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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Friday’s openings redux: Tension and tennis

Dan Webster

And another movie has been added to Friday's openings:

"Beirut": Jon Hamm stars as a former diplomat down on his luck who is summoned back to Lebanon to help negotiate a hostage situation. The "Mad Men" star makes a bid for big-screen success.

Following are some critical comments:

David Edelstein, New York Magazine/Vulture: "Hamm still doesn’t have the outsize personality we associate with major movie stars — a lot of whom are lesser actors. But he has focus. He can think onscreen. He can make you watch him closely, trying to keep up with the wheels churning in his head. I think he has fully arrived on the big screen."

Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly: "The performances are strong and the story is absorbing; a smart diversion for adult attention spans."

John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: "A period political thriller whose motivations remain timely."

And another note: In a booking coup, "Borg vs. McEnroe," which also opens on Friday, will play exclusively at the Magic Lantern.