Year: 2022

‘Beast’ feels manufactured and disposable. It doesn’t have much bite.

Jeff Mitchell

“Beast” (2022) – “Hakuna Matata!  Ain’t no passing craze.  It means no worries for the rest of your days.” – “Hakuna Matata” from “The Lion King” (1994) “I’ve never seen anything like this.  Multiple attacks without eating its prey.” – Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley)  Dr. Nate Samuels (Idris Elba) and his teenage daughters, Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Jeffries), fly from the U.S. to Mopani, South Africa to visit his late wife’s (and their late mother’s) home and stay with his longtime friend, Martin (Copley).  The Samuels family is…

Celebrate Steve Martin’s birthday with these five intriguing flicks

Jeff Mitchell

On Aug. 14, Steve Martin turns 77 years young, and this “wild and crazy guy” earned a dreamlike career in stand-up, stage, television, music, and movies.  This Renaissance man has a gift for connecting with audiences of all ages – as evidenced by his generations of fans – and hey, Steve plays a mean banjo as well.  To celebrate the man’s birthday, let’s look back at five movies from his celebrated repertoire.  Rather than choose from his most famous films, like “The Jerk” (1979), “All of Me” (1984), “Three Amigos!”…

Movie of the Week: ‘Leap of Faith’

Jeff Mitchell

Steve Martin celebrates his 77th birthday on Aug. 14, and Happy Birthday, Mr. Legend! To help celebrate his day, let’s look back at his turn as a traveling preacher with a love for his followers’…..money in “Leap of Faith”.  It’s our Movie of the Week! “Leap of Faith” (1992) – “Manipulators are sneaky.  I’m obvious,” Jonas Nightengale (Martin) says to his friend Jane Larson (Debra Winger).  Jane is Jonas’ confidant, but she’s also the Chief Operating Officer of his massive traveling operation.  He’s a faith healer with a sizable staff,…