Author: Brett_G

Action Blockbuster Documentary Romance

“Oppenheimer”

By Brett_G on

8.9

In one word – haunting.

It was everything and nothing I expected at the same time. After listening to the source material, “American Prometheus,” (which I highly recommend) every second of this three hour runtime had an amplified impact for me. The message, the nuance, the attention to detail. All incredible.

The film is perfectly cast, and everyone turns in a career best performance. No matter how small the part, everyone brought their A-game.

The beauty contained in each frame was awe inspiring. Of course, I saw this in IMAX, on film. It’s a true blessing to have Celebration! Cinema in your backyard here in West Michigan. For this, and many other reasons. The place was packed, and I don’t think most were ready for what they were about to experience. Nolan at the height of his powers, and everyone glued to the edge of their seat.

Strap in, and enjoy the complex tale of brilliance, guilt, politics, and scientific discovery. They went a lot of places I didn’t expect them to, and ended on a much more powerful note than I anticipated. Well worth the hype!

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Comedy Drama Romance

“Barbie”

By Brett_G on

7.5

Yes, I completed the “Barbemheimer” opening night double feature. It was a truly wild ride.

Like “Oppenheimer,” this film also surprised me. The pendulum swings both ways, and actually finds much more common ground than I anticipated during the first five minutes of the runtime. The opening act essentially spells out that women working together and living in peace, empowering each other is… a fantasy land? The message of this movie depends on how deeply you dive into the narrative.

First and foremost, it’s a brilliant marketing move by Mattel. For a movie that lectures in multiple points about the evils of capitalism… it’s a cog in the machine, man.

The story does a great job of showing how both sides can overcorrect in the face of adversity, leading to an unnecessary breakdown in society, when things become disingenuous and performative… and actually lands on a high note of everyone growing as characters and a fairly positive outlook towards the future that I did not see coming.

Stylistically, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The set design is amazing, as expected, and everything is over the top. As with “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie” is also perfectly cast, and that cast is firing on all cylinders.

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Comedy Rom-Com Romance

“No Hard Feelings”

By Brett_G on

8.1

This was definitely one of those “I can’t believe they made this” movies. I will also say that I don’t think it works with anyone else as the leads. It’s perfectly cast.

The story, the music, the surprisingly touching love story… all culminated to leave me flabbergasted by the time the credits rolled. I honestly did not see this movie being this good. Funny? Sure. But actually substantive? No way. But, here we are…

Definitely not a kid’s movie and probably not a great first date movie, but the couple I met in my showing thoroughly enjoyed it as a date night. Romantically raunchy… that’s what we’ll call it. And the piano accompaniment serenade of “Maneater” is *chef’s kiss*

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Comedy Drama Science Fiction

“Asteroid City”

By Brett_G on

7.9

One word – bizarre.

That being said, it’s Wes Anderson at the height of his powers. The aesthetic is awe-inspiring, and the alien invasion amusing. The typical cast of this time different characters unveil a narrative that had the packed theater both tilting our heads in confusion and tossing them back in laughter in unison. A really enjoyable opening night experience at the theater.

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Comedy

“About My Father”

By Brett_G on

7.6

A much better than expected comedy!

The chemistry of the cast really surprised me with this one, with De Niro anchoring a lesser know, but equally effective troupe. The story is pretty straightforward. Almost an Uno reverse card play on the script of “Meet the Parents.” I found myself enjoying the genuine nature of the heartfelt moments that heavily impacted the punch of the laughs.

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