Tippingpoint

our pick & pans

Grilled swordfish River Tavern

23 Main St., Chester

River Tavern doesn’t traffic in ordinary culinary creations. It’s not one of those restaurants whose menu looks very similar to other venues. In addition to the kitchen-based innovation, the dishes, made with fabulously fresh ingredients, happen to be incredibly tasty. Exhibit A: the grilled swordfish with Mexican spices ($32). The fish was perfection, and the other ingredients combined to create a symphony of flavors. The Mexican part of the recipe included braised black beans, salsa verde and an avocado, tomato, pickled onion and cilantro salad.

— Kristina Dorsey

The Iron Claw Amazon Prime

I grew up as a pro wrestling fan in Dallas during the real-time rise of the Von Erich family from regional heroes to international stardom. To me, pro wrestling was a comic entertainment with clearly delineated and cartoony Good Guys and Bad Guys — but inarguable athleticism and an ongoing narrative with an addictive soap opera appeal. I saw various members of the Von Erichs wrestle numerous times, and my entire band drove to Grove Hill Memorial Park on the morning when David Von Erich was laid to rest there. His death was the first of a series of family tragedies that would have gut-punched King Lear and took a lot of the goofy fun out of their ongoing legacy. So it was fascinating to watch this Sean Durkin-written/ directed film nail the patriarchy, brotherhood and various plotlines of the family — and the casting and performances were eerily spot-on.

— Rick Koster

The Tortured Poets Department Taylor Swift

I heard I was the only person in the world who hadn’t yet weighed in with their opinion of T. Swift’s newest album, so here I am. Swift remains one of the best songwriters out there, as “The Tortured Poets Department” shows. Yes, she does use her romantic relationships as inspiration, but I’m less interested in which tune corresponds with which paramour than I am in the songs themselves. “Fortnight” with Post Malone simmers with disappointment and longing, as does the song “The Tortured Poets Department.” “Down Bad” boasts an irresistible chorus. “Florida!!!” with Florence Welch is a jolt of wildness, particularly thanks to the percussion-powered chorus. In general, though, the production leans toward hushed tones, whispered vocals and moody instrumentation, the sort of sound Swift has gravitated to ever since “folklore.” (Once again, almost all the songs are co-written with and co-produced by either Aaron Dessner or Jack Antonoff.) Here’s what I wish — that Swift would next make an upbeat record, a “Shake It Off” kind of shebang that would get everyone on the dance floor. Bring on the change of pace! In the meantime, I’ll have “TTPD” on repeat.