Tag: Movie

Hall’s performance gives us ‘Permission’ to appreciate this relationship drama

Jeff Mitchell

“Permission” – The definition of permission is consent; authorization; an official document giving authorization. For Anna (Rebecca Hall) and Will (Dan Stevens), a happy, New York City couple in their early 30s, they have been together forever and own solid plans for their future.   They are not yet engaged, but a permanent commitment is a foregone conclusion, as they live in a nice apartment, while also renovating a spacious brownstone, presumably to house a number of kids someday.  Anna is finishing up her academic work and Will owns a lucrative…

‘The Insult’ offers more than words

Jeff Mitchell

“The Insult” – “Lebanon is a peculiar place, so bicultural, it goes along with you.  There is a Western influence, an Eastern influence.  Most people are fluctuating between those identities.” – Director Ziad Doueiri Tony (Adel Karam) and Yasser (Kamel El Basha) productively work and fruitfully live within the vibrant heartbeats of Beruit, Lebanon.   Tony owns a busy auto repair shop and enjoys his happy marriage with Shirine (Rita Hayek), who is pregnant with their first child.  Yasser is a hardworking construction company foreman and meticulously hones his chosen profession…

‘The Final Year’ fills the screen with grace and a ticking clock

Jeff Mitchell

“The Final Year” – If a doctor said that you had one year left to live, what would you do?    Just before that moment, you might believe that time is a forever-companion, and after it, realize that it is an extraordinarily precious commodity.  Whether attempting to experience previously-evasive fruits of life, tether distant relationships or write the next great American novel, the clock is ticking.  It is counting down, impossible to ignore. Conversely, a high school student enters a scholastic institution with a clearly-defined, four-year construct, and even though an…