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Jane Goodall in the documentary “Jane.”
(Mind Jazz photo)
“Jane” (PG) – In 1957, Dr. Louis Leakey sent a young British secretary with no scientific degree or experience out into the wilds of Africa on an expedition to understand chimpanzee behavior. That young woman was Jane Goodall. Her goal was simple: to become one with the jungle, and in her stunning success of pioneering groundbreaking research into animal behavior and advocating for animal welfare, she realized a life-long dream to truly live with the animals. Unlike other documentaries, director Brett Morgan brings us intimately into Jane’s world, walking unworn paths through the jungle beside her by accessing hundreds of hours of never-before-seen footage from the National Geographic archives. The film is narrated by Jane herself, and it’s mesmerizing, fascinating and an absolute must-watch.
“Insidious: The Last Key” (R) – Lin Shaye returns as the paranormal investigator Elise in the fourth installment of the Insidious” franchise. In this iteration, we return to Elise’s childhood home, a dark place of terror and entrapment. The current resident of the home, Ted Garza (Kirk Acevedo), is experiencing some high-level haunting, and calls in Elise to investigate. She takes the job, if only to right the wrongs of the past and free her family from the curse that has overshadowed her life. With jump-scare after jump-scare, it’s not the worst of its genre. If you have a real love for spindly fingered creepshows, by all means take the plunge into the Further. But mainly, it’s 103 minutes of treacherous plot holes.
“Sweet Virginia” (R) – In this atmospheric crime drama set in a lonely Alaska motel named “Sweet Virginia,” we find contract killer Elwood (Christopher Abbott) awaiting payment for his latest job. An eccentric stranger and a few murders are enough to stir an isolated town anywhere, but especially so when the owner of said motel is a former rodeo star, played by Jon Bernthal. Brooding, hushed tones and character development are the order of the day. Imogene Poots supports as the grieving widow and love interest.
Dog Of The Week
“Father Figures” (R) – A bit of parenting trouble has stressed-out proctologist Peter (Ed Helms) wishing he could turn to his dad for advice, so his mom (Glenn Close) reveals that, contrary to what he’d always been told, his father might still be alive – only she’s not sure WHO he is. Peter and his irreverent fraternal twin Kyle (Owen Wilson) set off on a mission to find Pops. The candidates include NFL legend Terry Bradshaw (playing himself), powder keg J.K. Simmons and more. It should be a hilarious road trip of self-discovery that is populated with solid comedians and big personalities, which sounds like a recipe for success. It’s not. It’s a comedy that’s not really funny, and the potential to warm the heart is epically squandered. Hard pass.
New TV Releases
“13 Reasons Why” Season 1
“Ballers” The Complete 3rd Season
“Chesapeake Shores” Season 2
“Genius” Season 1: Einstein
(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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