Brett_G

“Nobody”

By Brett_G on March 28, 2021

8.5

Turns out Saul Goodman never needed Mike to be his enforcer after all. Also turns out that Doc Brown was sandbagging it when he was taken out by Libyan terrorists in the parking lot of the Twin Pines mall that fateful night in 1985.

Everything about this film is beautiful—the soundtrack, the stunt choreography, the script… all well refined and expertly executed. A tight hour and a half runtime keeps this film from getting bogged down by unnecessary plotlines or extraneous scenes. Of course, it’s the Russians causing a ruckus. Of course, he’s going to go full John Wick, kick-ass, and take names. However, this movie does what I love to call subtle exposition better than most action flicks I’ve seen of late. The backstory isn’t just dumped on the audience but slowly exposed throughout the film without you even knowing it’s happening as a member of the audience.

Extremely well done. Well worth a watch!

Horror/Thriller Shudder

“Slaxx”

By Brett_G on March 25, 2021March 22, 2021

6.2

At least your ass will look good in the jeans they’ll have to bury you in. Sisterhood of the killer pants. Unbearable characters whose deaths you root for because they’re terrible people. A ridiculous premise that leads to some hilariously horrifying hijinks within the Aeropostale knock-off that’s under lockdown… for a new product release… for some reason? Don’t expect it to make much sense. Do expect some solid laughter at the absurdity. Turn your brain off and watch the deadly denim do its thing.

Documentary Drama

“City of Lies”

By Brett_G on March 24, 2021March 22, 2021

8.2

Ready to hate the LAPD and love Johnny Depp? Have I got the movie for you!

This is a fascinating case study in the miscarriage of justice, social sicknesses we still suffer from, power corrupting, and incentives aligning to damage the most at-risk among us. After watching the Netflix series and working my way through the audiobook before seeing this, the story doesn’t get any more positive. 2 detectives who self-destructed in pursuit of the truth against every social and political pressure imaginable. 2 young men whose lives ended far too soon. A city with bottomless corruption. Captivating performances by all. A great example of real-life writing a far better story than a screenwriter ever could, transcribed beautifully to the silver screen by this crew. Very well done!

Documentary Drama

“The Courier”

By Brett_G on March 23, 2021March 22, 2021

7.8

Benedict Cumberbatch at the height of his powers.

What begins as a knock-off of the film “Bridge of Spies” from a few years ago becomes a harrowing tale of espionage, friendship, and international geopolitical maneuvering. For me, the relationship between Grevel and Alex is the best part of this film. The complicated relationship between these two men and their wives being a close second. It’s a fascinating study in relationships. The best message from the film, other than we need to stay aware of recent history to avoid repeating it, per usual, is that often the citizens of two countries fall victims to two governments at odds. As Alex says at one point, “our countries’ governments may hate each other, but our people are very similar to your people. It starts with two people talking.” Something to that effect. No matter how toxic those in power may become, everything can be boiled down to a relationship between two people, and good often triumphs over evil. Much more positive of an ending than I was expecting, but you have to look for it. The gulags get a little dark.

Action Blockbuster HBO

“Zack Snyder’s Justice League”

By Brett_G on March 23, 2021

8.7

Worth every second of the 4 hour runtime.

Everything lacking from the first go-round or that didn’t fit, fixed. One of the few times I’m thankful for the power of a hashtag. Everything from the color palate to the soundtrack has been redeemed to it’s initially intended glory. I had my doubts, as I think we all did. Zack Snyder went ahead and blew expectations out of the water, and singlehandedly put the DCEU back on the map.

The characters finally get the screen time and TLC they all deserve, leaving each fulfilled to a degree not imagined in the first version. No more odd jokes, no more creeping on Wonder Woman, no more rushing the story to fumble the ending. A well thought out and constructed masterpiece, leaving hope for the legendary stable of superheroes once again, instead of the feeling of doubt and turn back to Marvel. The darkness in this film and unabashed nature of the consequences experienced was refreshing. The finale battle topped by one of the greatest 5 minute finale scenes I’ve seen in a superhero film in some time. The actors seemed engaged, and to fully buy into their roles in this version. You can feel the passion that went into the project. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, flying off to claw the eyes out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It took a couple days to process before I felt fully ready to write this. Great call on the part of Warner Bros. to green light this hairbrained idea, and even better call on Zack Snyder foregoing a salary for complete creative control.

Bravo!