Author: Jeff Mitchell

‘Living’: Nighy deserves a Best Actor Oscar nomination in this affecting, tender Kurosawa remake

Jeff Mitchell

“Living” (2022) – The year is 1953 in the UK.  As director Oliver Hermanus’ film – a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 “Ikiru” – opens, London is alive!  The city bustles with vitality with residents, tourists, various vehicles, and those classic AEC Routemaster red, double-decker busses traversing across the pavement while “Serenade for Strings in E” gloriously bounces in the background. Also, Hermanus includes a title sequence that looks like the film is straight out of the 1950s.  He and writer Kazuo Ishiguro offer a time machine to the last…

Hanks and Trevino are terrific, but ‘A Man Called Otto’ feels cliche and crowded

Jeff Mitchell

“A Man Called Otto” (2022) – Otto.  Who is Otto?  Otto Anderson is 60-something years old and recently retired, but his employment ended forcibly.  It wasn’t his idea.  This retiree lives alone in a two-story patio home in Pittsburgh. Mr. Anderson’s character is a cranky, crabby, and cantankerous combination.  His neighbors mumble “bitter old man” or “grumpy old bastard” under their breath, and with good reason, because this Pennsylvanian harbors the classic “get off my lawn” tropes, and yes, Otto literally goes there about the grass.  This lonely solo artist…

Jeff Mitchell’s Top 20 Films of 2022

Jeff Mitchell

2022 felt like the world was beginning to get back to normalcy.  Hence, many of us found ourselves back in movie theatres, including yours truly.  I hope that you discovered some favorite new movies this year!  Via theatrical releases, film festivals, and streaming services, this critic caught over 200 new flicks, and after lots of internal debate – although not for the top spot (my #1 spot was always crystal clear) – here are my Top 20 Films of 2022! – Jeff Mitchell, ArtHouseFilmWire 20.  “Resurrection” – Rebecca Hall gives the…