The Quarters, 8 Railroad St., South Hadley
I am a glutton for video games. Sure, you could argue there are more productive activities to pursue in one’s free time, yet the artistry and interactivity of video games continue to captivate. Old-school arcade cabinets are a particular favorite. When my family ventured to Hampton Beach every summer as a kid, I spent most hours depositing countless quarters into classics like “Pac-Man,” “Galaga” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
Fortunately for me, The Quarters in South Hadley allows patrons to step back into that retro-rad arcade world, mixing classic gaming with a refined, nerd-centric spin on the bar experience. The quaint, welcoming space intoxicates visitors into an atmospheric, neon-lit world where classic arcade characters and pop culture fixtures decorate the walls. It is like someone reinvented a childhood bedroom into an upscale bar/eatery.
The game selection at The Quarters is pitch-perfect. There is a tremendous variety to indulge in, from ‘80s hits like “Q*bert,” to co-op classics like “NBA Jam” and even action beat’em ups like “The Simpsons Arcade Game.” The Quarters allows guests to pay for an hour or multiple hours of free play, so I felt like a kid in a candy school jumping from cabinet to cabinet. My friend and I beat the “X-Men” arcade game from the ‘90s in one-sitting, scratching an itch I’ve wanted to satisfy after years of being called away before reaching the final mission.
The Quarters is not just a home for great gaming; the bar/restaurant matches its superb aesthetics with great food and drink options. Bar favorites, like chicken tenders and fries, towering sandwiches and the irresistible Tetris tots, receive a delicious facelift from the talented kitchen staff. The tremendous care in the presentation and quality of food rivals any premier establishment. The cocktails are perhaps even more noteworthy. Where else can you order an Obi-Wan Negroni or a Mighty’ Morphin Sour Rangers? Each drink is expertly crafted and packs a powerful flavor punch.
Whether you are looking for a fun time with family or a night on the town, The Quarters offers everything one could ask for in the perfect dining/arcade experience.
New to Theaters: “Kraven the Hunter”
Are you tired of superhero movies? Well, the latest Sony and Marvel collaboration, “Kraven the Hunter,” might just be the nail in the coffin for some folks.
For the uninitiated, Kraven the Hunter is a longtime Spider-Man villain, a burling, bravado-driven warrior who prides himself on being able to conquer any challenger. I’ve never seen the character as an integral presence in the comics. He serves as a one-dimensional “villain of the week” caricature who is only captivating as a mustache-twirling punching bag for our beloved hero.
For Sony, comic book relevance is not imperative. The studio desired its own cinematic universe in the vein of Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe, wanting to transform Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery of villains into new cash cows. After initial success with “Venom” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” Sony is now spiraling down a freefall. “Morbius,” “Madame Web” and “Venom: The Last Dance” represented creative and financial swings and misses. Each film lacked a coherent vision and creative inspiration. It was becoming clear to all, including Sony, that this stagnating universe may not have much life.
Following several delays, “Kraven the Hunter” lumbers into theaters days after Sony announced the end to their Spider-Man extended universe (don’t worry, Spider-Man and Miles Morales are not going away). The lame-duck circumstances surrounding “Kraven’s” release are an ironically fitting showcase for the turgid and lifeless final product that has somehow meandered onscreen. To put it bluntly, “Kraven the Hunter” is perhaps the worst comic book adaptation in years.
It hurts me to declare this when considering the talent on display here. Director J.C. Chandor’s involvement symbolized a refreshing change of pace from most superhero fare, with his work enriching adult dramas like “Margin Call” and “A Most Violence Year,” seemingly imbuing a new perspective behind the camera. In addition, an ensemble assembling the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Russell Crowe and Alessandro Nivola exhibited enough gravitas to redefine Kraven as a fascinating new anti-hero. However, each of these talented individuals finds themselves stuck inside Sony’s corporate filmmaking prison, a dark and dreary place where creativity and novel ideas go to perish unceremoniously.
“Kraven the Hunter” radiates a factory-assembled aroma throughout. The storyline vacillates between generic superhero sludge and sheer incompetence, with the four credited screenwriters and countless post-production edits embarking viewers down a wild roller coaster ride. Characters are introduced with little to no set-up, countless subplots go absolutely nowhere and a well-known roster of Spider-Man characters stumble into the material without care.
Then there is our protagonist. Is Kraven the Hunter a merciless villain or an endearing anti-hero? The film does not attempt to define either avenue. Instead, it forces a blank-slate protagonist that only exists to put viewers to sleep, with the Kraven onscreen being a far cry from his charismatic comic book counterpart. Aaron-Taylor Johnson as the titular Kraven and Ariana DeBose as his confidant Calypso never stood a chance at making these zero-dimensional characters engaging.
“Kraven the Hunter” also fails miserably as a mindless popcorn movie spectacle. Chandor is the latest indie darling who finds himself imprisoned by the studio system machine. His usual panache for thoughtful framing choices and hard-hitting practical effects are nowhere to be found. While there are a few carnage-filled sequences that deliver on the film’s R-rating, most of the action here is as paint-by-numbers as it gets.
Perhaps the only positive praise I can impart on “Kraven the Hunter” is at least its frequent failures will serve as a valuable teaching lesson for Sony and other studios chasing the superhero phenomenon. It is simply not enough anymore to attach a B-tier character onto a caped caper and expect it to succeed. I am sure there is a universe where a good “Kraven the Hunter” film can exist, but it certainly is not this one.
