Month: July 2018

Movies at Home: Celebrate Woody Harrelson’s birthday with his top five performances

Jeff Mitchell

Happy 57th Birthday, Woody Harrelson!   Mr. Harrelson burst on the scene in 1985 as Woody Boyd, Coach’s replacement, on the legendary and equally hilarious sitcom “Cheers”, which ran on NBC until its triumphant finale on May 20, 1993. Don’t look now, but Harrelson has popped up everywhere in key supporting roles in blockbusters like “The Hunger Games” series (2012 – 2015), “Now You See Me” (2013) and its sequel (2016), “Zombieland” (2009), “Solo” (2018), and “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017). The man born in Midland, Texas in…

The Phoenix Film Festival and Foundation reel off a new movie celebration, the Peoria Film Fest

Jeff Mitchell

The Phoenix Film Festival has been living large in the Valley of the Sun for 18 years, but Arizona’s top festival is branching out.  Branching out to the West Valley, actually. Peoria! The first Peoria Film Fest – sponsored by Phoenix Film Festival and Phoenix Film Foundation – will light up Harkins Arrowhead Fountains 18 Theatres on Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 and feature upcoming studio and independent movies. “We’ve been looking to host an event in the North Valley and Peoria made the most sense. The growth of the…

‘Eighth Grade’ feels difficult, and that’s perfect

Jeff Mitchell

“Eighth Grade” – Kids can be kids in elementary school, and teens can be teens in high school, but what about middle school?  Well, unfortunate 11, 12 and 13 years-olds trudge, through that hellish purgatory between preteen innocence and young adulthood, otherwise known as middle school. With social pressures, hormonal changes and anxiety at their peaks, these kids attempt to cope with their current, dire 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. existences that feel similar to a never-ending slog through mud pit, 18 inches deep.  Every step is a struggle, and…