Author: Brett_G

Comedy Drama Indie

“Scrambled”

By Brett_G on

7.7

An eggcelent film.

Reminiscent of “The Pod Generation” from last year, this one delves into the complicated, beautiful, messy dynamics of reproductive health in modern society. Leah McKendrick absolutely kills it here. Her performance, especially a tender moment in the third act alongside Vee Kumari had me on the edge of my seat and bought in from the first frame. Never have I ever expected myself to actually laugh out loud during a scene set in a miscarriage support group, but here we are… only to mere minutes later be inspired and a little misty eyed by the ensuing speech. Movie didn’t play it safe, and I appreciated that. The exploration of this territory with the necessary nuance and levity to counter the natural weight has been a renaissance of sorts.

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Action Blockbuster Science Fiction

“I.S.S.”

By Brett_G on

6.1

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first bomb of the year!

What could have been an interesting plot is sufficiently squandered by the time the credits roll. We didn’t need this movie. Let alone the tired Russia vs. U.S. plot. The sad state of space CGI. Mediocre execution. Maybe it’s just that “Interstellar” set too high of a bar, and movies since are just struggling to catch up?

Nothing against the cast. They tried. There was just nothing to work with here. The only bright spot was that it was on an hour and a half of my life I can’t get back.

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Amazon Prime Documentary

“Kelce”

By Brett_G on

7.7

“I think the best thing that a human being can give another human being is belief.”

Thought I’d learn more of the backstory of the cohost of the New Heights podcast. Taylor Swift’s future in-laws are one hell of a crew.

The perspective of Jason’s daughters after a Super Bowl loss was priceless. Kylie Kelce is an absolute badass. So many touching scenes. A great watch.

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Drama Romance Throwback

“Secretary”

By Brett_G on

7.8

Where did he find that tiny saddle? One of many questions I found myself pondering with this one.

His positive punishment scheme also backfired on him here, becoming positive reinforcement real quick. Who woulda thunk it?

Being a lawyer, he should have known that you’re not allowed to ask ANY of those questions in an interview. Let alone the next hour and forty five minutes of OSHA violations. Pretty sure that spreader bar was a workplace injury waiting to happen.

Oh yeah, the actual movie – this Mr. Grey at least has some depth to him. As does Lee. James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal killed it here. They had much better source material than the “50 Shades” trilogy to work with, in defense of Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Unlike the purely (and poorly executed) sexual nature of that series, this film puts forth a valiant effort to venture into the deeper psychology behind BDSM. The definition of character study.

I can’t remember how this one ended up in my Amazon Prime Video queue, but I’m glad I finally gave it a go.

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Comedy Drama Indie

“American Fiction”

By Brett_G on

8.6

“At least he’d be rejecting the real me.” – This line, in the context of the scene it comes from, was a gut punch for the ages.

Eccentric, esoteric, and in the end, exceptional.

I’ve been intrigued as hell about this one since I first came across the trailer. Jeffrey Wright, Sterling Brown, and Issa Rae never miss, however, this takes things to a whole other level of cerebral subtext. I’m happy to report that not only does it give “South Park” a run for its money in holding a mirror up to the occasional absurdity of our human culture, but it’s also a fabulously crafted family drama under the hood. I didn’t expect the deep emotional impact of that plot to really round out and ground a wild main plot as it did. From the first to the very last frame, I can honestly say I was in disbelief. Absolutely brilliant!

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