#MiddleburyCT #Movies
“Gladiator II” (R) – The sequel to director Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” has finally arrived 24 years after the original film was released, but how will it hold up alongside its predecessor? Starring Paul Mescal (“Normal People”), Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”) and Denzel Washington (“The Equalizer 3”), the sequel picks up 16 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius, and Rome is thick with corruption due to its psychotic twin emperors Geta and Caracalla. But Lucius (Mescal), the long-lost imperial heir, lurks in the shadows under the name “Hanno” and coincidentally becomes a gladiator when his North African kingdom gets conquered by the Roman army. Most reviews were positive, but critics did sound off on its likeness to the first film, whose magic cannot be imitated or repeated. Out now to rent. (Amazon Prime Video)
“A Real Pain” (R) – This short comedy-drama film seems to be a hidden gem for the upcoming 2025 award season, with it already receiving four nominations for the Golden Globes. Directed, written by and starring Jesse Eisenberg (“Manodrome”), the film follows American-Jewish cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) who embark on a trip to Poland to reconnect with their heritage. Throughout the trip, the two cousins’ personalities contrast completely as David assumes the honorable family-man role, while Benji is more free spirited and laid back with his life. But showing their complex love for each other against the backdrop of emotional moments in Jewish history makes for a very heartwarming watch indeed. Available to rent on Dec. 31. (Apple TV+)
Mark Eydelshteyn, left, and Mikey Madison star in “Anora.” (MovieStillsDB photo)
“Anora” (R) – From Sean Baker, director of “The Florida Project,” this comedy-drama recently won the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May, and it’s also one to watch during the award season race. Mikey Madison (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) has received much praise for her performance as the titular character, a 23-year-old stripper living in Bright Beach, New York. During a night at work, Anora gets introduced to Vanya, the young son of a Russian oligarch, and he hires her to spend a week with him. The pair fly to Las Vegas with his entourage, where the two fall into a passionate love affair that seems everlasting. They marry, and just when Anora thinks she’s about to start her “happily ever after,” Vanya’s parents make moves to get the marriage annulled. Out now to rent. (YouTube)
“Carry-On” (PG-13) – This action-thriller out now starring Taron Egerton (“Blackbird”) and Jason Bateman (“Ozark”) is sure to keep you on your toes! Egerton plays Ethan, a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport who requests to work a shift on the baggage-scanning lane on Christmas Eve. In the middle of his shift, Ethan finds an earbud that he’s told to put on; through the earbud, a mercenary called the Traveler (Bateman) demands that Ethan let a dangerous carry-on suitcase through the scanning lane. Threatening Ethan’s pregnant girlfriend as blackmail, the Traveler gives him direct orders to follow, or else people will begin to die. But did he pick the right TSA agent? (Netflix)
© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.la
You must be logged in to post a comment.