Category: Blockbuster

Action Blockbuster Horror/Thriller

“A Quiet Place: Day One”

By Brett_G on

7.8

Where the Purge series seemed to shy away from going full purge – welcome to A Quiet Place grabbing you by the shirt collar and never letting go for 2 hours of nonstop anxiety inducing terror. You’re dropped right alongside our main characters in never feeling safe the entire time. What this series does better and more consistently than most is environmental immersion and character. This film really rounds out the trilogy by maintaining and even growing these strengths. Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn really hold down the fort as leads, and give such rich performances that it lends itself to intensifying the terror when even the slightest sound is made, inciting the potential violence that lurks just out of frame. You care so much about the characters that it really makes everything else that much more effective. A great example of attention to detail and care.

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Action Blockbuster Comedy

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die”

By Brett_G on

7.5

Was this batshit insane? Yes. Yes it was.

Did it still work? Hell yes it did!

What could have easily fallen into stupid territory somehow ended up in so stupid its fun territory that the “Fast & Furious” franchise has been aiming for for years now. The cast is perfect. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence really have these characters figured out, and the supporting cast they’ve assembled fire on all cylinders to deliver a powerhouse ensemble performance. I’m not sure the plot really matters. What matters is the creativity in the cinematography and the almost constant risk taking that pays off at every turn. They had fun with this one, and it comes through in almost every frame. A breath of fresh air in the middle of blockbusters trying to take themselves too seriously. Well done!

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Blockbuster Drama

“Horizon: An American Saga, Part 1”

By Brett_G on

6.5

Him – “I’m about used up.”

Her – “No you’re not. Not yet. Just lay there.” <- This may go down as one of the most awkward sex scenes I’ve ever seen…

Shaking that one off – this is a hot mess. I’m trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but it was a struggle… and not just because it’s 3 hours long. The film is gorgeous, and the soundtrack is pure ear candy. Aside from these redeeming qualities, it feels like this would have been better as a mini-series at this juncture. There’s too much of everything here. It’s a lot to digest, let alone just make it through.

All the props in the world to Kevin Costner for putting up his own money and chasing a dream here, though. I applaud the moxie. Dude’s out chasing his dream, and I respect the hell out of it. Here’s to hoping parts 2-4 sew up some of the 400 loose ends left hanging at the conclusion of part 1.

If you’re looking for a comp with less thinking involved – go hit up “A Million Ways to Die in the West” or “Back to the Future: Part 3.”

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Action Blockbuster Romance

“The Fall Guy”

By Brett_G on

8.9

This one was recommended with a heavy helping of hype… and it exceeded every bit of it! The definition of “firing on all cylinders.”

I was sold immediately on the soundtrack, and will watch anything Emily Blunt is in. That being said, they somehow shoehorned in more meta commentary than a “Deadpool” movie, a love story, an action movie, a murder mystery, and a tip of the cap to stunt doubles for the ages! Unexpected as “Nobody” in 2021, this one I thought would be good, but blew past that to be on my current shortlist for best of the year. Holy crap.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a match for having this much fun in the cinema! Strap in and enjoy the ride!

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Action Blockbuster

“Civil War”

By Brett_G on

3.0

… And all of those points are for the soundtrack. That’s it.

53 movies in. I’m calling it. WORST of the year. In the running for worst of the decade. It’s up there with “Cats.”

I’ll save you 2 hours of your life you can never get back. Don’t do it. 2 hours is an INSANE runtime for this genre, but then they make it 2 hours of violent torture porn. I don’t need to see you sprinkling Lime powder on a mass grave. There’s no need for this movie to exist. Don’t give me any analysis about this having a deeper meaning or societal commentary. I call bullshit. This makes “The Hunt” and “The Purge: Election Year” look Oscar-worthy. A shovel to the face would have been more subtle than this movie trying to make a point. I’m actually surprised that wasn’t a scene here. I can’t drag this movie enough. A24… come on… get your shit together.

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