Year: 2023

Movie of the Week: ‘Ulee’s Gold’

Jeff Mitchell

Ulee’s Gold arrived in theatres 26 years ago today, June 13, 1997, and to celebrate writer/director Victor Nunez’s smalltown USA drama – about an ordinary beekeeper (Peter Fonda) forced to cope with a troubling family crisis – “Ulee’s Gold” is AHFW’s Movie of the Week. Fonda stars as Ulee, a widower who rather keep to himself in his modest Florida home and wrestle with his demons while caring for his bees in their apiaries.  Instead, his grown son (Tom Wood) sits in prison and his wife (Christine Dunford) left their…

‘Flamin’ Hot’ is a warm, stand-up-and-cheer underdog story

Jeff Mitchell

“Flamin’ Hot” (2023) – “I’ve got a PhD.  I’m poor, hungry, and determined.” – Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) Audiences should feel physically hungry and emotionally satisfied after watching “Flamin’ Hot”.  You see, Richard, a long-time janitor at Frito-Lay’s Rancho Cucamonga factory, convinced the company to push his spicy snack food idea, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, to market, in director Eva Longoria’s film, a biopic about Mr. Montañez and his success.  “When I first read the story, I cried four times.  How do I not know this story?  I’m Mexican American.  This…

You’ll gladly accept ‘Other People’s Children’, a nuanced, impactful French romantic drama

Jeff Mitchell

“Other People’s Children” (2022) – “Can’t you see I am getting attached to her?” – Rachel (Virginie Efira) Rachel has developed healthy attachments in several aspects of her life.  This attractive, attentive 30 or 40-something adores her schoolteacher job, her sister, and her father, and Rachel falls for Ali (Roschdy Zem) shortly after their guitar lesson, as the two enjoy a budding romance in Paris.  Ali is a tall, handsome car designer and a divorcee with a four-year-old daughter, Leila (Callie Ferreira-Goncalves).  He shares custody with his ex, Alice (Chiara…