#Middlebury #Movies
“Vendetta: Truth, Lies and the Mafia” – While we wait patiently for the upcoming “Sopranos” prequel, take a gander at this Netflix original true-crime docuseries about a Sicilian anti-Mafia movement. One arm of it is led by Silvana Saguto, a prominent anti-Mafia judge; the other by journalist and TV host Pino Maniaci. He claims that Saguto is actually her own self-made Mafia branch, profiting off corruption by keeping money seized from Mafia businesses for herself. Saguto, of course, then claims Maniaci is a Mafia lackey out to destroy her professional career. Both were ultimately charged with various crimes, and both claim they are the real victim. It’s a fascinating look into the grey area between corruption and opportunity. Much of the series is in Italian, so subtitles are involved. (Netflix)
Scene from “The Wonder Years” (ABC/Erika Doss photo)
“The Wonder Years” – It’s the 1980s sitcom reboot we didn’t know we needed until it was announced earlier this year. But this reboot is not a continuation of the lives of Kevin Arnold and his family of the late 1960s. Instead, the beloved series will follow the day-to-day lives of the Williams family of Montgomery, Alabama, in the late 1960s. The Williamses are a Black family, so while the show will cover many of the same plot lines centered around the 12-year-old son, Dean, it will be from a wholly different cultural perspective. Don Cheadle plays the adult version of Dean narrating the stories of his tween years. Premieres Friday, Sept. 24. (ABC)
“Ahir Shah: Dots” – A Max original special, “Dots” is the latest stand-up special by Ahir Shah, taped over two shows in a London West End theater. The Cambridge-educated comedian addresses topics ranging from philosophy and faith, English colonialism and his yet-to-be-born children to internet hostility, cigarettes and his own depression, interspersed with laugh-out-loud gags. Believe me, it’s much funnier than it sounds. Premieres Thursday, Sept. 23. (HBOMax)
“Foundation” – If you’ve been looking for a new highly complex future-world drama to provide workplace water cooler fodder for the next few years, try “Foundation.” Based on the Isaac Asimov sci-fi trilogy of the same name, it describes the demise and revival of an immense galactic empire, represents the rise of science as the new faith for humankind, and introduces the fictional concept of psychohistory. Yeah, it’s complex. (Apple TV)
In Case You Missed It
“Mourning Son” – Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro suffered a horrific tragedy at age 15 when his mother was murdered in their home by her ex-boyfriend. In this 2015 documentary, Navarro tells how his life was abruptly altered forever by this event. It’s an exceptionally honest and introspective disclosure, and includes interviews with family members as well as footage of Navarro’s own therapy sessions as he tries to work through his ongoing grief. The movie is not rated, but be forewarned this is certainly not for kids or tweens. Strong language, graphic crime-scene photos and intense emotional topics abound. (Prime Video)
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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