Year: 2018

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…

‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ has big laughs and tiny shortcomings

Jeff Mitchell

“Ant-Man and The Wasp” – “It takes two to make a thing go right.  It takes two to make it outta sight.”  – Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, “It Takes Two” (1988) In a recent “Ant-Man and The Wasp” trailer, the aforementioned classic rap song blasts across the screen in crystal clear apropos action-fashion, as the film’s dynamic duo races around San Francisco’s streets – in a quasi-updated version of 1968’s “Bullitt” – and shakes down a host of bad guys. Actually, the lack of a true noteworthy villain…