Sumter Scene December 23, 2018

9

Newest Kennedy Center honorees include Reba McEntire

The

Sumter Scene Week of December 23 - 29, 2018

12

Creed II addds another round to ‘Rocky’ franchise

14

Oakland Primary sings for the season

The 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors will be televised Wednesday on CBS.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Country is cool and celebrated, thanks in part to Reba McEntire

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

Th Better Choice for Quality The Se Service & Installation Military & Senior Discounts Preventative Maintenance 361 36 1 Myrtle Myrt My rtle le B Beach each ea ch H Hwy., wy y.,, S Sumter, umte um terr, S SC C 29 2915 29153 153 3

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The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 1

What’s New NOW on December 24 “Hi Score Girl” From Japan comes this animated series about a chronic gamer, inept in sports and studies, who meets his match in a rich classmate at a shady arcade. Voice talent includes Kohei Amasaki, Sayumi Suzushiro and Yuuki Hirose. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere December 25 “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” The penultimate season of CNN’s award-winning travel and food series brings the late chef, author and raconteur to locations such as West Virginia, Uruguay, Berlin, Newfoundland, Hong Kong and Armenia.

December 28 “Instant Hotel” From Australia comes this unscripted series in which teams of homeowners compete for the title of best Instant Hotel by staying overnight in each other’s rentals and rating their stay. The winning team moves on to the finale and a chance to win an all-expensespaid trip to an Instant Hotel in California. (ORIGINAL) Series Premiere “When the Angels Sleep” A businessman falls asleep at the wheel and runs down a woman, thus setting off a series of dark events in this 2018 thriller movie from Spain. Julián Villagrán, Marian Álvarez, Ester Expósito and Sira Alonso star for director Gonzalo Bendala (“Asesinos Inocentes”).

(ORIGINAL) Premiere

Coming Soon “Bill Murray: Life Lessons Learned From a Mythical Man” (Dec. 31) Filmmaker Tommy Avallone directed this 2018 documentary that explores the various urban legends surrounding Hollywood’s most elusive star.

“A Series of Unfortunate Events” (Jan. 1) The Baudelaire orphans may finally learn the truth about their parents’ deaths in the third and final season of this comedy series. Neil Patrick Harris stars. (ORIGINAL) “Girl” (Jan. 18) A 15-year-old transgender girl pursues her dream of becoming a professional ballerina in this drama that won the Camera d’Or award for best first film at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

(ORIGINAL)

AGES ANTIQUES Stop in to see our variety of old and new

Furniture, Curated finds with No.9 Thompson, Accessories and Gifts

Vinyl Lettering on T-Shirts, Cups & More...

Merry Christmas 61 W. Wesmark Blvd.

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2 • The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018

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Historical novelist Marie Benedict to speak at Sumter County Museum on new WWII-era story

BY KAYLA ROBINS kayla@theitem.com The author of a historical novel following the famous American movie star Hedy Lamarr and her close encounters with Nazi Germany in Austria will speak at a luncheon in Sumter in the new year.

Marie Benedict is scheduled to sign copies of her book titled “The Only Woman in the Room” at Sumter County Museum on Jan. 14 at noon.

Based on extensive research, Benedict’s story tells the journey of Austrian-Jewish-born Hedwig Kiesler who became the movie star Lamarr, according to a news release from the museum. As tensions mount in Austria toward a forced union with Nazi Germany, young Hedy marries Friedrich (Fritz) Mandl, a wealthy Austrian armaments manufacturer and dealer with ties to Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.

In the novel, Mandl exploits his wife as a showpiece hostess at elaborate occasions where she is privy to discussions of secret military plans and weapons use. But when Hitler is invited to dinner, she is banned from the feast.

Eavesdropping, she learns the dictator plans to remove Jews from German society.

“The author expertly develops the complexities in Hedy’s character as she plans her escape,” wrote Annie Rivers, executive director of the museum, in the release.

Sailing to New York, Hedy negotiates a contract with Louis B. Mayer of MGM Studio. While she becomes a star, the novel depicts her guilt over not revealing her knowledge of Hitler’s plans before the war escalated. When she learns German torpedoes have sunk the SS City of Benares that was evacuating innocent children to Canada, Hedy becomes determined to assist the Allies.

She starts to lead a double life between movie sets and secret collaborating with composer George Antheil to develop a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes to block jamming by the enemy.

As in real life, they are granted a patent, but Hedy’s beauty blinds U.S. Navy officials to her sharp, scientific mind.

Benedict dreamed of unearthing hidden stories of women while working as an attorney after graduation from Boston University School of Law, the release said, a vision fulfilled in her historical novels.

Besides her newest work, Benedict has authored “The Other Einstein” and “Carnegie’s Maid.”

Tickets to the luncheon and book signing are $35 for members and $40 for the public.

Interested participants can call (803) 775-0908 to reserve a ticket or go to the museum’s website at www.sumtercountymuseum.org.

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Coming Soon

What’s New NOW on

“Zoolander 2” (Dec. 30) This 2016 follow-up to the 2001 comedy finds Derek and Hansel (Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson) lured back into modeling in Rome, where they are the target of a sinister conspiracy.

December 23

“Mars” This innovative series from a group of producers that includes Ron Howard (“Apollo 13”) combines adventure, drama and documentary as it follows the first manned mission to the Red Planet and the attempt to colonize it in the year 2033. Jihae, Alberto Ammann, Clementine Poidatz and Sammi Rotibi head an international cast.

“The Trip to Italy” Michael Winterbottom (“A Mighty Heart”) wrote and directed this 2014 sequel to his successful 2010 comedy “The Trip,” in which Steve Coogan (“24 Hour Party People”) and Rob Brydon (“The Huntsman: Winter’s War”) star as fictionalized versions of themselves as they travel around Italy to Liguria, Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi and Capri.

December 24

“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” Tina Fey (“30 Rock,” “Date Night”) stars as a correspondent who recalls her time covering the war in Afghanistan in this 2016 comedy from directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (“I Love You, Phillip Morris”).

Margot Robbie, Alfred Molina and Martin Freeman are also in the talented cast.

December 27

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” A young Pakistani man (Riz Ahmed) finds himself torn between his career on Wall Street and the pull of his homeland in this 2013 thriller from director Mira Nair (“Mississippi Masala”). Liev Schreiber, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland and Om Puri are also in the talented cast.

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INTEREST Call our office for complete details.

“Spiderman 3” (Dec. 31) Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) undergoes an ominous transformation when his Spider-Man suit turns black and brings out the dark side of his personality. Kirsten Dunst and James Franco return, with cast additions including Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Series based on George R.R. Martin’s “Wild Cards” (date TBA) A virus released over New York kills 90 percent of the population and alters the DNA of the survivors in this series based on Martin’s book series. (ORIGINAL) “Ramy” (date TBA) Stand-up comic Ramy Youssef (“See Dad Run”) stars in this comedy about an Egyptian-American Muslim man caught up in what it means to be Arab, American and Muslim in today’s world. (ORIGINAL)

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What’s New NOW on Coming Soon “The Grand Tour” (Jan. 18) The third season of this comedic travelog finds Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May taking on epic challenges in Colombia, Mongolia, China, Detroit and London. (ORIGINAL)

December 25

December 28

“Iron Man 2”

“Niko and the Sword of Light”

With the world now aware of his identity, armor-suited industrialist Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) must contend with declining health and a madman linked to his father in this 2010 actioner from director Jon Favreau (“Elf,” “Iron Man”).

Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke and Don Cheadle are also in the formidable cast.

As the sophomore round of this animated series opens, Niko’s world has been restored but now a dark power looms. Niko and his friends must race its forces to protect the Amulet of Power, which can restore the balance between dark and light. Andre Robinson lends his voice to the title character. (ORIGINAL) Season Premiere

Season’s Greetings!

“Before I Fall”

“Collide”

The “Groundhog Day” premise of a person being compelled to relive the same day over and over gets a decidedly noncomedic makeover in this murky 2017 thriller starring Zoey Deutch as a teenager who goes through a thoroughly unsettling day that culminates in a vehicular accident that kills her and her friends. Events begin to repeat themselves when she awakes the next morning.

Halston Sage and Logan Miller also star.

Nicholas Hoult (“X-Men: Apocalypse”) stars as an American backpacker in Cologne, Germany, who gets involved with drug smugglers, then winds up on the run from them on the high-speed Autobahn in this 2016 actioner from director Eran Creevy (“Welcome to the Punch”). Felicity Jones, Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley also star.

“Modern Love” (date TBA) This half-hour anthology series explores love in all its forms, with a cast list that includes Anne Hathaway, John Slattery, Tina Fey, Dev Patel and Catherine Keener.

(ORIGINAL) Heidi Klum/Tim Gunn fashion reality series (date TBA) Now in development, this series will continue the Emmy-winning hosts’ 14-year relationship and a commitment to making fashion accessible to a wide audience.

(ORIGINAL)

Annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Get Your Tickets Today!

FOOD AND SPIRITS L. Travis McIntosh, AAMS Senior Vice President

Charles V. Noyes, II Vice President

216 North Main Street, Suite 200, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-2700 BBTScottStringfellow.com BB&T Scott & Stringfellow is a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. BB&T Securities, LLC, is a wholly owned nonbank subsidiary of BB&T Corporation.

Securities and insurance products or annuities sold, offered, or recommended are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not guaranteed by a bank, not insured by any federal government agency and may lose value.

6 • The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018

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The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 7

The Sumter Scene FANTASY OF LIGHTS Saturday, December 1, 2018 - 6:00pm to Monday, December 31, 2018 - 9:00pm Open December 1-31 Sundays-Thursdays the lights are on from 5 PM to 9 PM Fridays & Saturdays the lights are on from 5 PM to 10 PM (with the exception of opening night, December 1, which starts with a ceremony at 6PM. Gates will be closed during the ceremony, so come early) Admission is FREE!

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8 • The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018

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

Event Calendar

panies 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 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

THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK: LIBRA, SCORPIO AND SAGITTARIUS

Week of December 23 to 29, 2018 ARIES You’ll get some much needed time off this week to take care of things at home and prepare for the holidays. You’ll get involved in a community project and your hard work will be recognized.

TAURUS You won’t hesitate to speak your mind this week and you’ll say the things others have been thinking. You may hear some rumours, and you’ll want to confirm them right away.

GEMINI Some last minute shopping will catapult you over your Christmas budget this week. However, the extra expense will be greatly appreciated by your loved ones and earn you some praise.

CANCER

BY JAY BOBBIN

Newest Kennedy Center honorees include Reba McEntire

Country music occasionally factors into the Kennedy Center Honors ... and thanks to Reba McEntire, that’s the case again this year.

A winner of many accolades (including three Grammys), the singer-actress is among those celebrated in the 41st annual ceremony that CBS televises Wednesday, Dec. 26. Gloria Estefan – feted at the 2017 edition of the Washington, D.C., event – returns to host as Cher, composers and musicians Philip Glass and Wayne Shorter, and the creators of the stage musical “Hamilton” including Lin-Manuel Miranda also receive medals for their contributions to the performing arts.

Recorded earlier this month, the Kennedy Center Honors represent a career milestone for the everfriendly McEntire. “It was a huge surprise and a thrill,” she recalls of being notified. “To be a part of it, it’s a dream come true.”

Celebrities saluting McEntire include Kelly Clarkson (who’s married to McEntire’s stepson), Brooks & Dunn – with whom McEntire just completed a Las Vegas concert residency – Kristin Chenoweth, Lady Antebellum and “Reba” sitcom co-star Melissa Peterman. McEntire maintains she had no idea they would represent her before they took the stage: “I had tried to find out, and (the producers) just smiled and said, ‘Can’t tell ya!”’

McEntire reports she’s known co-recipient Cher a while. “She is a very acclaimed and well-known actress besides being a singer, and I’ve done television and

11 movies, so I guess we’re kind of carrying both of those gauntlets here. With everybody else, though, this was my first time getting to meet them. I did see ‘Hamilton,’ but I didn’t get to meet anybody from it.”

The Kennedy Center Honors and McEntire aren’t strangers to each other, since she participated in the ceremonies celebrating Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin and fellow country-music staples Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. Noting that she has “sat in the audience, stood and turned around and applauded those in the balcony bring honored,” McEntire says, “It’s a wonderful program, star-studded and full of emotion.

“It is a huge honor to be in that category of people I have watched and learned from and admired and known as friends. Everything about this is just totally positive for me.”

It’s also positive for country music in general. Over the four decades-plus of the Kennedy Center Honors, McEntire is only the seventh artist in the genre to be given the medal. The male recipients have been Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Jones and Merle Haggard.

“What country music does,” McEntire reasons, “it brings songs that are relatable to people who are listening. It’s their life stories, the predicaments they are going through or have been through. I call some of country music spiritual, because it does help heal your heart.”

It’s time to spring into action! You have lots to do and everything’s urgent. If you’re working this week, you’ll be the first to get to the office in the morning and the last to leave.

Your boss will notice and begin to rely on you.

LEO Don’t get burned out before the holidays even begin. Take some time to rest so you can recharge and banish that pesky cold that just won’t go away.

VIRGO Stress and exhaustion may make you feel like you’re in a fog and you won’t know what to concentrate on.

Luckily, your energy will be back just in time to celebrate.

LIBRA You’ll find yourself on top of things this week, both at work and while preparing for your holiday festivities. You’ll finish things before your deadlines, which will allow you to enjoy your time off without any worries.

SCORPIO Your friends may invite you on a last minute trip and you won’t hesitate to join them. You’ll also want shake things up with your loved ones and have a non-traditional holiday celebration.

SAGITTARIUS You’ll be more emotional than you expected this holiday season. For whatever reason, your celebrations will be very different this year and you’ll be nostalgic for times past.

CAPRICORN This week will be full of surprises.

Whether your partner takes you on a romantic vacation or a complete stranger proposes marriage, expect your love life to be shaken up. Happiness is around the corner.

AQUARIUS You’ll be busy finishing up work before leaving on vacation this week.

Everything will go according to plan and you’ll end the year with a sense of accomplishment.

PISCES At the last minute, you’ll find yourself hosting a big holiday party, so you’ll rush to finish decorating your home. You’ll outdo yourself this year and your home will look magnificent.

The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 9

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10 • The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018

Half Ham Dinner $95 2 Side Items 12 Rolls 1 Pumpkin Pie 1 Gallon of Tea Feeds 12

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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-

Get your local news, sports, education, daily community videos and more delivered to your door and to any device.

To get the latest subscription offers from The Sumter Item, visit TheItem.com/Subscribe or call 803-774-1200 during regular business hours.

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Christmas & Merry py New Year p a H

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If so, Glenn Givens can help with this matter by reviewing your Will and amending your Will or creating a new Will if wanted or needed.

Call Glenn at (803) 418-0800; ext. 108

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The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 11

Sylvester Stallone’s Top 10BYMovies JAY BOBBIN “Creed” (2015): There still was life left in Rocky Balboa, as Stallone proved by reprising the role – and earning an Oscar nomination – in this smart continuation of the saga.

“The Expendables” (2010): Stallone is ideally suited to be the leader of an all-star action fest somewhat reminiscent of “The Dirty Dozen.”

“Daylight” (1996): Stallone’s brawn is on full display as he plays a disgraced emergency rescue worker trying to save those trapped by a New York commuter tunnel explosion.

“Demolition Man” (1993): Humor is almost as present as action as cop Stallone literally defrosts in the future to chase an old foe (Wesley Snipes).

“Cliffhanger” (1993): Arguably Stallone’s best effort after his initial fame for Rocky and Rambo, this beautifully filmed adventure puts him atop mountains, where his expert climber character becomes villain John Lithgow’s hostage.

“Tango & Cash” (1989): Stallone and Kurt Russell are enjoyable as dissimilar police detectives up against a crime lord (Jack Palance).

“First Blood” (1982): Without saying much beyond the occasional grunt, Stallone is effective in his debut as John Rambo, a Vietnam veteran pushed into a ‘war’ with small-town cops.

“Rocky III” (1982): Even better than the first sequel, this solid follow-up includes a major character’s death and the introduction of Mr. T.

“Nighthawks” (1981): Stallone is wellcast as a member of an elite New York police team tracking a terrorist (Rutger Hauer).

BY JAY BOBBIN

‘Creed II’ adds another round to ‘Rocky’ franchise Is “Creed II” necessary? No. With the money and reviews the first “Creed” earned, was it inevitable?

Oh, yes.

The good news is that it could have been aimed as strictly another moneymaker, with little or no art involved. Luckily, enough people have been retained from the first film to ensure that doesn’t happen, including Michael B. Jordan and – in his eighth turn as Rocky Balboa – Sylvester Stallone, who also cowrote the picture.

If anyone knows how to work the “Rocky” formula, it certainly is Stallone ... and after leaving much of the behind-the-scenes creativity to others the last time, he takes a premise that simply could have seemed like belaboring an earlier plot point in the series and makes it reasonably special.

Apollo Creed’s son Adonis, played by Jordan, prepares for a boxing match against the son of the man who killed his father in a professional fight. Dad, alias Ivan Drago, is played again by Dolph Lundgren ... and fans who know their “Rocky” history will enjoy booing and hissing him all over again.

Balboa isn’t at all happy about the prospective bout, which virtually guarantees it will happen.

Certainly, there is action to spare in “Creed II,” but there’s also room for development of one of the first film’s standout points: the hero’s romance with singer Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson.

That gets substantially more screen time than in “Creed,” and it’s notable that the actress has said she watched “Rocky II” before starting her work on this, to see how the character Adrian (Talia Shire) was developed in the first follow-up.

Phylicia Rashad also is back, and “Rocky” loyalists also should enjoy seeing series returnee Brigitte Nielsen (a Stallone ex-wife in real life) again.

Much of what made the original “Creed” work was the surprise factor it brought, managing to refresh something familiar to a very great extent.

Some of that novelty is gone now, which generally is the case with any sequel; it’s even more the fact here, since the general elements and structure date back more than four decades to the first “Rocky.”

Stallone certainly knew what he was doing then as writer and star, and what he set down those many years ago remains durable.

Indeed, “Creed II” is a worthwhile sequel on sum – thanks in no small part to a continuing Michael B. Jordan contender named Sylvester Stallone.

“WHITE BOY RICK”Jamie Lee Curtis With the distinction of being virtually the only new home-video release on Christmas Day, this fact-inspired drama casts Matthew McConaughey as the father of a teenager (Richie Merritt) who becomes the youngest FBI informant in history.

The Detroit youth eventually gets into dealing drugs, then is left largely to fend for himself by the federal handlers who got him into the habit of giving up others by revealing their illegal activities. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane play agents, with Eddie Marsan, Bruce Dern and Piper Laurie also notable in director Richie Merritt and Matthew McConaughey

12 • The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018

Yann Demange’s cast. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; deleted scenes. ››› (R: AS, N, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray and On Demand)

Movie Schedule

Week of December 23

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

Message in a Baby And He Shall Be Called

SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

PG, 1 hr 57 min Action/Adventure, Animated, Comedy

THE MULE (2018) R, 1 hr 56 min

ONCE UPON A DEADPOOL Action/Adventure

THE POSSESSION OF HANNAH GRACE R, 1 hr 25 min, Horror, Suspense/Thriller

CREED II PG-13, 2 hr 10 min Drama

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

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD PG-13, 2 hr 14 min, Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

GREEN BOOK PG-13, 2 hr 10 min Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama

WIDOWS (2018) R, 2 hr 8 min Drama, Suspense/Thriller

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

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

“HOTEL (COURTESY OF COMSCORE)

TRANSYLVANIA 3” ›››

“SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO” ›››

The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 13

The Scene

Students at Oakland Primary School in pre-K through first grade gathered Monday morning for their annual Holiday Singalong featuring about five songs they had been practicing as the weather has cooled down. Each year, teachers perform a dance for the students and visiting parents, and the end of the event was topped off with a visit from Santa.

PHOTOS BY MICAH GREEN / THE SUMTER ITEM

14 • The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018

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The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 15

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The Sumter Scene • December 23 - 29, 2018 • 16