Author: Brett_G

“Night Swim”

7.9

What a way to kick off the theatrical releases for the year!

If this is a sign of things to come, 2024 is going to be an amazing year for horror films.

For all the folks who put in a pool because they never felt it safe to go back in the water after the events of “JAWS,” I have some bad news for you. It’s also not safe in your pool. Especially when it’s spring fed. Magic pools always have a catch. Look no further than “Hot Tub Time Machine.”

The story, the execution of the scares, and THE SOUNDTRACK… everything here brings its a-game until the credits roll. With every twist and turn, you’re drawn further and further into the depths of this one. There was a wonderful charm of originality with this one that I deeply appreciated. The wholesomeness of the family and America’s pastime (baseball) as a central theme made the turn into darkness all the more striking. A home run to start the year for Blumhouse!

“Steve Jobs”

8.6

I’m a sucker for Aaron Sorkin dialogue and a good walk and talk, so I’ve loved this film since the first time seeing it in the theater. Since then, I’ve occasionally passed by it in my library, meaning to one day re-watch it and see if it recaptured the magic. Spoiler alert – it does! Even more so after I finished the Steve Jobs biohgraphy recently, which prompted my re-watch recently. The attention to detail in the film was all the more breathtaking and spot-on than I had realized during that first watch years ago. What it does better than most, that “Oppenheimer” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” also later did, was nailed the tone of the story. A complicated, dynamic character that goes on to change the world. Weighing the impact they have on the world with the destruction they left in their wake. Uncovering the dark sides of once unknown or little known details that shine a new light on what had become a fairy tale image of history.

Michael Fassbender kills it as Jobs, with Kate Winslet as his character foil. The framing device of product launches was the perfect choice, as Apple became the center of Jobs’s being, with supporting cast came in and out of his life during different episodes in the saga. It wasn’t quite as reflective as the book, but the impact was nearly the same. It’s a busy 2+ hours, but well worth the runtime if you’re game for a breakneck pace of words per minute.

Book: https://a.co/d/97Q8XDY

“Good Grief”

7.3

Setting your romantic movie in Paris is a cheat code. A tad unfair, no?

This one reminded me of “A Good Person” from last year. A strong entry in the “broken people helping other broken people through shared imperfections” genre. I appreciate the honest messiness between and within the characters, and the genuine discomfort injected into the second and third act. A little bit of awkwardness goes a long way in authenticity. Dan Levy and crew kill it. A solid Netflix entry to start the year!

“Year in Review – 2023”

137. I reviewed 137 movies this year, not counting rewatches of “JAWS.” A lot of sneak attack surprises, a couple that stole 2 hours of my life I can never get back, and a plethora of new memories in front of a silver screen, armed with my popcorn bucket and candy. As a result of the writers and actors strike, Hollywood continued one of my favorite trends of late – smaller films galore filling the multiplex! A blessing in disguise and kept alive by the fact that tentpole franchises are collapsing left and right, earning the intellectual property a much needed siesta. As we head into a new year that hopefully yields a new Nicole Kidman AMC Theaters opening, I want to thank you all for visiting my little corner of the world and entertaining my ramblings, hopefully proving helpful as you surf streaming services looking for what to watch. Here’s to a great 2024 at the movies!

Without further adieu, my top 16 films of the year (in no particular order):

“A Good Person”

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”

“Oppenheimer”

“The Holdovers”

“Godzilla Minus One”

“Winnie The Pooh: Blood & Honey”

“Air”

“The Covenant”

“Barbie”

“Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game”

“The Pod Generation”

“John Wick Chapter 4”

“Love Again”

“No Hard Feelings”

“Anyone But You”

“Bank of Dave”

“Ferrari”

7.1

It’s no “Ford v. Ferrari.”

That being said, it’s still solid. Much more family drama than racing epic. The racing scenes that are part of the film are gorgeous and as intense as they come. I want to definitely warn those heading into this one that there is carnage galore when the rubber meets the road. The early days of road racing were downright deadly, and this film doesn’t shy away from it.

The cast is full of sneak attacks, and everyone fits exceptionally well, especially the main love triangle of Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, and Shailene Woodley. The man liked fast cars and even more dangerous women. Respect.

A nice cap on my year at the movies! Look for the yearly recap tomorrow!