Blockbuster – Page 17 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Army of the Dead”

By Brett_G on May 23, 2021May 23, 2021

7.1.

Well, that road head did not have a happy ending…

Turn your brain off and watch the zombie brains explode and the screen fill with the screams and remains of the undead.

The story is a bit inconsistent, not bothering to decide whether it’s a serious family drama or pure action thriller. The runtime is a bit long, but it’s Zack Snyder, so… that’s to be expected. Nitpicks aside, it’s a beautifully done zombie/heist film, with great characters, great action, and one of the best opening sequences of the year. The soundtrack is subtle but spectacular. The characters aren’t the place to go looking for depth but well executed by all involved. Dave Bautista sticks the landing as the lead in this film and the anchor of the team.

Better on a big screen, but will be ok on a big TV. Seems sacrilegious to see the Netflix Studios opening in a theater.

Blockbuster Horror/Thriller

“Spiral”

By Brett_G on May 16, 2021

5.8

I was really looking forward to this one… so much for wishful thinking.

It tried to straddle the psychological thriller aspect of the original and the bloodlustful, senseless gore of the next 7 films. These don’t go together, apparently. It failed on both. Jerky editing, horrific pacing, and a storyline that confuses the audience instead of intriguing them

That being said, no one in the world says “muthafucka” quite like Samuel L. Jackson.

They kept it tight, at an hour and a half runtime, which was great. Any longer, and I would have been even more harsh. The theme of hating cops was timely, but got lost with a throwaway villain out past their skis. And… STOP trying to redo the puppet! It’s not going to happen. Get ready to feel underwhelmed walking out of the theater.

Action Blockbuster

“Wrath of Man”

By Brett_G on May 9, 2021May 9, 2021

8.2

Divine darkness.

Guy Ritchie works his magic yet again. You want an over-the-top, tightly wound action film that’s a work of art at its core? He’s your man. Very similar to “The Gentlemen,” which was also a favorite of mine from last year. Plenty of twists and turns, gore, and Jason Statham growling at people as he methodically massacres in his hunt for justice. Think “John Wick” with just a few more lines of dialogue and a much different haircut.

God, I wish I could pull off stubble like Statham…

Some of the story points were predictable, which is somewhat a symptom of watching this many movies, but they are so well executed (pun intended) that you won’t care. One thing this crew does better than almost anyone in the biz is action. Strap in, and get ready for a wildly entertaining edge of your seat ride.

Action Blockbuster HBO

“Mortal Kombat”

By Brett_G on April 26, 2021April 24, 2021

7.8

Exceeded expectations! Definitely the strongest video game adaptation in quite some time.

Thankfully, the fighting is everything you imagine and more. It’s just the right amount of blood and cheesiness. A well-told story of tradition, facing adversity, and working together against a common enemy. Where they could have just made a cheap adaptation that just hits all of the high notes, this film really took the time to tell a story while also delivering on the action and adventure you would expect, all while keeping the runtime reasonable. Similar to “Godzilla vs. Kong,” it gives you exactly what you’re looking for, executed at the highest level of the craft.

Action Blockbuster

“Voyagers”

By Brett_G on April 9, 2021April 9, 2021

6.5

Where “Interstellar” and “Lord of the Flies” meet. I never thought that was going to be a combo I’d use in one of these. Also, a bit early for an on the nose commentary about society’s disintegration, as we resort to our primal instincts when overwhelmed with fear. Wild choice in release timing.

Technically speaking, a well-done action movie. Felt like a return to the glory days of YA thrillers back in the early 2010s (think Hunger Games and Maze Runner). Solid cast. Predictable story with very little nuance. A lot of weird subliminal messaging with the flashes of animal shots and water droplets or fire.

Don’t drink the blue kool aid.