Sumter Scene: October 14, 2023

October 14 – October 20, 2023

Welcome to Miami: A young artist dreams of making it big in ‘Neon’

BY JAY BOBBIN

There may be a chill in the air, but a new comedy series brings the heat from Miami beaches and dance floors to your screen. “Neon” premieres on Netflix Thursday, Oct. 19, dropping all eight episodes and immersing audiences in the world of up-and-coming reggaeton artist Santi (Tyler Dean Flores, “Miguel Wants to Fight,” 2023) as he tries to make it to the big time in Magic City.

Packing their lives up into a 2009 Toyota Corolla, Santi and his friends Ness (Emma Ferreira, “Unstable”) and Felix (Jordan Mendoza, “Kaleidoscope”) leave small-town Florida behind and hit the road that leads to Miami. The three best friends have a lot of inroads to make once they arrive in the big city, but their hopes of stardom for Santi keep them afloat.

In a teaser trailer for “Neon” released by Netflix, the trio’s temporary Miami lodgings are parked within view of the more comfortably cramped suites of a Sheraton hotel. Humble beginnings for sure, but the trailer also sees the dreamers working hard, making connections and taking to the stage, enjoying the nightlife they hope to become fixtures of soon. Though they’re starting from the bottom and sleeping in

their car to start, the “Neon” trailer teases some pretty glamorous upgrades afforded to the crew. Santi shoots a music video, lays down a track in the studio, embraces his friends backstage of a very important performance, gets invites to swanky house parties and tosses cash in the air. “You are a star,” Ness proclaims in the trailer before further declaring, “We have to show them we’re not loser wannabes.” Whether Santi is on the rise or a wannabe, the music fanatics of Miami decide his fate — he’ll either get set off to stardom or back to his hometown.

The friends stumble over the difficult path to making it — sometimes even getting tackled on stage — but Santi’s got an edge to set himself apart. In the trailer, the friends meet with A&R rep Mia (Courtney Taylor, “The Company You Keep”) who lays out her first impression of Santi, telling them, “You write, produce, perform. Do you know how rare that is?” Santi in turn assures Mia that she’s about to join something major, predicting, “I’ll be the biggest reggaeton star in the world.” Santi’s got a vision, and if it’s all about who you know, then a notable cameo suggests that he’s about to skyrocket out of Miami’s scene and take over the world.

“Neon” is executive produced by the “King of Reggaeton” himself, Daddy Yankee, whose hits “Gasolina” and “Despacito” have defined the genre on a global level. His tunes have appeared on various soundtracks over the years, and he’s racked up a few credits as himself in on-screen projects over the years, but “Neon” is the most involved that the musician has been in the world of TV. Having announced his retirement from music in 2022, the legendary artist seems to have turned his mind to expanding reggaeton’s impact to a new medium in TV.

Also starring in “Neon” are Santiago Cabrera (“The Flight Attendant”) as Oscar, Zach Fox (“Abbott Elementary”) as Zale and Jordana Brewster (“Fast X,” 2023) as Gina. The series features new music from Grammy-winning producer Tainy, known for his work on hits like Cardi B’s 2018 chart-topper “I Like It.” Joining Tainy as executive music producers for “Neon” are producers Lex Borrero and Ivan Rodriguez. An official playlist for “Neon” is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music, featuring the new Tainy-produced track, “Exagerao,” credited to Santi.

“Gone Girl” made a bold move from page to screen

documentary highlights wealth and racial discrepancies.

of crime: Secrets and murder abound in Season 2 of ‘Annika’

Horoscopes

The luckiest signs this week:

CAPRICORN, AQUARIUS AND PISCES

ARIES

You’ll feel on edge, and a particular event will encourage you to consider making life changes. In your career, a competing business will tempt you with an offer for better working conditions and opportunities for advancement.

TAURUS

You’ll take time to pamper yourself and indulge in a few small pleasures. You’ll negotiate rates to achieve a settlement that will improve both your work and personal well-being.

GEMINI

At work, you’ll have to face numerous urgent and complex situations. These experiences may turn out to be beneficial, as they’ll give you skills that will serve you throughout your career.

CANCER

Your pride will be tested. Fortunately, you’ll have an opportunity to show yourself in a positive light. If you act for the right reasons, you can’t go wrong. Share accurate, useful information.

LEO

You’ll have some small family chores to handle. You may also have to stay at home for part of the week, perhaps to keep an eye on some work or to wait for a late delivery.

VIRGO

You’ll have some small family chores to handle. You may also have to stay at home for part of the week, perhaps to keep an eye on some work or to wait for a late delivery.

LIBRA

Be prudent with money and try to stick to your budget. Additional expenses related to home or family may arise. You’ll need to exercise discipline with your young children.

SCORPIO

As the cold, gloomy weather sets in, you’ll feel the need to take care of your body. It would be wise to join a gym to incentivize you to exercise regularly.

SAGITTARIUS

Rather than rushing into a decision, think twice. If you let yourself be carried by the current, it’ll take you to your destination. Trust your instincts over the next few days.

CAPRICORN

Take care when speaking, as you could appear foolish to more than one person. Fortunately, only your pride will be affected, and it’ll help lighten a heavy atmosphere.

AQUARIUS

Time is valuable. Try not to schedule too many appointments on the same day and run the risk of overlap. A vacation would be beneficial.

PISCES

As the days get shorter, you’ll look for an activity that will bring you intense joy. You’ll find yourself infused with an energy that moves you to entertain yourself more often.

New Streaming Movies & Shows

“Upload” - Season 3 (Oct. 20)

In Season 3, Nora (Andy Allo) and freshly downloaded Nathan (Robbie Amell) as they navigate their relationship, while racing to stop the mysterious conspiracy that threatens to destroy millions of lives. Meanwhile, in Lakeview, a backup copy of Nathan has been activated, and Ingrid (Allegra Edwards) is not about to let this second chance at love slip away. Also, Aleesha (Zainab Johnson) rises through the ranks of Horizen by managing AI education, while Luke (Kevin Bigley), all alone in Lakeview, is forced to come up with the funds to pay for his stay in paradise.

Word Search

“Movie: Slotherhouse” (Oct. 15)

Emily Young (Lisa Ambalavanar), a senior, wants to be elected as her sorority’s president. She adopts a cute sloth, thinking it can become the new mascot and help her win, until a string of fatalities implicate the sloth as the main suspect in the murders.

Where all the top choices can be found in one place!

“Camp Courage” (Oct. 15)

This documentary tells the story of

“Special: Werewolf by Night in Color” (Oct. 20)

On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster. This 2022 special makes its full-color debut.

“Life On Our Planet” - Season 1 (Netflix — Oct. 25, Series

Premiere)

This is the story of life’s epic battle to conquer and survive on planet Earth. Today there are 20 million species on our planet, yet what we see is just a snapshot in time — 99% of earth’s inhabitants are lost to our deep past. The story of what happened to these dynasties — their rise and their fall — is truly remarkable. The series uses the latest technology and science to bring long extinct creatures back to life, revealing the incredible story of life on our planet. Narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Q: Was Simon Cowell one of the original judges on

with Regis Philbin as the host.

At the time, Cowell was intending to make a similar contest for British television, but some complications ultimately held that up and he turned his attention to making a U.S. version. The result

We buy Diamond, Sterling Silver & Antique Jewelry

$61 10 Karat $32 Per Penny Weight

Coming Soon

“Fear The Walking Dead” - Season 8, Part 2 (AMC/AMC+ — Oct. 22, Mid-season Premiere)

This zombie drama series’ eighth and final season comes to a close with its last six episodes. This “The Walking Dead” spinoff follows two families who must band together to survive the undead apocalypse. Kim Dickens, Colman Domingo, Rubén Blades, Austin Amelio, Christine Evangelista and Jenna Elfman star.

“Gone Girl” made a bold move from page to screen

BY JAY BOBBIN

It’s hard to think of many movies of the past decade that have had more expectations to work against than “Gone Girl.”

At the time of its publication, former entertainment journalist Gillian Flynn’s best seller was read by just about anybody who wanted to stay current with pop culture ... and once you know its twists and turns, telling the story in another medium and still keeping it surprising and thrilling is one enormous task.

Leave it to David Fincher to prove himself the man for the job. The “Social Network” and “Fight Club” director made a 2014 movie of the book that’s almost completely compelling, the problem being a home stretch in which the picture (adapted by Flynn herself) breaks some of its own rules.

By and large, though, “Gone Girl” – which Cinemax shows Monday, Oct. 16, and Friday, Oct. 20 – does its genre proud. Casting rarely gets more ideal than Ben Affleck as relatively callow bar owner Nick, whose wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) vanishes on their fifth wedding anniversary. A struggle appears to have taken place, and not surprisingly, Nick soon becomes a suspect in the disappearance.

What happened is recounted in a flashback-heavy nature, fueled largely by Amy’s diaries,

Best Bette Davis Movies

BY JAY BOBBIN

“Of Human Bondage” (1934): Davis plays cruel waitress Mildred, who coldly toys with an earnest admirer’s (Leslie Howard) emotions, in this adaptation of the W. Somerset Maugham classic.

“Dangerous” (1935): Davis earned her rst Academy Award as an actress whose drinking problem leads to trouble for her and others.

“Jezebel” (1938): Sort of a pre”Gone With the Wind,” this Davis staple saw her score her second Oscar as a willful Southern belle trying to win back her ex- ance (Henry Fonda).

“Dark Victory” (1939): In one of Davis’ most popular movies, she stars as a socialite who develops a brain tumor, then falls in love with the doctor (George Brent) who operates on her.

“The Little Foxes” (1941): Lillian Hellman’s play centers on a wealthy Southern family — with Davis playing one member — beset by problems while also causing them for others.

“Now, Voyager” (1942): A spinster, portrayed by Davis, undergoes a radical transformation after spending time in a sanitarium.

painting both herself and Nick in ways expected and not. The resulting scenes play to the strengths of Affleck’s persona, and even if his largest praise has come from his directing lately, “Gone Girl” is a reminder of just how good an actor he can be with the right material.

It’s also a revelation where Pike is concerned. Having long offered reliable support to male stars, dating back to the James Bond caper “Die Another Day,” the British actress truly came into her own as the presumed victim who has been labeled by her parents (David Clennon and the late Lisa Banes) as “Amazing Amy.”

Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry and Sela Ward are among other “name” performers in the film, but especially notable is Carrie Coon as Nick’s twin sister and business partner. Also known from HBO’s “The Leftovers,” her work here is of the sort that still may have many viewers paying major attention and asking, “Who is that?”

“Gone Girl” makes for a fairly lengthy sit at just under 2-1/2 hours, but even with that somewhat problematic final act, it’s quite possible that you won’t want to be gone from your seat for a moment as it unfolds.

Monster munchies: Duff Goldman and Rosanna Pansino host creepy cookie contest

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Sugar, spice and everything spooky: Season 2 of “Halloween Cookie Challenge” airs Mondays through October on Food Network.

“Celebrity pastry chef Duff Goldman and social media sensation Rosanna Pansino celebrate the wildest and most colorful holiday of the year!,” Food Network describes. “They’ll bring together the best cookie makers in the country to compete in two challenges and create the creepiest, spookiest and tastiest Halloween cookies ever made! The winner takes home a trick-or-treat bag filled with $10,000!”

And that’s $10,000 every episode. New contestants park their brooms at the kitchen door and take on Goldman and Pansino’s cookie challenge every week, showcasing talent from far and wide.

So far this season, the competing cookie confectioners have faced monsters big and small, exploring what would happen if our favorite Halloween treats had a taste for us, too. Bakers have been asked to: make two-sided trick-or-treat bags — with one side being light and fun while the other is dark and spooky — out of lemon candies, black licorice and peach rings; decorate cookies with scary self-portraits; craft life-size oozing zombie parts out of cookies, overflowing with gooey marmalades and jams; and create creepy, 3D haunted mirrors — each old and

cracked with crunchy treats like kettle chips, pretzels and corn chips.

This week, “Edible stained glass is one of the most colorful and bewitching trends in the cookie world, and four cookie experts make glowing Halloween stained-glass cookies,” the network promises. “After one cookier is eliminated, the remaining three masters build giant, elaborate Halloween fun houses that would thrill any Halloween carnival-goer. The judges will really feel like they are at a carnival as the bakers must incorporate fun fair flavors like caramel apples, grilled corn, popcorn balls and deep-fried sandwich cookies.”

In the season’s final episode, the final four competing cookie makers hope to scare the pants off hosts Goldman and Pansino by making edible, three-story haunted houses. Then, in the last round, Food Network has shared that, “The three remaining cookiers host a séance by making playable spirit boards. To make sure there is maximum ‘spirit’ in their boards, they will include spirits like apple brandy, cinnamon whiskey, coffee rum and black currant liqueur.”

A rambunctious carnival filled with delicious treats, Season 2 of Food Network’s “Halloween Cookie Challenge” airs new episodes Mondays through October.

“All About Eve” (1950): “It’s going to be a bumpy night,” indeed. The classic backstage drama stars Davis as a veteran stage star targeted by an ambitious admirer (Anne Baxter).

“What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962): Davis’ later career got a big jolt from this legendary chiller, pairing her with Joan Crawford as former-actress siblings engaged in psychological terror. Turner Classic Movies presents the lm on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

“Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte” (1964): The same team behind “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” furnished Davis with another tale of family strife turned horrifying.

“The Nanny” (1965): Davis is terri cally chilling as said minder of children, who matches wits with a savvy and suspicious youngster (William Dix).

“Death on the Nile” (1978): Agatha Christie’s puzzler places Davis among the suspects during a cruise on which Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) probes an heiress’ murder.

“The Whales of August” (1987): Davis was near the end of her career when she worked with such other screen veterans as Lillian Gish and Vincent Price in the story of widowed sisters (Davis, Gish) and what may be their last Maine summer.

Tides of crime: Secrets and murder abound in Season 2 of ‘Annika’

BY JAY BOBBIN

It’s Scottish crime with a Scandinavian twist this autumn as Season 2 of the BBC series “Annika” premieres on PBS Masterpiece, Sunday, Oct. 15.

An interesting clash of northern European cultures, the two worlds meet seamlessly due to the titular character’s Norwegian roots and the often-folkloric nature of the crimes she encounters at work.

The series’ main character, DI Annika Strandhed, has been a hit with audiences across the pond since the original radio series premiered in early January 2017 on the U.K.’s BBC Radio 4. The radio series, titled “Anni-ka Stranded,” wrapped Sept. 4, 2020, but for lovers of the series, the story continues on television, complete with Nicola Walker (“MI-5”) in the role of Annika — no doubt a familiar voice for fans who jumped over from the radio play.

Both series follow Strandhed, a former Oslo-based “murder squad” police officer, as she relocates to a remote region of Scotland to head up the country’s first-ever Marine Homicide Unit. Given her dedication to the job and a lifelong love of fast-moving boats, Strandhed seems poised as

the perfect fit to lead the new team. That said, her cohort DS Michael McAndrews (Jamie Sives, “Guilt”) has other opinions. McAndrews attended police college with Strand-hed, but the two detectives selected career paths that took them in opposite directions, causing them to drift apart. While McAndrews is clearly supportive of Strandhed and finds her to be a very intelligent leader, he still believes himself to have been a better candidate for her position as leader of the MHU. Nevertheless, the pair must find a way to work together — thankfully McAndrews’ duties as head diver keep him busy and away from Strandhed much of the time.

Working alongside the two team leads are DC Blair Ferguson (Katie Leung, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” 2005), who provides data analysis and tech support for the team; DS Tyrone Clarke (Ukweli Roach, “Blindspot”), a former drug unit investigator who prefers to work alone; and DCI Diane Oban (Kate Dickie, “The Green Knight,” 2021), who oversees all police proceedings within the precinct and often has the final say on how the MHU operates.

Joining the MHU this season is DC Harper Weston (played by Varada Sethu, “Jurassic World Dominion,” 2022), a motorcycle-riding trainee who, given her youth, may act as a second person to provide Strandhed a bit of insight regarding her daughter, Morgan (Sylvie Furneaux, “Red Rose”). This guiding role has previous-ly only been played by Ferguson, who is of a similar age to Weston and only a few years older than Morgan herself.

What we do know headed into Season 2 — and there is quite a bit, given that the season (or “series,” as it is referred to in the U.K.) has already premiered on its home channel of BBC One — is that the very first episode centers on a “brutal drowning” death that has been recorded on a mobile phone. When the cellphone is turned in to police and passed over the the MHU, Strandhed and her team jump into action to try to identify and catch the murderer responsible.

New documentary highlights wealth and racial discrepancies through one family’s story

From director Raoul Peck (“I Am Not Your Negro,” 2016), the 2023 documentary “Silver Dollar Road” premieres Friday, Oct. 20, on Prime Video.

Having premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year in September, this documentary draws upon reporting done by Lizzie Presser for the nonprofit organization ProPublica, following one Black family’s battle to save the land they’ve owned for generations. Reels family members have inhabited their waterfront property for over 100 years, but as the property-hungry land developers began to endlessly harass them, the once-picturesque homestead became a symbol for the ever-growing wealth and racial discrepancies across the county.

“More than a century ago, a generation removed from slavery, the Reels family acquired a 65-acre plot of coastal land in North Carolina,” a recent article by Vanity Fair shares. “They built it up over generations into a haven for Black Americans in the South, a welcoming and safe community rich with outdoor resources and social activities. ... Anchored by Silver Dollar Road, a bustling residential street that ran through the middle of the plot, the land was designated low value at sale, but that changed with consistent investments, the beautiful waterfront homes and surrounding nature. With that came interest from white developers, and with that came a cruel exploitation of tenuous

View from the Couch

existing legal protections for ancestral holdings.”

Prime Video describes the following:

“From Academy Award nominee Raoul Peck, ‘Silver Dollar Road’ follows the story of the Reels family as told by the matriarch, Mamie Reels Ellison, and her niece Kim Renee Duhon, two fierce and clear-eyed women bending to safeguard valiantly their ancestors’ land and their brothers and uncles Melvin and Licurtis, who were wrongfully imprisoned for eight years — the longest sentence for civil contempt in North Carolina history.”

With 90 hours of footage captured as videographers followed Lizzie Presser through her investigation, the film gives an in-depth look at one individual family’s story — one that mirrors that of many.

Produced by Peck, Remi Grellety (“The Young Karl Marx,” 2017), Blair Foster (“Taxi to the Dark Side,” 2007) and Herbert Peck (“Fatal Assistance,” 2013), with executive producers Viola Davis (“The Woman King,” 2022), Julius Tennon (“Dazed and Confused,” 1993), Rob Williams (“The Man in the High Castle”), Lizzie Presser (“Baby God,” 2020) and Almudena Toral (“Seeking Asylum in Mexico: A Family Divided,” 2017), Peck’s poignant 2023 documentary, “Silver Dollar Road,” makes its streaming debut Friday, Oct. 20, on Prime Video.

“HAUNTED MANSION”

A Disney theme-park ride that was the source of an Eddie Murphy-starring 2003 movie also inspired this version, a sort of pseudo-”Poltergeist” that casts Rosario Dawson as a single parent who is sure that her home also has otherworldly residents. She gets a group of supposed experts in the supernatural to try to rid the place – which has a past that would lend itself to the apparent situation – of the eerie tenants, also putting this tale on a similar plane as “Ghostbusters.”

The picture (which was one of the

BY JAY BOBBIN

first major movies to have its publicity campaign impeded by the rules of the SAG-AFTRA strike) boasts an impressive cast that also includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto and Marilu Henner. DVD extras: two “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes; outtakes. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, Digital and On Demand)

“THE CROWN: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON”

The most recent round of the widely acclaimed Netflix drama series about the British monarchy to be shown, this portion focuses on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, with Imelda Staunton assuming the role of the icon who led her country through some of its most challenging times. The original scheduling of this season became a sensitive issue, since the actual queen passed away two months before it began streaming, and the teleplay deals – as it inevitably would – with such matters as the presence of Princess Diana (portrayed by Elizabeth Debicki) in the royal family, and how changes of her nation’s prime minister impacted the queen.

Jonathan Pryce

plays Prince Philip, Dominic West appears as Prince Charles, and Lesley Manville is seen as Princess Margaret. Jonny Lee Miller, Olivia Williams, Natascha McElhone and Timothy Dalton also are featured. Peter Morgan, who wrote all of the episodes here, also examined some of the same material in his script for “The Queen.” DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries. ****

(Not rated: AS) (Also on Blu-ray)

“RABBIT HOLE: SEASON ONE”

Including “24” and “Designated Survivor,” Kiefer Sutherland has had his share of series, and this latest one – which streamed on Paramount+ – casts him as an espionage agent working in the corporate world. After targeting so many others through his efforts, he finds his own career is upended when he is framed for murder, putting him in the unfamiliar position of having to use his skills to save himself. Meta Golding, Enid Graham, Charles Dance, Wendy Makkena, Peter Weller and Lance Henriksen also are in the cast of the twisty-turny melodrama … but as with all of his homescreen vehicles, Sutherland (who’s also among the executive producers here) keeps himself front-and-center throughout the eight episodes. ***

(Not rated: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

“STAR TREK: THE PICARD

LEGACY COLLECTION”

If you’re a devoted fan of Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of the legendary sci-fi franchise’s iconic Jean-Luc Picard, this is a Blu-ray set you won’t want to be without, since it compiles – over 54 discs – virtually all of the actor’s appearances as the character.

Expectedly, all three seasons of the recent streaming series “Star Trek: Picard” are included – as are all seven years of the project in which he inaugurated the part, “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” So are the four “Star Trek” movies that featured Picard (“Generations,” “First Contact,” “Insurrection” and “Nemesis”), plus there are related items such as magnets, coasters and playing cards.

It’s extremely rare for one character to get a thorough tribute like this, but any Picard devotee readily will attest that Picard merits it, as does the hugely distinctive actor who has continued to bring him to life. *** (PG, PG-13 or unrated, varying by title: AS, P, V)

“THE WAY WE WERE”

A hugely popular love story makes its 4K

HD debut, as director Sydney Pollack and writer Arthur Lau-

rents’ 1973 drama casts Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford as 1930s college classmates who meet again in later years and embark on a romance, despite their considerable dissimilarities. He’s a charismatic writer and she’s a driven activist, prompting major conflict between them during Hollywood’s politically and emotionally charged blacklist era. Streisand performs the title song, which earned an Oscar, as did Marvin Hamlisch’s score overall. The excellent cast also includes Bradford Dillman, Lois Chiles, Patrick O’Neal, Viveca Lindfors, Murray Hamilton and – in very early performances – Susan Blakely and James Woods. **** (PG: AS, P)

Coming Home Soon

“MEG 2: THE TRENCH” (OCT. 24)

“THE

24)

“NANCY

BY GEORGE DICKIE