Category: Reviews

‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’: Celebrate the series with this light, pleasing affair

Jeff Mitchell

“Downton Abbey:  A New Era” (2022) – “Everyone is healthy and happy at Downton Abbey.  Let’s all hold our breaths.” – Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) “Downton Abbey” (2011 – 2016), the English television drama, is a big deal.  Set in Yorkshire and one day after the Titanic sunk, “Downton” became a PBS megahit.  The series garnered 15 Primetime Emmys, including Maggie Smith winning three Outstanding Supporting Actress awards “Breaking Bad” (2008 – 2013) and “Game of Thrones” (2011 – 2019) had to make room for this darling British small-screen saga…

‘Montana Story’: A small family addresses a massive rift in Big Sky Country

Jeff Mitchell

“Montana Story” (2022) – Montana is 147,000 square miles, 255 miles long, and 630 miles wide.  That’s a long way across the state.  One could drive from Boston to New York City, turn around and chauffeur back to Beantown, and then make a U-turn (yes, again) and head back to and reach The Big Apple, and that’s how big Montana is.  It’s the nation’s fourth-largest state, with just over 1,000,000 residents.  According to Google, 1,062,000 individuals, or 7.2 people for every square mile. The Treasure State, the country’s 41st, is…

‘Happening’: Diwan’s abortion film is a distressing, timely, and important cinematic experience

Jeff Mitchell

“Happening” – “Accept it.  You have no choice.” – Dr. Ravinsky (Fabrizio Rongione) Dr. Ravinsky voices this message to Anne Duchesne (Anamaria Vartolomei), a 23-year-old literature student, during a follow-up visit.  Even though he delivers these words with regret and empathy, the blow isn’t tempered to Anne’s ears.  She does not consent.  She cannot concede. Anne is pregnant.  She wishes to terminate her pregnancy. However, it’s 1963 in Angoulême, France, and abortion won’t become legal until 1975.  Anne is stuck.  She wishes to continue her studies and verbalizes her situation.…