Special to Wesson News Halo Wellness is offering extended hours and recovery services for high school athletes, band members, cheerleaders, referees and coaches during football season, including Wesson Cobras players, many of whom have made the clinic part of their weekly routine. Halo Wellness offers provider-directed IV hydration, vitamin injections, red light therapy and other wellness services to clients ages fifteen and older, according to the clinic. It serves athletes in all sports, from student athletes to adult golfers, as well as busy professionals and people seeking support for hydration, energy and immune health or care when they are not feeling their best. Tyler Berch, a senior center who wears No. 57 for the Cobras, has been a regular at Halo since last football season. He has used both the Thursday game-day prep and Saturday recovery services, according to the clinic. Micah Thomas, who wears Nos. 25 and 75 for the Cobras, was also featured in a recent Halo Wellness post. His mother sent the clinic a photo and wrote, “Thursday pre-game prep have you looking like this on Friday nights!! We love y’all!” Brenlee Shelton, an eleventh-grade, first-string defensive tackle who wears No. 62, visited Halo on a Saturday morning after a Thursday night game for hydration and athletic recovery. His mother, Patty, joined him and said she had been feeling dehydrated and sluggish, so she also received care. Patty Shelton said her son has watched every episode of The Dukes of Hazzard more times than she can count, and the show was his choice on the television during his visit. Symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness and muscle cramps can have different causes. “We talk a lot about preparing before game day, but taking care of yourself after the final whistle matters, too,” said Sharon Chassion Hughes, owner of Halo Wellness. IV hydration is offered only when a Halo provider determines it is clinically appropriate for the individual, Hughes said. Athletes must be at least fifteen to receive services. Those younger than eighteen must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with photo ID, and new clients must meet with a Halo provider before their first service; appointments are encouraged. Halo Wellness is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekday walk-ins welcome until 4:30 p.m. On Thursdays, Game Day Prep hours for the sports community extend until 7 p.m. The clinic is also open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon for postgame visits, with walk-ins welcome until 11:30 a.m. as space allows. For more information, call 601-320-9513 or visit HaloWellnessBrookhaven.com.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras will put their undefeated record on the line Friday night as they welcome Amite County for a Region 7-2A matchup with important implications for the district race. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wesson Attendance Center, where the 7-0 Cobras will look to continue their strong season and strengthen their position heading toward the postseason. Wesson enters the contest following a convincing 40-6 victory over Loyd Star on Oct. 9. The Cobras led 27-0 at halftime and controlled the game on both sides of the ball, extending their perfect record to seven games. Running back BP Robbins led the way against Loyd Star with 110 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Wesley Loy also contributed to the offensive effort, continuing to help Wesson maintain its production as the season progresses. The victory reinforced Wesson's standing as a team to watch in Region 7-2A. With district games carrying increased importance as the regular season advances, the Cobras will look to maintain their consistency and avoid a setback that could affect their postseason position. Wesson's success this season has been built on an effective offense and a defense capable of limiting opposing teams' scoring opportunities. The Cobras will need another disciplined performance Friday as they continue working toward a strong finish in district play. The matchup against Amite County gives Wesson another opportunity to build momentum before the final stretch of the regular season. Each remaining district contest will help shape the standings and determine the teams' paths into the playoffs. For the Cobras, the objective is straightforward: protect their home field, preserve their unbeaten record and keep moving toward their postseason goals. Friday's game begins at 7 p.m. in Wesson.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB The title “Other Mommy” is misleading. The villainous demon haunting 8-year-old Bela (Arabella Olivia Clark) can take any form, including her father (Jay Duplass), her babysitter (Sean Kaufman), or even a complete stranger. But yes, much of the time it impersonates her mother (Jessica Chastain). The reason, I suspect, has less to do with the fraught mother-daughter relationship and more to do with luring Oscar-winner Chastain to the project with the promise that she would get to have fun playing a demon. Sadly, neither the performance nor the film is that much fun. Within the first few minutes, we get the scene from the film’s trailer that largely sold people on this movie. Bela interacts with Other Mommy in the family’s kitchen. Unlike her actual mommy, Other Mommy is warm and affectionate. Bela likes some aspects of her company, but at the same time knows that she’s fake, as evidenced by her face occasionally becoming distorted. Eventually Daddo comes into the kitchen. Most horror movies would have Other Mommy disappear around this time, indicating that either Bela’s sanity will be called into question or maybe that the demon is invisible to everyone but Bela. But no, the demon makes its presence known, and the rest of the film sees all three family members contending with it as a unit. Very soon after this home invasion, the parents throw a party, confident that the demon won’t return now that it’s been discovered. It finds a way in. The family goes to stay with Bela’s unsavory “Uncle” Frank (Arian Moayed), but it follows them there, too. As a last resort, they go to stay with Bela’s judgmental grandmother (Karen Allen), who has access to a network of psychic mediums and paranormal investigators (I thought they were setting up for a cameo by the guys from “Insidious,” but no, that might inject some life into this movie). When that doesn’t work out, they decide to confront the demon in their house, which they think gives them a sort of homefield advantage, except that they forget that the demon already knows their house. They make this decision despite me hissing “padded cell” at the screen. As you’ve probably guessed, this is a hard movie to take seriously, and I don’t mean that it succeeds in being funny. Bela makes some naïve decisions because she’s eight, but what is all the adults’ excuse for being stupid? From not going to the authorities (which the demon could probably find a way around, but they should still try it) to letting Bela out of their sight on multiple occasions to repeatedly thinking that traditional weapons will work on the demon, these parents are so lousy at protecting their child that I was hoping the police would take her away from them – with or without the demon. “Other Mommy” is quickly earning itself a reputation as one of the worst-reviewed movies of the year. It isn’t so much terrible in and of itself as it falls short of high expectations set by the casting of Chastain and the highly-popular trailer. There are a few decent emotional beats surrounding the fracturing of the family dynamic. But those rare promising moments are efficiently snuffed out by the film indulging in every haunted-house cliché it can muster, all the more tired because not enough time has passed since the similar “Insidious: Out of the Further” back in August. If the appeal of the film lies in the promise of two Jessica Chastain performances for the price of one, please know that neither performance is worth half of one. Grade: C- “Other Mommy” is rated R for some bloody violence, and language. Its running time is 93 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu. Check out the newly-updated www.bobatthemovies.com for reviews from the last two years.

Special to Wesson News Bobby Thornton Bobby C. Thornton was selected by the Board of Supervisors to serve as Copiah County’s Veterans Service Officer (VSO). The VSO position serves as a vital resource for all veterans of all ages as well as helps those who are leaving active service reintegrate successfully into civilian life. Thornton is a Veteran who retired from the Army and MS Army National Guard. He served over thirty-three years of military service and is a retired federal employee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with over forty-three years total federal service. Thornton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Mississippi College, a master’s degree in business administration from Jackson State University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of the American Legion National College, Class of 2024. He is active in the American Legion Department of Mississippi, where he serves as the Department Finance Officer, Southern Area Vice Commander, Post 79 Commander, and Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 79 Adjutant. Thornton is available to assist veterans by helping them secure benefits and understand the system, answering questions, assisting with claims preparation and submission, helping with representation and advocacy, veteran appeals and aid, and dependency and survivor benefits. The VSO office is located in the Copiah County Chancery Clerk’s Office at 122 South Lowe Street in Hazlehurst and is open Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon and by appointment at other times. To schedule an appointment, call 769-349-5333 or send an email to BThornton@CopiahCountyMS.gov.

By Louise Vaughn Angela Hester, Certified Municipal Clerk for the Town of Lakiedra Kangar, Crystal Springs Municipal Court Clerk, is Wesson, is serving as president of the Mississippi serving as vice president of the Mississippi Municipal Municipal Court Clerks Association. Court Clerks Association. Two Copiah County municipal court clerks are taking their experience to the statewide level, with Wesson and Crystal Springs now represented in the top two leadership positions of the Mississippi Municipal Court Clerks Association. Certified Municipal Clerk for the Town of Wesson Angela Hester was recently sworn in as president and will serve a two-year term. Crystal Springs Municipal Court Clerk Lakiedra Kangar was elected vice president. For both women, the appointments are personal accomplishments and an opportunity to represent Copiah County. "I hope that everyone else sees how important it is for us to hold these positions and know that we're going to do the best job possible to make Copiah County proud," Hester said. Kangar said the association placing its trust in two clerks from the same county "speaks volumes." "It speaks volumes that they entrust us both to lead them," she said. Working their way up Hester's municipal career began in Crystal Springs, where she started dispatching in 2004 and later became a deputy court clerk under Peggy Wilson. After an accident and several surgeries took her away from work for a period, she eventually began assisting municipal and justice court offices. In April 2017, Hester was hired as Wesson's court clerk. Four months later, after the city clerk left, she took on additional municipal responsibilities. "You pick yourself up, you put your big girl panties on, and you figure the thing out," Hester recalled. "I wasn't going to let them down by any means." Hester later earned her Certified Municipal Clerk designation and is working toward the Master Municipal Clerk designation. She has been involved with the court clerks association for nine years, previously serving on its executive board and as vice president. She also serves as treasurer of the Mississippi Municipal Clerks and Collectors Association. "I am so excited, very overwhelmed, but I'm very honored at the same time," Hester said of becoming president. Kangar has spent approximately eighteen to nineteen years working in Crystal Springs Municipal Court. She began as a deputy court clerk under Wilson and became court clerk following Wilson's retirement. Before being elected vice president, Kangar served about four years as parliamentarian for the statewide association. "I'm proud of starting from the bottom and looking where I'm at now," Kangar said. A partnership already in place Hester and Kangar's working relationship goes back years. Hester had worked as a deputy clerk in Crystal Springs before Kangar began her career there. The women became acquainted through Wilson and municipal court conferences, and their relationship grew after Kangar became court clerk. They regularly share information and forms and call each other when questions arise, sometimes even off the clock. Hester calls Kangar her "right-hand person." "She's the one I'm going to call before I call anyone else," Hester said. "Sometimes you run into different things, different issues, and we share information, we share forms, email back and forth. That's what you do as clerks. You're helping one another." That established relationship will now continue at the statewide level. "If I'm not there, I know that she has got me," Hester said. "She's got my back." Kangar called working alongside Hester both an honor and a privilege. Training the next generation Both women say municipal and court clerks handle far more behind the scenes than many residents realize. Hester's responsibilities in Wesson stretch across finances, payroll, human resources, grants, utilities, board matters and compliance with state law, in addition to court responsibilities. "We are running a business, and your city clerk is the head of that business," Hester said. Court clerks also maintain records and dockets, process assessments and payments, track court orders and keep up with changes in laws and procedures. As they begin their new statewide roles, Hester and Kangar say training will be a major priority. Hester said turnover among court clerks is a concern, especially when people enter the profession without enough training. "We always want people to know that, hey, there are people here that can help you," Hester said. "Reach out to us." Kangar particularly wants to connect with newer clerks and increase hands-on training. "We have some clerks who have been there less than a year, some have been there less than six months, and pretty much they probably just got shoved in the position and don't know if they're coming or going," Kangar said. "I want them to be able to trust me," she added. "I want to know their wants and their needs." Making Copiah County proud For both women, their work ultimately comes back to serving people. "Public service is helping everyone," Hester said. "No matter what you do, you are out here to do what you can do to help someone's day become easier for them." Kangar described public service as putting others first, even when dealing with challenges of her own. "I may be having a bad day, or personal things may be going on, but I have to put that to the side and actually serve my public," she said. Hester said reaching this stage of her career gives her an opportunity to pass along what others have taught her. "I'm super proud of myself for the knowledge that I have learned and retained and been able to now show others and teach others," she said. "That gives me great joy." For Kangar, the vice presidency marks another step in a career that began as a deputy clerk nearly two decades ago. Now two Copiah County clerks who have spent years calling each other for advice, sharing information and helping each other solve problems will bring that partnership to the statewide association. For Wesson and Crystal Springs, their appointments put two Copiah County communities together at the top of the organization. For Hester and Kangar, it is an opportunity to continue what they have already been doing for years: helping other clerks succeed.

By Louise Vaughn What began fifty-five years ago as an effort to raise money for the Wesson Fire Department has grown into one of the community's longstanding fall traditions, drawing an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people each year. The Wesson Fire Department's 55th Annual Flea Market will return October 17, bringing dozens of vendors, local organizations, food and families to the streets of Wesson. The market will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Highway 51, Factory Street and Spring Street. At least sixty-eight vendors were registered at the time organizers provided information about the event. Wesson Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ken Carraway said the flea market was started by former Fire Chief Kenneth Furr as an effort to raise money for the department. More than five decades later, the fire department continues to organize the event. The flea market is the department's only fundraiser and typically raises approximately $6,000 to $7,000 each year, Carraway said. The proceeds help the volunteer department meet needs that cannot be covered by other funding. Carraway said the department receives state rebate money, but those funds can only be used for structural firefighting training and equipment. Flea market proceeds can be used to purchase needed equipment for medical first responders, forest fires and vehicle extrication, as well as help cover equipment maintenance. The fundraiser also helps provide training and personal protective equipment for department members. For Carraway, however, the annual event is about more than raising money. "My favorite thing about the flea market is it's a day the department guys and gals get to slow down and meet our community we serve," Carraway said. "We also get to watch the good fellowship and enjoy great food." Shopping, food and fall tradition This year's registered vendors will bring a wide variety of merchandise to Wesson, including antiques, collectible knives, hand-painted art, jewelry, key chains, hair bows, doll dresses and T-shirts. Shoppers looking for seasonal decorations or gifts can also expect yard art, wreaths, door hangers, candles and other specialty items. Local artists and craftspeople will offer handmade drawings, wreaths, bows and specially designed shirts. Carraway said holiday decorating and gift shopping are among the things people look forward to at the annual market, along with the change of seasons and cooler temperatures. Food will once again be a major part of the day. This year, a food court will be set up on Spring Street near Highway 51. Local churches and nonprofit organizations, including Wesson Baptist Church, the Boy Scouts and The Doll's House, are expected to participate. Food offerings are expected to include ribeye steak sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken strips, chicken on a stick, funnel cakes, snow cones and sweet tea. The Lions Club will sell sweet potatoes. Visitors can also expect pork skins, kettle corn, jellies, jams and baked goods to enjoy at the market or take home. Families with children will have another reason to stay awhile, with organizers planning a fun zone where children can play and burn off some energy. There will be no live musical entertainment this year, according to Carraway. More than a market With an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 people attending each year, the flea market gives members of the volunteer fire department an opportunity to interact with the community under circumstances very different from the emergencies that normally bring firefighters and residents together. For the department, the event serves two purposes: raising money needed to help operate and equip the department and spending a day among the people its members serve. After 55 years, the combination of food, shopping, fellowship and community support continues to make the flea market a fixture on Wesson's fall calendar. Vendor registration remained open when organizers provided information for the event. Booth spaces are 10 feet by 10 feet and cost $50. Vendors must provide their own tents, tables and display equipment. Setup begins after 5 p.m. October 16.

Special to Wesson News Wesson resident Mandy Douglas (left) and WNBA star Sophie Cunningham (right) A spur-of-the-moment trip to Chicago turned into an unforgettable adventure for Wesson resident Mandy Douglas, who not only met WNBA star Sophie Cunningham but ended up appearing in a national Hibbett commercial advertising Adidas. Douglas decided to fly to the Chicago area during WNBA All-Star weekend after learning Cunningham would appear at a store in nearby Romeoville, Illinois, for the release of her new signature shoe. Rather than pay for All-Star Game tickets, Douglas opted to attend the WNBA All-Star Experience at a Chicago convention center and make the drive to Romeoville for the shoe release. She arrived at the store in the middle of the night, long before sunrise, and waited alone in her car until other fans began showing up. Among them was a father with his two children and a woman named Jennifer, who would end up standing in line just behind Douglas. Douglas pictured with her friends from the entry line “I was number one getting in line,” Douglas said, noting she had traveled the farthest of anyone she met that day. As the hours passed, the small group of strangers grew close, sharing chairs, snacks and conversation while they waited for the doors to open at 10 a.m. By the time the shoes went on sale, Douglas said she’d learned the father worked in law enforcement and that his daughter had a tradition of playing rock-paper-scissors with the basketball stars she met. The woman behind her in line, Jennifer, turned out to be a teacher near Indianapolis. Douglas was among the first customers in the store and received a free T-shirt featuring Cunningham’s now-famous pointing gesture, a nod to her on-court pointing altercation with an opponent in a past game. Another reason Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is receiving much attention is for discussing biological sex and competitive divisions in women’s sports during an interview with ESPN, saying she believes in protecting “young girls in a locker room” and ensuring that young female athletes are not required to compete against “biological men.” Cunningham’s comments come as the WNBA continues to experience rapid growth in popularity, revenue and player compensation. Her own earnings reflect that shift: after making roughly $100,000 last season, her salary has reportedly increased to $665,000, highlighting the league’s expanding financial power and growing investment in its players. Douglas met Cunningham in person during her trip, got an autograph on a hat, took a photo and recorded video of the young girl ahead of her playing rock-paper-scissors with the star, a clip that racked up thousands of views after the girl’s father posted it online. Douglas with her newly-purchased shoes It wasn’t until later that Douglas realized a drone had been filming the crowd outside the store for an Adidas commercial. She said Jennifer pointed out that the two of them appeared in the ad not once, but twice. “We’re official,” Douglas recalled Jennifer telling her. Douglas said the friendships she made in line meant as much as meeting Cunningham. She spent the rest of the day with the father and his children at the All-Star Experience, later joined them for dinner, and has stayed in touch with the family since. She returned to the Indianapolis area a few weeks later to attend a Fever game with Jennifer. A former professional football player for the New Orleans Blaze women’s team, Douglas said her lifelong love of sports and her growing interest in the WNBA — fueled partly by Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the league — drove her decision to make the trip. She said she was once interviewed by an Atlanta news station about Clark’s impact on the game after attending a Fever road game. Reflecting on the trip, Douglas said the experience reaffirmed her faith in people. “There are good people all over the world,” she said, crediting the strangers-turned-friends who looked out for her during the trip. “We’re the hospitality state, and that’s what we do.” The trip was a success. Douglas got exactly what she set out for—and left with a reminder of just how far the WNBA and women’s sports have come.

by Charlie Rook Wesson Attendance Center continued its strong start to the season Friday night, picking up a convincing 40-6 victory over Loyd Star. The Cobras entered the matchup undefeated at 6-0, looking to keep their perfect record intact against a Loyd Star team that had won five of its first six games. Wesson's offense put together another strong showing, scoring 40 points, while the defense held Loyd Star to just six. The 34-point victory was an important result for the Cobras, who faced one of their tougher opponents of the season on paper. Wesson has established itself as a team to watch this fall, finding success throughout the first half of its schedule. Friday's performance was another example of that success, with the Cobras putting together a convincing victory against an opponent that entered the contest with a winning record. The win improves Wesson to 7-0 on the season as the Cobras continue their push toward the postseason. With the regular season entering its final weeks, Wesson will look to maintain its undefeated record and continue building momentum heading into the playoffs.

Several wildfires burned at least 58 acres in Copiah County over the weekend, with strong wind gusts contributing to unpredictable fire behavior, according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission. Meacham Harlow, an outreach officer with the commission’s Region 3, said five wildfires were reported Saturday, Oct. 10. A sixth fire was reported Sunday, Oct. 11, after a blaze from the previous day reignited. The causes of Saturday’s fires included downed power lines, strong wind gusts, an ATV rollover and debris burning. Harlow said four or five of the fires were attributed to power lines. The largest fire burned 55 acres of grass along Browns Wells Road. No structures were destroyed, although some were threatened by the flames. On Sunday, crews responded to a three-acre fire along Gallman Road. The blaze was a reignition of a fire reported the previous day, according to the commission. No structures were threatened. Strong wind gusts made the fires more difficult to predict and contributed to changing fire behavior, officials said. Trees were also reported down in the area following the fires and windy conditions. Officials have not confirmed whether weather conditions contributed to all of the reported fires.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras continued their strong start to the football season Friday night, rolling past the Loyd Star Hornets 40-6 to remain unbeaten at 7-0. Wesson took control early, building a commanding 27-0 lead by halftime and leaving little doubt about the outcome. The victory extended the Cobras’ perfect season while ending Loyd Star’s five-game winning streak. B.P. Robbins led the way for Wesson with 110 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also recorded 6 passing yards, continuing a remarkable stretch in which he has scored at least two rushing touchdowns in five consecutive games. Wesley Loy added another strong performance through the air, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns while completing 71.4% of his passes. His accuracy and production helped the Cobras maintain their offensive momentum throughout the contest. The win improved Wesson’s record to 7-0 and further strengthened the Cobras’ position as they continue through their schedule. Loyd Star fell to 5-2 after seeing its five-game winning streak come to an end. Wesson will return to action Friday against Amite County in a 7 p.m. matchup. The Cobras will look to carry their unbeaten momentum into the contest. Loyd Star also plays Friday, facing Enterprise at 7 p.m. as the Hornets look to rebound from the loss.

The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (BARL) will host its annual Barks & Bids Online Auction Oct. 25-Nov. 1, raising funds to support the care of homeless animals. The online auction will feature items donated by area businesses, individuals and artists. The auction will have an array of gift certificates for restaurants and services, in addition to home décor, jewelry, and hand-crafted goods. Featured items will include pottery pieces by area artists, an autographed Wyatt Waters calendar, locally-sourced honey, and a metal fire-pit crafted by a local machine company. “Every bid helps us provide food, medical care and a safe place for animals that have nowhere else to go. We are grateful to the businesses, donors, volunteers and community members who make Barks & Bids possible. Their support helps us continue our mission,” said Rusty Adcock, BARL president. In the next two weeks, many auction items will be posted on BARL’s Facebook page. The auction link for bidding will go live on Sunday, October 25th at 1:00 pm. The auction will end Sunday, November 1st at 7:00 pm. The auction link will be available at barl.net/events. BARL is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations and fundraisers to support its animal rescue mission. For more information about the online auction or to donate an item email info@barl.net or contact BARL volunteers, Gail Garbo at 601-757-3211 or Julie Montalvo at 601-757-1057. BARL's mission is to humanely care for shelter animals while contributing to community activities that reduce pet overpopulation, encourage responsible pet ownership, protect public health and safety, and promote the human-animal bond. BARL is a volunteer-based, 501 c3 charitable animal welfare organization serving Lincoln, Franklin and Copiah counties. BARL provides shelter, food and essential veterinary care to homeless animals while they await adoption. All BARL animals are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped. For more information about adopting, donating, or volunteering, contact BARL at 601-757-4367 or info@barl.net. Donations are tax-deductible and may be mailed to BARL, P.O. Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39603. BARL features adoptable animals at www.barl.net and on its Facebook page.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “Verity” wishes it was a twisty thriller. It is indeed twisty, but it doesn’t have the heart to be a thriller. The film’s advertising is clearly positioning it as a successor to last year’s hit front-of-the-bookstore novel adaptation “The Housemaid,” though it is based on a book that predates that film’s source material by four years. In fact, it is based on a novel by the popular Colleen Hoover, and it’s easy to picture the studio jumping at the chance to release a movie with Hoover’s name crossed with a setup similar to “The Housemaid.” The problem is that with Hoover’s name comes her trademark sappy style, which is ill-suited to the thriller genre, at least here. Dakota Johnson stars as Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling, unpopular, highbrow author. She meets a man named Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) through a shared traumatic experience and within five minutes he’s locking them both in a men’s room together. He eventually reveals that he’s the husband of revenge-thriller author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), who is in desperate need of a ghostwriter. He offers Lowen money that she can’t turn down, and soon she finds herself moving into the Crawfords’ house in rural Vermont, where she learns why Verity can’t do the writing herself: she’s been paralyzed following a recent car crash. Lowen spends her days going through Verity’s stacks of notes so she can approximate her creative voice for the upcoming novel. In the meantime, she bonds with the warm Jeremy and his son Crew (Brady Wagner), who lost his twin sister, Verity and Jeremy’s daughter, in a drowning that barely predated Verity’s car crash. She barely spends any time with Verity herself, but when she does, she notices that the author is able to shoot an icy glare in her direction. It could just be an involuntary reflex or an indication of something darker. Lowen stumbles upon the manuscript for Verity’s autobiography, which we see through pre-crash flashbacks that allow Hathaway to act with full use of her body. She and Jeremy were once madly in love, especially when they first met and he somehow won her over with what I would call red-flag creepiness. But the relationship changed when she had children, whom he seemed to love more than her, which caused her to love them less. A few chapters later, and Lowen not only personally wants to make Jeremy feel better, but also to punish Verity, who is clearly unreliable on at least one level. With a title like “Verity,” there is obviously much question throughout the film about who can and cannot be trusted. Verity herself indulged in dark fantasies in her writing, Lowen implies that she’s hiding secrets, and Jeremy is a man in a movie that combines “The Housemaid” with “It Ends with Us” (for Johnson fans, there a little “Fifty Shades” in there too, with some scenes that include biting, wood, and frosting). Supposedly all the deception is there to keep the viewer guessing, but the only guessing I was doing was at how long it would take before the next predictable twist. It’s not even the predictability or the laughable attempts at salaciousness that are the biggest problem with “Verity,” it’s the slowness. This meandering movie cannot be exciting to save its life. I was genuinely surprised that I was out of the theater in less than two and a half hours with the way this movie was paced. It acts like it wants to be better than the kind of trashy thriller that Verity writes. I’d settle for it being as good as a typical trashy thriller. Grade: D “Verity” is rated R for sexual content, some nudity, language, violence and bloody images. Its running time is 117 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.