Friday’s openings: Cruising through the fall slate

As we progress through the fall movie season, the usual mix of films continues to flow in (and out) of the nation’s theaters. This week, a full five films are scheduled for country-wide release, most of which no doubt will make it to the Inland Northwest.

Friday’s scheduled openings are as follows:

“Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” : Tom Cruise returns as the free-willed protagonist of Lee Child ‘s mystery series, this time involving his attempt to uncover a government conspiracy. Looks as if he, too, wants to make American great … uh, again?

“Ouija: Origin of Evil” : A family of paranormal scammers get what’s coming to them when the real dark spirits possess one of their number. They should have stuck to Monopoly.

“Keeping Up With the Joneses” : An typical suburban couple (Zach Galifanakis, Isla Fisher) grow suspicious when their new neighbors (Gal Gadot, Jon Hamm) prove to be anything but typical. Key word there: “typical.”

“Boo! A Madea Halloween” : Tyler Perry returns with his favorite character to spoof pretty much every Halloween/horror cliche ever devised for movie entertainment. Turns out his trick is supposed to be the treat.

“I’m Not Ashamed” : Based on the journals of a girl killed during the 1999 Columbine High School shootings, this inspirational film — I’m not ashamed to say — isn’t something I’m remotely interested in joking about.

“31” : The latest from Rob Zombie, this pre-Halloween offering follows the misfortunes of five carnival workers forced to play a sadistic game. Hmmmm, sounds familiar. Can you say “Saw” ?

That’s the list of potentials. I’ll narrow the slate when the local theaters finalize their individual lineups.