#Middlebury #DVD
“Anna and the Apocalypse” (R) – There’s a school of thought that in film, bloody violence and Christmas are a natural mix – e.g., “Gremlins,” “Die Hard” or even “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” although that one was just spooky, not scary. “Anna and the Apocalypse” has one more genre thrown in for good measure: a musical, centered around Anna (Ella Hunt), a normal Scottish teen with friends, a job at the bowling alley and a zombie problem. When her town is overrun by the undead, Anna and her friends must band together to save themselves and their families. I found it to be quite fun, with a lot of humor and catchy show tunes.
Scene from “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (Marvel Studios/Sony photo)
“Spider-Man: Far From Home” (PG-13) – Peter Parker (Tom Holland) sets off on a well-earned trip to Europe with his classmates after the death of his mentor. His attempt to leave the Spider-Man suit at home is derailed by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the mysterious appearance of both parallel-universe hero Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal) and a group of havoc-wreaking creatures called Elementals – harnessing the power of Earth, Water, Fire and Air. All the while, Parker attempts to weave a web of good-old fashioned teen romance around friend and schoolmate MJ (Zendaya). The vibe is slightly more relaxed than “Homecoming,” and definitely earned my kids’ stamp of approval.
“Driven” (R) – The first of TWO films chronicling the life and personality of car designer John DeLorean, “Driven” tells the automaker’s crazy story from the perspective of low-level FBI informant Jim Hoffman (Jason Sudeikis), who is endearingly sleazy, a nice foil to DeLorean’s (Lee Pace) outwardly rock-hard confidence. Of course, that confidence hides the soft center of desperation in a man who staked his reputation on a very impractical vehicle. He enlists Hoffman to raise an obscene amount of capital, and in 1980s California, you know that means a drug deal. Based on the life that was stranger than fiction.
“Framing John DeLorean” (NR) – John DeLorean was a weird visionary and iconic personality, so it’s only fitting that his story is told in a phenomenally odd but entertaining docudrama with three interwoven but distinct parts. First, it’s a documentary, with footage of DeLorean’s meteoric rise at GM, interviews and insight of his family members and colleagues. Then it’s a dramatization, with Alec Baldwin stepping into the shoes (and wigs and prosthetics) of DeLorean, reenacting some pivotal moments alongside other key players. The cherry on top is the bizarre documentary within the movie within the documentary: Baldwin examining, analyzing DeLorean’s motivations as he prepares to portray him. It should be insane, but it’s like a fascinating circus act you can’t look away from. And why would you?
New TV Releases
“Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island”
“Chernobyl”
“Doom Patrol: The Complete First Season”
“Charmed” Season One
“Tell Me a Story” Season One
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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