Brett_G

“Evil Dead Rise”

By Brett_G on April 22, 2023

7.9

Definitely one of the most gruesome movies I’ve seen in a LONG time. The lengths to which it goes to make the audience genuinely uncomfortable to their cores is commendable and impressive. It doesn’t let off the gas from the first frame to the very last. And the blood… blood EVERYWHERE!

The cast did a great job of establishing a rapport, despite the lack of time and scenes built for that explicit purpose, helping you to have someone to root for and a reason to care about the carnage.

The homages to the classics were a work of art. “The Shining,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and of course “Evil Dead,” to name a few. This film may be gruesome, but it is also gorgeous.

Not for children… or the faint of heart. Worth every second!

Horror/Thriller Indie

“Nefarious”

By Brett_G on April 18, 2023April 22, 2023

7.2

Thank (insert deity here) Christians finally figured out how to make good movies to deliver their messages. We’ve come a long way since the days of “God’s not Dead.” The key to delivering messages is in the delivery, and that comes down to making subjects palatable and subtextual, instead of attacking the audience with the subtlety of actually being thumped with a Bible.

Above all else, this was a really solid crime/horror thriller. The two main actors deliver powerhouse performances in what amounts to a one room play, with a few surrounding shots to support the narrative and round out the runtime. The Glenn Beck interview at the end was a bit unnecessary to drive the points home, but it’s understandable in the big picture. All in all, a solid addition to this year’s horror film lineup.

Moral of the story… probably not the best idea to straight up invite a demon into your soul. Just a thought from your friendly neighborhood movie reviewer.

Drama Indie

“Rare Objects”

By Brett_G on April 18, 2023

7.1

Kintsugi in film form. Broken people helping fellow broken people. The best of humanity on display.

Alan Cumming and Julia Mayorga kill it in their respective roles, while Katie Homes’s performance pushes it over the top. A study in grief, damage, recovery, and resilience. Wrapped in a wonderful sense of, well, wonder.

Comedy Documentary

“Paint”

By Brett_G on April 18, 2023April 18, 2023

6.9

Two words – unnecessarily horny.

Turns out Bob Ross needed a stash of brushes to keep the babes at bay.

An absolutely ridiculous what I’m going to consider a mockumentary for the ages. Owen Wilson kills it, and somehow keeps a straight face the entire runtime. If (insert vehicle here) is a rocking, don’t come a knocking. And probably don’t take your new vegan girlfriend to the fondue place for veal. Pro tip from a single gentleman about town.

Horror/Thriller

“The Pope’s Exorcist”

By Brett_G on April 15, 2023April 15, 2023

7.9

A surprisingly solid exorcist film!

Russell Crowe absolutely shines as Father Gabriele Amorth, one of the chief exorcists in the Catholic Church and foremost expert on the subject until his death.

The film itself is a bit of a masterclass in exorcism filmmaking. From the initial “exorcist shot,” to the portrayal of the rite itself throughout the film, the cast hits all of the marks beautifully, with a natural flow that lends it a realism and authenticity not many horror films achieve. The film fires on all cylinders from beginning to end, shining a light on humanity, humility, and grace.