Tag: Movie

‘The Commuter’ takes too many familiar turns

Jeff Mitchell

“The Commuter” – “You have no idea who you are up against.” – Oliver (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith), a train passenger Michael MacCauley (Liam Neeson), a New York City insurance agent who just lost his job, finds himself mired in two seemingly impossible situations.   He and his wife, Karen (Elizabeth McGovern), are financially struggling, and now, Michael is out of work.  Cutting back on expenses and eating ramen noodles seven days a week will not save enough money to cover their mortgage and son’s upcoming tuition to Syracuse University. (By the way, according to Google,…

‘Hostiles’ is a purposely grim, well-acted but incomplete western

Jeff Mitchell

“Hostiles” – “He’s a butcher.” – Capt. Joseph J. Blocker (Christian Bale) “Then the two of you should get along just fine.” – Jeremiah Wilks (Bill Camp) For decades, Capt. Joseph J. Blocker (Bale) has lived his adult life immersed in violence via his chosen profession in the U.S. Calvary.   After spending a career hunting down and killing Native Americans, he has become hardened and emotionally inhibited – something less than human, without a hint of light or angelic joy – after causing and witnessing so much death. His commanding…

The Bellas are fun, but ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ hits many sour notes

Jeff Mitchell

“Pitch Perfect 3” – “Three Is a Magic Number” – Bob Dorough, “Schoolhouse Rock!” The Barden University Bellas, or better known as the Barden Bellas, hope that three is their magic number in 2017, as these a cappella ladies – led by Beca (Anna Kendrick) and Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) – arrive in theatres in “Pitch Perfect 3”. Their initial leap on the big screen in 2012 was a critical and box office hit, and the 2015 follow-up admittedly meandered, but packed enough jokes and even some Green Bay Packers…