Screen Time

Hammer shows how to destroy your Hollywood career in simple steps

Jim Keogh

Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

There are many ways to cripple your professional future. Badmouth your boss. Tweet an ethnic joke. Or partake in the Louis C.K. courting ritual of masturbating in front of a horrified woman. All should do the trick.

Another consideration is the Armie Hammer strategy. The tall handsome actor who made his name playing the aggrieved Winklevoss twins in “The Social Network” has done a fine job of promoting his own career-icide by allegedly expressing cannibalistic desires with his lovers, even supposedly biting one of them in in a way that was not love-hungry, just hungry. (He has also been accused of sexual violence and degradation toward women, and has denied the most serious of the charges.)

True or not, once the cannibalism stuff began to seep into the media, Hammer was finished. He stepped away from a rom-com he was set to film with Jennifer Lopez; he was dropped by his agency and publicist; his wife filed for divorce. Last week when channel surfing I came upon “Call Me by Your Name,” in which Hammer plays a graduate student who romances a younger man during a summer in Italy. I stuck around for a few minutes, but given what I’d learned about Hammer’s alleged chewy proclivities, watching him playfully flirt onscreen now just felt, as a trained clinical psychologist might describe it — icky.

According to his IMDB page, Hammer has two films in the can: “Crisis,” a collection of stories detailing the corrosive impact of opioids, and “Next Goal Wins,” which chronicles the American Samoa soccer team’s legendary 31-0 loss to Australia in the 2001 World Cup. I expect “Crisis” to slip unnoticed into the sea, but “Next Goal Wins,” because it’s directed by supernova-hot director Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit”), surely will get a full theatrical run in 2022.

I can’t predict Hammer’s destiny. Does his comeback clock start ticking after a period of exile? Does he ever recover?

Other actors have overcome heinous behavior. Who could have expected we’d see Mel Gibson’s face on a screen again after his anti-Semitic torrent during an OUI arrest in 2006, or following the threatening phone calls he made to his former girlfriend that were leaked in 2010? (Give them a listen and ponder whether you’d want this guy within 500 yards of your daughter.) But Gibson’s dance card has filled up with comedies (“Daddy’s Home 2”), action pictures (“Expendables 3), and historical dramas (“The Professor and the Madman”), largely because he was unafraid to indulge his unhinged reputation.

The passage of time and the fraying of attention spans can help scandal-dinged actors weather almost any storm. Robert Downey Jr.’s stint in jail on drug charges has not handicapped his career. Paul Reubens’ arrest on exposure charges in a Florida movie theater did not permanently bury his Pee Wee Herman character, and actually may have added to his legend. Hugh Grant seems to be doing just fine years after police nabbed him in his car with a prostitute.

Still, the court of public opinion is a fickle thing. Silent screen comedian Fatty Arbuckle was acquitted of the manslaughter of starlet Virginia Rappe, yet was deemed so toxic that he was forced to cobble together a directing career under a pseudonym. This was well before social media gave eternal life to every transgression, whether earned or not. In this overheated atmosphere, a successful Hammer comeback will require delicacy, repentance, and, one would hope, a change of diet.

Armie Hammer, shown here in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” may well be driving his career off a cliff.

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT

NEW ON DVD

First-time director and lead team up in basketball drama ‘Boogie’

“Fresh Off the Boat” author Eddie Huang’s directorial debut, a coming-ofage basketball drama starring newcomer Taylor Takahashi, tops the DVD releases for the week of June 1.

“Boogie”: Takahashi, in his first feature film role, stars as the titular Alfred “Boogie” Chin, a Chinese American high school basketball prodigy in Queens, New York.

While the movie “has much of Huang’s urban Asian American style and swagger, the script is, unfortunately, a missed shot,” writes critic Katie Walsh in her review for Tribune News Service.

The viewer is supposed to believe Boogie dreams of going pro, but “it’s hard to tell if the NBA is Boogie’s dream, or the immense expectation of his father (Perry Yung), who is recently released from prison and obsessed with Chinese American sports greatness,” Walsh writes.

Though Walsh found the script and main character lacking in aspects, in part due to Takahashi’s inexperience, “the cityscapes soundtracked to modern hip-hop are fun and stylish, evoking a sense of place far richer than the characterizations of the people within this environment.” Walsh also lauded the film’s supporting cast, especially Taylour Paige, who plays Boogie’s love interest.

“Even the bright spots remind us that the story issues wouldn’t matter if we knew or cared about our hero more,” Walsh concludes in her review. “It’s unfortunate that a film with such a unique character, point of view and premise ultimately ends up feeling lightweight, insignificant and ultimately, disappointing.”

Also new on DVD June 1

“The Courier”: Benedict Cumberbatch stars as a British spy in this Cold War thriller set during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

“Embattled”: A son strives to follow in the footsteps of his father, a famous MMA fighter, while trying to break out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.

“Endangered Species”: A rich American family on safari in Africa see their idyllic vacation turn into a battle for survival when they are left stranded in Kenya after a rhinoceros attacks their vehicle.

“The Vault”: A brilliant engineering student joins a team of thieves attempting to break into a safe beneath the Bank of Spain in this heist thriller.

“The World To Come”: Katherine Waterston, Vanessa Kirby and Casey Affleck star in this historical drama set in the mid-1800s that finds two neighboring couples battling hardship and isolation in the American frontier.

“Trigger Point”: Barry Pepper stars as a former special forces member who joins an elite team of assassins targeting the world’s worst villains in this action thriller.

“Your Honor”: Bryan Cranston again breaks bad in this limited series, but this time as a judge trying to protect his son after he is involved in a hit-and-run accident that kills the child of a powerful mobster.

“A Glitch in the Matrix”: This documentary examines one of the central question posed by the “Matrix” films — what if we are actually living in a simulation?

“Spare Parts”: An all-girl punk band on tour are forced to fight as gladiators for a sadistic town’s amusement after having their limbs removed and replaced with weapons.

“Mommie Dearest”: For its 40th anniversary, the cult classic starring Faye Dunaway is released on Blu-ray for the first time.

“Shoplifters of the World”: There’s panic on the streets of Denver when four teens find out The Smiths are breaking up in 1987.

“Stray”: This documentary follows Zeytin, a stray dog living on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey.

Out on Digital HD June 1

“The Concessionaires Must Die!”: A misfit group of workers try to save their beloved single screen movie theater theater from being shut down forever in this comedy.

“Hamlet/Horatio”: Beginning with the death of Hamlet, this drama is told from the perspective of his friend Horatio.

“It’s Not a Burden”: This heartfelt documentary explores the stories of adult children caring for their older parents.

“The Sound of Identity”: Documents Lucia Lucas’ historic performance at the Tulsa Opera as she became the first known transgender woman to perform a principal role in opera history.

Taylor Takahashi stars as Alfred ‘Boogie’ Chin in director Eddie Huang’s “Boogie.”

DAVID GIESBRECHT/FOCUS FEATURES

5 THINGS TO DO

Fellowship of the King SUBMITTED PHOTO

FELLOWSHIP OF THE KING, THE MACHINE, SILVERBACKS AND MORE ...

Richard Duckett and Veer Mudambi Worcester Magazine | USA TODAY NETWORK

Tribute to the King

He is, after all, “The King,” and The Fellowship of The King promises to perform the music of Elvis Presley “with skill, respect, passion, love and above all, authenticity.” The Worcester area band covers music from Presley’s entire career, 1954-1977, and will be showcased June 6 at Indian Ranch. The Fellowship of the King was nominated for “Best Tribute Band” at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Worcester Music Awards. (RD) What: The Fellowship of the King When: 1 p.m. June 6 (doors 11:30 a.m.) Where: Indian Ranch, 200 Gore Road, Webster How much: $15. The show will be sold at a limited capacity with distanced seating. www.indianranch.com.

The Jean McDonough Arts Center on Franklin Street, home to Worcester PopUp and BrickBox Theater. FILE PHOTO

Art and more at PopUp show

There will be music, magic, fashion, art and more (even elephants) at “The All Out All ART Variety Show” presented by ArtReach Saturday at the Worcester PopUp. Over 1,000 pieces of art will be on display along with performances and magic acts all day. The free, fun family event is open and accessible to all. (RD)

What: “The All Out All ART Variety Show” When: Noon to 8 p.m. June 5 Where: Worcester PopUp at the JMAC, 20 Franklin St., Worcester How much: Free. Register on Eventbrite.

Pink Floyd from ‘The Machine’

The Machine performs Pink Floyd with an A to Z approach. The New York-based quartet coming to Northlands June 4 has been known to play one Pink Floyd song for every letter of the alphabet. The band’s knowledgeable and faithful renditions of the Pink Floyd repertoire is matched by use of expanded theatrical elements and elaborate stage displays and lighting. June 5 will bring The Machine WENDY PODMENIK DARUGAR another renowned tribute act to Northlands with Badfish: Tribute to Sublime. (RD) What: The Machine Performs Pink Floyd When: 6:30 p.m. June 4 (parking lots open 4:30 p.m.; gates open 5 p.m.) Where: Northlands, Cheshire Fairground, 247 Monadnock Highway, Swanzey, New Hampshire How much: $99 to $139 per pod (up to five people per pod) depending on availability. www.northlandslive.com.

The Silverbacks at Douglas Orchard

Outdoor concert fans should clear a spot on their calendars to head to Douglas Orchard and Farm on Saturday evenings this summer. Their 2021 Summer Concert Series kicks off tomorrow with a performance by The Silverbacks, bringing a nostalgic wave of mid- to late 60s classic rock. Bring your own chair, but food will be available in the form of BBQ fare provided by EB Flats. Masks are a must. (VM)

What: Live Music at the Pavilion: The Silverbacks When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 5 Where: Douglas Orchard and Farm, 36 Locust St., Douglas How much: $10 per person 16 and older. Kids are free. Pay at the door.

A shot of rock music at Ciderworks

Do you like rock music? Do you like craft beer and cider? Tequila Mockingbird will be playing this weekend at Common Ground Ciderworks. TMB plays rock from multiple eras, from Tom Petty and Bob Dylan to Sublime and Nirvana — the one common thread being songs you’ll probably know and can definitely dance to. (VM)

What: Tequila Mockingbird plays at Common Ground When: 1 to 4 p.m. June 6 Where: Common Ground Ciderworks, 31 E. Brookfield Road, North Brookfield How much: Free!

Tequila Mockingbird will perform this weekend at Common Ground Ciderworks

KIM RING/ TELEGRAM & GAZETTE