Tag: Movie

Plaza’s ‘Veronica’ delivers scares on Netflix

Jeff Mitchell

“What goes on in that place in the dark?”  – “Veronica” by Elvis Costello, 1989 Elvis Costello did not have a horror movie in mind when he released his song 29 years ago, but the aforementioned lyric could definitely apply to director Paco Plaza’s (“[REC]” (2007)) latest film “Veronica”. Released on Netflix, “Veronica” is a creepy horror film that you can “enjoy” at home.   Set in Madrid in 1991, Veronica (Sandra Escacena) – a 15-year-old girl – talks two of her schoolmates into summoning her late father’s spirit via a…

‘The Seagull’ does not take off and fly

Jeff Mitchell

“The Seagull” – “It’s hot.  It’s quiet.  No one does anything.  Why does no one do anything?” – Irina (Annette Bening) After experiencing “The Seagull”, a film adaption of Anton Chekhov’s play, one might ask Irina’s question about the movie itself.  Sure, the A-list cast members – Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss, Corey Stoll, Billy Howle, Brian Dennehy, and Mare Winningham – do something.  More than something.  They bring their acting A-games to director Michael Mayer’s picture, but the uninspired and sometimes muddy visuals match the pedestrian pacing, and the…

‘On Chesil Beach’ refreshingly strays from typical romance themes

Jeff Mitchell

“On Chesil Beach” – “Actually, I’m a little bit scared.” – Florence (Saoirse Ronan) “I think I am too.” – Edward (Billy Howle) Chesil Beach, a natural barrier made of pebbles, stretches for 18 miles in Dorset along the English Channel.  This thin landmass of small rocks looks delicate from the air, but Chesil Beach is not an environmental wonder that just materialized overnight.  It has a solid foundation with eons of history. Edward and Florence, in their very early 20’s, get married and then honeymoon at an inn next…