Action – Page 28 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Duel”

By Brett_G on May 11, 2020

7.9

Spielberg’s genius on full display! A game of cat and mouse on the open road. Really, you could circumvent an entire road rage course by just showing this film as what can happen when things go awry on the highway. So simple, yet so effective! A master class in tension building and cinematography. Spielbergs eye for framing and storytelling are evident in even his earliest of works. And… it gave us the infamous noise from the shark death in “JAWS.” (I’m a film nerd, and yes, learned about this by watching all of the special features of both movies.)

Action Suspense/Thriller

“Death Proof”

By Brett_G on May 8, 2020May 2, 2020

7.6

Serving as his own director of cinematography, this may just be one of Quentin’s best. Very different from his usual style, but I appreciated the way the rawness of the storytelling really fit the story. Kurt Russell plays a great madman in what reminded me of the Spielberg classic “Duel.” A menacing presence, haunting those who dare trespass on the open road.

Action Blockbuster

“The November Man”

By Brett_G on May 3, 2020May 3, 2020

7.8

In between “Mamma Mia” films, Pierce Brosnan needed a project to inject testosterone into his portfolio and prove that he still kicks ass. “November Man” is that film. A much better film than the misfire that’s was “No Escape,” this slick, well executed spy thriller packs the punch of a Bond film without all of the constraints of a franchise film.

Side note: I hope to one day look as perfectly distinguished as Pierce Brosnan.

Remington Steele returns to the world stage to kick ass and take names as a retired CIA agent turned rogue who double crosses his oldest friend after finding out he himself has been double crossed. Delivering one of the finest finales of the 2010’s. Very well done.

Action Comedy Suspense/Thriller

“Cold Pursuit”

By Brett_G on April 27, 2020April 18, 2020

8.1
The most I’ve seen a crowd react to a movie in a long time! What I thought was going to be a “Taken” rip-off turned out to be so much more. We laughed, we cried, we cheered… This movie really came out of nowhere to be surprisingly brilliant. Bravo Neeson!

Action Classic Throwback

“The Towering Inferno”

By Brett_G on April 19, 2020

8.1

Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the same film just isn’t fair. AND the juice (OJ Simpson) is loose as a security guard, of all things. One of many, but one of the best disaster movies to come out of the 1970s. Tied with “The Poseidon Adventure” in my book. Death defying stunts, amazing practical special effects, and phenomenal acting by almost the entire cast. Only a couple cheesy moments, but that’s to be expected. I also wouldn’t have taken the elevator so often in a fire, but McQueen is a badass and can do as he pleases. I initially balked at the almost-3 hour runtime, but it was well worth it. Classic Hollywood. Short of something like “Backdraft” coming along once every few years, they just don’t make movies like this anymore.