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[lahyf-stahyl] the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

Movie Review: Halloween Kills

by Desha Winborne

Director: David Gordon Green

Writer: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, and Scott Teems

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Will Patton, and James Jude Courtney

It’s Halloween night and legendary serial killer Michael Myers is on the loose, again. Escaping death once more Myers sets out on a terrifying rampage, murdering all who are misfortunate enough to cross his path. Fear grips the small town but this year will be different. The good people of Haddonfield have had enough, this year the people will unite and fight for their town. Evil dies on Halloween night.

For forty years the legend of Michael Myers has haunted the small town of Haddonfield, Ill. 2018 is the year his reign finally ends. Halloween Kills is the 2nd film of the latest and presumably final, Michael Myers trilogy. It is the follow-up to 2018’s Halloween, in which the serial killer escapes from prison and has a final showdown with the woman he’s been stalking for 40 years, his sister Laurie. The 2018 movie ends with Mike locked in a basement as Laurie’s home is engulfed in flames. She had planned for years how she would end him only to overlook one major detail: the efficiency of the Haddonfield fire department. Halloween Kills begins exactly where we left off, with Myers still in the basement and Laurie escaping with her family. As the women head to the hospital to address their wounds they also witness the arrival of the fire trucks. The poor firemen save Myers and thus his bloodiest rampage yet continue with their corpses.

Halloween Kills depicts some of the most horrific death scenes we have ever seen in this franchise and is as much about Myers as it is about the town. This year the townsfolk band together to try and stop the menace once and for all. Since this is movie two of three you can take a stab at how it ends. With one more film to go this installment allows us to witness the aftermath of Myers assaults, we see a town in turmoil with fearful residents looking for justice. Ordinarily good people are driven to the breaking point as the quaint community evolves into an angry chaotic mob. In one of the most surprising scenes, the mob storms the hospital seeking vengeance. For the first time, we see families identifying their slaughtered loved ones and the poisonous effects of true evil. Though rightfully enraged their actions bear an uncanny resemblance to the Capitol Stormers as they stampede through a hospital in a panic searching for someone they’ve never even seen before. Though the film culminates in a satisfying showdown as per usual, the jubilation is short-lived once realization kicks in: it’s a trilogy, there’s one more chapter to go.

HALLOWEEN KILLS OPENS NATIONWIDE AND ON PEACOCK ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15th! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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Madame X aka Madonna performed a selection of songs from her concert film ‘Madame X,’ as well as classics including ‘La Isla Bonita’ and ‘Like a Prayer,’ accompanied by multi-hyphenate musician Jon Batiste with his band for an intimate crowd of friends and fans at Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem, NY, with signature cocktails by Belvedere Vodka.

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Review: Candyman (2021)

by xoJohn

Writer: Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld

Director: Nia Dacosta

Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, and Carl Clemons Hopkins.

Struggling artist Anthony McCoy stumbles across an urban legend and decides to use it as inspiration for his next show. His research begins with the unfortunate story of Grad student Helen Lyle who tragically died in a bonfire decades ago. McCoy gains access to her research and unearths the legend of Daniel Robitaille also known as the Candyman. Unknowingly, McCoy invites others to “say his name” evoking an incantation that awakens the homicidal spirit to wreak havoc once again.

If you grew up in the 90’s you are probably familiar with the 1992 Clive Barker and Bernard Rose film which introduced audiences to a hooked hand killer whose presence could be invoked by the repetitious saying of his name. Nearly 3 decades later writer Jordan Peele and Director Nia Dacosta have joined forces for a direct sequel and origin story. Since the debut of the original film, there have been two other sequels. Both sequels found the hooked hand killer miles away from the Cabrini Green stomping grounds of the first film. Each sequel provided additional back story details. The First sequel was set in New Orleans where the spirit went in search of a descendant to sacrifice. After that unsuccessful attempt, the spirit moved on to Los Angeles, in the third film, to sacrifice his reincarnated daughter Isabel. In this new adaptation, the vengeful entity has returned to the hallowed grounds of the new Cabrini Greene in search of a familiar soul for some unfinished business. Artist Anthony McCoy is the unfortunate target and we witness his metamorphosis from fledgling artist to urban legend. McCoy’s interest in the legend goes from zero to 100 with lightning speed as he hopes to profit from tragedy using the legend to sell his work. Similarly, several other characters see the same dollar signs in exploiting the legend, a not-so-subtle nod to this era of black trauma for sale. In his haste for notoriety, McCoy ignores all warnings and moves full steam ahead neglecting loved ones, fueling his obsession. Though predictable, his descent into madness is enjoyable and ends in a weirdly satisfying twist.

In addition to the tongue-in-cheek nod to black trauma, there is also a blatant reference to the current climate of gentrification and police brutality. Though presented as just another slasher film, this Candyman has a social conscience, offering a relatable timely tale as well as the blood and gore we have come to expect. Though enjoyable the film is not without its flaws. Much of the violence is hinted at but not fully displayed, for instance just as the killer strikes we cut to another scene instead of witnessing the horrific details. Also, the backstory gets a bit convoluted as we discover additional confusing details about the origin of the murderous entity. Lastly, there is an all too brief appearance by Tony Todd, the OG. Please don’t blink you might miss it, literally.

Candyman hits theaters on Friday, August 27th, 2021.

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We had the pleasure of attending the NAMM Summer Show, held at the Music City Center July 15-16 in Nashville, Tennessee, and dedicated exclusively to the ideal of belief in music with its tagline “Believe in Music.” The NAMM Show provides a hub for music industry services and products, with the first look at trends shaping the future of the music business industry. The NAMM Summer Show also offered a special time to reconnect coming out of the pandemic with a range of large and smaller-scale music instrument providers, artists, and more, with the larger annual NAMM Show resuming in January in its usual home, Anaheim, California. 

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The Greenwich Polo Club, one of the premier polo clubs in the world, hosted the East Coast Gold Cup Final. The tournament saw six teams, up to 16 goals, compete in the East Coast Gold Cup leading to the finale. Altaris and Ellipse Polo Teams competed in the high goal tournament. Altaris defeated Ellipse by a score of 12-11. The final was the club’s last match for the June and July East Coast High Goal series. The Greenwich Polo Club will next host the East Coast Open starting Sunday, August 29, 2021.

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Movie Review: Old

by Desha Winborne

Several families on vacation at a luxury resort find themselves in a tropical hell when their excursion to an exclusive beach turns deadly. The body of a young woman washes up on shore and everyone soon discovers that the rotting corpse is the least of their worries. Everyone on the beach starts to age at an alarming rate. If they don’t find a way to stop the aging or leave the island no one will make it through dawn.

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Review: The Forever Purge

by Desha Winborne

Writer: James DeMonaco

Director: Everardo Gout

Cast: Ana De La Reguera, Josh Lucas, Will Patton and Tenoch Huerta

After 10 months in America, Mexican immigrants, Adela and Juan find themselves faced with their first Purge. Unfortunately for them, this year’s annual day of chaos takes an even uglier turn as groups of anarchists refuse to stop purging the next day. Though they survived the night the young lovers must work together to survive a deadly new world.

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Despite being the most preventable of cancers Skin Cancer affects millions of Americans every year.  Documentary short In The Sun hopes to shed light on this deadly illness by providing life-saving information on sun safety.  The 37-minute film follows the lives of seven families and their journies navigating the effects of skin cancer.  Though most of their stories offer a hopeful glimpse at prevention and survival, there are also intense moments of sadness as the cast discusses those who succumbed to the cancers and the reality of treatment. 

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