Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
7.9
Fantastic documentary! ESPN and the UFC really show off their collective talent for depth and flair in this one. We all knew things got crazy on fight island, but not THIS crazy. The macro themes of business operations playing out overlapping the incredibly personal stories of the fighters and their loved ones. Sold me on the genius and gusto of Dana White and his faithful followers in and around the UFC. Well worth all 4 parts.
7.4
The strangest love story this side of “Warm Bodies,” this film is an explosive good time. Also, a great metaphor for how schools and the government are handling COVID, and the rebellious spirit of high schoolers caught in the middle of it trying to live their lives. Katherine Langford and Charlie Plummer rock it as leads and lovebirds. (Also highly recommend Plummer in “Words on Bathroom Walls.”) a pleasant surprise out of left field in the depths of the iTunes movie section. Gotta live life to the fullest before you spontaneously depart our dimension.
Any chance to rock out to The Hooter’s “And We Danced” is a win in my book.
9.1
Review #200 incoming! Had to be one of the all time favorites. Subject of my Film Appreciation & History final essay I aced… “Hot Tub Time Machine!”
Homages to so many 80’s classics, John Cusack, a perfectly ridiculous plot. This film is cinematic lightning in a bottle. The lesson of “embrace the chaos” and “your future isn’t written yet, so make it a good one” a la “Back to the Future 3.” Time travel has a way of addressing much bigger issues under the veil of science fiction, similar to horror films. It’s why it’s always been one of my favorite genres. As sophomoric as the premise may seem, this film strikes a much deeper chord. So turn the bubbles on, enjoy the rockin’ retro soundtrack, and get ready for a legendary fourth wall break.
Also, thank you all for sticking around and reading these often off the wall ramblings of a guy who loves to watch and talk about movies.
7.8
Ice man plays a child prodigy who gets exploited for his real genius by a professor and the government. They attempt to steal his space laser, and he turns it into a pretty hilarious prank. File this under the college hijinks category alongside “Back to School” and “Animal House.” Val Kilmer kills it as the tortured genius who just wants to have fun while he changes the world. A fun hour and a half of debauchery and lessons to not take life to seriously. Maybe a little more serious than the characters in the film, but not all the time.
7.4
John Cusack does John Cusack things. Demi Moore as an unexpected love interest. Evil rich brat trying to beat up on the nerdy kids. Prank wars. An annual regatta. This crazy cast of characters comes together to have one crazy summer. Another one of those light, fun, short and sweet summer comedies from the 80’s. They really never let you down.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 