Friday’s openings: From SoCal to Selma

Since he broke into the public consciousness with his second full feature, 1997's "Boogie Nights," director Paul Thomas Anderson has been a cinephile favorite. Whether examining biblical plagues visiting the contemporary world ("Magnolia") or exploring the excesses of personal mania as couched in American history "There Will Be Blood"), Anderson exhibits a command of film narrative that is rare for any age.

Which is why those of us who call ourselves Anderson fans are excited at the prospect of "Inherent Vice" opening Friday. Based on a novel by Thomas Pynchon, "Inherent Vice" is a private-eye film set in the Southern California of the pot-sodden 1970s. Can't wait.

Excepting last-second schedule changes, Friday's opening are as follows:

"Inherent Vice": Joaquin Phoenix plays a perpetually stoned PI who is gets mixed up in a complicated case that involves kidnapping, extortion and murder. Imagine Philip Marlowe on the pipe.

"Taken 3": Liam Neeson returns as the former government operative so skilled he can outwit both the FBI and, seemingly, the whole Russian mob. Just remember: He will find you.

"Selma": Based on the real-life freedom march that was planned, and led, by Martin Luther King. Unlike other historical studies, this one is scoring a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Director Ava DuVernay obviously had a dream …

And at the Magic Lantern:

"Keep On Keeping' On": This documentary tells the story of legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry, coming to the end of his life, just as one of his students — blind pianist Justin Kauflin — is beginning his own career. Talk about the blind leading the blind.

So, as always, go to a movie. And enjoy.