Page 6 October 4, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Entertainment
Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler
and Illustrated by Will Terry
At the Old Haunted House by Helen
Ketterman and Illustrated by Nate Wragg
Reviewed by Katrena Woodson,
Teen and Young Reader Librarian,
El Segundo Public Library
This week’s book review focuses on some
of my favorite Halloween picture books. First
up is Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler
and illustrated by Will Terry. This delightful
picture book tells the tale of mother and
daughter witches who have brewed up a
yummy stew full of deliciously disgusting
ingredients. Little Witch wants nothing more
than to invite all of her friends over for dinner,
However, there is a miscommunication
leading Skeleton to believe that Little Witch
wants to have him for dinner and not over
for dinner. In the end everything is sorted out
and Ghoul, Ghost, Skeleton and the Witches
all gather for satisfying bowls of stew as they
have a good laugh over the misunderstanding.
The illustrations are beautiful, bold and just
plain adorable! This is a delicious tale full of
familiar and friendly Halloween characters
catering especially to children ages 3 to 6.
The second Halloween picture book is At
the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketterman
and illustrated by Nate Wragg. This is a
Halloween rhyming and counting book that
follows the rhythms of “Over in the Meadow.”
This book is perfect for being read aloud!
The illustrations are digital and have a very
cartoony feel that add a level of goofy appeal
to this (not-so) spooky tale. The story
opens with a girl and two boys heading off
to go trick-or-treating on Halloween and
approaching an “old haunted house” that
has all sorts of “scary” creatures inside. We
see witches casting spells, goblins dusting
and mummies mixing -- and it all seems a
little odd until the three children are invited
Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler.
in for a party complete with stew and cake.
The children join the Halloween creatures
and have a howling good time. This book’s
catchy rhyme will have kids wanting to join
in as the counting continues. This book is
an excellent choice for young readers ages
4 to 6 and will be perfect for any little ones
looking to get into the Halloween spirit!
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 Skeleton for
Dinner by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by
Will Terry and At the Old Haunted House
by Helen Ketterman and illustrated by Nate
Wragg, or any other title on your to-read
list, please visit the library to apply for your
library card, or please contact the reference
staff for further assistance. •
Check It Out
At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketterman.
Katrena Woodson.
Film Review
Robert Redford’s Phenomenal Final
Role in The Old Man & The Gun
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
In the latest film from director David
Lowery, The Old Man & The Gun is a highenergy,
high-stakes crime comedy about a
senior citizen with a criminal record and a
heart of gold. Entertaining from start to finish,
the most fascinating aspect of this unbelievably
bonkers story is that it’s (mostly) true.
In his final acting role, the charming
Robert Redford plays Forrest Tucker -- an
American career criminal who spent his
whole life getting thrown into and breaking
out of prison: 18 times to be exact. When
we meet him, he had already escaped from
California’s San Quentin State Prison via
a handmade kayak and was knee-deep in
completing a sling of successful bank
robberies. At 70 years old, he, along with
his two aging accomplices Waller (Tom
Waits) and Teddy (Danny Glover), is the
perfect criminal. It’s not only because he
looks totally incapable of making off with
thousands of dollars at gunpoint and therefore
has been overlooked by police for years, but
also because he is just so gosh-darn nice to
his victims.
His niceness also wins over the heart of
Jewel (Sissy Spacek), a woman he meets
while dodging the boys in blue. Forrest
proves that he can be both a gentleman and
a robber, and this paradox makes for such an
enjoyable character arc as he is faced with
the highs and lows of his unconventional
profession. One person who isn’t so amused
with his antics is Officer John Hunt (Casey
Affleck), a 40-year-old family man who finds
himself two steps behind the senior citizen
criminals, whom he has dubbed the “Over
the Hill” gang. Despite Forrest being the
“bad guy” (technically speaking), I found
myself rooting for his success. In a twisted
way, it seems as if Hunt wants Forrest to
succeed as well.
Lowery is a master of incorporating poignant
musical artists in his films. In 2017’s A
Ghost Story, he used the L.A.-based indie
band Dark Rooms to bring the moodiness and
mystic with their song “I Get Overwhelmed”
(which has since become of one my
favorite emo anthems). The Pete’s Dragon
soundtrack includes an eclectic group of
artists, mixing in Leonard Cohen, St. Vincent
and The Lumineers. In The Old Man & The
Gun, Lowery continues this fantastic merging
of mediums by using an unexpectedly
fitting uptempo jazz score throughout the
film. What really knocks it out of the park
is the use of Jackson C. Frank’s “Blues Run
the Game” during a final chase montage. The
crackling of the vinyl and the smoothness
of Frank’s voice is the perfect complement
to Tucker’s aesthetic and one of the film’s
more memorable moments.
Lowery has created a brilliantly entertaining
and rich film with The Old Man & The Gun.
From start to finish, Redford captivates with
his charming personality and confidence. It
is also refreshing to see a love story unfold
between Forrest and Jewel. That initial spark
that ignites when you realize you’ve met “the
one” is usually only seen between younger
characters, but Lowery gives the older generation
another chance to experience this
delicate part of life, proving you’re never
too old for love… and money.
The Old Man & The Gun is rated PG-13
for brief strong language. 93 minutes. Opening
this Friday at ArcLight Hollywood and
the Landmark. •
Courtesy of Fox Searchlight.
Morgan Rojas.
“The technology available for
film-making now is incredible,
but I am a big believer that
it’s all in the story.”
– Robert Redford
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