It's a fair cop

The Witch

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Wow! How (and why) in the hell did that get booked in multiplexes? Yes, it's about witchery for sure, but in its look, its pacing, its language, it's as arthouse as can be. Hell, though it's set in colonial New England, it feels positively Scandinavian in its unconcern for keeping the customer satisfied. I can't imagine it's going to have any box office, especially by the end of the weekend when word of mouth will have made it clear that viewers are not in for good, brainless thrills and fun.

But if you're in no more hurry than the film is (and incidentally, despite the pace it clocks in at < 100 minutes), and if you're willing to take up residence in a world where piety is merely a minimum condition, and where the existence of evildoing is proved by denial of evildoing, then get to this right away, because the devil of poor attendance may deny it much of an afterlife.

Race

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I may have seen a more formulaic, cliché-ridden sports biopic in my life, but I can't think when. Hint to future filmmakers: if the heart of your film is one of the best-known episodes in sports history, concentrate on character rather than trying to milk dramatic tension out of questions like Will Jesse Owens compete in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin? and if so, How will he succeed? Give your characters more dimensions than cardboard, and the fact that we already know the answers to those questions won't undermine your narrative.

I will say this, though: given that racism isn't just a historical cliché, this film is worthwhile if only as a teaching tool for the young. That's something; I just wish it had been worthwhile for me.

Trailers

• Triple 9--More fun with guns!
• The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist--Why can't Vera Farmiga get better work?
• The Brothers Grimsby--Just another assassination comedy, starring Sacha Baron Cohen.
• The Other Side of the Door--Spoiler alert: even though she's admonished not to open it, . . . aww, you guessed.
• Green Room--Biggest question from this trailer: who is that singing "Bad Moon Risin'"?
• Hardcore Harry--You have always wanted to be an action star, right?
• Me Before You--Khaleesi in a tearjerker.
• The Young Messiah--Jesus as a surly teen? Let us pray.