Author: Jeff Mitchell

‘Cha Cha Real Smooth’ has some rough spots, but Raiff and Johnson enjoy lovely, effortless chemistry

Jeff Mitchell

“Cha Cha Real Smooth” (2022) – Andrew is lost. He’s lost in New Jersey, and specifically, Livingston.  Not literally, because Andrew (Cooper Raiff) leans on his smartphone as a baby kitten relies on its mother, so he’s familiar with Google Maps. No, this 22-year-old Donnie Osmond lookalike is more than a smidge stumped about his life’s next steps.  Having just graduated with a marketing degree from Tulane University, Andrew didn’t ride the Green Wave towards an impressive corporate profession.  His soon-to-be ex-girlfriend Maya (Amara Pedroso) asks the principal question:  “What…

‘Brian and Charles’: This quirky robot story tinkers too much

Jeff Mitchell

“Brian and Charles” (2022) – “It’s alive!” – Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) in “Frankenstein” (1931) Meet Brian!  Brian (David Earl) is a 40-something bachelor.  He lives in a modest home on spacious acreage in North Wales.  He’s an isolated soul but acts quite chipper, most likely to cover up his loneliness.  However, Brian is pretty darn eager to show off his work.  He’s an inventor but not in a lucrative tech business, nor does he own scores of million-dollar patents.  Think Rand Peltzer (Hoyt Axton), the dad in “Gremlins” (1984). …

‘Lightyear’ has some buzz, but inexplicably, this space tale doesn’t soar

Jeff Mitchell

“Lightyear” (2022) – Andy must have spent the first six years of his life living under a rock.  In “Toy Story” (1995), his mother bought him a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his sixth birthday, and the young man was over the moon.  You see, Buzz Lightyear – an all-American space ranger donning a high-tech white astronaut suit with purple and green trim and a roomy, crystal-clear dome covering his head – stars as the main attraction in his favorite movie!  Andy’s favorite movie.  Twenty-seven years later, director Angus MacLane…