Page 6 July 14, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD El Segundo Library Staff Book Reviews and Recommendations Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal, tells the reuniting story of a mother who abandoned her daughter as an infant and finds her way back to her now as an adult and renowned chef through Stradal’s delicious stories and descriptions of food and wine. Eva Thorvald, a young food prodigy, never really knew her chef father and sommelier mother, but grows up with extraordinary kitchen skills for a young child, including growing hydroponic chocolate peppers in her closet in elementary school, landing an internship with the town’s nicest restaurant during high school and working as a sous chef in her early 20s to help cover medical bills of her adoptive father. Inspired by the flavors of her childhood in Minnesota, Eva’s unique choice of ingredients include Scandinavian lutefisk and hydroponic habaneros. Chapters told from different characters’ points of view are titled to tempt readers’ taste buds, including Chocolate Habanero and Sweet Pepper Jelly, as they reflect food dishes that play an important part in Eva Thorvald’s story and also highlight recipes from the author’s family history, inspiring readers to recall recipes of their own family’s heritage and traditions. As Eva’s story unfolds, she is faced with many challenges, but stays strong and focused on her passion, paving the way to her success in running a pop-up supper club. J. Ryan Stradal offers his readers a feast for the senses in this debut novel. Kitchens of the Great Midwest is the upcoming title of September’s Evening Book Club that will meet at the El Segundo Public Library on Wednesday, September 28, 6:30 p.m. Author, J. Ryan Stradal, will join us as guest moderator for our book discussion. The El Segundo Public Library offers access to its collection of titles in a variety of formats, including traditional hardback, e-books and books on CD. To check out Kitchens of the Great Midwest, or any other title on your to-read list, please visit the library to apply for your free library card, or please contact the reference staff for further assistance. Reviewed by Julie Todd, Adult Services Manager, El Segundo Public Library. • Film Review Comic Gem out of New Zealand ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ Bursts with Laughs By Ryan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com Coming off of his 2014 little seen but wellreceived New Zealand vampire mockumentary “What We Do in the Shadows,” writer/director Taika Waititi fleshes out his cheeky brand of deadpan humor in his follow-up comedy “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” This fun adventure story bursts with laughs, surprisingly heartfelt pathos, and can be considered his all-around best movie yet. Waititi previously hit the nail – or rather, coffin – on the head in “Shadows” (starring the dryly hilarious Jemaine Clement) by making audiences laugh throughout the whole movie, not sparing any joke that could perfectly punch up a moment. It is clear Waititi is skilled and gifted in his comedic sensibilities. It’s this strength of his that shines through in his movies, including “Wilderpeople,” which shows his instincts as a comedian who understands how to craft a deadpan comedy that not only makes a movie move from beat to beat and joke to joke, but presents a heartfelt story as well. If it’s Waititi’s comedic style that makes “Wilderpeople” a gem, it’s to the credit of the movie’s cast who brings that comedy to life, their characters being both ridiculously funny and yet so rich in heart and empathy, giving substance to an otherwise quirky and off-beat indie film. Our main character is Ricky, played by relative newcomer Julian Dennison in a breakout role. He anchors the movie not only with his weighty figure, but also with his cheeky one-liners and wannabe gangster rap attitude, a front that clearly reveals his reluctant wish for love, being that he is a foster care child. If his comically-anarchic swagger has upset other families, his new adoptive mother Bella (Rima Te Wiata) would love him just the same, allowing him to run away from home whenever he wants (just as long as he’s back for breakfast). Certainly, the Child Services lady Paula (Rachel House) is happy to be rid of Ricky as she covers up that his past is full of punching stuff, kicking stuff, burning stuff and stealing stuff. A watchful eye is also had by his weary “Uncle” Hec (Same Neill). Without giving much else away, the movie turns into an unexpected adventure movie with Ricky and Hec finding themselves in the situation of being on the run from the authorities (and a hilariously diligent Paula), leaving the boy and his reluctant guardian to survive in the New Zealand forest with all of the dangers and enemies that wish to hunt them down. The comedy comes a milea minute, balancing from light chuckles to hearty gut-laughs, yet is built on a foundation of love and acceptance, as Ricky and Hec both change and grow in spirit from the beginning to the end. At a time when comedies in the U.S. range from the Hard-R genre a la “The Hangover” and “Trainwreck,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is a much-welcomed movie to watch with family and friends. It’s certainly a film that will intrigue audiences to watch Waititi’s previous movies, as well as anticipate his next big-screen outing (the sizably bigger “Thor: Ragnarok”), proving that Waititi has become a director that we should join on any adventure. “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” is rated PG- 13 for thematic elements including violent content, and for some language. 101 min. Now playing in select theaters. • Check It Out Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal Julian Dennison, as Ricky, and Sam Neill, as Hec, in “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” Courtesy of The Orchard. Police Reports from page 3 Street. An iPhone was found. Identity theft report was taken at 1419 hours from the 500 block of Sierra Place. Injury report was taken at 1510 hours from the 100 block of Illinois Street. Hit and run occurred at 1307 hours in the 1900 block of East Maple Avenue, vehicle versus vehicle. A found property report was taken at 1803 hours from the 1900 block of East El Segundo Boulevard. Friday, July 8, 2016 Burglary (commercial) occurred between 07/07/16 and 07/08/16 in the 2200 block of East Mariposa Avenue. Miscellaneous tools were stolen. A forgery report was taken at 1116 hours from the 1900 block of East Mariposa Avenue. Annoying/threatening phone call report was taken at 1426 hours from the 200 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard. One female adult was arrested at 1838 hours from the 1900 block of East Mariposa Avenue for Identity theft and fraudulent use of an access card. Saturday, July 9, 2016 One male adult was arrested at 0133 hours from the 400 block of East Oak Avenue for plain drunk in public. Online petty theft report was taken at 1533 hours on 07/08/16 from the 700 block of West Imperial Avenue. A bicycle was stolen. Sunday, July 10, 2016 Grand theft (auto) report was taken at 0145 hours from the 1000 block of East Imperial Avenue. Taken was a 1999 Chevrolet Astro van. A forgery report was taken at 0428 hours from the 900 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard. A misdemeanor hit and run report was taken at 1015 hours from the 700 block of West Pine Avenue, vehicle versus vehicle. Burglary (residential) report was taken at 1050 hours from the 700 block of West Sycamore Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) gained entry into the victim’s residence by prying open the garage. Petty theft report was taken at 1634 hours from 124th Street and Aviation Boulevard. Unknown suspect(s) stole copper wire from a construction site. A recovered stolen vehicle report was taken at 1635 hours from Marine Avenue and Aviation Boulevard. Recovered was a 2003 Jeep Cherokee stolen out of Redondo Beach PD on 07/08/16. One male adult was arrested at 1821 hours from the 400 block of West Maple Avenue for domestic violence. Burglary (residential) report was taken at 1919 hours from the 500 block of Hillcrest Street. Unknown suspect(s) gained entry into the victim’s residence by prying the back screen door. A vandalism report was taken at 2146 hours from the 400 block if Sheldon Street. Victim’s vehicle back window was shattered by unknown suspect(s). • Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal. Julie Todd.
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