Year: 2023

‘Dumb Money’: This GameStop stock market story is a worthwhile buy

Jeff Mitchell

“Dumb Money” (2023) – Roaring Kitty! Who or what is Roaring Kitty?  It sounds like a CrossFit team name or a Cats of Instagram sensation.  In director Craig Gillespie’s (“Lars and the Real Girl” (2007), “I, Tonya” (2017)) Wall Street dramedy/biopic, Roaring Kitty is Keith Gill’s (Paul Dano) YouTube handle.  You see, Keith offers investment advice to his followers all over the U.S.A. and beyond.  Craig and screenwriters Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo didn’t make up this moniker out of thin air.  “Dumb Money” is based on Keith’s real-life…

The Best of TIFF 2023 – Part One

Jeff Mitchell

Toronto temperatures are pleasantly resting around 70 degrees F (21 C), but the 48th Annual Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) movies are on fire.  Once again, this revered Canadian jewel offers countless, dazzling movie options for professionals and fans of all ages. I’ve caught 35 films so far (as of Sept. 14, Day 8), so let me take a moment to jot down five of my favorites.  On Sept. 22, I’ll add five more for a Best of TIFF 2023 – Part Two article. Thank you for reading! “Dream Scenario”…

Celebrate Werner Herzog’s birthday with this fabulous triple feature

Jeff Mitchell

Filmmaker legend Werner Herzog turns 81 years young on September 5, and this innovative director has been challenging and dazzling audiences with his narrative stories and documentaries for 61 years!  I’ve repeatedly declared that Werner and Morgan Freeman should narrate everything, and Herzog’s movies – with his intellect, cinematic choices, and unique staccato (uttered during his docs) – are must-see events.  Not only is Werner inventive in front of and behind the camera, but the man is fearless, as evidenced by his explorations across the globe, including several volcanoes, an…