Wrentham Times

Wrentham's Own Stars On Movie Show

  
Fr. Chip Hines with Fr. Bill Kelly on the set of "Spotlight" 

He has no intention of quitting his day job for a life in front of the camera as a famed movie critic. As long as he’s able to fit his television show into his schedule, and it doesn’t interfere with his main gig, Fr. Chip Hines, pastor of St. Mary’s in Wrentham will continue to review the latest films out of Hollywood. Fr. Chip, along with friend and fellow priest Fr. Bill Kelly, review movies on CatholicTV on “Spotlight,” a different take on the traditional movie review shows. “We try to draw something that relates to the Catholic faith out of every movie,” Fr. Chip says. “We recently filmed an episode where we only did two movies; ‘The Book of Eli,’ and ‘Legion.’ “Neither of us liked ‘Legion’ and we spent 12 minutes on why we hated it pointing out the inaccuracies of the theology.”

Once a month on his day off, Fr. Chip goes into the CatholicTV studios in Watertown, MA to film three shows at a time. So far the show hasn’t interfered with his work at St. Mary’s Parish. He attends the movies separately from Fr. Kelly to give their television conversation spontaneity and spends time gathering his thoughts for the show.  “It’s a lot more work than I thought it would be,” he says.

Fr. Chip adds, “ I enjoy doing the show but being a pastor is my full-time job and my full-time love.”

The origins of the show started with a passionate movie debate. Fr. Chip and Fr. Kelly were discussing the worthiness of Amy Ryan’s Oscar nomination for her performance in “Gone Baby Gone” when a friend, overhearing the entertaining exchange said, “You two should have your own show.” The story was relayed in passing to Fr. Bob Reed, director of CatholicTV and he thought it was a good idea. The show premiered in August 2009 after a year of serious conversation. While ratings aren’t available, the fact that Fr. Reed wants them to continue with the show is “good enough” for Fr. Chip.

CatholicTV is a national cable network and, while the show has been on for over six months, he isn’t bothered by autograph seekers or the paparazzi. “I have been recognized once out of Wrentham for the show,” he says. But he does have parishioners stop him after to mass to discuss the show.

What are his thoughts on this year’s Oscars?

Fr. Chips believes “The Hurt Locker” will probably win. “It’s a great movie and well worth seeing.” He also thought  “The Blind Side” was good with an enjoyable performance by Sandra Bullock. “She will probably win best actress.” Also, “It would be a serious injustice if Jeff Bridges doesn’t win best actor for 'Crazy Heart'."

“Most of the pictures were good, but I only saw 7 out of 10,” he said. Adding that he did not enjoy “A Serious Man” and thinks “Inglorious Basterds” should not have been nominated. “It’s not Best Picture worthy.”

Click here to see the "Spotlight" Oscare preview show.

Wrentham's Ghost Hunters

As Halloween approaches the days feel shorter and the mind starts questioning, “What’s roaming in the woods?” or “What caused that creak in the house?” It’s the time of year when what divides the world of the living and the realm of the dead thins allowing spirits to roam the land. At least, that might be what this time of year means, if you believe in ghosts and specters.

There is a group based right in Wrentham that is out to document the paranormal, hauntings, or to simply find out what caused that bump in the night. Founded by Wrentham resident Andrew Tocci and his fiancé Heather Sliney, RTS Paranormal Investigation, attempts to help their clients understand seemingly supernatural happenings. “We are here to help the client explain what’s going on,” says Tocci. “What are they hearing and seeing?”

Through the use of a variety of equipment that measures heat, records sound and video, and through investigation of sites, the group attempts to determine if there is a haunting or another source causing unusual activity like sounds, mysterious door openings and closings, and other ghostly type happenings. The hope is to document what is causing the strange activity and to give a homeowner some comfort. “Ninety percent of the time it is not paranormal,” says Tocci stating his group of volunteers works hard to find the causes, such as construction flaws or gas leaks.

RTS Paranormal Investigation is part of a field that is new, unregulated, and a little cutthroat. “The paranormal field is very competitive,” explains Tocci stating that groups are known to steal evidence of haunted activities such as pictures and audio files. Also, clients are highly sought. If a person’s home or hotel is believed to be haunted, other paranormal teams want to document the activity. Tocci says there are three types of paranormal investigative groups: one that always finds a place haunted, one that simply plays around with expensive equipment, or what he says RTS is which is trying to truly document paranormal activities.

Despite being in operation since 2006, the RTS Team has not documented any paranormal activities in Wrentham but they have gathered some evidence. The group regularly trains on the equipment and travels to reportedly known haunted sites. This past weekend the group went to Marlborough to conduct a training session. RTS doesn’t charge its clients for their service and, if they do believe a site is haunted, they cannot provide any assistance on removing the supernatural phenomena.

Monday - In the News

Happy Columbus Day!

Just a few little tidbits out there.

First, the Sun Chronicle has a few thoughts about proposed zoning changes in Wrentham. And on a lighter, more family friendly note, Liz Nadow of Fiske Public Library in Wrentham is quoted in a Milford Daily News' profile of Plainville children's author Jeff Kinney. Today, the fourth book in the popular Diary of a Whimmpy Kid series is being released.

Wrentham Farmers Recognized

Two Wrentham farmers were recognized by Mother Nature Network. Christy Raymond, 30, the founder of White Barn Farm, on South Street, and Chris Kantlehner, 26, also of White Barn Farm, both made the 40 Farmers Under 40 list for their efforts in raising organic vegetables. You may have seen their farm stand on a Tuesday or Saturday. The list highlights the work of  "forty of the nation's brightest green thumbs, quietly nurturing a food revolution from their own back yards."