#Middlebury #DVDs
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (PG) – The newest entry into a heavily saturated Spider-Man market features an alternate ‘verse that’s itself heavily saturated with Spider-Men. Or Spider-Persons. Happily, instead of being overdone, it’s fresh and new and an utter delight. Shameik Moore voices Miles Morales, a young Afro-Latino Brooklyn Spider-Man fan who gets a radioactive spider bite of his own and stumbles upon alternate versions of the web-slinger. The look and feel of this animated film is pure comic book, but accessible to fans of all types. It’s filled with self-deprecating but warm humor about its own story line and genre that will appeal to all ages, not to mention its knock-out cast (Chris Pine, Mahershala Ali, Hailee Steinfeld, Nic Cage and more).
Emily Blunt in “Mary Poppins Returns” (Disney photo)
“Mary Poppins Returns” (PG) – In Depression-era London, the Banks children are all grown up, with Michael (Ben Whishaw) working in a bank, just like dad. He’s recently widowed, and lives in the same Cherry Tree Lane home with his three adorable children, his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer) and housekeeper Ellen (Julie Walters). When the bank threatens to repossess the home, Michael and Jane search the house for share certificates that will save it, and unearth an old kite that triggers the return of Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt). Poppins brings her unique brand of magical whimsy to the children, with the help of lamplighter Jack (Lin Manuel-Miranda). I have to give props for the smooth continuity with its predecessor – 54 years is a long time to wait for a sequel.
“Big Kill” (R) – There’s nothing more Old West than a boom town gone bust, except maybe saloons, brothels, bad-guy gangs that take over and a genteel gunslinger standing up for what’s right. This “movie” has ALL of them and a grand Western film score to boot. Jim (Christoph Sanders) is a Philadelphia accountant headed to meet up with his brother in a bustling town called Big Kill. He’s joined by a couple of sassy criminals with hearts of gold and charming smiles looking for a nice place to settle out of their quasi-criminal past. Let’s just say they run into trouble of the Lou Diamond Phillips kind.
“Becoming Astrid” (NR) – Astrid Lindgren is best-known as the author of beloved children’s books – “Pippi Longstocking” among them. What lies behind the carefree stories is the subject of this Swedish biopic. Interning at a local newspaper, Astrid (Alba August) is seduced at a young age by the paper’s married editor, becomes pregnant and leaves home to bear her son. Her struggle to reclaim him, the fight to be accepted and her legacy of storytelling showcase a strong and decidedly human free-thinker.
New TV Releases
“Scooby-Doo: Prehistoric Prey” Triple Feature
“Chesapeake Shores” Season 3
“Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us”
“Doctor Who: Tom Baker” The Complete Season Seven
“Craig of the Creek: Itch to Explore”
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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