Couch theater — DVD previews
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Avengers: Endgame” (PG-13) -- After Thanos shattered the universe and left the Avengers decimated and scattered, the remaining heroes must again face him in a final standoff. But with a fistful of infinity stones, can he even be defeated? In an impressive end to the Infinity Saga, directors Joe and Anthony Russo have managed to balance six or more storylines, nail down some satisfying character development and effectively resolve a 22-film collection in one -- admittedly long but eminently worth it -- movie that will leave hard-core fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe content.
“Finding Steve Mcqueen” (R) -- This is not a Steve Mcqueen biopic, if that’s what you were expecting. You could be forgiven, as the lead, played by “Vikings” star Travis Fimmel, is enamored of the actor, striving to emulate his looks and prowess behind the wheel of a car. Which brings us to a story that’s told in flashback and ripped from the crazy but (mostly) true history books. Harry Barber (Fimmel) is a wheelman for a radicalized group of Ohioan bank robbers who take a vacation to sunny California in order to rob a bank where Richard Nixon allegedly stashes his campaign slush fund for dirty deeds. The gang is headed by Barber’s uncle, Enzo (William Fichtner), and they’re pursued by an odd couple of groundbreaking special agents, played by Forest Whitaker and Lily Rabe. It’s interesting and lighthearted.
“All Is True” (PG-13) -- Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in a work not of William Shakespeare, but about the man. With Branagh in the lead role, we find the bard in 1613, renowned and celebrated and the current owner of a burned-down theater. He returns to his wife, Anne Hathaway, in Stratfordupon-avon to reflect on his life and repair his relationships. The script is clever and amusing, as you would expect. Dame Judi Dench is lovely as Anne, as is Ian Mckellan as the Earl of Southampton. Branagh’s portrayal of Shakespeare feels like a familiar and loving tribute befitting his reverence for the poet.
“Unplanned” (R) -- Based on Abby Johnson’s 2010 the book of the same name, “Unplanned” stars Ashley Bratcher as Abby, a college girl who begins volunteering and later working for Planned Parenthood. She works her way up the ranks until one day, she is called in to assist in a procedure that changes her views forever. Spoiler alert: She becomes an anti-abortion activist who writes a “memoir” that is later turned into a movie! Look, I’m not here to tell you your politics. If there’s one thing I’m pro-choice about, it’s my movie selection. But if you choose this film, just know that it’s a hard-core pander that’s not even as well-presented as a lowbudget TV movie, and nobody should have to endure that.
TV RELEASES
“The Blacklist” Season 6 “New Amsterdam” Season 1 “Mr. Mercedes” Season 2 “Riverdale” Season 3