#Middlebury
“Little Women” (PG-13) – When Louisa May Alcott published “Little Women,” do you think she knew just how many times the March sisters would have to come of age on film? This release marks the seventh film adaptation, this time bringing Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy into the present day. Jo is a writer challenged to dig into her own life for meaningful material. Meg dreams of domestic harmony, while Beth’s quiet spiritual strength belies her fragile health, and Amy’s artist talents blossom as she dreams of material wealth. It may be updated to the modern times, but it’s 100 percent sappy and sweet – like, the Hallmark Channel version. Lea Thompson is Marmee, and Lucas Grabeel plays Laurie.
Jack Black in “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” (Dreamworks photo)
“The House with a Clock in Its Walls” (PG) – Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) is 10 years old and an orphan, sent to live with his oddball uncle. It’s hard to be the new kid, especially when you live in the creepiest house in the neighborhood. When he’s dared into opening an off-limits section of the house to a schoolfriend, he accidentally wakes the dead, and he, his uncle and the neighborhood witch (a delightful Cate Blanchett as Mrs. Zimmerman) will have to work overtime to clean the clocks of the evil that’s to come. Jack Black is at his most effective in weirdo roles, and he’s simply magical here as Uncle Jonathan Barnavelt, a warlock who is the caretaker of this house with a secret. Pull up an enchanted sofa, and enjoy this film with a batch of chocolate chip cookies.
“A Simple Favor” (R) – An unlikely friendship is struck between glamorous fashion executive Emily (Blake Lively) and mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) that takes so many twists and turns that by the end of the movie you’ll be sick to your stomach – and loving it! The two women bond over play dates, so it’s unremarkable when Emily enlists Stephanie as a babysitter. But then she doesn’t turn up and eventually is discovered dead in a lake. There’s intrigue, confession, sex and alternate personalities. Well-done performances by the leads and direction by Paul Feig. Adapted from the novel by Darcey Bell.
“Venom” (PG-13) – Tom Hardy stars as investigative journalist Eddie Brock, who, while trying to expose the underhanded machinations of a big bio-engineering company, inadvertently bonds with an alien lifeform that unleashes superhero powers in him. This symbiote is called Venom, and unfortunately for the rest of us, is part of a group of no nose, big teeth, slimy actual people-eaters whose manifest destiny includes taking over the planet. Bummer. Brock/Venom face off against archtype billionaire baddie CEO Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), among other things. The superhero genre has a plentiful stream of offerings, there’s no need to waste your time on this weak drivel.
New TV Releases
“The Sinner” Season 2
“Mars” Season 2
“WWE: Survivor Series 2018”
(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.
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