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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Friday’s openings: Who’s fooling whom about what?

Dan Webster

Time to run down the weekend's movie openings, which is similar to last week in that several films are being released at once. This, of course, is mostly good — mostly because it gives us a better chance to see something actually good. Anyway, Friday's openings are as follows:

"Desert Dancer": Based on the life of Iranian-born dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, we learn all about his struggle to form a dance company in a country where dancing is outlawed. So, no "Flashdance," eh?

"Merchants of Doubt": Robert Kenner's documentary explores the world of so-called "experts" who speak authoritatively about such topics as climate change. In other words, well-paid Pinocchios.

"Little Boy": Religious tale of a boy who believes he can ensure his father's return from World War II. And he can move mountains.

"Ex Machina": Recruited to participate in an AI experiment, a young researcher finds himself involved in something much larger, and spookier: an outrageously expensive electric bill.

"The Age of Adaline": Blake Lively plays a woman who never ages … until she meets the man who may make her change her mind. Time, uh, will tell.

And at the Magic Lantern:

"White God": When a 13-year-old girl's father abandons her dog, she struggles to find him — and vice versa. Turns out, it is a dog's world.

"An Honest Liar": Another documentary about deception, this one explores the life and times of James "The Amazing Randi," an illusionist who devotes his professional life to exposing fakery — but then whose own life gets entwined with deception. Ah, but can he move mountains?

So that's the lineup. Something there has to grab your interest. Go out. See a movie. Enjoy yourself.