November 30, 2016 The Skanner Page 7
FILM REVIEW: ‘Believe’ a
Heartwarming Holiday Morality Play
Film is intended for a Christian audience, but has
broader appeal
Film still from ‘Believe’
I
t’s late November in Grundy, Vir-
ginia, a tiny town whose economy
revolves around Peyton Automo-
tive, a family business inherited
by Matthew Peyton (Ryan O’Quinn)
from his late grandfather. Because
the company has fallen on hard times
in recent days, the overwhelmed CEO
is considering cancelling the annual
Christmas pageant the corporation
has sponsored since the 1970s.
In fact, Matthew finds himself being
pressured by his financial advisor, Al-
bert Bagley (Kevin Sizemore) either to
lay off or lower the salaries of some of
“
Soon enough, Matthew finds him-
self the victim of escalating violence.
First his BMW is egged and has a tire
slashed, before being torched entire-
ly. Then, he’s beaten to within an inch
of his life and left for dead by a gang of
union goons.
Coming to his rescue is a most un-
likely hero, a precocious homeless kid
named CJ Joseph (Isaac Ryan Brown).
CJ and his mom Sharon (Danielle Ni-
colet) nurse Matthew back to health
while giving him a priceless lesson
about what really matters most in life.
For, despite their dire circumstanc-
es, the Josephs both
fervently believe
that better days
are coming. “I wish
I had that kind of
faith,” Matthew ad-
mits. Upon recov-
ering, the grateful
heir informs Sharon and son, “You
took care of me, now I’ll take care of
you.”
That is the point of departure of
“Believe,” a modern morality play
marking the feature film directori-
al debut of Billy Dickson. Although
the picture is ostensibly aimed at the
Christian demographic, it has a com-
plicated enough storyline, including
a love triangle and intriguing plot
twists, to appeal to more than merely
Bible-thumping Evangelicals.
A thought-provoking parable as en-
tertaining as it is a message movie.
CJ and his mom nurse Matthew
back to health while giving him
a priceless lesson about what
really matters most in life
his 115 employees. Needless to say, the
prospect of cutbacks doesn’t sit well
with union rep Bob Alexander (James
C. Burns) who proceeds to call for a
strike.
Matthew, in turn, testifies before
Grundy’s City Council that he can no
longer afford to stage the holiday fes-
tival because the funds in the trust
have been totally exhausted. Trouble
is, his grandfather’s specifically stip-
ulated in his will that Peyton Automo-
tive must continue the tradition.
Nevertheless, Matthew asserts that
the business has been losing money
for a couple of years and that, given
the situation, he has no choice but to
shut it down. Meanwhile, he’s warned
by the Mayor (Lance E. Nichols), “You
keep going in this direction, you will
get crucified.”
SHOWTIMES
MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR
PECULIAR CHILDREN (PG-13)
Fri-Thur: 2:30, 6:40
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
(PG-13)
Fri-Sun: 9:20; Mon-Thur: 4:10, 9:20
STORKS (PG)
Fri-Thur: 2:15
SULLY (PG-13)
Fri-Sun: 12:05; Mon-Thur: 12:05, 7:00
Very Good HHH
Rated PG for violence, mature themes
and mild epithets.
Running time: 118 min.
Distributor: Power of 3
The Week of
Friday, Dec. 2 through
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016
KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS (PG)
Fri-Thur: 12:15
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (R)
Fri: 1:40, 7:15; Sat-Sun: 7:15
Mon: 1:40, 7:15, 9:10
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS (PG)
Fri: 11:40, 5:10; Sat-Sun: 5:10
Mon: 11:40, 5:10
TIME BANDITS (NR)
Fri-Thur: 4:20, 9:45
$4.00 adults, $3.00 senior citizens (65+)
$3.00 for kids (12 & under)
7818 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
503-252-1707 • AcademyTheaterPdx.com
Babysitting: Available for children 2 to 8 years old. Fri: shows after 3:30pm and before 8:00pm. Sat - Sun: all
shows before 8:00pm. $9.50 per child for the length of the movie. Call to reserve a spot, no drop ins.
Arts & Entertainment
The Armory Hosts Concerts, Bazaars,
Singalongs in December
By Portland Center Stage
start at $25. www.pcs.org/irvingberlin
T
Special Events in December
New Year’s Eve at The Armory: The
Great American Songbook Singalong
Kick off the New Year’s Eve celebra-
tions with Hershey Felder (star and cre-
ator of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin)
in an evening of popular songs from
the American songbook. This singa-
long celebration features an entire cen-
tury of American music – including
works by Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern,
George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and
Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Bock
and Harnick, Bernstein, Sondheim,
and tunes from beloved musicals such
as  The Sound of Music,  South Pacif-
ic,  Fiddler on the Roof,  Showboat  and
more.
Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., U.S. Bank Main
Stage, $50 or $30 for ages 30 and young-
er. Ticket includes complimentary
champagne toast (or sparkling cider)
and a sweet treat.
he Armory will be buzzing in De-
cember with a host of live music
performances, including a special
one-night only concert on New
Year’s Eve: Hershey Felder – the star
and creator of Hershey Felder as Irving
Berlin – will perform his Great Amer-
ican Songbook Singalong and audienc-
es will be treated to a complimentary
champagne toast (or sparkling cider) to
help kick off their New Year’s celebra-
tions. Other December events include
The Armory Holiday Bazaar, a screen-
ing of Broadway Musicals, a Jewish
Legacy, Happy Hours with Portland
Jazz Composers’ Ensemble, numerous
choral performances and more.
All events are held at The Armory
(128 NW Eleventh Ave.). Details at
https:// w w w.pcs.org /community,
503.445.3700, or in person. Informa-
tion on accessibility options available
at https://www.pcs.org/access. Events,
dates and times are subject to change.
On Stage in December
The Santaland Diaries: Nov. 26 – Dec.
24, 2016. By David Sedaris; Adapted for
the stage by Joe Mantello; Directed by
Wendy Knox. In the Ellyn Bye Studio.
Tickets start at $25. www.pcs.org/san-
taland-2016
Hershey Felder as Irving Ber-
lin: Nov. 30 - Dec. 30, 2016. Cre-
ated and performed by Hershey
Felder; Directed by Trevor Hay
On the U.S. Bank Main Stage. Tickets
The Armory Holiday Bazaar
Shop locally this holiday season by
supporting The Armory-affiliated
artisans who will be on hand to sell
their crafts and goods on the Mezza-
nine throughout the day. Visitors will
also enjoy free hot chocolate, cider
and  KIND Bars, holiday liqueur tast-
ings from  Eastside Distilling  (with
I.D.), live holiday music, a festive photo
booth, backstage tours and a scavenger
hunt. 
See THE ARMORY on page 11