Month: February 2019

10 Bad-relationship Movies: 7. ‘Heathers’

Jeff Mitchell

“Heathers” (1988) – Ah, the new kid.  The new kid at school automatically qualifies for attention from other students, because he or she is an unknown. “Who is the new kid?”   “What’s her deal?”   “Where is he from?” Someone new – at school, work or a social club – can offer a fresh perspective, and in this case J.D. (Christian Slater) certainly offers one at Westerburg High School in Ohio.  He’s a dark, brooding loner and speaks a lot like Jack Nicholson. Veronica (Winona Ryder) has recently grown tired of…

Mikkelsen carries the torch in ‘Arctic’

Jeff Mitchell

“Arctic” – Mads Mikkelsen’s character kneels on a narrow path of black rock and chips away at ice and snow with a pick and a serrated piece of sheet metal.  For anyone who has ever shoveled a driveway when the temperature hovers around zero, the opening scene of “Arctic” is a stressful reminder of Old Man Winter and his associated, compulsory chores. The difference between Overgard (Mikkelsen) and John Q. Public scrapping coagulated powder in the frozen suburbs of Minneapolis, Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, Boston, and Spokane is the latter poor…

10 Bad-Relationship Movies: 8. ‘Smashed’

Jeff Mitchell

8. “Smashed” (2012) – Alcoholism tortures the soul by compelling one to share their existence with a drug, and Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Charlie (Aaron Paul) both perfectly fit the profile.  They struggle with alcohol, but director James Ponsoldt keeps much of the focus on Kate, as her addiction greatly impacts her job. She’s an elementary school teacher. Kate eventually hits rock bottom and decides to get sober, but her uphill climb becomes considerably steeper, because Charlie does not share her goals.  Their marriage has drifted apart in only…