Month: November 2021

‘Julia’: An enjoyable, breezy, and well-prepared doc

Jeff Mitchell

“Julia” (2021) – “Don’t be afraid of failure.” – Julia Child Good advice! Julia Child – television’s premiere cooking personality, who paved the way for hundreds (or is it thousands or tens of thousands?) of local, national, and worldwide on-air chefs – took her advice.  Naturally, she was speaking about culinary gymnastics, but directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West – the dynamic documentary-duo behind “RBG” (2018) and “My Name is Pauli Murray” (2021) – clearly reveal that Ms. Child applied those same principles outside the kitchen as well.  Cohen and…

Movie of the Week: ‘The Color Purple’

Jeff Mitchell

“The Color Purple” (1985) – Whoopi Goldberg is unforgettable as Celie, a poor and humble Georgian who suffers under unthinkable abuse from her father and husband (Danny Glover) for years and years.  Celie swallows the constant mistreatment, but we hope that she’ll transform these harmful encounters into some morsels of strength to move on.  The problem is she has nowhere to go.  Steven Spielberg adapts Alice Walker’s novel – set at the turn of the 20th century – and he offers a 154-minute runtime to let the story breathe on-screen. …

‘Passing’: Don’t pass on experiencing this delicate, complex friendship

Jeff Mitchell

“Passing” (2021) – Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga) were high school friends.  Not close comrades, but dear enough to actively reach out if a future encounter ever occurs. At least 12 years after school, that day arrives for the two ladies during an ordinary afternoon at The Drayton Hotel, an upscale spot in New York City.  Irene and Clare both sit alone at small, circular tables with white linen covers, and bright daylight illuminates every inch of a large, open sunroom with 30-foot high ceilings.  They catch each…