Month: July 2018

‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot’ gets horribly lost

Jeff Mitchell

“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” – According to Google, a mess is defined as a situation or state of affairs that is confused or full of difficulties. Gus Van Sant’s “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” – a biopic about cartoonist John Callahan’s life after a car accident left him mostly paralyzed at age 21 – is a mess. A confusing mess, one that Van Sant overcomplicates and creates narrative difficulties, where none should exist. A successful film adaption of John’s story should be a foregone…

Celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday with ‘Invictus’

Jeff Mitchell

Nelson Mandela – the legendary South African president and humanitarian – was born 100 years ago on July 18, 1918, and ArtHouseFilmWire.com strongly, strongly recommends watching Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus” (2009) to help celebrate the man’s birthday. “Invictus” is the story of the 1995 South African national rugby team, and it’s journey and President Mandela’s wish to help unite a divided nation between whites and blacks.  Morgan Freeman steps into the role of Mandela so gracefully (as only he can), with much gravitas and respect, and some of the most moving…

Top 10 films of 2018…so far

Jeff Mitchell

It is July in Phoenix, Ariz., and the monsoons have begun!  In mysterious, unexplained ways, a sudden and vicious torrent of Arizona rain can cascade equal amounts of wonder, glee and terror into the hearts of desert dwellers all over the Valley. Well, speaking of terror, it feels a bit shocking that half of 2018 has already come and gone.  How did that happen?  Time does fly when one is having fun, because so many terrific movies arrived in theatres this year. This critic watched 143 movies from January through…