Year: 2018

‘The Captain’ leads a cinematic trip into dark, dangerous territory

Jeff Mitchell

“The Captain” – In April 1945, Herold (Max Hubacher), a young German soldier, is running for his life from his own army and some locals, however, in an incredible stroke of luck, he stumbles upon a pristine captain’s uniform.  He suddenly forms a brand new identity – with his new appearance – which commands respect, but can Herold convince his fellow soldiers and officers that he is a captain? Hubacher delivers a highly convincing performance as a desperate man who must continually swallow his fear to survive, and over time, his…

‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post’ offers an unsettling look and lesson into conversion therapy

Jeff Mitchell

“The Miseducation of Cameron Post” – Conversion therapy is the practice of changing an individual’s sexual preference from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological techniques or spiritual interventions, citing Wikipedia. One might think that this alarming tradition ended decades ago in the United States, but that’s not true. According to a January 2018 study from UCLA’s The Williams Institute, 698,000 U.S. adults (ages 18 – 59) have received conversion therapy.  These rituals are not behind us either, because the same study added that 57,000 U.S. kids (ages 13 –…

‘The Happytime Murders’ shoots itself in the foot

Jeff Mitchell

“The Happytime Murders” – “It ain’t a crime to be warm and fuzzy, but it might as well be.” – Private Investigator Phil Philips Yes, society treats puppets as second-class citizens in 2018 Los Angeles.  Puppets work, play and live with humans but are considered inferior or inherently subordinate, because their primary color fabric-exteriors and pillowy interiors make them different from people.  This overt racism is now coupled with a recent puppet-killing spree, and Phil Philips (Bill Barretta) – a scorned former police detective – is determined to find the…