Year: 2022

Pick ‘Apples’. This eccentric, minimalist dramedy is one of the year’s best films.

Jeff Mitchell

“Apples” – It’s a pandemic!  No, not COVID-19, but without warning, various Greek citizens succumb to mysterious cases of amnesia.  Medical experts can’t pinpoint the transmission methods or the underlying reasons why someone suddenly cannot recall their name, spouse, or home address.  Worse yet, a discernable cure isn’t anywhere in sight, and the condition appears permanent. Thankfully, Athens isn’t under a lockdown, and doctors don’t wear protective attire or squirt frequent dabs of sanitizer when treating their new forgetful patients, but director/co-writer Christos Nikou and co-writer Stavros Raptis don’t exactly…

‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ checks out. It’s a light, gratifying 19th-century rom-com.

Jeff Mitchell

“Mr. Malcolm’s List” (2022) – It’s 2022, and dating isn’t easy. Millions of single men and women subscribe to dating apps, type their bios in 500 words or less, choose photos, and then attempt to sort through the madness of endless profiles, looking for a date, relationship, or permanent partner.  Hey, this modern-day courtship process sounds convenient.  A godsend.  Not exactly. Everyone throwing their hat into this smartphone or laptop pursuit is presented with the same infinite choices of potential connections.  After a while, the search through the electronic memoirs…

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ doesn’t ascend to greatness

Jeff Mitchell

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” (2022) – The 1970s were groovy.  Disco, bell bottoms, Gloria Steinem, The Eagles, and “Star Wars”! However, the “Me Decade” also had the OPEC Crisis, sunken living rooms, and Love Canal. For better or worse, the 1970s happened, and this unique transition between the turbulent 60s and the Reagan years has its cheerleaders and detractors.    Illumination (the studio that brought the world four Minions movies) grabbed pom-poms, a megaphone, and practiced acrobat routines to embrace 1976, the setting for a big-screen adventure with Gru…