Now showing, ‘The Wonder’

Period drama

Netflix

Rated R for some sexuality.

Based on the acclaimed novel by Emma Donohue, this film by Chilean director Sabastian Lelio takes a look at questions of faith, and the discovery of truth amid an assault of falsehoods by those who staunchly support a religious status quo.

In a media statement, Lelio has said, “Bringing [this] powerful novel … to the screen not only offers me the chance to portray the collision between reason and faith, individual and community, obedience and rebellion, but also to explore my own interpretation of what a ‘period’ film can be.”

Set in 1862, “The Wonder” is rooted in the real phenomena of “fasting girls,” wherein young women would stop eating yet maintain a glow of health due, they said, to a divine intervention. It didn’t last long and resulted in at least one death. British nurse Lib Wright (Florence Pugh) is summoned to the Irish Midlands in order to assist in the investigation of one such girl, 11-year-old Anna O’Donnell (Kila Lord Cassidy). Anna has reportedly not eaten for months yet still appears to be healthy.

The investigation is overseen by a panel of local officials including Dr. McBrearty (Toby Jones), a Father Thaddeus (Ciarán Hinds) and others. Because Lib is considered a professional nurse, she is paired with a Catholic nun, Sister Michael (Josie Walker), who under the panel’s supervision will observe Anna in order to determine whether this is a hoax or a genuine “miracle.”

Taking a scientific approach, Lib orders that no one visit Anna or come into close proximity to maintain objectivity, including Anna’s mother, Rosaleen (Elaine Cassidy, Kila’s real mom). From here the film takes a slow, methodical and moody approach to match the slow evolution of this unusual experiment. But, when a journalist named Will Byrne (Tom Burke) arrives to write a story about Anna with the intention of revealing what he believes to be a hoax, things take a slowly suspenseful turn.

Pugh is clearly the star here. Her performance is brilliant. So often, modern actors have a difficult time shedding their anachronistic mannerisms, which makes them unbelievable as period characters. Pugh inhabits her character so completely one has the impression we are seeing a woman from another time, even when her Lib gives way to the needs of her nature and when she discovers the solution to a near impossible dilemma.

Because “The Wonder” opens and closes with reference to the artifice of the filmmaking process, and bookended with narration by one of the characters, Kitty O’Donnell (Niamh Algar of “Raised By Wolves”), we are reminded that our journey toward whatever we believe in is often tainted with influence — and the more we keep this in mind the more meaningful is the certitude we discover along the way.

This film is now streaming on the Netflix online subscription service.

This week at the Taos Community Auditorium

To Which We Belong

Documentary

Not previewed

TCA Movies on the Big Screen Saturday (Dec. 3) at 5:30 p.m.

Not rated

Admission is free

Years of industrialized agriculture have been a major contributor to climate change. This film from co-directors Pamela Tanner Boll and Lindsay Richardson follows a new generation of farmers and ranchers who seek to rebuild their businesses and their planet by embracing the interconnectedness of living things.

Presented by Alianza Agri-Cultura, Taos Valley Acequia Association and other local groups, the screening will feature a live discussion by Quivira Coalition Executive Director Sarah Wentzel-Fisher, regenerative rancher and Taos Valley Acequia Association board member Robert Martínez, Los Pachecos Rancher Pat Pacheco, and David Gilroy, Community Education Coordinator for the Taos Soil and Water Conservation District.

On land long depleted by monocultured crops, Trey Hillfills the fields with colorful tangles of plant life, revivifying the soil and bringing new richness to the harvest. In Chihuahua, Mexico ranchers like Alejandro Carrillo practice revolutionary techniques in cattle herding, carving out space for wildlife to thrive again. And off the coast of Connecticut, Bren Smith re-seeds the ocean with kelp, mussels, oysters, and scallops, restoring ecosystems ravaged by commercial fishing.

Despite their difference in culture and location, these farmers and ranchers are rooted in the same belief: that to work with nature, not against it, is the answer. — Mystic Artists

All donations will go towards presenting non-profits Alianza Agri-Cultura de Taos, Taos Valley Acequia Association & Quivira Coalition

TÁR

Music drama

Not previewed

TCA Movies on the Big Screen Monday (Dec. 5) at 7 p.m. and Tuesday (Dec. 6) at 7 p.m.

Rated R for some language and brief nudity.

Set in the international world of Western classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett, widely considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and first-ever female music director of a major German orchestra. Directed by Todd Field, this film co-stars Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss, Mark Strong and Sophie Kauer.

Showings are at the Taos Community Auditorium, 145 Paseo del Pueblo Norte. For tickets, health restrictions and additional information, call (575) 758-2052 or visit tcataos.org.

This week at the Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas

Violent Night

Action comedy

Tempo grade: C-

Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas

Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout and some sexual references.

Certainly not for kids, this holiday movie is barely wrapped around the season of giving; that is unless that giving has to do with head smashing, bone crushing and blood gushing delivered by good ol’ St. Nick.

David Harbour of “Stranger Things” fame stars as a drunken, cynical Santa Claus stretched to his limit with fewer believers in his magic than ever. But, just as he’s about to hang up his reindeer sleigh and magical bag of gifts, he finds one little girl named Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady) who truly embraces the big guy’s magic.

The trouble is, she is among family members held hostage by a group of mercenaries, led by a bad guy, whose code name is Scrooge (John Leguizamo), intent on stealing millions from Trudy’s filthy rich and greedy grandmother, Gertude Lightstone (Beverly D’Angelo). Little do they know, Santa is in the house and he’s got history as a violent warrior to bring lumps of coal to all these ne’er-do-wells on the naughty list.

There’s enough here to truly offend some audiences, but director Tommy Wirkola tries to balance the graphic horror with sentimental, even heart-warming, moments. The result is a strange mix that leaves one wondering, “What did I just see?” — Rick Romancito

I Heard the Bells

Faith based drama

Not previewed

Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas

Not rated, but designed for family audience.

Known as America's Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Stephen Atherholt) leads an idyllic life, until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief. But it's the sound of Christmas morning that reignites the poet's lost voice as he discovers the resounding hope of rekindled faith. Film was directed and co-written by Joshua Enck. This Fathom Event will be screened Dec. 1-4 only. Fathom delivers a wide variety of programming and experiences to U.S. and global cinema audiences, and is the largest distributor of documentaries, faith-based and inspirational content.

Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon

Faith based documentary

Not previewed

Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas

Not rated, but designed for family audience.

This film from Australian director Ben Smallbone is described in a Fathom Event synopsis thusly, “At the end of his rope, Johnny Cash stumbled into a cave and laid down in the dark. But death didn't come calling; God did. ‘Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon’ is the untold story of how ‘The Man in Black’ saw the light.” Features appearances by Wynonna Judd, Tim McGraw, John Schneider, Jessi Colter, Alice Cooper, and Sheryl Crow. This Fathom Event feature will be screened Dec. 5-7 only. Fathom delivers a wide variety of programming and experiences to U.S. and global cinema audiences, and is the largest distributor of documentaries, faith-based and inspirational content.

These films are showing at the Mitchell Storyteller 7 Cinemas, 110 Old Talpa Cañon Road. For tickets, showtimes and additional information, call (575) 751-4245 or visit storyteller7.com.