Month: August 2021

‘Annette’: This off-kilter musical is (figuratively) off-key

Jeff Mitchell

“Annette” (2021) – “So, may we start?” Yes, please do!  Director Leos Carax’s (“Holy Motors” (2012)) film opens inside a recording studio, which could be located anywhere.  The producer speaks French, so one might think that this 139-minute movie-experience could be set in Paris. Au contraire, mon frère.  Ron and Russell Mael (a.k.a. Sparks), six other musicians, a few backup singers, Ann Defrasnoux (Marion Cotillard), and Henry McHenry (Adam Driver) soon march out of the melodious indoor space.  They sing the said quote and reveal that they work in The…

2021 Phoenix Film Festival: Seven Movies to See

Jeff Mitchell

The award-winning Phoenix Film Festival arrives in-person from Aug. 12 through 22 at the Harkins Scottsdale 101 for 11 days and nights of fabulous features, docs, and shorts.  The PFF is our critic’s hometown festival, so he’ll be watching – and talking about – movies every day.  If you live close by and feel safe going to theatres again, we recommend that you stop in to catch a flick or 2, or 20.  Here are 7 films that we’ve seen and definitely applaud, and if you need more information on…

Movie of the Week: ‘Away We Go’

Jeff Mitchell

“Away We Go” (2009)– “Relationships are hard.” – Everybody “Life is hard.” – Almost everybody For Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph), their relationship and life in general are hard, but more the latter. Burt sells insurance, but not straight-up medical, auto, or home.  He sells insurance futures.  What?  (Yea, he explains it, but I still don’t get it.) Anyways, he’s struggling to earn a lucrative salary, which becomes problematic when his long-time girlfriend, Verona, becomes pregnant. Since they’re 33 years young and “don’t have basic stuff figured out,”…