PAGE 4 - EASTSIDE MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 31, <strong>2020</strong> columbusmessenger.com Letters policy The <strong>Eastside</strong> <strong>Messenger</strong> welcomes letters to the editor. Letters cannot be libelous. Letters that do not have a signature, address, and telephone number, or are signed with a pseudonym, will be rejected. PLEASE BE BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. The <strong>Messenger</strong> reserves the right to edit or refuse publication of any letter for any reason. Opinions expressed in the letters are not necessarily the views of the <strong>Messenger</strong>. Mail letters to: <strong>Eastside</strong> <strong>Messenger</strong>, 3500 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204; or email eastside@columbusmessenger.com. Keep tabs on the latest news and events in Canal Winchester Look for the <strong>Eastside</strong> <strong>Messenger</strong> on Become a fan! eastside <strong>Messenger</strong> (Distribution: 12,300) Rick Palsgrove................................<strong>Eastside</strong> Editor eastside@ columbusmessenger.com Published every other Sunday by The Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong> Co. 3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887 (614) 272-5422 Theresa Garee Advertising Sales Representative Now is the time to use your advertising to connect to your community. Come out thriving instead of playing catch up. Many Options Available Give me a call! (614) 272-5422 eastads@columbusmessenger.com entertainment www.columbusmessenger.com “e Lovebirds” funny and enjoyable There are an untold number of movies that have little to no premise. Traditionally, they are more often found in the science fiction or comedic realms but they can sometimes be discovered in ones that go on to garner critical acclaim and win countless industry awards. For the most part, these films can be forgiven for its missing, meandering or convoluted logic, but they have to have an off-setting factor that makes it watchable, if not downright enjoyable. “The Lovebirds” is one of these films. It has a thin plot that unravels and veers into slapstick territory but it also has two sparkling leads that make the film watchable, if not downright enjoyable. Just a few years prior to the film’s release, Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae were not on Hollywood’s radar as a leading man or lady. They would get bit parts here and there but no studio was really willing to give them a chance to break out in their own vehicle. Then they did what older actresses have to do in order to be seen: produce their own projects and cast themselves in the main role. For Rae, her mainstream breakout was in 2016 when the television show “Insecure” started to air on HBO. And as for Nanjiani, his came the following year with “The Big Sick,” a loose retelling of his relationship with his now wife who was gravely ill at the time. Since then, the two have been proving that they do have that factor that can draw in a crowd and “The Lovebirds” proves that point as it is currently the most watched streaming movie. The film itself, which is a romantic comedy/action adventure hybrid, is not that great but the improvisational skills and the nuanced facial expressions of this comedic duo propel even the dullest moments forward. If it were not for the presence of these two and their fun chemistry, “The Lovebirds” would not have been such an entertaining escape. In the film, Nanjiani and Rae portray Jibran and Leilani, a long-term couple who are privately mulling whether to go their separate ways. Like all couples, we see them at their first blush of love — the flirting, their laughter at the smallest quips, and their joking compliments — and then it flashes forward to the blush of utter annoyance. After four years together, they are arguing about the smallest things; the time it takes to get ready, social media usage, secretive work projects and whether or not they could win ‘The Amazing Race.’ The latter argument seems to be their breaking point and, as they are driving to attend the dinner party of a recently engaged friend, decide it is time to end their relationship. Before the sheer awkwardness and reality of the moment can The Ohio Expositions Commission announced it will cancel the <strong>2020</strong> Ohio State Fair, originally scheduled for July 29 - Aug. 9 in Columbus. Members of the Commission expressed concern for public health, as well as the financial feasibility of hosting a fair that would adhere to social distancing protocols and its impact on the long-term viability of the Ohio State Fair. “After careful thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Ohio State Fair. Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all Ohioans.” said Andy Doehrel, chair of the Ohio Expositions Commission. “The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity Fair would be too great, and we need to protect the Ohio State Fair for future generations.” “Our first priority is the safety of the hundreds of thousands of people involved in the Ohio State Fair each year. While this is a difficult decision, we feel it is necessary to protect the fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth leaders, employees and sponsors,” said Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. fully sink in, Nanjiani accidentally hits a cyclist with his car. While checking on the slightly injured but otherwise alert biker, their vehicle is commandeered by a police officer who proceeds to chase the cyclist down and run him over. Believing that they will be the prime suspects in this crime — Leilani does not trust that the cops will buy their story as she is black and he is Pakistani with “a murderous beard and murderous brows” — they decide that they will have to solve this mystery themselves despite having no experience whatsoever. Following the clues laid out in the bicyclists’ phone, the two uncover a dark plot that takes them through the underbelly of the wealthiest in New Orleans and puts them into scenes right out of Stanley Kubrick’s bizarre film “Eyes Wide Shut.” The Reel Deal Dedra Cordle Now, with the cops and an entire secret society on their tails, the recently broken up couple have to try to put aside their petty arguments and simmering annoyances in order to save each other’s life. The script, written by Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall, is easily the weakest point of the movie as it struggles to advance and explain an already thin premise: Based on the plot alone, the viewer isn’t excepting much in the way of realism but it didn’t help that the writing team just completely drops any notion of following threads near the end. As stated above, what saves “The Lovebirds” from the script is Nanjiani and Rae, who improvise most of their lines and add subtle expressions of longing and loathing as they portray a couple on the brink. It is their chemistry, skill, talent and personalities that make this movie one to catch on Netflix despite its weak premise and follow through. Grade: B- Dedra Cordle is a <strong>Messenger</strong> staff writer and columnist. Ohio State Fair cancelled What saves “The Lovebirds” from the script is Nanjiani and Rae, who improvise most of their lines and add subtle expressions of longing and loathing as they portray a couple on the brink. “After careful thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Ohio State Fair. Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all Ohioans.” Andy Doehrel, chair Ohio Expositions Commission “I look forward to seeing my fellow Ohioans at the 2021 Ohio State Fair, when it is safer for us to enjoy our favorite traditions together.” Last year, 934,925 people attended the Ohio State Fair during its 12-day run. These attendees came from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Mexico. The Ohio Expositions Commission is focused on developing a strategy to responsibly reopen its year-round facilities when appropriate, and to welcome guests back for the 2021 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 28 through Aug. 8 of next year.
www.columbusmessenger.com <strong>May</strong> 31, <strong>2020</strong> - EASTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5 Congratulations Grads We’d like to extend our sincere Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Class of <strong>2020</strong> We Applaud Your Hard Work and Dedication! Hats off to you, GRADS! . telhio.org Congratulations to the Class of <strong>2020</strong>! Your Home, My Priority. Jessica Lawson-Bethel jessica@revolutionrealty.com 614-905-9681 7520 Hill Road
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