Category Archives: Lyme

The Movie Man: Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Highlights Terrible Time in American History the US Would Prefer to Forget

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Not Scorsese’s Best Film, But Sure to be Showered with Awards

Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man.’

While I do not consider Killers of the Flower Moon to be a “must see as soon as possible” movie, I definitely consider it “worth seeing.”

To quote from an article in The Guardian by Greg Palast titled, Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon describes the struggles of the Osage people. Here’s why they are still fighting, published Oct. 20, 2023, the film is “… the true story of the mass murder of Osage Native Americans and the plot to steal the tribe’s oil wealth. [It] is a powerful telling of what came to be known as the Reign of Terror, a period that resulted in the deaths of as many as 200 Osage.”

Martin Scorsese combines two of his most iconic, frequent collaborators Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in performances that are sure to be nominated for award season and will be referenced as part of their overall legacies.

I have nothing but praise for DiCaprio as he fully absorbs his character, Ernest Burkhart, a World War I veteran with a yokel drawl and clenched lip that indicates a lack of overall intelligence.

De Niro portrays William Hale, who, despite being white, is a staple of the local Osage community, and possesses a grandfather-like charm. And yet he is a conniving swindler seeking the Native’s oil fortunes and planning their murders so he and Burkhart can inherit the estates. He makes threats and plans with rhetoric similar to the mobsters he has frequently portrayed throughout the years (just hints, not explicitly commanding crimes.)

And do not get me started on Lily Gladstone, who, despite her quiet demeanor, steals every scene in which she appears as Molly, an Osage woman ,who is married to Ernest. This is in addition to performances by screen legends John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser, and Jesse Plemons, which prove to be the icing on an already delicious cake.

This is not Scorsese’s best film in recent years but still worthy of our attention. Similar to The Irishman, it is a lengthy picture topping at nearly three and a half hours (make sure to hit the bathroom before it begins). But it still contains the trademark features of a Scorsese movie, with tracking crane shots, contemporary pop music soundtrack, and quick cross-cutting.

Much can be said about the Native American themes woven into the film via cultural references and religious rituals, similar to how Scorsese has invoked his Italian heritage and Catholic faith.

The cinematography can also be praised for using shots that appear to come from contemporary still and moving images.

Killers of the Flower Moon properly fits into the zeitgeist of recognizing aspects of American history that have been conveniently swept under the rug for far too long (which also recognizes another silenced moment: the Tulsa Race Riots of 1922).

But it is not just a movie that merely brings the subject to our attention for discussions about society down the road, it has artistic merits in all aspects of critique of film.

I certainly can see the cast and crew receiving countless nominations this coming award season.

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 website at ‘The City of Cinema‘ and read more of his unique insights into entertainment.

Letter to the Editor: Re-elect ‘Invaluable’ Mary Powell St. Louis to Region 18 BOE for Lyme, She Offers ‘Executive, Medical, Family, Lyme Community’ Experience

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To the Editor:

As an unaffiliated voter, I take a lot of time to research each candidate I vote for. Although time consuming, this research fine-tunes my critical thinking so I come out with a solid decision. I do not take any cues from our national political parties.

I have spent countless hours researching the two candidates for election to one of Lyme seats on the Region 18 Board of Education. The hands-down winner is Mary Powell St. Louis.

Mary is able to hold sincere views on complex issues. Her views are nuanced and well thought out, and the result of many years of executive, medical, family, and Lyme community experiences. I am so grateful that she has committed 8 years to the Board of Education so far. Our Board of Education volunteers devote countless hours to guide our students, faculty, parents, staff, and community. They need to think through difficult topics such as spending priorities, student needs, and strategic planning. She has the unbounding energy and enthusiasm to serve at least 4 more.

When she’s not on our local ballot, she serves as one of our Deputy Registrar of Voters. She volunteers as a Master Gardener to beautify our town, as the treasurer for our Boy Scout Troop 26, and she checks in with her neighbors, offering a hand wherever she is needed. She has raised three well-adjusted nearly-grown boys, knowing all three levels of our school district (elementary, middle, and high school) from the inside out.

She holds down a full-time executive job, is a Medical Doctor, holds an MBA, and a Masters in Public Health. She sits in on town commission meetings regularly. She has known what happens in this town for decades. She knows the personalities and the politics. She is invaluable as our representative on the Board of Education.

The previous time the Town of Lyme voted for Mary was 2019 when she ran for her second term on the Board of Education. If you think about what our lives were like in 2019, compare them to 2023, you have to give Mary so much credit for staying the course at all times, for being that steady hand, and continuing to serve our children so well through thick and thin.

Mary for BOE Region 18 Lyme!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Farrell,
Lyme, CT.

Letter to the Editor: Lyme Voters Should Elect Lodge to BOE; Committed, Involved in Community, Cognizant of Balance Between Quality Education and its Cost

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To the Editor:

What is necessary to qualify a person to hold an elected office in a town?

Plenty of information is circulated about the candidates at the top of the ballot, but as you go down, much less information is available. How do voters make decisions on whom to vote for?

The foremost prerequisite is commitment and involvement in service to the community. Have they done that? Have they had a wide range of life experiences? Are they creative? Is the candidate a pleasant, hard-working person who can work well with others?   

Gavin Lodge, Democratic candidate for Board of Education of Lyme (and Old Lyme), possesses all these qualifications. He has founded his own business and is the executive director of 4A Arts—American Alliance of Artists and Audiences—a non-profit national arts advocacy organization. As an active participant in his children’s school lives, he was a PTA president and chaired a school on-line Auction Committee that raised $53,000.

One of the best reasons to vote for Gavin is that, as a devoted father and concerned taxpayer, he is well aware of the delicate balance between a quality education and the cost of education.

Lyme voters should vote for Gavin Lodge.   

Sincerely,                                         

Phyllis Ross,
Lyme, CT.

Death Announced of Kenneth M. McKeever, 80, of Old Lyme: Marine, State Trooper, Longtime Town Attorney for Lyme

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Kenneth M. McKeever

OLD LYME — Kenneth M. McKeever, 80, Marine, State Trooper, Attorney, died Oct. 16, 2023, at his home after a long illness. Ken was born in Brooklyn, New York, Feb. 25, 1943, the son of Henry J. McKeever and Serafina Spinelli. His mother died shortly after his birth while his father was in the Pacific during World War II. He was raised by various family members in New York City until his father remarried Mary Kelly, and the family relocated to Chicopee, Mass.

A 1960 graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield, Mass., he followed his father’s lead and enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. There, he served in the Honor Guard for President John F. Kennedy and served as personal orderly for Rear Admiral William B. Sieglaff, Commandant of the First Naval District. After more than five years of active duty, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

Ken’s continued need to serve led him to the Connecticut State Police where, among his many assignments, he was the Resident State Trooper for the Town of East Lyme. During his time on the Force, he earned his Associate, Bachelor, and Juris Doctor, and was ultimately admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1974. He practiced law in Niantic for 49 years, the last 20 with his son, Brendan, was the long-time Town Attorney for Lyme, and successfully argued before the Superior, Appellate, and Connecticut Supreme Courts.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen; children, Katherine, Kevin, and Brendan; daughter-in-law Jessica; grandchildren, William and Jameson; brothers and sisters: Richard, Stephen, MaryEllen and Eileen; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and his legal assistant of 38 years, Lori DeCosta.

A great joy of Ken’s life was history. Every holiday, he would prepare historical quizzes for his family where a correct answer earned $5.00. He would spend considerable time at the Duck River Cemetery trying to piece together the lives of the fallen war heroes which led to a writing chronicling a Revolutionary War soldier. His other pastime was attendance at his children’s and grandchildren’s activities which included the theatre and many athletic contests. At his essence, he enjoyed time away in Key West, a good sandwich, a game on the television, reading by the pool, talk radio and a cold beer.

The family is forever grateful for all of the kind words, genuine encouragement and overall support. In lieu of flowers, please consider to simply “pay it forward” with an act of kindness towards someone in need.

Ken’s never-say-die attitude, coupled with a remarkable bodily constitution, were legendary. During his life, he survived drowning; open heart surgery; congestive heart failure; bladder, skin, bone and prostate cancer; and multiple unexpected situations with his weapon drawn as a Trooper. Most amazing, he was struck by lightning in 1993, while attending a baseball game. As he would describe it, death stared him in the eyes every which way, and death always blinked. This time, however, his multitude of illnesses proved to be too much.

Old habits die hard, and Once A Marine-Always A Marine! Semper Fi.

To honor Ken’s wishes no services will be held. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com to leave a tribute for his family.

Letter to the Editor: Lodge, ‘a Fierce Opponent of Book Censorship,’ Will Serve Lyme Families Well on Region 18 BOE

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To the Editor:

I write in support of Gavin Lodge as the Lyme representative to the Region 18 Board of Education. Lodge will serve Lyme and its youth well. He is a father of two children in our schools, a past public school PTO co-president. He is active in Lyme’s Sustainable Committee and other town commissions.

He is the executive director of 4A Arts, a national nonprofit that promotes arts and culture in our communities. As a small business entrepreneur, he has demonstrated strong fiscal expertise. 

Most importantly, Lodge is a fierce opponent of book censorship and will advocate for all children in the schools. Nationally, more than 90 percent of the books targeted for censorship and removal are about LGBTQ+ and youth of color, and it is no different here. Lodge believes deeply in the freedom to choose and express one’s opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. 

It is not a coincidence that his position is the same as the American Library Association [ALA]. Like the ALA, Lodge believes that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources.

Let’s not be fooled into thinking this school election is typical; it is not. It is one of the most consequential elections in memory for the town of Lyme.

Vote Gavin Lodge.

Sincerely,

Michael James,
Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is Professor Emeritus of Education at Connecticut College. He is also the husband of Anna James (D), the Region 18 Board of Education member for Lyme, who is not up for re-election this year.