–Lyme Public Hall this fall will host the return of a popular seminar series led by the Oscar-nominated screenwriter (Prizzi’s Honor, directed by John Huston) as she guides new and accomplished writers in various genres through the process of crafting memorable characters and cohesive story lines. 

Do you have something to say, but don’t know quite how to write it? That’s where celebrated writer Roach comes in. 

Lyme Public Hall in its event description invites writers to “use their heads to explore matters of the heart, contemporary issues, historical events, family sagas and more.”

Roach, an Old Lyme native, brings writing experience spanning newspaper and magazine articles, poems, eulogies and obituaries, short stories and documentary and feature films.

Emphasis will be on participants’ work and will involve weekly writing assignments with personal feedback.

Roach was a producer and writer at 60 Minutes before going on to collaborate with Bill Moyers at CBS News and the Public Broadcasting Service. Subsequent – and award-winning – experience as a screenwriter led to her role as a professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of the Arts for nearly 20 years. She now writes for Estuary Magazine and is working on a memoir and a new film project.

The Monday night writing series will be held from Oct. 6 to Nov. 10 at the Lyme Public Hall. Enrollment for each session, which lasts from 6 to 8 p.m., will be limited to 12 students. The fee is $100 for Lyme Public Hall members and $125 for non-members. 

To enroll, contact info@lymepublichall.org.