#Middlebury
“John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum” (R) — In this glorious threequel shoot-em-up, Keanu Reeves returns as uber-assassin John Wick, disavowed from the criminal syndicate High Table and with a $14 million bounty on his head — and a boatload of would-be collectors ready to take their shot (literally) — as he pursues a path that would remove the bounty. All this while the High Table’s Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon) attempts to re-establish control over Wick allies. If it’s highly choreographed and creative violence you’re looking for, you came to the right spot. You don’t even need to know Wick’s backstory to enjoy this ride, just a taste for stylized assassins armed with whatever weapon is available, be it blades or library books.
Naomi Scott, Mena Massoud in “Aladdin” (Disney Pictures photo)
“Aladdin” (PG) — It’s street rat meets princess with a little help from a genie in this updated, live-action remake of Disney’s “Aladdin.” Mena Massoud assumes the title role of Aladdin, a poor kid with a heart of gold who forms a connection with the beautiful princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), who’s trying to escape a cloistered life. He wins her heart, but to be together, Aladdin must transform into a worthy prince. Enter the Genie (Will Smith), who magics him up with all the tools needed to fight for her hand, even with interference from the evil court-magician Jafar (Marwan Kenzari). I’m the right age to have some strong emotional attachments to the original ’90s animated film. In the end, the final word on this version comes from my own kids, who have no such ties: It’s good, the songs are (still) catchy and Jasmine is awesome.
“The Dead Don’t Die” (R) — Director Jim Jarmusch’s strangely violent, oddly comic zombie adventure pits a trio of small-town cops (Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Chloe Sevigny) against a polar-fracking induced zombie apocalypse. In the tiny town of Centerville, strange things are afoot, bringing out all the quirks and coots, while the nonplussed police force and a Scottish samurai mortician (Tilda Swinton) seek to smother the uprising by lopping off heads. Or something like that. It’s chock-a-block with crazy characters (Carol Kane, Danny Glover, Steve Buscemi) and features a slew of musicians (Tom Waits, Selena Gomez, Iggy Pop).
“Echo in the Canyon” (PG-13) — Wallflowers front man Jakob Dylan (who also happens to be Bob Dylan’s son) pairs with director Andrew Slater for a reminisce of the mid-1960s music scene out of Laurel Canyon, the site of iconic California folk-rock sound. It’s told through footage and photos, and Dylan’s comfortably rambling interviews with legendary artists Tom Petty, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, Jackson Browne, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Michelle Phillips and more.
New TV Releases
“This Is Us” Season 3
“Supernatural” Season 14
“Hawaii Five-0”
“Chicago P.D.” Season 6
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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