Landscape With Invisible Hand (R)
Quirky sci-fi adaptation has language, a death by suicide.
“Landscape With Invisible Hand” is a sci-fi dramedy based on M.T. Anderson’s same-named novel. It’s a quirky story that’s set in the near future after a technologically advanced alien species has occupied Earth and left most humans unemployed except in service to the aliens. Teens Adam (Asante Blackk) and Chloe (Kylie Rogers) believe they can please their alien overlords by broadcasting their blossoming romance in a sort of reality show. There’s a disturbingly violent scene early in the movie when a teacher who’s been fired dies by suicide (with a gun) in front of his students. It’s in the background, but viewers will see him lift the gun and shoot and then a blood splatter. The aliens themselves are more odd-looking than scary. Expect several scenes of teens flirting, holding hands, kissing and dancing. Language is quite strong, with frequent use of “f—,” plus “s—,” “sucks” and “stupid.” In one scene, an adult offers a teenager a beer, and a family (including teens) drinks wine at a celebratory dinner. There’s a lot to discuss and unpack in this movie, from its themes of empathy and perseverance to the impact of occupation, the nature of the American family, artistic integrity and privilege. (105 minutes)
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (R)
Lots of gore, death in effective Dracula-inspired chiller.
“The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is a moody, thoughtfully paced horror movie set in the late 1800s. It’s based on a chapter in the classic novel “Dracula” in which the vampire secretly travels by ship from Transylvania to London. Expect lots of gore and intense situations, including bloody animal corpses and a child being killed. Other characters are slashed and killed; people are burned; faces are smashed; and there are pistols, rifles, knives and much more. Language includes infrequent use of words and phrases like “diseased whore,” “darky savage,” “crap,” “idiot,” “hell,” “b——,” “goddamn” and “Jesus Christ,” and there are mentions of brothels and a brief sexual gesture. Sailors appear to have access to alcohol and sometimes seem drunk. Characters drink socially in a pub, and there’s some cigarette smoking. (116 minutes)
Gentle animated show pokes fun at life’s absurdities.
“Strange Planet” is an animated series based on the same-named webcomic by Nathan W. Pyle. Content is very mild, with little that’s likely to concern parents. There’s no swearing and only the mildest of romantic content (including talk of crushes and dating), and violence is either nonexistent or soft-pedaled — like in a scene in which a plummeting airplane scares passengers enough to come up with a hit song. Language is playful, with made-up words for everyday objects like buses and cats. Children may greatly appreciate the silly terms. There’s a little bit of drinking, with characters drinking what they call “mild poison” at bars. (10 roughly half-hour episodes)
Available on Apple TV Plus.
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POST AUTHOR: Common Sense Media
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