Month: September 2017

Four essential Michael Douglas movies from the 1980s on Netflix and/or Amazon

Jeff Mitchell

Michael Douglas celebrates his 73rd birthday on Sept. 25.  Happy Birthday, Mr. Douglas! For young fans, Douglas is known as Dr. Hank Pym in “Ant-Man” (2015) and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018), but this Hollywood legend has starred in great films for decades. Looking back to the 1980s, here are four essential Michael Douglas films that you can catch on Netflix and/or Amazon right now. “The Star Chamber” (1983) – After years of watching guilty men enter their courtrooms and unfairly walking free, a group of judges form their own…

Allen is likable in ‘Year by the Sea’ despite its familiar tide

Jeff Mitchell

“Year by the Sea” – “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” – Dolly Parton In a manicured, pricey reception hall, Joan (Karen Allen) and her husband, Robin (Michael Cristofer), celebrate their son’s wedding, but almost immediately after, he reveals a different life change.  Due to Robin’s job, they need to move from the east coast to Kansas.  Suddenly, the two have emptied their house of furniture, and as they prepare for bed – on an air mattress – Joan’s mood turns somber.  That next…

‘Crown Heights’ royally exposes a flawed justice system

Jeff Mitchell

“Crown Heights” – “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr. “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”  – Elie Wiesel In 1980, Colin Warner (Lakeith Stanfield) lives with his mom in Brooklyn, NY and more specifically, in a neighborhood called Crown Heights.  From Trinidad, this 18-year-old has some close friends and is working towards a car mechanic-certification.  He is a good son and friend, but he – unfortunately…