Cinematic Sommelier
1.1
It’s lucky it got this score…
Andrew Kevin Walker is just trying to write another “Seven”… It’s getting worse than M. Night Shyamalan trying to recreate the magic of “The Sixth Sense” twist ending. The attempts just keep getting worse. Quit while you’re ahead. What could have been a solid grindhouse movie or killer thriller takes a left turn into half-cocked MK Ultra part anti-nuclear energy slop. Save yourself the hour and a half.
7.6
How did they not see this coming? Seriously…
I fully expected this to be super stupid, however it somehow landed at silly instead. A surprisingly good thriller and hit the mark as exactly what I wanted. Monkey kills people for a tight hour and a half. Laughs, thrills, and monkey business. No more, no less. Chef’s kiss.
8.2
What could have fallen incredibly flat by playing itself instead decided to dive right into the deep end and take the audience on an incredible emotional journey I think we all can relate to. The reflection on the power of “what if” and unfinished business on our perception of reality. How different versions of love accompany us on this journey through life. A much sweeter ending than I was anticipating halfway through…
8.2
It’s amazing what trying to dodge a cover charge can lead to…
This one surprised the hell out of me. If you’ve listened to podcasts at all in the last decade, there’s a good chance you’ve heard a stand-up comic gushing about the life of a comic, grinding it out for years to build a set, learn to work a room, and the cost-benefit analysis that goes along with every step of the journey. This movie somehow tells that tale in a way that doesn’t seem stale and keeps you engaged the entire runtime in the sea of quirks. There’s not really a single character wasted in this entire thing, and each interaction’s awkwardness is somehow a springboard to a therapeutic release of sorts put to film. Will Arnett and Laura Dern absolutely kill it here.
8.4
Humans being human… my FAVORITE!
In the vein of my recent favorite Christmas film “The Holdovers,” I think this is going to join the yearly rotation! The unlikely and undeniable charm and chemistry between Didi and Cliff is truly something special. It’s not often you get such an abnormal narrative that has the right mix of serious and silly to thread the needle and land the plan. Alas, here we are! A feel good flick that holds its own with the best of them! Highly recommend!
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 