Category: Reviews

‘Petite Maman’ – A perfect Mother’s Day movie

Jeff Mitchell

“Petite Maman” (2021) – Celine Sciamma’s modern-day fantasy begins with a loss.  Off-camera, eight-year-old Nelly’s (Josephine Sanz) grandmother passes away.  Nelly, her mom (Nina Meurisse), and her dad (Stephane Varupenne) travel to the late woman’s home to sift through belongings and settle customary affairs.  However, misfortune morphs into magic on the following day, when Nelly meets a new and noteworthy friend, Marion (Gabrielle Sanz), to distract her from yesterday’s sorrow.  In just 73 precious minutes, Sciamma opens a cinematic door, holds our hands, and leads us to a world with…

‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ conjures frustration

Jeff Mitchell

(Warning, Spoiler Alert: this review explains the “WandaVision” (2021) streaming series and therefore, Wanda Maximoff’s motivation in this film.) “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022) – “Things just got out of hand.” – Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) After watching “Doctor Strange 2”, yes, the Good Doctor is correct, but this critic had a different thought. Despite some big moments in the multiverse and director Sam Raimi raising Cain in some glorious spots, this Doctor Strange sequel conjures frustration.    First of all, Marvel Studios misnamed the movie…

‘The Duke’ isn’t a regal biopic, but it’s a lovely one

Jeff Mitchell

“The Duke” (2022) – Roger Michell’s new movie isn’t a biopic about Duke University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski, but the film’s title would be apropos for one.  Coach K is considered basketball royalty.  He won five national championships and ended his career in 2022 as the sport’s win leader with 1,202 victories against just 368 losses.  Indeed, the man deserves all the praise and adoration in the world, but after the unrelenting, unyielding, and insufferable press from January to April about his last season, this critic is profoundly relieved…