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Jeff Mitchell
Tomatometer-approved critic
My lifelong dreams of becoming a respected movie critic would not have come true without going back to school (at age 35) and earning my graduate degree at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. I learned AP Style and writing on deadline, embraced ethical codes/standards and loved working as an on-campus reporter for two years. Becoming Rotten Tomatoes-certified would be another dream come true. I carry a mature, professional persona, and I will be a dependable and supportive RT contributor! Three outlets have published my reviews for eight years, and I am currently the Phoenix Film Festival's lead film critic. I thoroughly enjoy writing weekly reviews and/or articles, hosting monthly Phoenix Film Society Q&A/screenings, interviewing directors and actors, and managing assignments with our other two critics.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Flora and Son (2023) |
'Flora and Son' is not as moving as 'Once' and not as fun as 'Sing Street', but Hewson and Gordon-Levitt share warm chemistry and a beautiful song. Let's get this duo on tour. Sign me up for that concert! - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Sep 30, 2023
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Dumb Money (2023) |
This stock market story is a worthwhile buy, and Dano is perfectly cast to bring order to the on-screen chaos. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Sep 22, 2023
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Between Two Worlds (2021) |
‘Between Two Worlds’ offers a good message, but it doesn’t reach for the stars to document the ground-level hardships. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Aug 19, 2023
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Jules (2023) |
Move over E.T. and Elliott. Meet Jules and Milton. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Aug 15, 2023
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Shortcomings (2023) |
'Shortcomings', Park's relationship comedy, is long on witty banter and engaging performances. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Aug 04, 2023
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The Baker (2022) |
'The Baker' is a stale vigilante story despite some curious ingredients. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jul 28, 2023
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Oppenheimer (2023) |
Dear Academy: Please consider Matt Damon’s compelling supporting performance during awards season. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jul 26, 2023
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Barbie (2023) |
Gerwig's comical societal study and trippy trip fashions several surprises. The biggest one might be Gosling's hilarious, scene-stealing performance. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Jul 21, 2023
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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One (2023) |
This 'Mission' features a one-note plot for 157 minutes, but McQuarrie, Cruise, and company conduct a symphony of bold, brawny action and fleet-footed fisticuffs. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Jul 14, 2023
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Joy Ride (2023) |
Grab your friends and enjoy this wild, uproarious trip, an instant comedy classic, but maybe leave your easily offended Aunt Edna or sheltered Cousin Sheldon at home. Maybe. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Jul 07, 2023
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In America (2002) |
The stressful carnival scene is so skillfully crafted, you'll need to find a mirror to determine if your hair turned white. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jul 03, 2023
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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) |
The dial points downward, as the film disrespects and damages our beloved hero. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Jun 26, 2023
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Persian Lessons (2020) |
The exchanges between Biscayart and Eidinger speak to compelling, stressful cinema. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jun 21, 2023
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Other People's Children (2022) |
You’ll gladly accept ‘Other People’s Children’ and embrace Efira's heartfelt performance. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Jun 10, 2023
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Flamin' Hot (2023) |
'Flamin’ Hot' is a warm, stand-up-and-cheer underdog story. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jun 09, 2023
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Kandahar (2023) |
Our heroes need to catch a plane in ‘Kandahar’, but this pedestrian action flick never takes off. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted May 26, 2023
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Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023) |
'Still' is a moving document and a reminder why Michael J. Fox always enjoys an invitation into our living rooms and movie theatres. Prepare for admiration, laughter, and tears. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted May 13, 2023
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Sisu (2022) |
This fabulous and bloody midnight-madness flick pays off in spades with plenty of twisted, rip-roaring moments. Just remember, the ace of spades is the death card. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Apr 28, 2023
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Paint (2023) |
We pity Carl (Wilson), and since he doesn’t have the immediate wherewithal or spirited inertia to improve his current standing, most of the 96-minute runtime follows his aimless and unfunny journey. I love the hair though! Totally jealous. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Apr 22, 2023
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Everything Went Fine (2021) |
Marceau and Dussollier and more than fine in this challenging family drama. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Apr 22, 2023
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Judy Blume Forever (2023) |
'Judy Blume Forever' is a gift for longtime fans and a learning experience for brand-new ones. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Apr 22, 2023
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) |
'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' is super-nostalgic but not super-fun. Granted, I haven't regularly played home video games since NBA Jam, circa 1995. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Apr 08, 2023
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Inside (2023) |
This troubling attempted heist film is a difficult watch, but missing Dafoe's courageous performance might be a crime. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Mar 18, 2023
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Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023) |
The twisted script doesn't offer compelling turns. Then again, the filmmakers dreamt up a sprinkler system that sprays kerosene, so there's that. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Mar 11, 2023
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Scream VI (2023) |
Set in New York City, 'Scream VI' fails to make 'a brand-new start of it.' - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Mar 10, 2023
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The Quiet Girl (2022) |
'The Quiet Girl' speaks volumes. Everyday kind gestures may seem modest, but they can foster colossal movements towards repair and healing. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Mar 05, 2023
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Emily (2022) |
Mackey rises to spectacular heights in O’Connor’s passion project, a film with refreshing arthouse touches. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Feb 25, 2023
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Sharper (2023) |
Engaging performances and brisk pacing are a cut above some semi-farfetched threads. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Feb 18, 2023
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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) |
It’s ‘Quantumania’ not The Who’s ‘Quadrophenia’. Although after watching this film, two tracks from a different album come to mind: ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ and ‘Baba O’Riley’. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Feb 17, 2023
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Let It Be Morning (2021) |
‘Morning’ carries valuable, universal messages, but the film’s listless tone and lingering pace can create struggles for moviegoers. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Feb 11, 2023
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80 for Brady (2023) |
The big-screen legends have fun. You might too, but the film doesn’t throw it deep. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Feb 03, 2023
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Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb (2022) |
A big-screen page-turner that's made for English majors, journalists, history buffs, and book lovers. If you've never heard of Caro or Gottlieb, no worries. Lizzie Gottlieb's documentary is a captivating introduction. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jan 28, 2023
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The Son (2022) |
'The Son' doesn't stand as tall as 'The Father'. Still, Jackman delivers an impressive performance. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jan 20, 2023
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Plane (2023) |
'Plane' doesn't soar, but it hovers, entertains, and sticks the landing. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Jan 17, 2023
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Living (2022) |
Dear Academy: Please consider Bill Nighy's moving performance. He deserves a Best Actor Oscar nomination. - Art House Film Wire
Read More
| Posted Jan 07, 2023
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A Man Called Otto (2022) |
Hanks and Trevino are terrific, but ‘A Man Called Otto’ feels cliché and crowded. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Jan 07, 2023
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Wildcat (2022) |
‘Wildcat’ gets sidetracked a bit, but this emotional documentary has mesmerizing, don’t-try-this-at-home vibes as Samantha and Harry raise ocelot kittens to be independent in the wild. Animal-lover audiences will need a hug. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Dec 24, 2022
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The Whale (2022) |
Fraser's Charlie teeters on the edge of danger and clings to the tiniest buoy of hope, one that barely floats on a sea of heartbreak. The lead actor performance of the year. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Dec 23, 2022
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Memories of My Father (2020) |
Hector Abad Faciolince wrote his cherished memoir to “rescue his (father’s) memory from oblivion.” This touching and frank film rescues his dad's memory as well. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Dec 19, 2022
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Spoiler Alert (2022) |
Straight away, Showalter warns us that we’ll need tissues, and he’s not lying. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Dec 09, 2022
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The Inspection (2022) |
Bratton’s personal movie is worth a careful look. Pope delivers marvelous, nuanced work that’s vastly physical and emotionally demonstrative, and Union offers one of the year’s best supporting performances. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Nov 25, 2022
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The Menu (2022) |
'The Menu' is a smorgasbord of surprises! Chances are you'll gladly pick up this cinematic check and add a generous tip to boot. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Nov 23, 2022
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She Said (2022) |
Schrader devotes 20 or 30 (or possibly more) minutes of the 128-minute runtime to the reporters’ busy personal lives at home, an aspect that may resonate with working moms everywhere. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Nov 19, 2022
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) |
The Chadwick Boseman/T’Challa tributes are memorable and beautifully crafted, but ‘Wakanda Forever’ is cluttered, slow, and largely conversational (during the first two acts), as the story attempts to maneuver around its star’s passing. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Nov 11, 2022
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Aftersun (2022) |
Don't miss this trip. Through careful nuance and routine occurrences, Wells threads colossal and timeless messages. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Nov 05, 2022
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Raymond & Ray (2022) |
‘Raymond and Ray’ isn’t a bad film, but this modest, everyday story feels inauthentic and forced at times. Still, Verdu and Okonedo are terrific in key supporting roles. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Oct 21, 2022
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Ticket to Paradise (2022) |
A forgettable trip. Although Clooney and Roberts enjoy some amusing moments, the movie spins into an endless array of tired monologues and analyses about an adult child’s wedding and career. - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Oct 21, 2022
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Godland (2022) |
Pálmason channels his inner Herzog and Malick and delivers a daunting, immersing 19th-century journey, one that pits naivety against nature and proficiency. An instant classic! - Art House Film Wire
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| Posted Oct 12, 2022
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God's Creatures (2022) |
In this secluded noir, Emily Watson delivers a profound performance as a flawed woman churning with guilt and shame. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Oct 01, 2022
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The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022) |
Peter Farrelly's movie doesn't work as a riotous comedy, but he and Zac Efron effectively present a preposterous true story. The hook is watching the insanity play out. - Phoenix Film Festival
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| Posted Sep 30, 2022
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