Author: Jeff Mitchell

‘Paint’ doesn’t inspire

Jeff Mitchell

“Paint” (2023) – “Let’s decide.  Maybe there’s a happy tree, an evergreen tree, and he lives right there.” – Bob Ross “That tree was probably too tall.  Brace yourself.  You are going to get some calls about that.” – Carl Nargle (Owen Wilson) Carl Nargle regularly paints nature scenes on a canvas for a local PBS Burlington, Vt. station.  With his tall, brown curly locks and calm, soothing demeanor, the similarities are obvious between this on-screen fictional character and the late Bob Ross in “Paint”, a comedy from writer/director Brit…

‘Judy Blume Forever’: Judy and this documentary have lasting impacts

Jeff Mitchell

“Judy Blume Forever” (2023) – “I could be fearless in my writing in a way that maybe I wasn’t always in my life.” – Judy Blume “Are You There God?  It’s Me, Margaret.” (1970) “Blubber” (1974) “Forever…” (1975) “Tiger Eyes” (1981) “Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson” (1993) These five book titles are just some of the novels – written by the world-famous children’s and young adult author Judy Blume – that directors Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok remember, explore, and celebrate in their festive documentary, “Judy Blume Forever”. Ms. Blume,…

‘Everything Went Fine’: Marceau and Dussollier are more than fine in this challenging French family drama

Jeff Mitchell

“Everything Went Fine” (2021) – Emmanuele Bernheim (Sophie Marceau) is typing away on her PC in her Parisian apartment on an ordinary day when she’s interrupted by a call from her sister, Pascale (Geraldine Pailhas).  Emmanuele immediately stands up and says, “Where are you?  Be right there.”  She rushes out the door and heads down the stairs, which seem blurry because she forgets her contacts.  So, Mme Bernheim stops, marches back up the stairs, puts in her contacts, finally leaves her place, gets on the Metro, and is captured with…