Category: Action

Action Comedy Indie

“Quicksand”

By Brett_G on

7.4

A surprisingly great buddy comedy/adventure, a la “The Hangover!”

Similar to “Deer Camp ’86” and “Terrifier,” I loved the authenticity of this film. Especially the easily recognizable landmarks as the dynamic duo made their way across the mitten state to track down the ring. The hijinks were much more creative and packed a much bigger punch than I expected. As described in the Q & A with the director afterwards, this crew was mostly learning as they went when it came to feature filmmaking. Had I not been told that, I would have never guessed it. There’s a finesse here that reflects a much more seasoned operation. Bravo to the filmmakers for pulling off a truly fun, funny, and impactful film! It’s festival accolades are well earned, and we’re lucky to have such a bustling movie scene in West Michigan.

Although not yet on streaming, you can find this one on Amazon/iTunes at the moment. The Vogue Theater and Celebration! Cinema spoil us here in West Michigan when it comes to limited releases and special events.

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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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Action Blockbuster

“The Flash”

By Brett_G on

7.5

I went in with low expectations. This film blew them away, ending up being far better than it had any right to be.

Ezra Miller’s performance is good in small doses, but is more than made up for by the Bruce Wayne’s and Sasha Calle as Supergirl. She is one of the castings I hope carries over into the new DCEU because of how fantastic she is in the role. Seeing Keaton suit up again as the caped crusader was like he never left somehow.

A very strange end to this phase of the DCEU, while also being a better multiverse movie than Marvel. Again. Marvel needs to stop trying to make the multiverse happen. It’s so not fetch.

Not the best superhero movie ever made, but I’ll be damned if it didn’t get me misty eyed a couple times and leave me thoroughly entertained. A sign of hope for things to come over at Warner Bros.

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Action

“Sisu”

By Brett_G on

7.7

As the film will explain in the first frames, “a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.”

It’s Finnish John Wick, and you DO NOT want to take his gold or be mean to women in front of him. In one word – BADASS. One of the tightest and most well crafted action movies this side of John Wick, and I believe will finish the year in the top 3, joining “Mission Impossible.” Well worth the watch if you don’t mind an obscene amount of blood and carnage.

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