Month: April 2021

Celebrate Al Pacino’s birthday with this triple feature

Jeff Mitchell

On April 25, acting legend Alfredo James “Al” Pacino turns 81 years young, and with dozens of films and nine Oscar nominations (and one win for “Scent of a Woman” (1992)) on his resume, this Manhattan native has plenty of fabulous and celebrated movies to watch on his birthday.  My personal favorite Pacino performance is his masterful turn as Carlito Brigante – a career criminal trying to go straight – in Brian De Palma’s “Carlito’s Way” (1993), but let’s look at three other films.  This cinematic trio might not reside…

Movie of the Week: ‘The Apostle’

Jeff Mitchell

With the Oscars arriving in April (Sunday, April 25), we’re looking back at films and performances that the Academy missed. “The Apostle” (1997) – Robert Duvall, with over 140 acting credits, sometimes gets behind the camera, and in 1997, he directed, wrote, produced, and starred in “The Apostle”.  He plays a Pentecostal preacher, Euliss F. “Sonny” Dewey, a passionate, but also flawed man.  He drinks and womanizes, and after a dubious public incident, he’s on the run.  It’s one of 1997’s best films, probably just behind “L.A. Confidential”.  It wasn’t…

Four films to enjoy on 420

Jeff Mitchell

Happy Tuesday!  This Tuesday is also April 20, and the date is informally recognized as an international marijuana consumption day, simply known as 420.  So for some, this Monday has an especially happy ring.  If you are legally (and we stress, legally) partaking in celebrating 420, here are four movies that you might enjoy.   Note, we don’t recommend seeing all four in one day, but one or two could be a friendly companion. “All About Eve” (1950) – Margo Channing (Bette Davis) is a big Broadway star, but pay attention to…