Category: Reviews

‘Jules’: This small-town sci-fi flick has eccentric, arthouse choices, laughs, and plenty of heart

Jeff Mitchell

“Jules” (2023) – “E.T. phone home.” – E.T., “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) “I think that we ought to change our town slogan.  ‘A great place to call home’ is confusing.  I suggest, ‘A great place to refer to as home.’” – Milton Robinson (Ben Kingsley), “Jules” Milton’s home is Boonton, a modest Western Pennsylvania community, and this 78-year-old John Q. Citizen doesn’t travel very far – to the town council – to lend his suggestions for the municipality.  He lives a simple life, but early signs of Alzheimer’s complicates it…

‘Shortcomings’: Park’s relationship comedy is long on witty banter and engaging performances

Jeff Mitchell

“Shortcomings” (2023) – “A fault or failure to meet a certain standard, typically in a person’s character, a plan, or a system.” – the definition of a shortcoming, according to Google Meet Ben (Justin H. Min).  He has several shortcomings.  He’s irritable, cynical, apathetic, and a bit depressed.  Ben loves movies and studied film in college for a couple of years but didn’t graduate.  He’s not a filmmaker, but this pessimist spins his life story near his dearest passion by managing an independent Berkeley movie theatre. Unfortunately, he finds more…

‘The Baker’ is a stale vigilante story despite some curious ingredients

Jeff Mitchell

“The Baker” (2022) – “So, who are you?  Are you some special forces guy or something?”  “I’m just a cook.”  – “Under Siege” (1992) “Are you a cop?”  “I’m a baker” – “The Baker” (2022) The aforementioned 1992 action film is arguably Steven Seagal’s most memorable movie.  Casey Ryback (Seagal) is a cook on a United States battleship, the USS Missouri, when mercenaries take over the boat.  However, Ryback is no ordinary cook.  He’s a former Navy SEAL, so look out, baddies. In director Jonathan Sobol’s “The Baker”, Ron Perlman…