Sumter Scene: February 18, 2023

Love gets complicated for a grifter and a Fed in ABC’s ‘The Company You Keep’

BY JAY BOBBIN

It’s love at first sight for a con artist and a CIA agent – but neither knows what the other does for a living in a stylish heist thriller coming to ABC.

In “The Company You Keep,” premiering Sunday, Feb. 19, Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”) executive produces and stars as Charlie, who would just as soon exit the family business of grifting for good.

One night at a bar, he encounters Emma (Catherine Haena Kim, “FBI”) and the attraction is immediate. She’s an undercover CIA agent who happens to be in pursuit of the vengeful criminal who holds Charlie’s family debts. This puts them on a collision course and forces them to reckon with the lies they’ve told to save themselves and their families from disaster.

From showrunners Julia Cohen (“A Million Little Things”) and Phil Klemmer (“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”), “The Company You Keep” is based on

the Korean series “My Fellow Citizens” and also stars William Fichtner (“Mom”), Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break”), Polly Draper (“thirtysomething”), Freda Foh Shen (“Star Trek”) and Tim Chiou (“SEAL Team”).

For Ventimiglia, “Company” comes on the heels of his six-season run as family patriarch Jack Pearson on “This Is Us,” a character completely unlike Charlie, which he found enticing.

“There was something dynamic about that; there was something to discover,” he explains. “I mean, playing Jack I discovered all I could as an actor with that character and I thought he was fully realized. With Charlie, he’s someone who kind of needs to be forgettable so that he’s not targeted by the people that he’s conning but at the same time he’s got to be so charming and persuasive and he has to reflect the people that he’s conning.

“It’s kind of the basics of a con,” he continues. “You know, if your mark, your target is sad, you’re sad; if they’re angry, you’re angry; if they’re happy, you’re happy.”

As for Kim as Emma, she inhabits a character that comes from a family of Asian American aristocrats who can’t understand their daughter’s life choices. She’s a strong woman but not without her flaws, which was a big draw for the actress.

“It’s really fun,” she says, “because she comes from this high-powered political family known as the Asian American Kennedys and she wants nothing to do with it. ... She’s the black sheep of the family and nobody knows that she’s secretly CIA.”

“She’s a real character,” Kim continues. “You know, she’s not meant to be perfect and she’s just trying to navigate love after a recent heartbreak and family and career just like we all are.”

Horoscopes Horoscopes

The luckiest signs this week:

ARIES, TAURUS AND GEMINI

ARIES

You’ll be distracted this week. You may be tired and need to rest. Your creativity will impress many after you produce a masterpiece.

TAURUS

You’ll discover a mountain of files at work that you must take care of urgently. This situation will help you become more organized and efficient, relieving stress.

GEMINI

Before undertaking a major project, take the time to relax and enjoy yourself. A promotion, for example, calls for a celebratory drink. Embrace the new challenges ahead of you.

CANCER

The idea of taking a trip or going on an adventure will stimulate you. You’ll finally find the time and means to take a well-deserved holiday and get away from it all.

LEO

An irritating situation shows up on the horizon. It would help if you made changes in your life to find happiness. Sometimes you need to shake things up.

VIRGO

You must make compromises to regain harmony at home and work. After reaching agreements with future clients or partners, new achievements are coming.

LIBRA

This week will be entirely devoted to working. If you’re looking for a job, you’ll find a demanding position that helps create better prospects for your future.

SCORPIO

If you’re no longer satisfied with your job, you’ll make some changes and find a new one that aligns with your ambitions. You could end up in the boss’s chair or start your own business.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ll have to tie up lots of loose ends at home. Once everything’s resol ved, you’ll have a better relationship with your loved ones and significant other.

CAPRICORN

You’ll purchase a new gadget that may take a bit of time to learn how to use. You’ll have to make a few trips to get all the necessary answers and find complete satisfaction.

AQUARIUS

Your drive and dynamism will allow you to spoil yourself. You may earn a considerable amount of money and treat yourself to a few luxuries, including a trip or outing that impresses many.

PISCES

You need to rest before taking on a new challenge. Get out of the house to break up the daily routine. You’ll find inner peace if you express yourself openly and promptly.

New Streaming Movies & Shows

to 12th Grades

“Bill Russell: Legend”

The legendary Boston Celtics center and civil rights icon builds a larger-than-life legacy on and off the court in this documentary from director Sam Pollard (“Sammy Davis Jr.: I Gotta Be Me,” “MLK/FBI”) that features personal archives and interviews with fellow NBA players and with Russell himself. (ORIGINAL)

“Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal”

From filmmakers Julia Willoughby Nason and Jenner Furst (“LuLa Rich,” “The Pharmacist”) comes this threepart documentary series that chronicles the story of how a fatal boating accident and subsequent murders brought to light a century of corruption, power and cover-ups comes to light for a prominent South Carolina family. (ORIGINAL)

“Dawson’s Creek”

This 1998-2003 WB Network teen drama about a close-knit group of friends in a seaside Massachusetts town featured then-up-and-coming talent including James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams (“The Fabelmans”), Joshua Jackson (“The Affair”) and John Wesley Shipp (“The Flash”).

“Movie: I’m Totally Fine”

From director Brandon Dermer (“Flatbush Misdemeanors”) comes this film comedy about Vanessa (Jillian Bell, “Workaholics”), a woman who takes a solo vacation to clear her head following the death of a friend, only to encounter an out-of-this-world situation. Blake Anderson, Natalie Morales and Karen Maruyama also star. (ORIGINAL)

“Outer Banks”

After losing the gold and fleeing the Outer Banks, the Pogues find themselves washed up on a desert island, where they find themselves fishing, swimming and enjoying the carefree life of their temporary home. That is, until they once again become caught up in the hunt for the treasure — and running for their lives. Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline and Madison Bailey are cast returnees.

(ORIGINAL)

“Formula 1: Drive to Survive”

The unscripted series from executive producers James Gay-Rees (“Amy,” “Senna”) and Paul Martin (“Diego Maradona”) once again uses never-before-seen footage and interviews from the sport’s biggest names to show viewers how drivers and teams prepare to battle it out for the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. (ORIGINAL)

“Movie: Something’s Gotta Give”

In an Oscar-nominated performance, Diane Keaton had her best role in years — and a nude scene — by reteaming with writer-director Nancy Meyers (“Baby Boom”) on this delightful 2003 romantic comedy. The playwright mother (Keaton) of a womanizer’s (Jack Nicholson) latest conquest (Amanda Peet) becomes his new love target. When he has a medical crisis, the much younger doctor (Keanu Reeves) also falls for her.

Q&A with David Giuntoli

“Movie: Bruiser”

A 14-year-old boy turns to a charismatic loner for help after being beaten up in debuting director Miles Warren’s drama movie about fathers, families and the effects of toxic masculinity. Trevante Rhodes (“Mike”), Jalyn Hall (“Till”) and Shamier Anderson (“Invasion”) star in this first narrative film from Disney’s Onyx Collective. (ORIGINAL)

Q: What was your favorite part about playing this character?

A: When I was reading the pilot, I thought it was excellent and I really wanted to do it and I really wanted to be the part of Gary (laughs). And I remember my wife (Elizabeth Tulloch, “Superman & Lois”) was reading all of these scripts (and) came to me like, “This is a great script. There are so many good parts in this. I think like Gary would be awesome for you to play.” ... And I mean, I’m so lucky to have been given a part on this show.

But when I was reading the pilot, Gary (the character played by James Roday Rodriguez) was really likable, Rome (Romany Malco) was really likable and then there was this character Eddie, who was just fairly despicable from the audience’s point of view.

And I was offered that role and I just thought it would be so fun to play, especially having come off of a six-year series called “Grimm” where I played the hero and really not very flawed guy and always seeking the best and, you know, written to be the hero. So I thought it would be really fun to play Eddie, who was clearly going to be hard to like, and I kind of reveled in that a little bit.

“Dharma & Greg”

Chuck Lorre (“Two and a Half Men,” “The Big Bang Theory”) was co-creator of this 19972002 ABC sitcom that told the story of free-spirited yoga instructor/dog trainer Dharma Finkelstein (Jenna Elfman) and straight-laced lawyer Greg Montgomery (Thomas Gibson), who married on their first date despite being polar opposites. Alan Rachins, Joel Murray, Susan Sullivan and Mimi Kennedy were also in the talented cast.

“Melody”

From Argentina comes this coming-of-age musical drama series that is inspired by the real-life stories of Latin singer/ actress Yas Gagliardi and Sarah Lenore (“America’s Got Talent”), who are cast as Melody and Layla, two up-andcoming performers pursuing stardom as recording artists. Melodie Baigun and Peto Menahem also star. (ORIGINAL)

“Movie: Smile”

After witnessing a patient’s bizarre suicide, a psychotherapist named Rose (Sosie Bacon, “Loverboy”) has disturbing and daunting experiences that convince her she is being pursued by a threatening entity in this 2022 horror tale from director Parker Finn in his feature film debut. Jessie Usher, Kyle Gallner and Kal Penn also star.

“The Consultant”

Based on Bentley Little’s 2015 novel, this comedic thriller series explores the sinister relationship between employer and employee through the story of Regus (Christoph Waltz, “Django Unchained”), who is hired to improve business at an app-based gaming company where workers experience new demands and challenges that throws everything into question — including their lives. (ORIGINAL)

“Daisy Jones and the Six” (Prime Video — series premiere, March 3)

Based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, this limited original series tells the story of a fictional rock band that rose from obscurity to stardom in the 1970s only to suddenly call it quits following a legendary show at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Years later, they decide to reveal the truth. Riley Keough stars as Daisy, the band’s lead singer, in a cast with Sam Claflin, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse and Josh Whitehouse.

Coming Soon

Sackhoff and Carl Weathers are other cast returnees.

PAUL’S

‘Transformers’ make more mayhem in ‘Age of Extinction’

BY JAY BOBBIN

Marry a top action star like Mark Wahlberg to a top action franchise such as “Transformers,” and you can be sure you won’t have a quiet time while watching the result.

Add the news that dinosaurs apparently were made extinct by evil Transformers, and you’ll know even more that you and the movie will not go quietly.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” released in 2014 as the fourth film in director Michael Bay’s toy-inspired franchise – and being shown Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Thursday, Feb. 23, on MGM+ Marquee, and Saturday, Feb. 25, on MGM+ – starts by going back to the future in a sense. Much of the prehistoric world is erased by aliens, according to the plot here, but one T. Rex gets preserved in a way that figures in big as the story progresses.

A new breed of sinister Decepticons is envisioned by a FBI man played by Kelsey Grammer, who enlists scientist Stanley Tucci to do the real dirty work. Meanwhile, an inventor played by Mark Wahlberg (so long, Shia LaBoeuf, the head actor in the previous “Transformers” chapters) finds an old truck that actually turns out to be the rundown

Mark Wahlberg’s Top 10 Movies

BY JAY BOBBIN

“Daddy’s Home” (2015): The premise of a man (Will Ferrell) trying to win over his stepchildren when their vastly different biological dad (Wahlberg) suddenly reappears gives both stars solid comedic moments.

“Lone Survivor” (2013): Wahlberg does effectively intense work as Marcus Luttrell, the real-life survivor who made it out alive after a military mission against the Taliban went awry.

“Ted” (2012): Wahlberg. Foulmouthed teddy bear. Seth MacFarlane creation. Enough said.

“The Fighter” (2010): Wahlberg’s determination as a producer got this true story of a boxer (played by Wahlberg) and his half brother (Christian Bale) made.

“The Departed” (2006): An Oscar-nominated Wahlberg is superb as a Boston policeman helping an undercover comrade (Leonardo DiCaprio) try to get the goods on a mobster (Jack Nicholson).

Optimus Prime, the good-guy Autobot that’s in big need of refurbishing.

Thus, the battle lines are drawn anew, with the bad guys wanting to get their hands on Optimus. Expectedly, the pursuit poses great peril for Wahlberg’s character, as well as for his scantily dressed teenage daughter (Nicola Peltz, who will be recognized by those who watched television’s “Bates Motel”) ... not to mention the populations of Texas, Chicago and Hong Kong, the principal settings of this saga.

Among the human cast members, the customarily excellent Tucci fares best as a character whose change of heart gives him some actual acting to do. It shouldn’t come as a news flash by now, however, that “Transformers” movies aren’t exactly built for that.

They’re much more about the spectacle of the battles between machine that actually do transform, and the 3-D that was an option for moviegoers during the film’s original run added that much more to the overall visual awe.

No one should complain about there not being enough of that degree of wonder this time: “Transformers: Age of Extinction” runs just shy of three hours. By and large, it delivers the expected goods, and it’s hard to ask much more of a movie that has the Transformers brand on it.

“The Italian Job” (2003): This fast-paced update of a robbery caper, with Wahlberg as a betrayed conspirator looking to get even, has a memorable getaway sequence involving Mini cars.

“Rock Star” (2001): Wahlberg makes a great transformation as a member of a tribute band enlisted to become the lead singer of the real group.

“The Perfect Storm” (2000): The true story of a fishing boat crew’s battle against nature finds much of its heart in the love story of the characters played by Wahlberg and Diane Lane.

“Three Kings” (1999): Several soldiers, one of them played by Wahlberg, devise a gold heist in the immediate aftermath of the Persian Gulf War.

“Boogie Nights” (1997): The acting breakthrough for Wahlberg came with his performance as Dirk Diggler, porn movie star.

There is something for everyone on foodie TV this week

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Fans of culinary TV will find a veritable cornucopia of the exotic, the unusual and the familiar in programs on cable, broadcast and streaming this week.

In the unusual category is “The Food That Built America.” Returning for its fourth season Sunday, Feb. 19, on Hitory, the 16 hourlong episodes will highlight a new batch of bold brands and brilliant visionaries that revolutionized food and changed the culinary landscape forever.

That’s certainly the case in the season opener titled “Breakfast That Pops,” as giants Kelloggs and Post duke it out for dominance in the first meal of the day with such ready-made products as corn flakes, Pop-Tarts, Special K and Grape Nuts. Adam Rich returns as host.

If a visit to an exotic land is what you desire as the long winter gets longer, then “Secrets of Spain” may scratch the itch.

Premiering Monday, Feb. 20, on Cooking Channel, the hourlong special takes viewers along on an insider’s tour of the Andalucia

region of Southern Spain to explore its rich gastronomic history. Natives Gioconda and George Scott are the hosts for this trek in which they visit places off the beat-en path where visitors can find the best food.

It’s also a very scenic area that encompasses the cities of Malaga, Cadiz, Seville, Granada, Marbella and Gibraltar. So if the food doesn’t entice you, the natural beauty certainly will.

While we’re on the subject of travel, Cooking Channel’s “Food Paradise” is back on the road in the Wednesday, Feb. 22, episode titled “Nosh the Night Away,” which highlights some primo late-night eats in Texas, where fried chicken is king; Las Vegas, home of a giant pizza covered with bacon and savory sauce; and Atlanta, where sweet chicken sausage doused with spicy cheese is the meal of choice. Over on the ad-supported streaming service Tubi, there are restaurants being saved on “Kitchen Commando.” Executive produced by Gordon Ramsay, the 10 episode series follows former U.S. Army Master Sergeant

and White House chef Andre Rush as he calls on his discipline and resourcefulness to save struggling restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area and reignite their owners’ passion for the food service industry.

On Food Network, there is no shortage of competition series with the season premieres of “Tournament of Champions” and “Alex vs. America: Chefs’ Cut” (Sunday), and new episodes of “Kids Baking Championship: Biz Kids” (Mon-day), “Chopped” and “Superchef Grudge Match” (Tuesday, Feb. 21).

There are also new episodes of weekend daytime entries “Girl Meets Farm” and “Mary Makes It Easy” on Sunday, and “The Pioneer Woman,” “The Kitchen” and “Guy’s Ranch Kitchen” on Saturday, Feb. 25.

And over on Fox, don’t forget about “Next Level Chef” on Thursday, Feb. 23.

‘Magnum P.I.’ is back in business, now on NBC

BY JAY BOBBIN

“Magnum P.I.” rose from the television ashes once before, and now, the show is doing it again.

The Hawaii-based detective series that made Tom Selleck a star had a second life on CBS, in a reboot that put Jay Hernandez in the title role. That version lasted four years on that network, and its cancellation was met with an outcry by fans ... who then got a reprieve

when NBC picked up the drama for two 10-episode runs. The first of those begins Sunday, Feb. 19, as Magnum and his personal and professional partner Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks) search for a woman who was with a married-to-someone-else man when he died in a car accident.

“It was incredibly humbling, the outpouring of support,” executive producer Eric Guggenheim reflects of the fan base that has kept “Magnum P.I.” going. “I mean, there was a billboard in (New York’s)

Times Square! Jay and I were both saying that we couldn’t believe it. We knew we had a loyal audience, but the way they rallied was just so moving. We really owe it to the fans to deliver for them. They did their part in helping to rescue the show.”

In that spirit, Guggenheim

– who also was an executive producer of the CBS reboot of “Hawaii Five-0” – promises more of the “Magnum” mix of “humor and mystery and a little bit of action. I will say that I think this (fifth) season

is probably the most emotional one we’ve done. It’s also probably the most serialized.” Indeed, a continuing plot involves the former military commander (played by returnee James Remar) of Magnum and his pals Rick and TC (Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill); also, former police detective Gordon Katsumoto (Tim Kang) seeks reinstatement.

The new police foil for Magnum is Chris Childs, played by Michael Rady (“Chicago Med”). “He’s very different than Katsumoto,” Guggenheim explains. “He’s cockier and he’s more willing to break the rules, and he just adds this new element that’s so great for us.”

Arguably the biggest development, though, is the romance between Magnum and Higgins – which they try to keep to themselves, at least initially. “Things are certainly more complicated than ever between them,” Guggenheim acknowledges. “These two characters are opposites in so many ways that no matter what we do with them moving forward, we’re always going to have that sort of friction between them.”

While well into production on the new “Magnum” stories, Guggenheim admits, “Even now, I’m like, ‘Wow. Did we really cheat death? Are we really back?’ Any time you get renewed, you feel kind of blessed, but this is really special. It makes all of us appreciate each other and the show even more.”

PBS’ ‘American Experience’ explores ‘Monopoly’s Secret History’

BY JAY BOBBIN

It can be argued that Monopoly is the quintessential American board game, a sort of microcosm of capitalism itself.

To win, it requires strategy, shrewdness and luck, but also a certain amount of greed and ruthlessness. Which is how the game itself came to be, as is detailed in the “American Experience” documentary “Ruthless: Monopoly’s Secret History.”

Premiering Monday, Feb. 20, on PBS (check local listings), the hourlong film separates fact from myth as it explores the real story of how the game was invented and evolved into what we know today.

The mythologized version reads like something out of the American dream: Amateur inventor Charles Darrow came up with a great idea for a board game during the Great Depression, sold it to department stores and eventually Parker Bros. and made millions. A true rags-to-riches story.

View from the Couch

The real tale is complicated and convoluted but goes something like this: In 1904, a formidable woman named Lizzie Magie invented something called the Landlord’s Game, with rules very similar to today’s Monopoly. It then evolved over the years to become something of a folk game – with the rules and gameplay altered by those who played it. One version was discovered by Darrow, who was introduced to it by a neighbor. He then claimed inventorship, made his own changes and pedaled it to department stores, where it became a big hit and drew the attention of Parker Bros. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The story got new life during the energy crisis of the early 1970s, when a San Francisco State University economics professor named Ralph Anspach, fed up with the monopoly of OPEC, invented a trust-busting game called Anti-Monopoly and was subsequently sued by General Mills, which owned Parker Bros. And it is around this classic David-versus-Goliath tale that the documentary revolves.

“EMPIRE

OF LIGHT”

Though it’s not set during the coronavirus pandemic, this drama from writer-director Sam Mendes (“Skyfall,” “American Beauty”) deals with a situation that also has been relevant more recently. Set in the early 1980s, it casts Olivia Colman (“The Crown”) as a movietheater manager dealing with personal and professional concerns, partially because of the questionable financial status of her business. Her newest

BY JAY BOBBIN

employee (Micheal Ward) has his own challenges, and though he’s not sure he’ll stay very long, his growing relationship with his boss has profound impacts on both of them. Colin Firth, Toby Jones and Crystal Clarke (“Sanditon”) also star in the film, which currently has an Oscar nomination for best cinematography (by the celebrated Roger Deakins). DVD extra: “making-of” documentary.

››› (R; AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray, Digital and On Demand)

“STATION ELEVEN”

This much-praised HBO Max limited series, based on the novel by Emily St. John Mandel, certainly came along at an appropriate time ... dealing as it does with a pandemic. Years after a flu ravages civilization, a number of survivors band together as a so-called Traveling Symphony, but they face potential peril from a cult leader who has a connection to one of them. Cast members include Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Park, David Wilmot, Daniel Zovatto, Gael Garcia Bernal, Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”), Enrico Colantoni and Lori Petty (“Point

Break”). ››› (Not rated: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD)

“THE REMAINS OF THE DAY”

On its 30th anniversary, this superb drama from the acclaimed Merchant-Ivory filmmaking team makes its 4K Ultra HD debut. In the adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, Anthony Hopkins is a marvel of restraint as the butler in charge of the staff at an English estate, with an equally excellent Emma Thompson as a housekeeper who tries to open up his emotions ... a failed effort in most instances.

James Fox and Christopher Reeve portray the masters of the house at different times, with veteran actor Peter Vaughan quite moving as the Hopkins character’s father, also a manservant who taught the profession to his son. Also notable in the cast is Hugh Grant, in the sort of period piece he specialized in until his career took a major turn soon after this with “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” ›››› (PG: AS, P)

“SALVATORE: SHOEMAKER OF DREAMS”

A profile that crosses a couple of different disciplines, this documentary from filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me by Your Name”) showcases the work of Salvatore Ferragamo, a shoe designer whose work serviced a number of stars from the silent-movie era.

Mary Pickford and Douglas

Fairbanks – spouses and two of the founders of United Artists – and Gloria Swanson were among those whose wardrobe, specifically that on their feet, benefited greatly from Ferragamo’s unique talent.

Celebrated director Martin Scorsese and fashion titan Christian Louboutin are among those offering comments, again indicating the dual worlds that Ferragamo operated within. ›››

(PG: AS) (Also on Blu-ray and Digital)

“THE PRICE WE PAY”

The title cost may turn out to be considerable, indeed, for two thieves (played by Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff) and

their hostage (Gigi Zumbado, formerly of the series “Bridge and Tunnel”) in this frequently gruesome melodrama from “The Midnight Meat Train” director Ryuhei Kitamura. The criminals flee after robbing a pawn shop and take shelter at a remote farmhouse ... and you can tell just from that description that sooner than later, there will be trouble. Indeed, there is when the site’s owner returns, and the place’s concealed dungeon is a major part of that. Vernon Wells (“The Road Warrior”) also is featured. ››› (R: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand)

Coming Home Soon