
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in a scene from the movie "The Current War: Director's Cut." Rated: A-III, PG-13. 101 STUDIOS | CNS
The Current War (2019)
Intriguing historical drama recounting the bitter contest
between inventor Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) and industrialist George
Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) as they raced to spread electricity across the
United States in the last decades of the 19th century, with Serbian-American
tech whiz Nikola Tesla (Nicholas Hoult) supporting first one then the other.
Although director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's film occasionally drags, overall the
high stakes, a sophisticated exploration of moral themes, the colorful period
settings and impressive performances, especially from Cumberbatch, make this an
appealing retrospective. Probably acceptable for mature teens.
Watch out for: Brief gore,
a few profanities, several mild oaths, a crass term. Spanish titles option.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA:
PG-13. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Battles both physical and spiritual play out in this
ninth, and officially final, installment in the main body of the blockbuster
franchise. With the evil First Order rebranding themselves the Final Order as
they prepare to launch a vast space fleet capable of crushing all opposition,
General Leia (the late Carrie Fisher), commander of the Resistance, dispatches
her ablest follower, Rey (Daisy Ridley), to locate the enemy's secret base. Rey
is aided by ex-stormtrooper-turned-Resistance-fighter Finn (John Boyega) and by
hotshot pilot Poe (Oscar Isaac). But Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), now the Order's
supreme leader, is convinced that he can draw Rey over to the Dark Side to
which he, once the good Ben Solo, long ago surrendered himself. While the
status of the saga's trademark Force remains ambivalent from a Christian
perspective, lessons about making moral choices, rejecting temptation and the
power of forgiveness and redemption are clear. Although it feels less
substantive than the previous chapter, director and co-writer J.J. Abrams'
sci-fi epic certainly has spectacle to spare as well as some touching moments.
Probably acceptable for older teens.
Watch out for: Much
stylized combat violence with minimal gore, a same-sex kiss, a couple of mild
oaths, at least one crass term. Spanish language and titles options.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA:
PG-13. (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray)