Albuquerque Journal

Video releases

- “LAND OF BAD”

U.S. Air Force drone pilot, Capt. Eddie “Reaper” Grimm (Russell Crowe), provides air support from a General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper for a Delta Force special ops mission to rescue a CIA agent located in the southern Philippine­s. After the team is attacked by the Abu Sayyaf, the Islamic State of the East Asia Province, only one member of the team, Sgt. JJ “Playboy” Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) appears to survive. Depleted of weapons and communicat­ions, Kinney must rely on his own training and Grimm’s piloting of the drone above him to escape the enemy and reach an extraction point.

Director: William Eubank. Stars: Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe, Luke Hemsworth, Ricky Whittle, Milo Ventimigli­a. 2024. 114 minutes. Drama.

“THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES”

Aren (Justice Smith), a young biracial man, is a struggling artist.

Through a series of events involving mistaken identity following the rejection of one of his sculptures, Aren meets and is recruited by Roger (David Alan Grier), a Black bartender, to The American Society of Magical Negroes. The group aims to make the daily lives of Black Americans easier to navigate by appeasing white members of society, invoking the media trope of “The Magical Negro,” in which a Black person, usually a supporting character, comes to the aid of a white protagonis­t. As Aren’s mission to help the white people around him deepens, so do his sacrifices of his own happiness.

Director: Kobi Libii. Stars: Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan. 2024. 105 minutes. Comedy.

“FITTING IN”

Growing up comes with a lot of unique challenges. When 16-yearold Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) is diagnosed with a rare reproducti­ve malady, her world is thrown into disarray as she tries to navigate her

sexuality and womanhood. As her condition impacts her relationsh­ip with her own body as well as those around her, Lindy explores unconventi­onal ways of sexual expression.

Director: Molly McGlynn. Stars:

Maddie Ziegler, D’Pharaoh Woon-ATai, Djouliet Amara, Emily Hampshire. 2024. 104 minutes. Comedy drama.

 ?? COURTESY OF ITUNES ?? Russell Crowe in “Land of Bad.”
COURTESY OF ITUNES Russell Crowe in “Land of Bad.”

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