Sumter Scene January 6, 2019

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AJ Michalka gets ‘Schooled’ in ABC spinoff

The

Sumter Scene Week Week k off JJanuary 6 - 12 1 12, 2 2019 2, 2019

12

‘Ben is Back’ and Julia Roberts has him

14

Quiet day for Sumter’s resident swans

‘The Goldbergs’ spinoff ‘Schooled’ gives AJ Michalka her own show

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Now on Netflix .........2 New on Hulu ............4 Amazon Prime ..........6 Local Events .............8 Puzzles ........... 10 & 11 Movie Schedule ......13

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The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 1

What’s New NOW on January 11

“Friends From College” Now that everyone’s extramarital activities are out in the open, the friends must find a way to move forward, especially as Max’s (Fred Savage) wedding looms, in the second season of creator Nick Stoller’s entertaining comedy series. KeeganMichael Key, Cobie Smulders, Nat Faxon, Annie Parisse and Jae Park are among the cast returnees.

(ORIGINAL) Season Premiere

“The Last Laugh” A retired talent manager (Chevy Chase) reconnects with a former client (Richard Dreyfuss) and urges the stand-up comic to go back out onto the road in this original comedy movie from writer/director Greg Pritikin (“Surviving Eden”). Andie MacDowell, Kate Micucci and Ritchie Montgomery are also in the strong cast. (ORIGINAL) Premiere

“Solo” A young surfer must fight to survive after falling from a remote cliff in the Canary Islands in this 2018 drama movie from Spain. Alain Hernández, Aura Garrido and Ben Temple star for director Hugo Stuven (“Anomalous”). (ORIGINAL) Premiere

“Sex Education” A teenager and his bad-girl pal use his knowledge gleaned from being the son of a sex therapist to help other students through their problems and gain status in their high school in this original comedy series. Asa Butterfield (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”), Emma Mackey (“Summit Fever”) and Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”) star. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere

Coming Soon “Revenger” (Jan. 15) Bruce Khan (“The Medallion”) stars as a revenge-minded detective who infiltrates a remote island full of death-row inmates in search of a brutal fiend in this actioner from Asia.

(ORIGINAL) “Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry” (Jan. 15) The Chicago-born, Italy-raised comic takes on life’s annoyances – among them wedding dances, spin classes and pregnancy photo shoots – in this stand-up special.

(ORIGINAL) “Young Wallander” (date TBA) The titular detective tackles his first-ever case in this U.K./Swedish series based on the early life of Henning Mankell’s popular police inspector.

(ORIGINAL)

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Experts: Best after-Christmas sales include winter gear, video games and more

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com Christmas may be over, but with gift cards ever growing in popularity as a gift item across the U.S., many consumers say the week between Christmas and New Year’s is “the time to shop for me.”

What products have the best buys this week that consumers should be looking for?

Retail industry experts from a television network and a leading comparisonshopping website weighed in recently on what products shoppers can get the most bang for their buck for this week.

Winter clothing/accessories Retailers are generally trying to clear out their winter gear this week to get in their spring apparel with the start of the new year, according to Today Show financial editor Jean Chatzky.

“You are going to get really, really good deals now on coats, hats, gloves and scarfs,” Chatzky said Wednesday.

She said department stores may be offering sales of up to 50 percent off.

Julie Ramhold with shopping website DealNews, agreed.

Locally, Amy Ohl of Simpson Hardware & Sports, 40 W. Wesmark Blvd., said the retailer has a large group of winter wear at 25 to 40 percent off this week. Certain

camouflage items at Simpson - such as jackets, pullovers and overalls - are 40 percent off this week.

Ohl said Simpson runs many items at clearance prices now to try to clean out the store and get ready for spring and summer clothing that will be coming in soon.

Holiday decorations Most people know that right after Christmas has always been considered the best time of year to stock up on wrapping paper and other holiday items.

Chatzky of the Today Show said shoppers can find decorations this week for 70 to 80 percent off.

“If you want one of those big inflatable things to put on your lawn, today is the day to buy it,” Chatzky said.

Simpsons was selling its holiday decorations on Thursday for 60 percent off.

Video games and electronics If you have any video gamers in the family, deals should also be ripe this week, according to Chatzky and Ramhold from DealNews. Shoppers can expect some video games to be up to 75 percent off.

“Even games that were published in October, November and December are going to be on sale,” Chatzky said.

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What’s New NOW on

Coming Soon “Forever My Girl” (Jan. 14) After being gone for eight years, a country star (Alex Roe) returns to his hometown and the girl he left at the altar (Jessica Rothe) in this 2018 romance movie. Travis Tritt and John Benjamin Hickey also star.

January 11

“Future Man” Season 2 of Seth Rogen’s sci-fi/comedy series picks up in the year 2162, when Josh, Wolf and Tiger learn their mission to keep the cure from getting out didn’t work. Josh Hutcherson, Derek Wilson and Eliza Coupe return as the friends in question, joined by newcomer Haley Joel Osment (“The Sixth Sense”). (ORIGINAL) Season Premiere

“Would You Rather” “Pitch Perfect” regular Brittany Snow stars in this 2012 horror yarn about a young woman who agrees to partake in a sadistic aristocrat’s deadly game in order to raise funds for her sickly brother. Jeffrey Combs, Jonny Coyne and Lawrence Gilyard Jr. are also in the talented cast for director David Levy.

“The Foot Fist Way” Danny McBride stars as an inept tae kwon do instructor who struggles with marital woes and an unhealthy obsession with a fellow martial arts enthusiast in this 2006 comedy from McBride’s future “Vice Principals” cohort Jody Hill. Mary Jane Bostic, Ben Best and Hill also star.

“Crossing Swords” (date TBA) From the makers of “Robot Chicken” comes this animated comedy series about a goodhearted peasant who lands a coveted job with the royal family, only to discover his new bosses are horndogs, crooks and charlatans. (ORIGINAL)

“The Devil’s Rejects” If you were a fan of “House of 1000 Corpses,” filmmaker-rocker Rob Zombie has another dose of gore in store for you in this purposely unpleasant 2005 sequel. Two of the first picture’s sadistic killers (Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie) are on the loose, ultimately taking hostages at a motel. While a sheriff (William Forsythe) tries to get information from the felons’ mother (Leslie Easterbrook), the villains toy with their captives.

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What’s New NOW on Coming Soon

January 6

“Bestseller” A Chicago literary agent (Melissa Anschutz) heads for a much-needed vacation at a remote cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where a disgruntled writer (DJ Perry) lies in wait in this 2015 thriller from first-time director Christina Rohn.

Terence Knox, Taylor Nichols and Lana Wood also star.

“Line of Duty” Four best friends wind up on opposite sides of the law in writer/director Bryan Ramirez’s 2013 crime thriller about two FBI agents (Jeremy Ray Valdez, Will Rothhaar) who go under cover to infiltrate a drug ring run by pals from their youth (Walter Perez, Joseph Julian Soria).

“Promised Land” Much as he had Ben Affleck as a colleague in both writing and acting in the Oscar-winning “Good Will Hunting,” Matt Damon has a similar peer in John Krasinski (“The Office”) in this drama about fracking. Damon plays an energy company rep visiting a Pennsylvania town to get rights to drill for gas reserves, with Krasinski as an environmentalist who opposes his efforts.

“Margin Call” An excellent ensemble cast depicts the impact of the economic crisis on one financial firm in writer-director J.C. Chandor’s smart 2011 drama.

Jeremy Irons plays the head of an investment bank suddenly on the brink of disaster. Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto, Simon Baker, Penn Badgley, Demi

Building Wealth for Over a Century

“The Fighting Shirley Chisholm” (date TBA) Viola Davis (“How to Get Away With Murder”) has the title role as the trailblazing U.S. Congresswoman who became the first woman and the first AfricanAmerican to run for president. (ORIGINAL) “Suspiria” (date TBA) A remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 Italian thriller, this new incarnation stars Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton in the tale of a dance company beset by a supernatural force.

(ORIGINAL) “Utopia” (date TBA) Author/screenwriter Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl,” “Sharp Objects”) is the creator of this nine-episode series about a group of young adults who are hunted by a shadowy deep state organization after they come into possession of a near-mythical graphic novel and the conspiracy theories within. (ORIGINAL)

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6 • The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019

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A N R N M A R Q U E T T E C A

C Y A I A C A M R M A N D A G

J O H N N Y H E S Z H E F L V

H A T E G I M A U P E E A L E

J G E T L Z A D R D I S T E W

E H A A S C R O L L C N J N O

K C V J A F N W Q O I L O E T

T H C D M X E S T U K E N F H

A E E E I I C T A B E C M K F

K M A Q N R C H A Z P T E C Q

Y A U C A T Q H D I E R L E U

B E H U H A R U A X C A L P A

A L A I N E Y I E L C G O M V

E L I V O J R K C O K N R A A

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“Schooled” on ABC (Words in parentheses not in puzzle)

Lainey (Lewis)

(AJ) Michalka

(William Penn) Academy

(Principal) Glascott

(Tim) Meadows

(New Music) Teacher

(Coach) Mellor

(Bryan) Callen

Nineties

Charlie ("CB" Brown)

(Brett) Dier

Eccentric

Johnny (Atkins)

(Sean) Marquette

Spinoff

A N R N M A R Q U E T T E C A

C Y A I A C A M R M A N D A G

J O H N N Y H E S Z H E F L V

H A T E G I M A U P E E A L E

J G E T L Z A D R D I S T E W

E H A A S C R O L L C N J N O

K C V J A F N W Q O I L O E T

T H C D M X E S T U K E N F H

A E E E I I C T A B E C M K F

K M A Q N R C H A Z P T E C Q

Y A U C A T Q H D I E R L E U

B E H U H A R U A X C A L P A

A L A I N E Y I E L C G O M V

E L I V O J R K C O K N R A A

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The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 7

The Sumter Scene CLAY RICE - THE STICK EXHIBIT Thursday, December 6, 2018 - 3:00am to Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 4:00am

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CLARENDON HALL College Preparatory Education in a Christian Environment

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BELLAMY BROTHERS Friday, January 11, 2019 7:30pm Howard and David continue to prove the trail they’ve ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself--music that is now celebrating 40 years of success.

What is success for these ‘Dancing Cowboys?’ The Bellamy Brothers hold the record in both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association Awards for the most duo nominations. Their walls are filled with platinum and gold.

Whether your favorite is ‘Old Hippie,’ ‘Let Your Love Flow,’ or ‘Kids of the Baby Boom,’ you’ll want to be in the crowd when these self-proclaimed road dogs come to the Sumter Opera House on January 11th at 7:30 pm!

Ticket Pricing: $37 / $40 / $45 PIRATE SCHOOL Thursday, January 17, 2019 9:30am Pirate School!

Get ready for a boatload of swashbuckling antics with “Pirate School!” Seafarers have historically pushed science and technology forward, so who better to captivate and expand children’s horizons than the Pirate School’s swaggering staff? Concepts addressed will include atmospheric pressure, wind and currents, aerodynamics of a sailboat (Science), simple machines (Engineering), navigation (Math), and of course the

8 • The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019

flight of a cannonball (Technology)! Garnering raves from presenters and audience’s alike “Pirate School” gives kids and their families the chance to live the dream of the roving swashbuckler in a joyful, riotous fashion.

Don’t miss it at the Sumter Opera House on Jan. 17th at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Recommended for grades 3-4.

ANNUAL CHAMBER RETREAT Friday, January 18, 2019 All Day to Sunday, January 20, 2019 All Day Save the date for the 2019 Chamber Retreat located at the Sonesta Resort on beautiful Hilton Head Island!

The weekend has been carefully crafted to offer you the perfect blend of work and fun! We will kick the weekend off on Friday in a beach side pavilion with a lowcountry boil and BBQ. While you eat and visit, you will be able to enjoy a live steel drum band! Friday evening’s entertainment will be presented

by Thompson Family of Companies and Duke Energy.

Saturday will feature Bill Miles, President & CEO of the Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, as the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions will also take place on Saturday.

Attendees can choose two breakout sessions from the topics Made in Sumter, Light it Up!, and Movin’ on Up. Saturday afternoon will offer suggested leisure activities followed by a “Dress for the Decades” dinner banquet and music provided by Elijah

Event Calendar

and the Valentinos. Start planning your costume now, there will be a prize for the best “decade” themed outfit.

Saturday’s entertainment will be presented by Black River Electric Cooperative & Sumter Economic Development/ The Link.

Sunday will feature community reports from the Young Professionals of Sumter, Sumter County, Sumter School District, and more!

This year’s package price includes more than ever before! Your registration includes the Friday night Lowcountry Boil & BBQ as well as the great programming you have come to expect; such as breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, the Chamber Banquet, hospitality and cocktail socials, and all general sessions and speakers.

Children’s activities will be available throughout the weekend. Programs will include arts & crafts, games, & movies.

Sessions Available: Saturday – 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Sat – 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Sun – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Cost is $20 per child, per session. Choose whichever sessions you need.

Children must be potty trained to attend.

Registration required by Friday, January 4th ***Children’s Itinerary*** http://www.sumterchamber.com/events/ details/2019-chamber-retreat-3110 ANNUAL DR. MLK DREAM WALK Monday, January 21, 2019 -

9:30am Annual Dr. MLK Dream Walk; 3 miles Registration 8:30 am, Walk 9:30 am, Program 11 am Starts and ends at USC Sumter Nettles Building No cost to walk.

Sponsored by USC Sumter and Morris College.

JOSHUA LOZOFF Friday, January 25, 2019 11:30am Magic, mind-reading, mentalism, and mystery! Joshua Lozoff’s show combines his love for the art of magic, and his fascination with psychology, intuition and other “inner workings of the mind.” Joshua appears to read minds, but what he really does is read people, a highly applicable skill. In this interactive presentation, Joshua pulls back the curtain to reveal his true secrets: not trap doors or mirrors, but the subtle ways we communicate with each other. He illustrates his ideas with mind-boggling demonstrations that you’ll swear are real magic... because they are! See the Matinee performance at 11:30 a.m. or the evening Main Stage Series show at 7:30 p.m., but make sure you see him at the Sumter Opera House on Jan. 25th!

WEEK OF JANUARY 6 TO 12, 2019 THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: ARIES, TAURUS AND GEMINI

ARIES The party’s not over yet and there are still many reasons to celebrate. At work, a demanding client will overwhelm you.

TAURUS Time is becoming a sparse commodity, but you can’t afford to neglect any of your responsibilities. Your boss may ask you to go into work even on your day off.

GEMINI

BY JAY BOBBIN AJ Michalka admits she’s somewhat surprised to be getting “Schooled.”

Though she was a regular on “The Goldbergs” for two seasons, much of her time there has been as a recurring player – but she and her character, Lainey Lewis, fuel the ABC spinoff premiering Wednesday, Jan. 9, immediately following the parent show. The new sitcom brings Lainey into the 1990s and a job as a music teacher at her alma mater, but Principal Glascott and Coach Mellor (Tim Meadows and Bryan Callen, also continuing their “Goldbergs” roles) don’t accept her new status readily ... nor does Lainey herself.

“She’s grown up, so I’m finding out who she is in the ‘90s,” the pleasant Michalka says, “but I feel so comfortable having played her for the last six seasons.” The actress appreciates that the new show is “praising teachers. They’re helping to raise these kids, just like teachers helped raise Adam (on ‘The Goldbergs’), and that’s a cool ode that’s not really being done on TV right now. I have huge respect for what they do.”

Lainey still feels compelled to prove herself to others, which doesn’t remove her too far from her students. “That’s a bit of the comedy behind this,” Michalka confirms. “She’s still figuring out who she is while she has to mentor these kids.”

Though executive producer and co-creator Adam Goldberg (played by Sean Giambrone in the first show) had talked to Michalka about being in “Schooled,” she admits it ultimately was “a

AJ Michalka gets ‘Schooled’ in ABC’s spinoff of ‘The Goldbergs’ surprise” to find herself so pivotal to it. “I figured they would maybe have me in and out. I didn’t know it would be this extensive; I’m now narrating the show, too.”

While starting “Schooled,” Michalka also was back working on “The Goldbergs,” putting touches on Lainey’s relationship with Barry (Troy Gentile) that enable her new path. Still being in the company of other “Goldbergs” veterans on “Schooled,” Michalka maintains, “There’s just such an easy rhythm on the set, which you don’t usually get on a new show.” She adds that “Jane the Virgin” alum Brett Dier, who plays fellow teacher Charlie “C.B.” Brown, is “the new kid in town, and we just adore him.”

Michalka would welcome her fellow singer-actress sister Aly getting a “Schooled” role, though she trusts Goldberg to orchestrate that organically if it happens. For now, she’s adjusting to leaving some “Goldbergs” colleagues while leading a series for the first time – but she’s not opposed to returning to that show.

“Adam’s always full of surprises, and characters always come back,” Michalka reasons. “Who knows where I’ll be when they’re on Episode 22 of this season? I’m game to do both, as long as they want me to.”

There may be a last minute vacation in the works. Learning a new skill will excite you and you’ll start to think about going back to school.

CANCER The beginning of a new year is always an emotional time for you. Personally and professionally, there are many new challenges on the horizon.

LEO Pay attention to your loved ones; it’s possible that your happy life will be disrupted by a misunderstanding. You may need to treat those you care about with kid gloves.

VIRGO It’s time to clean up. The holidays are over and you now need to move on to more serious things. An unexpected departure may land you the job of your dreams.

LIBRA This is the perfect time to start taking care of yourself. You’ll discover your passion in life, which will make you want to start working towards a new goal.

SCORPIO Whether you’re on vacation or not, you’ll spend more time with your family this week. If you have an opening in your schedule, take advantage of it by redecorating or rearranging your furniture.

SAGITTARIUS There’s either too much going on or not enough; there’s no happy medium. When you want time to yourself, there will be a crowd of people around you; when you’re alone, you’ll miss your friends.

CAPRICORN You’ll take a few hours this week to return or exchange gifts at the mall. While you’re there, you’ll find some great deals and decide to treat yourself.

AQUARIUS Take advantage of your time off this week and plan activities with family or friends. You won’t want to sit still this week, so even if you’re alone, you’ll take off on an adventure.

PISCES You’ll be confused and easily distracted this week. The last few weeks have left you exhausted, so make sure you use your time off to relax.

The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 9

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10 • The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019

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Report: Trump lawyers’ letter er to Mueller challenges subpoenaa

BY JONATHAN LEMIRE The Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's lawyers composed a secret 20-page letter to special counsel Robert Mueller to assert that he cannot be forced to testify while arguing that he could not have committed obstruction because he has absolute authority over all federal investigations.

The existence of the letter, which was first reported and posted by The New York Times on Saturday, was a bold assertion of presidential power and another front on which Trump's lawyers have argued that the president can't be subpoenaed in the special counsel's ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

The letter is dated January

Grasses are the most common cause of allergies.

A doctor can determine whether you have a pollen allergy with a skin scratch test or blood test.

No spring break for detention center students

THE HE ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Donald Trump, center, accompanied by Secretary ary of State Mike Pompeo, left, speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn outside the Oval Office in Washington on Friday after fter meeting with former North Korean military intelligence chief Kim m Yong Chol.

After the meeting Trump announced that the Summit with ith North Korea will go forward. Read the full story at www.theitem.com. m.com.

Department leaking my lawyers letters to the Fake News

d publicly have privately and n that the expressed concern

It’s sneezing zin ng sseason, e but the yellow stuff at causes caus your spring allergies isn’t what

Ragweed is the most common weed allergy.

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

Allergy shot therapy has been available for more than 100 years.

Source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com Four National Bank of South Carolina branch locations in Sumter and one each in Manning and Bishopville will soon get a facelift as the bank transitions its signage and other legal branding to its parent company’s name.

Since January, Synovus has implemented a staggered brand transition across five states of all of its non-Synovus bank divisions, company spokesman Lee Underwood said Friday.

With 38 branches in South Carolina, NBSC will complete that brand transition of signage, business cards, pens and other legal branding this month. The signage transition in Sumter County is scheduled for the middle of the month,

Underwood said.

NBSC was actually founded in Sumter in 1905. Synovus acquired NBSC in 1995.

Currently, NBSC has 340 employees.

Having one brand name will help with marketing and customer recognition across the Southeast, according to Underwood.

NBSC Sumter Market President Melissa White said she was proud of the reputation that NBSC has built in conjunction with Synovus and is looking forward to the future.

“Adopting the Synovus name while maintaining our local, relationship-centered delivery model will increase awareness of our regional presence, our financial capabilities and our ability to meet the needs of customers and prospects,” White said.

‘ ’

POLLEN FACTS

Using central air-conditioning with a HEPA filter attachment can help reduce allergy symptoms.

NBSC sign change coming later this month in tri-county

S

EXCEPTIONAL EXCITING EXPERIENCED

Those who struggle with seasonal allergies suffer this time of year from symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes.

pring brings forth hm many any wonderful w ople fro om na at with its that cause allergies, according to experts. things to people from nature warmer temperatures, but peraaturees, b u there is at Tree pollen peaks in the spring, grass pollen peaks in the summer, and weed pollen peaks least one unwelcome me ccompanion om mpanio each in the fall. year — pollen.

There are actually different types of pollen

SEE POLLEN, PAGE A6

Why militarization of border isn’t new ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)

press Mexican-American re-

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The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 11

Julia Roberts Top 10 Movies

BY JAY BOBBIN “Eat Pray Love” (2010): In a definite “star turn,” Roberts plays a recent divorcee who embarks on a figurative and literal journey of self-discovery.

“Ocean’s Eleven” (2001): Roberts is knowing and game as the only woman in a “boys club” in the remake of the Las Vegas heist caper.

“Erin Brockovich” (2000): Doing Oscar-winning work, Roberts is compelling as a real-life crusader for residents of a toxic area.

“Notting Hill” (1999): Roberts sends up her own image as a movie superstar who falls for a modest British bookstore owner (Hugh Grant).

“Stepmom” (1998): Roberts holds her own against Susan Sarandon, who plays the biological mother of youngsters destined to get Roberts’ character as their stepmother.

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997): A luminous Roberts can’t be disliked, even as her alter ego tries wrecking the vows of the man she loves.

“The Pelican Brief” (1993): In one of her best dramatic performances, Roberts makes a good match for Denzel Washington in John Grisham’s law thriller.

“Pretty Woman” (1990): Well, of course. The movie that made Roberts a true star casts her as a prostitute who becomes much more to her businessman client (Richard Gere).

“Steel Magnolias” (1989): Roberts’ first Oscar nomination came for her superb work as a young wife and mother-to-be among a group of close Southern female friends.

“Mystic Pizza” (1988): The star quality of Roberts was evident early in this cult favorite about Connecticut pizza parlor employees.

BY JAY BOBBIN

‘Ben Is Back,’ and Julia Roberts has him For Julia Roberts, the past year has been one of challenging herself and her fan base, and it’s been quite stunning to witness.

She did so by teaming with “Mr. Robot” mentor Sam Esmail to enter the streaming-series realm with Amazon’s “Homecoming,” and she did so again in the independent-film world as the center of “Ben Is Back,” writer-director Peter Hedges’ drama about the effect of a recovering addict’s return to his family at holiday time.

The titular Ben is that returnee, played by Lucas Hedges (the filmmaker’s son), and he strikes very authentic-feeling notes as someone who maintains he’s getting sober – but who also leaves enough doubt for others to be concerned about his renewed presence in the household. The main skeptics are his stepfather (Courtney B. Vance) and his sister (Kathryn Newton of “Big Little Lies”), but his mother Holly (Roberts) withstands their worries to put her faith in him.

That’s a risky emotional bet, since others, including drug suppliers both licensed and highly unlicensed, pose hurdles to Ben and his path. In turn, they also are potential problems for Holly, whose gamble on Ben doesn’t necessarily include complete conviction that he’ll be able to resist such temptations.

While the cast of “Ben Is Back” is uniformly fine, the heaviest lifting falls on Roberts, who manages to stay true to her brand while also moving past it to meet the story needs here ... no small feat. Strength and empathy have been the Oscar winner’s chief trademarks, and while those remain present in her work as Holly, she has to stretch and contour them in developing her portrait of a woman who is certain the sheer force of her love will cure her family’s ills. But then again, maybe it won’t.

That’s where credit also goes to director Hedges’ script. It’s as suspenseful as any spy story to see how the events play out, and whether they’ll draw the family members closer together – the traditional way a holiday story would go – or ultimately drive them farther apart. For a very substantial stretch of “Ben Is Back,” either outcome is possible, making this a brave story to tell with a major star such as Roberts at the forefront.

With her being in it, “Ben Is Back” is likely to have a long life beyond its theatrical release, but it’s also important to note its artistry in dealing with addiction. As history has indicated, that theme will have relevance for a long time to come, too.

Michael B. Jordan

Jamie Lee Curtis

“THE PURGE: SEASON ONE”

“CASTLE ROCK: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON”

Like its source, the USA Network series, spun off from the suspense-movie franchise, makes crimes legal for a specific period of time. The focus here is on a small American town where supposedly disconnected characters face perils and plot their survival as the politically approved free-for-all unfolds.

Pivotal to the action is a Marine (played by Gabriel Chavarria) who returns home, on what happens to be the night of the Purge, after receiving a troubling message from his sister (Jessica Garza). The ensemble cast also includes Lili Simmons (“Westworld”), Lee Tergesen (“Oz”), Amanda Warren (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), Colin Woodell and Hannah Emily Anderson (“Jigsaw”), with William Baldwin and Fiona Dourif (“True Blood”) in recurring roles. ››› (Not rated: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

Stephen King-inspired characters and situations found a streaming home with this Hulu series, set in a fictional Maine town that gives the show its title.

King’s “The Shawshank Redemption” is invoked as Bill Skarsgard (who also played Pennywise in the movie version of King’s “It”) portrays a prison inmate wanting the help of a lawyer (Andre Holland) who returns to Castle Rock after having left under difficult circumstances. Melanie Lynskey also stars as a mind-reading realtor, with Sissy Spacek (who was King’s “Carrie” on film) and Jane Levy (“Don’t Breathe”) prominent in the cast as well. Scott Glenn, Terry O’Quinn and Frances Conroy are among recurring players; a second season of the series has been ordered. ››› (Not rated: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

12 • The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019

Movie Schedule

Week of January 6

HOLMES & WATSON PG-13, 1 hr 30 min Action/Adventure, Comedy, Suspense/Thriller

VICE (2018)

R, 2 hr 12 min Comedy, Drama

AQUAMAN PG-13, 2 hr 23 min Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

BUMBLEBEE PG-13, 1 hr 54 min Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

SECOND ACT PG-13, 1 hr 44 min Comedy, Romance

MARY POPPINS RETURNS (2018) PG, 2 hr 10 min Music/Performing Arts

MORTAL ENGINES PG-13, 2 hr 8 min Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

A WATERPROOF FLOOR KEEPS EVERYONE OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE. Come See The Dixie Blondes!

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE PG, 1 hr 57 min Action/Adventure, Animated, Comedy

THE MULE (2018) R, 1 hr 56 min Drama, Suspense/Thriller

CREED II PG-13, 2 hr 10 min Drama

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RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET PG, 1 hr 52 min Action/Adventure, Animated, Comedy

DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH (2018) PG, 1 hr 30 min Animated, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

ESCAPE ROOM (2019) PG-13, 1 hr 40 min Action/Adventure

(COURTESY OF COMSCORE)

“THE MEG” ››› “INCREDIBLES 2” ››› “MILE 22” ››› “CRAZY RICH ASIANS” ››› “ALPHA” ››› “ANT-MAN AND THE WASP” ›››

“CHRISTOPHER ROBIN” ››› “THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME” ››› “SKYSCRAPER” ››› “HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3” ››› The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 13

The Scene

Quiet day for Sumter’s resident swans The permanent residents of Swan Lake-Iris Gardens enjoyed a quiet day after Christmas, some with their new babies. A few of the Australian black swans are nesting during the holiday season.

Photos by Micah Green

14 • The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019

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The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 15

Our community. Your hospital.

We are defined by the personal, memorable moments we create for our patients and their families.

Our physicians and team members are a part of our community, and we are dedicated to putting you first. Because caring for each of you is our way of improving the health of our entire community.

Learn more about our care at PalmettoHealth.org/Tuomey or call 803-774-CARE (2273).

The Sumter Scene • January 6 - January 12, 2019 • 16