Author: Jeff Mitchell

‘Dune’ is a spectacular, procedural exercise, but ‘Dune: Part Two’ burns more calories

Jeff Mitchell

“Dune: Part Two” (2024) – “It’s been a while since you’ve had one of those nightmares,” Chani (Zendaya) says and asks, “Tell me, what was it about?” “It’s only fragments.  Nothing’s clear,” Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) replies. This exchange opens Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Dune: Part Two, Official Trailer 3”, and director/co-writer Denis Villeneuve’s dream project – his science fiction cinematic vision adapted from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel – continues in theatres on Feb. 29, 2024, more than a while since his first film’s release on Oct. 22, 2021.  Well, it’s…

‘The Zone of Interest’ holds us captive to a haunting, surreal perspective of The Holocaust

Jeff Mitchell

“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – “Bye, bye, Daddy.” – Hedwig (Sandra Huller) The morning arrives, and Rudolf (Christian Friedel) prepares for his workday, possibly a Monday. He climbs on his horse and will move through an open gate, as his workplace is adjacent to his home, separated by only a wall.  While holding their infant, Hedwig casually throws out the affable goodbye, adieu, or tschüss, tschüss to Rudolf. Rudolf and Hedwig Hoss are not an ordinary suburban couple living in Chandler, Ariz. or Orlando, Fla.  It’s 1943, and the…

‘All of Us Strangers’: Bring tissues. Delicate declarations of regrets, hopes, tenderness, and forgiveness pour off the screen.

Jeff Mitchell

“All of Us Strangers” (2023) – Adam (Andrew Scott) lives alone.  He’s a successful screenwriter living in a London high-rise but doesn’t visibly engage with anyone except a neighbor, Harry (Paul Mescal).  One day, Harry stops by Adam’s place, hoping to connect.  Eventually, they begin a love affair while Adam reminisces about his late parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), who died in a car accident – 30 years prior during the 1980s – “just before (he) was 12.”  Adam attempts to write about his late folks, and Harry asks,…