Canal Winchester Messenger - December 26th, 2021

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PAGE 4 - MESSENGER - December 26, 2021 www.columbusmessenger.com “Nightmare Alley” is not a tasty cinematic treat Have you ever come across a recipe you were sure you were going to love? While you may have had reservations about the lengthy prep time or the steps therein, you were certain the combination of favored ingredients would be worth the effort, thus creating a new staple on the menu for when you need that thing that hits a particular spot. Have you ever tried the recipe in question, the one that on paper made your salivary glands go all aflutter, and had it taste like complete rubbish through no fault of your own. And while you may later recognize that the “complete rubbish” descriptor may have been too harsh because you liked that sprig of mint or something, the end result was all the same — something that was not what you wanted, not what you needed, nor what you expected. The experience of disappointing food is an awful and universal feeling — my regards to your buds if you just recently tried a new thing and are still exorcizing that palate — and one that can be applied to just about any other thing that intrigues you and ultimately lets you down. For instance, that recipe metaphor is the absolute best way I can think of to relay how I felt upon watching “Nightmare Alley.” “Nightmare Alley” is that recipe in a The Reel Deal magazine or a cookbook that catches your eye. It paints a beautiful and stylish picture of its product (don’t they all?) but what keeps it there are the ingredients promised inside, all of those darker thematic elements you love immersing together for what could Dedra Cordle amount to an unusual and compelling film. But, like that recipe from above, the end result was not something you wanted, needed, or really expected. Instead, what you get is a slow simmering and time consuming mess with just enough panache to make you not completely hate it despite however much you may want to. The film begins with a mysterious flourish: a body carelessly wrapped in sheets being dragged across a dirty, dusty floor. The person doing the dragging is Stanton Carlisle (played by Bradley Cooper), who promptly lights the place on fire, but not before donning a sweet Fedora and lighting a cigarette as he makes his great escape. In the silhouette of this scene, the first of many gorgeous shots peppered throughout the film, Stanton looks like Indiana Jones preparing for one of his grand adventures, but the film makes it clear from the jump that Stanton is no hero. Rather than rushing off into the jungle while on the lam (the film is primarily set in the Midwest circa the 1940’s), Stanton finds the perfect spot in a traveling carnival full of misfits who “pay no mind to what you’ve done in the past.” Initially, Stanton takes a job as a roustabout as they go from town to town but eventually he begins to learn the tricks of the mentalist trade from “seer” Zeena (Toni Collette) and her alcoholic husband Pete (David Strathairn). After an inspired act that saves the carnival from the wrong end of the law (think snake oil preachers who probably bury “stolen” money in their walls) Stanton believes he is “ready for the big time” and asks the sweet natured ingenue Molly Cahill (Rooney Mara) to join him in a twoperson swindling, er, performing act. Two years later, the duo has established roots in New York where they perform shows for the wealthy in hotels. Through a complex system of coded words, they hold the crowd in the palm of their hands as “The Great Stanton” sees all. What he fails to see, or really comprehend however, is just how much his life is going to change when he meets the crafty psychologist Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett) and a rich business owner who wants Stanton to use his “skills” so he can commune with the dead. While director and co-writer Guillermo del Toro has a penchant for using the supernatural in his films, there are no true supernatural elements in “Nightmare Alley.” Instead, his focus is more on the horror the living can inflict on another being, which in my opinion is far scarier than anything else. There are so many things to like, and even love, about this movie: it has a terrific cast who all give great performances, it’s stylish and visually arresting, and it has a punch in the gut ending that makes an impact despite hints along the way that it was bound to happen. But for however hard this film tries to be something new, something different and engaging, there is a disconnect in between how it was presented as a genuine adult thriller and how it comes across, which is maddeningly slow and not at all thrilling. Grade: C Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist. EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 80 E. Markison Ave., Columbus, OH 43207 elclife.org DECEMBER, 2021 SPECIAL WORSHIP AT EMMANUEL Friday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Services 3:00 pm (*and Parking Lot) & 7:00 pm Saturday, Dec. 25 - Christmas Day Services 9:30 am (*and Parking Lot) Friday, Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve Service - 7:00 pm *Denotes services broadcast in parking lot 87.9 FM Messenger South Please visit the South/Canal Winchester Church of your choice. List your Worship Services here. For info. call 614-272-5422 Be a Part of Our Local Worship Guide Our Worship Guide is geared toward celebrating faith and helping readers connect with religious resources in our community. Make sure these readers know how you can help with a presence in this very special section distributed to more than 19,000 households in the South area. Contact us today to secure your spot in our Worship Guide. 614.272.5422 • kathy@columbusmessenger.com GO GREEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Make a difference by taking small steps to reduce waste and recycle right over the holidays. DONATE DECORATIONS AND LIGHTS Instead of pitching unwanted decorations or lights, donate them to a local non-profit like Goodwill. RECYCLE RIGHT Break down cardboard boxes and keep recyclables loose in the curbside recycling cart. REDUCE FOOD WASTE Save money and landfill space by only buying food you need, and find creative ways to use leftovers! It’s easy to have a green holiday. Get more tips at SWACO.org!
www.columbusmessenger.com Long time trustee retires By Linda Dillman Staff Writer The end of the year also closes the books on a long history of public service and public by Ed Dildine as he prepares for his last meeting as a Madison Township trustee on Dec. 28. Dildine started as a Madison Township firefighter in May 1979, where he worked until his retirement in 2009. He later ran for trustee and was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2010 and served the township for a combined total of 43 years. Dildine said he became a firefighter to help people and was happy to continue to do that as a trustee. A 1967 graduate of Groveport Madison High School, Dildine was honored for his 12 years as an elected official during the Dec. 14 Madison Township trustees’ meeting when he was presented an encased flag from Trustee Chairman John Pritchard, a flag that was flown over each township building. “When he came on the board, I was still a trustee,” reported Madison Township Administrator Susan Brobst. “You’ve been extremely supportive and have a lot of insight.” Local Firefighters Union 2507 President Rashid Taylor said he had worked alongside Dildine as a firefighter in addition to collaborating with him as a trustee. “His job and passion were not to be a firefighter and trustee, but to make a difference in other peoples’ lives,” said Taylor before telling Dildine he has the appreciation of the union for all he has done for township firefighters. Other Madison Township news •The trustees approved moving their regular meeting dates in 2022 to the third Thursday of each month. However, the annual organizational meeting will take place on Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. •As announced in November, the township’s gas aggregation contract with Columbia Gas has expired and all residents enrolled in the program were returned to Messenger photo by Linda Dillman Sworn in as a Madison Township trustee in 2010, Ed Dildine (right) attended one of his last regular meetings as a trustee on Dec. 14 and was presented a flag by Trustee Chairman John Pritchard that was flown over the township offices. the gas company’s standard pricing default. “We did not renew…because rates were so high there was no savings for residents,” said Brobst. According to communications specialist Jessica Woodworth, the township does anticipate another aggregation contract in the future, although an exact date is not known. Consultant Trebel LLC is watching gas rates continuously and will secure a contracted rate when prices drop. “This will allow Treble to shop for us,” said Brobst, regarding a resolution giving permission to the company to pursue lower gas and electric rates and to secure those rates with the approval of the trustees. •The trustees authorized Brobst to submit a grant application for state capital funds to improve drainage at Brobst Park. “We continue to have more and more issues with flooding at the park,” said Brobst. “Last week, due to a lot of rain, we had to close the park early.” Dog license extension Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano announced that the 2022 dog license renewal period has been extended by two months from Jan. 31 to March 31 in an effort to increase the level of licensing in the county. The extension will only apply to the 2022 dog license renewal period beginning Dec. 1, 2021 and ending March 31, 2022. The auditor’s office will continue to expand the opportunities for dog owners to purchase licenses, including through the auditor’s mobile office, the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center, and at various community events. Dog licensing ensures that a dog has been vaccinated against rabies, which is required in Franklin County. It also ensures any lost dog is returned quickly to their owner. License fees help support the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center. One-year, three-year and permanent dog licenses can be purchased without penalty beginning Dec. 1. Licenses can be purchased online at doglicense.franklincountyohio.gov, or at the auditor’s office license counter, 373 S. High St., 21st floor in downtown Columbus. The counter is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. School Help Centers The Columbus Metropolitan Library’s School Help Centers offer K-12 students after-school help, plus 24/7 access to free tools and resources. Students can get connected with virtual tutors for one-on-one help Monday through Friday from 2-11 p.m. using HelpNow. Masks are required to visit School Help Centers. Hours vary by library location. Visit columbuslibrary.org/schoolhelp for information. eastside Messenger (Distribution: 6,500) Rick Palsgrove........................Canal Winchester Editor eastside@ columbusmessenger.com Published every other Sunday by The Columbus Messenger Co. 3500 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43204-1887 (614) 272-5422 GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE www.sudslingers.com December 26,2021 - MESSENGER - PAGE 5 Special Olympics The mission of Special Olympics Ohio and its Groveport and Canal Winchester Special Olympics chapter is to provide year round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for intellectually disabled individuals. For information contact Penny and Cassandra Hilty at groveportspecialolympics@gmail.com or at (614) 395-8992 or 395-6640. Donations may be sent to Groveport Special Olympics, P.O. Box 296, Groveport, OH 43125. Keep tabs on the news in Canal Winchester Look for CW Messenger on Become a fan! We Have Moved! Now Located At Rutherford Auto Body 601 Commerce Drive Pickerington, Ohio Same Owners • Same Quality Call us at 614 837 0902 and mention Columbus Messenger for 10% OFF
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Canal Winchester Messenger - December 26th, 2021

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