#Middlebury #DVDs
“Gemini Man” (PG-13) – Will Smith faces off against a younger Will Smith in the long-awaited – seriously, this concept has been knocking around Hollywood for about 20 years – story of an assassin who finds out he was cloned, and that he is on the clone’s hit list. Smith plays Henry Brogan, a recently retired Marine sniper whose last target was no bad guy at all. When he finds out, the knowledge puts Brogan in the crosshairs of Junior (also Smith), a product of a secret government experiment to create clones who feel no pain and have no emotions. Director Ang Lee holds his own, but it’s not as rewatchable as some of his other films.
Scene from “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil“ (Walt Disney Pictures photo)
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (PG) – Five years have passed since Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and Aurora (Elle Fanning) awoke to a better relationship as godmother and goddaughter. Five years of courting, too, has prompted a proposal from Prince Philip, which Maleficent opposes. When it’s time to meet the in-laws, things start to get a little dicey, as Philip’s mother, Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer), moves to claim Aurora as her own. Maleficent is blamed for a host of evil deeds, the punishment for which will lead her to a group of outcast creatures and her own eventual salvation. I’m surprised this was a simple PG, not so much that there’s any overt or bloody violence, but there’s a lot of dark, brooding scenes that small children might not enjoy.
“Jexi” (R) – If you’re addicted to your phone, this awkward rom-com might do double duty as a scared-straight course in digital management. Consider Phil (Adam Devine), a cell-obsessed “loser“ who gets an upgraded phone that includes an AI life manager named Jexi (voiced by Rose Byrne). First she gets him out of his shell – for instance, calling Phil’s crush and not letting him hang up – but then she turns jealous virtual girlfriend once he’s out. Treat it for the cupcake cinema it is – cute and sweet, and over quickly – and you won’t be disappointed.
“The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” (R) – Kit Harington plays the titular Donovan, an actor in a teen drama who enjoys the heights of success that can be achieved with a willing media and good looks. Jacob Trembley (as the child) and Ben Schnetzer (as a young adult) play Rupert Turner, a young boy with a celebrity crush that endures bullying and mocking but who also maintains an unexpected pen pal relationship with his idol Donovan. The film explores the ravages of exhaustive celebrity and repercussions of homosexuality.
New TV Releases
“The Mindy Project” The Complete Series
“Veep” Season 7
“You” The Complete First Season
“Krypton” The Complete Series
“No Passport Required” Season 2
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.