Tag: Walton Goggins

‘Spirit Untamed’ is cute, but it’s also a paint-by-numbers ride

Jeff Mitchell

Lucky Prescott’s (Isabela Merced) name doesn’t suit her, at least for the first 10-plus years of her life.  Her mom – Milagro Navarro (Elza Gonzalez), a world-class horse rider – dies in a circus accident (within the opening few minutes of this movie).  To make matters worse, instead of her father, Jim Prescott (Jake Gyllenhaal), providing oceans of support, he unilaterally and inexplicably decides that his sister, Cora (Julianne Moore), will care for Lucky.  Cora says to Lucky, “Something broke in your father.” And how!  Jim later explains his actions. …

‘Words on Bathroom Walls’ draws up a compelling and empathetic story

Jeff Mitchell

“Words on Bathroom Walls” – Adam (Charlie Plummer) is halfway through his high school senior year, so graduation is close. Whoo-hoo! He should have the world at his feet, but a one-two-punch – emerging from a massive, unpredictable jungle, otherwise known as life – delivers a couple of near-crippling blows. First, his dad – with little warning or on-screen fanfare – leaves Adam and his mom Beth (Molly Parker).  Since Adam is taking the news better than his mother, he finds the space to prepare meals for their suddenly smaller…