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Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther” (Marvel Studios photo)
“Black Panther” (PG-13) – Chadwick Boseman is T’Challa, a young man come home to take his place as king of a hidden, technologically rich and mesmerizing nation, only to face challenges to both the crown and the safety of his country – and the world beyond. This may be the best film of the past year, with the best soundtrack in a good long while, thanks to the genius of musician Kendrick Lamar. Add a rich tapestry of location, exceptional character development and a ripe, charismatic villain in Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger, this next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have you chanting “Wakanda Forever!”
“Submergence” (NR) – Based on the novel of the same name, “Submergence” explores the depths of light and dark in a dreamy and philosophical love story. James McAvoy plays James Moore, an SAS operative who poses as a water expert in order to surveil Somali terrorists. Alicia Vikander is Danielle Flanders, an oceanic scientist set to explore the bottom of the sea. The two meet at a swanky resort and fall swiftly in love, but their time together is cut short by the immediacy of their missions. Moore is captured by the Somalis and held in a dark, dank jail cell. Flanders is literally submerged under the weight of the ocean above her. Both trapped, they reminisce and ponder deep thoughts.
“10×10” (R) – Luke Evans and Kelly Reilly star in a tight psychological thriller, a game of cat and mouse that begins when Lewis (Evans) abducts the seemingly straight-laced Cathy (Reilly) from an Atlanta parking lot. He brings her home and imprisons her in a 10 by 10 cell made with padded concrete walls, from which discovery or escape are impossible. He doesn’t want sex and he doesn’t want money. His demand? A story, and one that only Cathy can tell. It’s no spoiler that Cathy is not what she seems, and neither, too, is Lewis. The pace of the movie is well-done by first-time feature director Suzi Ewing, but it may have pushed past the point of plot twist tolerance by the end.
“Samson” (PG-13) – A warrior chosen by God to be his “hand of living vengeance,” Samson (Taylor James) is super-strong and basically the be-all and end-all of bad dudes (but, you know, a good guy, a leader of his people). When King Balek (Billy Zane, oh how the mighty have fallen) hears the stories, he’s totally jealous and sends his sneaky monster of a son Rallah (Jackson Rathbone) out to quell the threat. Underhanded as ever, Rallah enlists a smarmy seductress, Delilah (Caitlin Leahy), to cut off (the hair of) this threat to the kingdom. You’ve heard this tale in Sunday school, and this movie could appeal to some who have fond memories of that time. But it’s not the epic legend it could be. Pass.
New TV Releases
“The Bold Type” Season 1
“Rick and Morty” Season 3
“Unforgotten” Season 2
(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
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