Couch Theater – December 8, 2023

#MiddleburyCT #Movies

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (PG-13) – The fifth and final installment of the adventure film franchise starring Hollywood legend Harrison Ford is officially out now on streaming! An 81-year-old Ford adopted his token fedora and bullwhip once again to play his beloved character, while the rest of the cast included Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”), Antonio Banderas (“Puss in Boots”) and Mads Mikkelsen (“Fantastic Beasts”). In this film, Indy reunites with his goddaughter, Helena (Waller-Bridge), and the duo tries to locate the Dial of Destiny before a Nazi-turned-scientist gets his hands on it. But even de-aging software, huge special effects and help with the screenplay from Waller-Bridge couldn’t save this film from bombing in the box office. (Disney+)

“The Exorcist: Believer” (R) – Here’s yet another new film from a franchise that was expected to do well but didn’t exactly hit the mark. Out now, the sixth “Exorcist” horror film follows two girls, Angela (Lidya Jewett) and Katherine (Olivia O’Neill), who go missing one day after school. Fortunately, they are found three days later and are behaving seemingly normal, amid being shaken up. But their conditions begin to worsen as both girls start to suffer from terrifying convulsions and outbursts that can’t be explained. With possession at the forefront of everyone’s mind, an exorcism for Angela and Katherine is imminent. A sequel, “The Exorcist: Deceiver,” is slated to release sometime in 2025. (Peacock)

“A Good Person” (R) – In this emotional drama directed by Zach Braff (“A Little White Lie”), Florence Pugh (“Oppenheimer”) portrays aspiring musician Allison Johnson as she prepares to wed her boyfriend, Nathan. While driving with her future brother- and sister-in-law, Allison gets momentarily distracted, leading to a car accident that kills her passengers. A year later, the life she had before is unrecognizable to the one she has now, with her engagement having ended and an addiction to pain pills ruling her life. In an attempt to get help, Allison attends an AA meeting where Nathan’s father, Daniel (Morgan Freeman), is in attendance. Through this coincidental encounter, the two form an uncanny friendship that helps push Allison closer to the recovery finish line. Out now! (Amazon Prime Video)

Natalie Portman, left, and Julianne Moore star in “May December.” (Netflix)

“May December” (R) – Starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, this drama film is loosely based on the true story of an American teacher who began an affair with one of her middle-school students and ended up marrying him after serving prison time for rape. Portman portrays Elizabeth Berry, an actress desperate to play roles that err on the morally gray side, so she jumps at the chance to play the disgraced teacher, named Gracie (Moore). For research, Elizabeth travels to Georgia to meet Gracie and her young husband, Joe (Charles Melton), at their home. As Elizabeth works to uncover every facet of their relationship for her role, the emotional toll it takes on Gracie and Joe starts creating cracks in the foundation of their perverse relationship. (Netflix)

© 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.