Tag: Amazon Studios

‘The Map of Tiny Perfect Things’ isn’t flawless, but you’ll discover heartfelt smiles

Jeff Mitchell

“The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” – Mark (Kyle Allen) is too cool for school, and quite frankly, he seems too cool for any formal or informal institution.  This teen walks in the kitchen for breakfast with an assured confidence that most adolescents lack.  Without a second thought, this know-it-all helps his father (Josh Hamilton) with a crossword puzzle, verbally duels with his sister (Cleo Fraser), catches a ceramic dish falling off the table with the reflexes of The Flash, and heads outside – that’s filled with miles and miles…

Wilson and Hayek’s manic journey is anything but ‘Bliss’

Jeff Mitchell

“Bliss” – “Ignorance is bliss.” – Cypher (Joe Pantoliano), “The Matrix” (1999) “Most people say, ‘Ignorance is bliss.’” – Isabel Clemens (Salma Hayek), “Bliss” (2021) Greg Whittle (Owen Wilson) daydreams about a different life, and why not?  He works at Technical Difficulties, a call center for customers who have….well, you know, and the office and everyone else are painted in dank, gray hues.  Greg’s workplace may not be as cheerless as Joe’s (Tom Hanks) in “Joe versus the Volcano” (1990), a factory of mindless misery, but passions throughout the cubicles…

Interview with “Sound of Metal” Riz Ahmed and director Darius Marder

Jeff Mitchell

“Sound of Metal”, a film about a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing, is one of the most affecting movies of 2020, and Riz Ahmed delivers an Oscar-worthy performance.  Well, Riz and director/co-writer Darius Marder graciously hosted a Zoom call, and our critic Jeff Mitchell (ArtHouseFilmWire and Phoenix Film Festival), along with other media outlets, joined them for an engaging, insightful discussion.  These talented men spoke about their experiences with the deaf community, audiences’ positive feedback, the meaning behind the film’s title, and more. “Sound of Metal” – starring…