Brett_G

“Miracle Beach”

By Brett_G on March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

6.1

In the vein of “Mannequin,” but not nearly as good.

I had to use a clip in lieu of a trailer, because the trailer on YouTube contained an honest approximation of unnecessary topless women. Not that I’m necessarily complaining, but it started to take me out of the story and became comical after the first 30 minutes.

The genie, played by the incomparable Ami Dolenz, really carries the movie. She’s the emotional anchor, the comic relief… I wouldn’t doubt she even composed the score.

One of those “this is 3-4 layers deep on prime video and I’m looking for something off the wall, let’s give this a whirl” movies.

Comedy Horror/Thriller

“Cocaine Bear”

By Brett_G on February 27, 2023

7.2

Perfectly ridiculous. An entry into my favorite re-emerging genres of utterly insane films that cause you to question “how in the hell did someone green light this?!” As you know, one of my all-time favorite films is “Hot Tub Time Machine.”

A film that knows its audience and plays to them for a tight hour and a half runtime. “Going to hell for laughing at this” humor at its finest, with a BANGING soundtrack!

RIP Ray Liotta. RIP to the real cocaine bear, who now resides in a Kentucky shopping mall.

Drama Suspense/Thriller Throwback

“American Gigolo”

By Brett_G on February 19, 2023February 19, 2023

6.8

Seemed very “Fatal Attraction,” but the genre wasn’t quite as refined yet.

He’s just a gigolo, and everywhere he goes… apparently people are trying to frame him for murder. Luckily, he’s also close friends with some of his clients, and in the world of underground crimes, it’s all about who you know.

A solid crime thriller with way more Richard Gere than I ever expected to see. At least he tries to not look as guilty as Ben Affleck in “Gone Girl.” A for effort.

The soundtrack is also a BANGER!

Action Suspense/Thriller Throwback

“Straw Dogs”

By Brett_G on February 19, 2023

7.1

Another recommendation of the “Video Archives” podcast with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary. Lived up to the hype. The show continues to be a staple in my weekly listening rotation and leads me down some interesting cinematic rabbit holes such as this. A welcomed reprieve from the predictability that can run rampant in todays cinematic releases from time to time.

It’s a very strange film, and takes a while to get going, but once it gets where it’s going… holy crap.

Content warning: not for the faint of heart and beware to those sensitive to sexual assault.

The relationship between the main couple is so tenuous that it takes a while for the viewer to gain their bearing with what’s really going on between the pair. There’s so much subtextual happening the entire runtime that it keeps you in a state of fight or flight from beginning to end. The only clue that comes full circle is the bear trap. You don’t keep a fully operational bear trap on your wall just because…

Disney+ Documentary

“Making the Wish”

By Brett_G on February 19, 2023

6.8

Was this basically a commercial for Disney Cruise Line? Yes. Yes it was.

Did I look at the cost of a cruise and pass out from the price to spend less than a week on this particular ship? Yes. Yes I did.

Was this still a fascinating documentary about cruise ship construction and how intricate the planning and execution is on one of these ships, illustrating the true magic it takes to pull it all off? You bet it is.

I couldn’t decide what to watch the other night, but didn’t want to dedicate a full 2+ hours to a full movie, so I landed on this. Not too shabby…