#Middlebury #Movies
“Hype House” – First there was Tik-Tok, which begat influencers, some of whom made a lot of money doing random things for 20 seconds at a time. Then a handful of the most popular influencers all moved into a big house in Los Angeles so they could create their content full-time. Netflix decided to film them 24/7 and make a reality series out of it. We have now arrived at the fifth circle of Dante’s Hell (or is it the fifth circle of Hype?). Premiers Jan. 7. (Netflix)
Daniel Ranieri, Christopher Lloyd in “The Tender Bar” (Prime Video photo)
“The Tender Bar” (R) – Cute kid with deadbeat dad gains male guidance from good-hearted uncle, who lets him hang out in his neighborhood bar in 1970s Long Island. The story is the real-life memoir of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer J.R. Moehringer and stars Ben Affleck as Uncle Charlie. Young J.R. is played by Daniel Ranieri and older J.R. by Tye Sheridan. This George Clooney-directed film generates a nice mix of chortles and throat-tightening sobs from the sweet – if not slightly predictable – story. Extra love for Christopher Lloyd as Grandpa Moehringer. (Prime Video)
“Teenage Euthanasia” – First, don’t judge the series based on its title; “Euthanasia” is actually the first name of the teenaged main character (who goes by Annie for short). Annie was given up at birth by her mother, Fantasy Trophy, and raised by her grandparents at their funeral home in fictional Fort Gator, Florida. Upon Fantasy’s death by overdose, her body arrives at that very funeral home, where Annie’s tears combine with embalming fluid and a lightning bolt to magically bring her mother back to life. This animated, adult-oriented, dark comedy stars Maria Bamford as Fantasy and Jo Firestone as Annie, and includes a plethora of celebrity guest voices like Stephen Colbert, Patton Oswalt and Aidy Bryant. (HBO Max)
“Amazing Race Season 33” – In what has been the longest season-in-progress in “Amazing Race” history, the perennial award-winning competition show returns Jan. 5. Eleven teams initially began filming in early 2020, only to be suspended after just eight days due to the emerging pandemic in many of the planned locales. Eighteen months later, aboard its own chartered 757, the show recommenced filming, with an altered schedule to visit only countries with low COVID-19 rates (and down two teams who were unable to rejoin for other reasons). Teams this time around include internet personalities, teachers, radio hosts and police officers, all vying for the $1 million grand prize. (Paramount+)
“The Righteous Gemstones” (TV-MA) – One of streaming TV’s most underrated shows, the satirical comedy about a dysfunctional family of evangelical televangelists returns Jan. 9 for its second season. The star-packed cast includes John Goodman, Jason Schwartzman, Adam DeVine, Eric Roberts and Dermot Mulroney, just for starters, and is the brainchild of actor/producer/writer Danny McBride (“Pineapple Express,” “Vice Principals”). While continuing their Texas-based ministry of self-promotion, the Gemstones are saving souls and padding bankrolls (though not necessarily in that order). (HBO Max)
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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