‘Where the Crawdads Sing’: Accused of a murder in a tale as sodden as the marshes in which it’s set
The courtroom proceedings of the Southern-fried “Where the Crawdads Sing” intrigue for a while, but the more flashbacks we get, the more plausibility starts to go out the window.
Tuscan vegetable soup for a late lunch at Toscano
In the conversation about fine Italian in Harvard Square, Toscano is a quiet northern Italian eatery with a lot to recommend it — and too often gets overlooked as too buttoned-down.
Outdoors fare at the Fresh Pond Beer Garden and Ma Magoo’s
Can’t say that I thought it would be a good idea to put a beer garden in a parking lot near commuter rail and the bustle of the Fresh Pond Parkway. But the newly opened Fresh Pond Beer Garden makes for a pleasant urban oasis with food from nearby Ma Magoo’s in addition to its drinks.
Go Fourth with ‘Glory,’ road trip with ‘Pee-wee,’ then see if ‘Marcel,’ ‘Gru’ & Co. are worth a visit
These looks at what’s on screens in the coming week include a selection for this Fourth of July holiday in “Glory”; repertory selections such as “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and more at The Brattle, Harvard Film Archive and Somerville Theatre; and new releases including “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” “The Sea Beast” and “The Princess.”
Old-school classics at Casa Portugal
The interior of his restaurant and the neighborhood it’s ingrained in may have changed, but the classic Portuguese dishes and the quality haven’t.
‘Mad God’ and more cult flicks are at The Brattle; ‘Elvis’ and ‘Official Competition’ begin their runs
These looks at what’s on screens in the coming week include literally giant films at the Somerville Theatre, including “L.A. Confidential” and “Spartacus”; unforgettable weirdness such as “Mad God” and Lynch’s “Lost Highway” at The Brattle; and new works such as “Elvis” and the delicious “Official Competition” reviewed.
‘Hit the Road’: Steering into something big
Panah Panahi cooks up something politically barbed in “Hit the Road,” which begins with a semi-joyous car ride and a becomes a poignant and provocative existential odyssey.
‘The Black Phone’: Its ’70s retro trappings aside, supernatural-tinged thriller might not grab you
The film’s shining asset, aside from the allure of a 1970s setting and devil mask worn by the central boogeyman, is the strong performances by young cast members portraying a brother and sister with a dead mom, scary dad and even scarier kidnapper to tackle.
Egg and cheese sandwiches at the revived Diesel Cafe
Gone is the grungy, ’90s industrial steampunk vibe at Diesel Cafe in Somerville’s Davis Square, replaced by a more spacious and open feel, with inviting, communal spaces. The limited menu (with limited hours) includes a full slate of coffee beverages, bakery good, additions such as an ice cream bar and smoothies, and breakfast fare.
‘Lightyear’: A buzzkill for the ‘Toy Story’ series
Overall it feels a stretch to categorize “Lightyear” as a “Toy Story” entry. The connection’s tangential and the film’s far too plot driven, leaving it not all that emotionally deep.
