Luce” (R) – Kelvin Harrison Jr. stars as Luce, child of an Eritrean war zone who was adopted at 7 by safe, loving, white parents Amy and Peter (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) in Virginia. His high school history teacher, Ms. Wilson (Octavia Spencer), assigns an essay that Luce – academically talented, star athlete – turns in with a controversial twist. This sets in motion a winding road of accusations and insinuations that get to the very heart of perception: How much of who we are is based on how we are seen and how we see ourselves? Harrison is emotionally deft, and high school politics, and racial and cultural biases are up for full examination.
“Them That Follow” (R) – The symbolism of a snake in Christianity goes back to man’s very beginnings. For some, it’s a cautionary tale – stay true to your faith lest you be influenced by evil. Deep in rural Appalachia, in the Pentecostal church of Pastor Lemuel Childs (Walton Goggins), the snake is much more palpable and literal. Here, a venomous viper is draped around one’s neck, presuming that a follower’s faith is both protective and cleansing. The pastor’s daughter Mara (Alice Englert), on the eve of marriage, will have her faith tested in the flesh and the heart. When a deadly love triangle is revealed, the only question is who will turn out to be the snake?
Ian McShane in “Deadwood: The Movie” (HBO photo)
“Deadwood: The Movie” (NR) – All the major players return – hallelujah! – to HBO’s Shakespearean Dakota town of Deadwood in a follow-up to the popular dramatic series. The premise is a gathering for the commemoration of statehood in 1889, but newly minted senator George Hearst uses the occasion to press Charlie Utter to sell his land, with disastrous fallout. These movies can go either way, but as a fan of the show, I can say this cast really delivered. It’s like they picked right up where they left off, only a little older, grayer and dare I say wiser.
DOG OF THE WEEK
“10 Minutes Gone” (R) – It’s a bank heist with Bruce Willis and Michael Chiklis – a battle of the baldies, if you will. Rex (Willis) assembles a crew headed by Frank (Chiklis) to pull off a job. Frank and company get the goods, but a double cross leaves Frank with a bump on the head and 10 minutes unaccounted for. He works his way through the crew to find the rat, with predictable results. Every part in this film was phoned in – and that includes those of the main players. You’d get more suspense in any police procedural drama replaying on television.
New TV Releases
“Warrior” Season 1
“Queens of Mystery” Series 1
“A French Village” The Complete Series
“A Discovery of Witches” Series 1
“America’s Next Top Model” No. 17
“Doctor Who: Planet of Giants”
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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