Tag: Movie

Iannucci spins a classic with ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’

Jeff Mitchell

“The Personal History of David Copperfield” – “I hadn’t read ‘David Copperfield’ for a long time.  I reread it about 8 or 9 years ago, and I was struck by how modern it was.  The themes in it are very, very 21st century.  It’s all about status anxiety.”  – Armando Iannucci, January 2020 I’ve read a fair share of classic literature, but sadly, I never picked up “David Copperfield”, Charles Dickens’ novel about an Englishman’s 19th-century chronicle told in the first person.  During my 20th century secondary education, either my…

‘Get Duked!’ offers regal shenanigans

Jeff Mitchell

“Get Duked!” – The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an outdoor adventure challenge that takes “young delinquents out of the city and into the countryside.” Misguided teens may be a more appropriate moniker for the program’s target audience, and “Get Duked!” features three perfect candidates.  Outside education teacher Mr. Carlyle (Jonathan Aris) recruits (aka forces) troublemaking teenagers Dean (Rian Gordon), Duncan (Lewis Gribben), and DJ Beatroot (Viraj Juneja) on a trip to the Scottish Highlands for four days and three nights. Hopefully, the classmates can ingest some fresh air and…

Movie of the Week: ‘The Straight Story’

Jeff Mitchell

AHFW’s Movie of the Week is a David Lynch’s film, but not a typical one.  “The Straight Story” (1999) is based on a true tale of an elderly man traveling from Iowa to Wisconsin on a John Deere lawn mower.  No, this movie doesn’t feel like one of Lynch’s projects, but “The Straight Story” rightfully earns high critical praise alongside “Mulholland Drive” (2002) and “Blue Velvet” (1986).  In fact, it’s our favorite Lynch picture! Richard Farnsworth’s performance as Alvin Straight earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination in a poignant…