Brett_G

“Just Mercy”

By Brett_G on January 13, 2020

9.3

Looking for an early front-runner for film of the year? Here it is. In the third week of January. Hauntingly beautiful. Uncomfortable in just the right way. Emotionally moving like almost nothing else in theaters nowadays. Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, and Jamie Foxx firing on all cylinders, with some of the greatest performances of their careers. Don’t let this one get away without seeing this powerful film on the big screen. Rooting for this to win all the awards, and to be seen by all who are looking for the best and the worst of humanity on full display for two hours. Not since “The Judge” have I seen such a slick courtroom drama. The fact that this all happened in reality, and continues to happen today just adds to this story’s impact. Shows just how much one person who believes can do to change so many lives… and how far we have yet to go in the journey of human progress. Don’t forget your tissues for this one. By the end, the profoundness of the title will tie everything together perfectly.

Blockbuster

“1917”

By Brett_G on January 13, 2020

8.9

Wow.

First off, an absolute technical marvel. You’ll be hard pressed to see a film this beautiful in theaters. The cinematography and editing to appear as one continuous shot from start to finish are exquisite. Ballsy, but a move executed with gusto and grace. The story is razor sharp, the action is break-neck, and the acting is perfection. Deserving of every award it wins.

Blockbuster Romance

“Little Women”

By Brett_G on January 7, 2020

8.5

In the wise words of Owen Wilson, “wow.” This one caught me a little off guard. May or may not have gotten a little dusty in the theater a couple of times. Bucking the trend of numerous news outlets lecturing everyone on “men aren’t going to see ‘little women’,” I thought I’d check this one out. Definitely glad I did.

A tale of elegance and humanity, love and independence. A character study in how we love and whether we have a choice in who we love or when it hits us. Heavy stuff handled deftly in this well-crafted film. Beautiful set pieces and cinematography, brilliant acting, and a razor sharp story tie it all together. Bravo!

Also, apparently the perfect revenge on the girl you fall in unrequited love with who strings you along under the guise of friendship with potential for something more but really doesn’t know who she is or how to love, leaving her with a void she is perpetually unable to fill and her pining after what you once had and trying to find it in other people or making a grand gesture in “too little, too late” fashion, destroys your heart and will to love again… is to become a hard partying playboy for a few years, regain your confidence, and marry her attractive sister.

Horror/Thriller

“The Grudge” (2020)

By Brett_G on January 2, 2020

6.9

A great by the numbers studio horror film! Well crafted tension, terror, and jump scares. A tight story. Only downside being that the story is told in 4 different time periods that the film jumps between, so it can be a little hard to keep track of if you’re not paying attention. The characters were pretty one-dimensional, but it’s a horror movie, so there’s a pretty low bar for that going in. As with most films in the genre, the final 20-25 minutes ties it all together nicely. One of my favorite endings in a while, as well!

Indie

“Uncut Gems”

By Brett_G on January 1, 2020

3.0

This movie is a rock that someone mistook as an uncut gem… yikes. By far the worst Adam Sandler movie I’ve ever seen, by a long shot. Good lord… creepy, no story, raunchy for no reason, and way too long. The jokes are a mix of trying too hard to be relevant and way out of date. Adam Sandler fight The Weekend and Kevin Garnett… and watches his mistress do unspeakable things from a closet doorway before yelling “surprise!” AND THEY LAUGH! (I kid you not.). I think they were going for a new take on 2014’s “The Gambler,” but without the charm of Mark Wahlberg, solid action, a coherent story… humor that makes you laugh.

Yikes… Go see ANYTHING else at the theater this week. Not necessarily the way I wanted to start my year in reviews… staying hopeful that this is me getting the bad ones out of the way early on.