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“Buffalo Soup” Makes The World Better

A group of University at Buffalo students has embarked upon a fun, effective, and noteworthy community-based project that infuses wholesome bowls of chicken noodle soup together with a whole lot of goodwill. Not since Sugar City hosted their Sunday Soup Grant and Potluck series has anything along these lines been orchestrated in Buffalo, to the best of my knowledge.

The UB students (in the Philosophy, Politics and Economics program) have taken a chapter out of an intriguing social experiment that was first launched in Detroit, Michigan. The crowdsourcing concept is based on the idea that soup not only soothes the soul, it can actually bring people together to affect positive change.

It was Jessica Kruger, PhD, UB clinical associate professor of community health and health behavior in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, that first brought the proposal of “Buffalo Soup” to instructor – David Gray, PhD, associate teaching professor of philosophy – who then passed along the notion of the event to his students. Kruger had come across a spin-off platform when she was based in Toledo, Ohio, where she attended several events.

The way that the Buffalo Soup event works is that attendees pay for a bowl of chicken noodle soup ($5, $10, or $25) that comes with garlic butter toasted crostini. The profits raised from the purchases of the meals are then earmarked as a $1,000 microgrant, to be passed on to a worthy non-profit.

On May 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Thin Man Brewery (492 Elmwood Avenue), four non-profits will vie for the $1000 microgrant. They will do this by delivering five-minute presentations that will paint a picture of their organization and how it benefits people in the community. After the presentations, followed by questions from the audience, a vote will take place. The audience will ultimately determine which organization will benefit from the crowdsourced funds.

Participating non-profits for Buffalo Soup are:

Project Mona’s House

The Lavender Room

Read It and Eat

UB Chapter of Food Recovery Network

“The purpose of this class is to have students synthesize what they have learned about philosophy, political science and economics throughout the program, while applying it all to achieve concrete social improvement,” says Gray, PhD, associate teaching professor of philosophy, who challenged three distinct teams* to make the world better. “Team Buffalo Soup responded to the challenge by planning this event, and hopefully starting what becomes a tradition in Buffalo of such events being held every year.”

“This is a fun way to help out and give back to the community that brings together organizations and groups across Buffalo in ways that help thinkers, dreamers and do-ers in our area get the funds they need to make a difference,” says Annabella Bogart, a senior law and psychology double major with a PPE minor, who is among the student organizers. “It’s an honor to work with faculty and fellow students in ways that give back to the community.”

“I’m so excited the students are taking this on,” says Kruger. “These students took the reins on a project that in other cities required the infrastructure of an entire organization and staff to make it happen. It’s a huge lift that they’re completing over the course of the semester.”

“I’m really proud of all of these students,” adds Gray. “They are getting out there and trying to have a positive impact on Buffalo.

“I can’t wait to see what happens.”

While Buffalo Soup has an integral community participation aspect, the other two teams are more reliant upon their own team members to fulfill the missions at hand.

Team Traffic Cones is collecting items that will populate a reading room in the women’s shelter at the Buffalo City Mission.

Gift of Thrift is collecting lightly used items from students’ dorms, such as clothing and appliances, which will serve as the inventory for a pop-up, with proceeds from item sales going to charity.

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Done Deal: Highmark Moving to Seneca One

The rumor circulating for the past week about Seneca One tower filling its top five floors are true.  Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York is relocating from its current offices on W. Genesee Street to the downtown tower. The insurer decided to move and downsize after determining that hybrid work is here to stay.

The 10-year lease will see Highmark take nearly 100,000 sq.ft. of space on the 34th through 38th floors, about 80 percent less than the space in the eight-story 257 W. Genesee location. While Highmark currently leases the entire 473,000 sq.ft. building, the insurer has been only using three of the floors since most of its workers have been working remotely.  Several other tenants have subleased space in the building from Highmark including Invest Buffalo Niagara and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

The W. Genesee Street building was developed by Ohio- based Duke Realty and opened in 2007. Current-owner, Arizona-based Orion Office REIT, will have a nearly empty building to repurpose or refill starting next April when Highmark relocates.

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An Art Show that is the Result of Scientific Research

The University at Buffalo Graduate School is proud to announce the Art of Research, a new competition that celebrates the extraordinary research of University at Buffalo graduate students and postdoctoral scholars by showcasing original images highlighting the inherent beauty in research, scholarship and creative activity. 

The Art of Research is a testament to the power of collaboration between art and research and the incredible research taking place at the University at Buffalo. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars were asked to submit an original image that included anything produced in the course of performing research, along with a title/caption and short description. 

“We were amazed by the stunning quality of the images we received depicting extraordinary graduate research here at UB through a unique lens,” says Graham Hammill, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School. “Not only were submissions judged on their creativity and aesthetic appeal but on how well their caption conveyed their research using non-technical language, a valuable skill for any researcher to have. “

Out of 186 submissions, 29 were selected as finalists and will have their work displayed at a celebratory event on tonight, from 6-8 p.m. at the Buffalo Museum of Science. This event will feature various disciplines and artistic mediums, including photographs, digital art, sound renderings, satellite imagery, 3D renderings, and more. Each piece is a unique and captivating representation of the research, providing viewers with an engaging and thought-provoking experience. 

“By showcasing the work being done here at UB, we can spark innovation and unlock creativity for all researchers,” says Graham. In addition to learning more about the incredible research taking place, attendees can vote for their favorite image to determine the winner of the People’s Choice award during the event. There will be a total of 10 winners announced during the event.

Today 225 high school students from the Buffalo Public Schools will take a field trip to the museum to explore the Art of Research display and the museum’s Reinventing Reality traveling exhibit. UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships coordinated the excursion to introduce high school students to the exciting research happening at UB.

Student volunteers from the departments of Microbiology and Biochemistry in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will work with students to extract their DNA using Bio-Rad’s Genes in a Bottle. Students will extract genomic DNA from their cheek cells, then precipitate and bottle it in a helix-shaped necklace. The kits were gifted as part of the company’s Science Ambassador Program to introduce third- through 12th-grade students to science.

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2023 WNY Hiking Challenge

Hiking can be challenging. But’s what’s life without some challenges? As for hiking, it is also rewarding. And what better place than WNY to experience some of nature’s most exhilarating and rewarding hikes?

This past Sunday, I headed to the Niagara Gorge with some friends, and I must say that it was one of the best outdoor adventures that I have had in a long time. I was lucky enough to have a trusty guide, who was a lot more familiar with the Gorge than I was. The trek was so amazing that I am now committed to hiking every Sunday for the foreseeable future.

For people that are looking for similar adventures, but are in need of a motivational push, they might consider taking part in The WNY Hiking Challenge.

“This year’s challenge features 32 trails plus 2 bonus trails,” said organizer Mike Radomski – Outside Chronicles. “The Challenge is designed for all hiking levels from beginner to expert. It will take you to places in WNY that you never knew existed. Not only does it get people outside into nature, it raises money for some great organizations.  We also added a new stewardship component this year that has participants engaging in tasks that will improve the trails and leave them better than we found them.”

This Challenge helps people to get outside, while having fun and exercising. And now that the weather is more conducive to hiking, there is no better way to interact with the great outdoors.

“The WNY Hiking Challenge was designed to get people outside and benefit from all of the positives of being in nature,” Radomski pointed out. “Many hikers have seen the benefits of being outside; several have used the hiking challenge to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.  Others have used the challenge to reconnect with friends and family members.  And others have used it to get into better shape.  There are a couple of individuals that have used hiking to lose significant amounts of weight.  One individual even used the challenge as a motivation to beat cancer.”

To date, the organization has raised over $263,000 for local conservation and environmental organizations. That’s an impressive number, which is an even bigger motivator for people to join in the hiking exercise.

To learn more and/or participate, this year’s Challenge is found at outsidechronicles.com/summer.

^ Photos courtesy Mike Radomski

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Campaign financials for the Buffalo Council and Erie County Legislature; Comptroller’s audit of the Williamsville Central School District

Primary Day in Buffalo and Erie County offers some interesting contests.  The Common Council primaries might produce a shift in control of that legislative body.  The County Legislature primaries are in just one district; they are simply a power struggle between the Republicans and Conservatives.

Subject to Board of Elections or court actions, there could be six primaries for the Council seats in June.  Only the Delaware District (Councilmember Joel Feroleto); the Niagara District (Councilmember David Rivera); and the South District (Councilmember Christopher Scanlon) have no primaries and no Republican candidates, meaning that those three members are effectively re-elected.

All of the Council primaries are in the Democratic Party.

The other six Council contests could upend the Council.  President Darius Pridgen, who has represented the Ellicott District, is retiring so there will be new leadership.  Depending on their inclination to form a coalition, if a new majority develops it could also impact the administration’s work.  The Council in recent years has been very cooperative with Mayor Byron Brown.

Efforts to change Council membership failed in 2019, in large part because several candidates had problems navigating Election Law requirements for getting on the ballot.  That seems unlikely to re-occur in 2023.

Local races like the Council seats usually demand a great deal of organizational skills plus a candidate who is willing to pound the pavement themselves and can recruit a large number of supporters who will add to the effort.  How much money a committee has is a little less important than in a congressional or state legislative race, but cash in a campaign’s treasury is some indicator of how ready the candidate and his or her team are for the election push.

The most recent financial reports filed with the state Board of Elections were submitted in mid-January.  For primary contestants their next reports are due on May 26.  Candidates new to the process would not have filed reports in January, so we must wait until next month to see how they are doing.  Here is a summary of campaign financials for those who filed in January, which were with one exception on time; as well as the numbers in the three districts where there are no contests.  All of the candidates are Democrats:

Delaware District

Joel Feroleto (incumbent) $70,259

Ellicott District

Matt Dearing – no report filed

Emin Eddie Egriu – no report filed

Leah Halton-Pope – no report filed

Cedric Holloway – no report filed

Fillmore District

Sam Herbert – no report filed

Mitch Nowakowski (incumbent) $40,509

Lovejoy District

Bryan Bollman (incumbent) $10,813

Mohammed Uddin – no report filed

Masten District

Zeneta Everhart – no report filed

Murray Holman – no report filed

India Walton – Friends of India Walton filed their July 2022 report on November 2, 2022, showing $4,786.  The Committee failed to filed the required report in January 2023.

Niagara District

David Rivera (incumbent) negative $509

North District

Joe Golombek (incumbent) $50,913

Eve Shippens $7,450

Lisa Thagard – no report filed

South District

Christopher Scanlon (incumbent) $72,102

University District

Rasheed Wyatt (incumbent) $16,346

Kathryn Franco $517

Feroleto, Nowakowski, Golombek, and Scanlan’s numbers are impressive, particularly for Feroleto and Scanlan who don’t have upcoming primaries.  One might speculate that they are thinking about a run for another office that might require a large campaign chest.

Also noteworthy are the petitions filings by Republicans for two Council seats, a pretty rare development.  David McElroy has filed in the Lovejoy District and Matthew Powenski is a candidate in the North District.  Neither has campaign filings up yet.

There will only be one district with a primary for a seat on the Erie County Legislature, the 10th District.  There will be Republican and Conservative primaries including appointed incumbent James Malczewski and challenger Lindsay Lorigo.  In January Malczewski had $488 in the bank.  Lorigo had not set up her committee as yet.  Look for heavy spending in this election.

The campaign treasuries of legislators or candidates in other districts include:

1st District

Howard Johnson (D, incumbent) $22,792

2nd District

April McCants-Baskin (D, incumbent) $60,232

3rd District

Michael Kooshoian (D, recently appointed incumbent) $50

Stephan Monpremier (R) – no report filed

4th District

John Bargnesi (D, incumbent) $522

Scott Marciszewski – no report filed

5th District

Jeanne Vinal (D, incumbent) $9,012

Richard Wilkinson (R) – no report filed

6th District

Christopher Greene (R, incumbent) $9,687

Ronald Shubert (D) – no report filed

7th District

Timothy Meyers (D, incumbent) – January report filed as “no activity”

Michael Zachowicz (R) – no report filed

8th District

Frank Todaro (R, incumbent) $15,203

9th District

John Gilmour (D, incumbent) $1,278

James Butera (R) – no report filed

11th District

John Mills (R, incumbent) $2,524

The primary election is on June 27th, just nine weeks away.  At this point it’s not a marathon, it’s a sprint to the finish line.

Williamsville School District finances

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli last week released an audit of the Williamsville Central School District’s finances for the period July 2018 through July 2022.  Williamsville is second only to Buffalo in student enrollment in Erie County.   

Here are the Key Findings of the audit:

The Board and District officials did not properly manage the District’s fund balance and reserves. As a result, the District levied more taxes than needed to fund operations. The Board and District officials:

Consistently overestimated general fund appropriations from 2018-19 through 2021- 22 by a total of $47 million and appropriated $22 million of fund balance that was not needed or used.

Adopted annual budgets during the same period that gave the impression that the District would have operating deficits totaling $38 million when it actually had operating surpluses totaling $40 million, for a difference totaling $78 million.

Were not fully transparent with the public regarding the funding and replenishment of all reserves.

District officials generally disagreed with our findings but indicated that they planned to initiate corrective action.

The Comptroller’s Office notes that their Office “issued an audit report in December 2016 (Williamsville Central School District – Financial Management (2016M-274)) that identified similar financial deficiencies.”

The full audit, including the District’s detailed response, can be found here.

Ken Kruly writes about politics and other stuff at politicsandstuff.com

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Buffalo Tango Weekend

April 27 – 30, 2023

It might take two to tango, but it takes orchestration from instructor Travis Widrick to get more people dancing in Buffalo. Widrick remains headstrong in his conviction to teach as many people the art of tango dancing as humanly possible. It’s the reason that he has dreamed up the Buffalo Tango Weekend – a series of tango related exercises and events that will see throngs of dance enthusiasts twisting, turning, and two or three part stepping their way across a number of dance floors in WNY.

“The Argentine Tango is an amazing dance for everyone of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy,” said Widrick. “Dancing the Tango is a fun way to build connection with others through dance, express yourself though learned movement and also, you become a part of a warm and welcoming community. You will also learn a greater sense of body awareness and creativity. All of this is inspired by the unique Golden Age tango music from Buenos Aires, Argentina.”

Throughout the weekend, participants will be able to engage in workshops, dance lessons, talks, and plenty of opportunities to dance.

Buffalo Tango Weekend is set to take place from April 27 to April 30, 2023.

To dance the tango in Buffalo, visit www.buffalotango.com.

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The Freeloaders heading to National Finals of American Rocketry Challenge

Curious fans of rockets and the exploration of space, are the perfect candidates to participate in the annual American Rocketry Challenge. To date, nearly 90,000 middle and high school students have participated in the Challenge since it initially launched 21 years ago.

The 2023 Challenge, to be held on May 20 in Manasses, VA., will see 100 teams compete in the National Finals, as they seek ultimate recognition as National Champion.

In order to reach the finals, upwards of 800 teams competed for the top honors. 4,500 students from 45 states were tasked with designing, building, and launching model rockets that would successfully:

Carry one large hen egg to an altitude of 850 feet

Stay airborne for between 42 and 45 seconds

Return the rocket to the ground safely

As if that was tough enough, the students were also instructed to build a rocket that would separate into two parts after apogee—one section of the rocket must contain the egg and altimeter, and the second the rocket motor(s)—and both parts must land with their own parachutes.

In WNY, one team met the stipulations of the American Rocketry Challenge, which is sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association, the National Association of Rocketry, and more than 20 industry partners. The team – The Freeloaders – from East Aurora Union Free School District, will soon be heading to Manasses to compete in the National Finals.

Ultimately, the crowning champion of the Challenge will be awarded an all-expense paid trip to the International Rocketry Challenge at the Paris Air Show in June, where teams will be competing for $100,000 in prizes. Plus, the top 25 teams will be invited to NASA’s Student Launch workshop.

It is interesting to note that one of the past Challenge champions is Warren “Woody” Hoburg, who made the National Finals of the American Rocketry Challenge in 2002. This past March, Hoburg was the pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station. Hoburg (and his esteemed voyage) is yet another captivating reason that so many young students are inspired to work towards achieving their goals in the field of rocketry.

“For the last 21 years, the American Rocketry Challenge has inspired and cultivated thousands of scientists, engineers, and business leaders working on today’s most dynamic aerospace missions,” said Eric Fanning, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). “When 100 teams compete for the title of National Champion in May, it is fitting that a Challenge alumnus will be circling above them as an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. I can’t wait to see which team’s ingenuity and critical thinking will help them earn the title of National Champion!”


The Freeloaders team is made up of five sophomores at East Aurora Union Free School District: Evan Saczuk, Ian Waite, Greg Wilber, Jacob Holko, and Elliot Marshall

In Buffalo, we will be rooting for The Freeloaders – a team that has previously made the National Finals – to realize their dreams, while capturing the imaginations of countless rocketeers.

To follow and support the team on the road to the National Finals, use the official hashtag #rocketchallenge. For more information about the contest, visit www.rocketcontest.org.

You can also view the top 100 teams here: rocketcontest.org/result/2023-finalists

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Gallery Josephine @ The Show

Resource:Art (R:A) is constantly pushing the boundaries of art, as it continues to explore new opportunities for artists and host venues. Founded by Buffalo-based gallerists Elisabeth Samuels and Emily Tucker in 2014, R:A’s cultural footprint can be found throughout WNY. Now, their latest adventure takes them to South Buffalo, where they will be setting up shop at Shea’s Seneca.

Founded in 2014 and led by gallerist duo Elisabeth Samuels and Emily Tucker, Buffalo-based Resource:Art has provided fine art consulting services with the mission of increasing local artists’ visibility.*

Similar to prior undertakings, where Samuels and Tucker quite literally took the show on the road, the pair have found a new home away from home at… The Show – the event center at Shea’s Seneca. It is there that they will participate in curating and exhibiting rotating works of art at the new gallery space, which is being called Gallery Josephine in honor of the wife of the famed former theater’s creator Michael Shea.

“Much like our gallery project Raft of Sanity on Buffalo’s West Side we feel especially excited to be part of a neighborhood on the rise,” said Tucker, who is co-founder of R:A, a fine art consulting firm.

Samuels and Tucker recognized the creative possibilities when they were approached by the founders of The Show at Shea’s Seneca with the opportunity to coordinate dynamic displays in the recently restored historic space.*

Gallery Josephine joins a number of other esteemed enterprises at Shea’s Seneca, including Public Espresso, Bottle Rocket Beer, and Cookies and Cream. This latest infusion of fine art will go a long way towards helping to establish the venue as a culturally-significant artistic mecca in South Buffalo.

The grand opening of Gallery Josephine will be held on Thursday April 27 from 6:00–8:00 pm and is open to the public. Visitors will have a chance to view gorgeous renovations to the space along with the gallery’s inaugural exhibition all while enjoying refreshments and a cash bar. 

Shea’s Seneca is located at 2188 Seneca Street. You can visit Gallery Josephine on Facebook.

*Contributions by Emma Hartman | Photos courtesy R:A

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5,260 SF CBW Planned for Elmwood

Elmwood’s beer scene is about to get a whole lot better… and bigger. Community Beer Works (CBW) has announced that it will be opening a 5,260 SF brewery at 976 Elmwood Avenue. This is not only exciting news for beer lovers, it’s also welcome news for people that have been rooting for the $25 million Douglas Development project.

The announcement of the brewery’s opening is in tandem with CBW’s 11 year anniversary. To that end, industry veteran Tim Czarnetzki has been hired as CBW’s Director of Operations, to ensure that the Elmwood brewery is as successful as its 13,000 SF brewery and taproom at 520 Seventh Street. Prior to coming onboard at CBW, Czarnetzki co-founded both Urban Family Brewing Co in Seattle, Washington, and Foreign Objects Beer Co in Monroe, NY. 

CBW was founded with a mission to celebrate and revitalize Western New York’s local beer-brewing culture.

“Over the last 11 years, Community Beer Works has worked towards fostering a sense of togetherness and place that brings people together through the love of good beer. By opening a second location, we can extend this mission to even more people,” said Community Beer Works President & Co-Founder Chris Smith. “Cheers to everyone who has made this milestone accomplishment possible and to seeing everyone soon at our new location!”

“Tim brings a new level of energy to the Community Beer Works team. Through his proven expertise and trusted leadership skills, Tim is poised to help Community Beer Works expand its operations, advancing our business to the next level,” continued Smith. 

Since the first beer was poured, the company has brewed more than 300 types of beers.

CBW’s new 5,260 SF location in the Elmwood Village will feature beer and food pairings, as well as to-go options. Once open in the fall of 2023, the new brewery will become another anchor establishment and attraction for the street, which is experiencing a wave of exciting developments, including the (coming soon) Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

For more information, upcoming beer releases and taproom hours, visit CommunityBeerWorks.com

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Five Cent Cine: The Whale

Saving the Whale

The Whale ★★★ (out of four stars)

“The Whale” requires the viewer to be a voyeur to morbid obesity and a witness to a scathing critique of end-of-days religion. At the same time, it surprisingly embraces not only religious experience, but the person inside the fat suit.

You’ll want to cover your eyes as 600-pound Charlie tries to rise from his sofa, sweat marks spreading on his grey shirt as he struggles painfully (for him and for us), in vain. Much has been written about the prosthetics that made possible this “disgusting” creature, and those who orchestrated his physicality won the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Yet a focus on that creation misses the point. Brendan Fraser, who won this year’s Best Actor Oscar for his role as the on-line (but camera-off) English teacher Charlie, is so compelling that our attention increasingly is diverted from his body to the man within.

While Charlie struggles, a knock on the door (unlocked, because how would Charlie get there to open it) brings a visitor to Charlie’s room, the young Thomas (Ty Simpkins, who made his mark as a teen actor in Marvel movies). This naïve “New Life” door-to-door missionary is the first of several people in the obese man’s life who will try to “save” him. Salvation, even of the religious variety, is a major theme of Samuel D. Hunter’s script, based on his stage play.

Liz tells Thomas “I’m the only one who can help him. Hong Chau as Liz was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role.

“New Life” missionary Thomas (Ty Simpkins) is the first visitor to Charlie’s room.

The daughter Charlie abandoned at age 8, Ellie (Sadie Sink) is full of vitriol, yet doesn’t seem to know if she wants in or out of his life 9 years later.

“I’m the only one who can help him,” Thomas is told by another visitor, Liz, the sharp-tongued, no-nonsense caretaker who ministers to Charlie (Hong Chau, an experienced actress, was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role). Both Liz and Thomas are representations of ways of saving Charlie, rather than people we care much about. Thomas represents a hyper-moralistic Christianity, and Liz practical health measures. Neither is the savior the fat man needs.

It’s Charlie’s relationship with the daughter he abandoned, Ellie (Sadie Sink, another young and experienced stage, TV and film actress), that holds potential for both of them: potential for him to be forgiven and for the angry young teen to find her way in life.

Hunter’s script is replete with plot devices that are hallmarks of melodrama, and of the stage. Charlie won’t go to the hospital because he doesn’t have health insurance and is saving his money for Ellie. As a result, he’s bound to his home, his weight a confinement in itself. All the supporting characters must come to him, must enter his apartment, the only significant space in the film. Everyone has a complex back story, another source of melodrama, and in stark contrast to films such as the recent “Ghost Tropic,” in which no one exists beyond the present. Symbols abound: the washing of feet, the blood of Christ (?), ascension into light and, of course, “Moby Dick.”

Brendan Fraser with his make-up and prosthetics to be the 600-pound Charlie, for which the make-up and hairstyling artists won an Oscar.

Like Herman Melville’s Ahab, Charlie needs to get beyond the “whale” of his enormous body. “Am I disgusting?” he asks repeatedly, and “I’m sorry” is his constant refrain, his weight more a symptom than a cause of his distress. Rather, he must acknowledge the “mistakes I’ve made,” primarily his abandonment of Ellie at age 8 and of her mother Mary (the often awards-nominated Samantha Morton). As ex-wife Mary puts it, “you left me for a MAN,” a complaint that seems somehow dated, though it may have resonance in 2016 Idaho, where the film is set. Sink plays Ellie with about as much vitriol as one could imagine or stomach, even in a sullen teen. And Mary is one of too many visitors to the home, although she usefully introduces us to the not-quite-believable optimism of her former husband.

Director Darren Aronofsky, whose creative credits include 2010’s “Black Swan” and 2017’s “Mother,” has worked from a rather ordinary script that produces predictable, melodramatic tears. He also elicited superb acting from Fraser, whose performance is a thing of beauty, even if Charlie isn’t.

Date: 2022

Stars: 3 (out of 4)

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton

Country: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 117 minutes

Oscar Nominations: Brendan Fraser for Best Actor, 2022 (won), Hong Chau for Best Supporting Actress, Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling (won)

Other Awards: 41 other wins and 113 other nominations

Availability: widely available on multiple streaming devices, including Amazon, redbox, and Apple TV; see JustWatch here for complete availability.

Lead image: Brendan Fraser in his Oscar-winning role as the optimistic 600-pound Charlie.

See all Five Cent Cine reviews by 2 Film Critics

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