Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Your Personal Cinematic Sommelier
8.2
The infamous tale of the rise and fall of Dirk Diggler. From the heights of the adult film industry to the lows of unspeakable acts in the shopping center parking lot… a tale as old as time. More legendary Hollywood stars than any Oceans film, and a rocking soundtrack, this classic film really fires on all cylinders… unlike Dirk’s Little Dirk after he develops a drug problem and goes off the rails. Lace up your roller skates, and get ready for a wild 2 hour ride…
6.7
Like, a totally rad movie. One of Nicholas Cage’s first (and best) roles of his career. Just enough lunacy to fit the character who’s a bit of an outsider, who gets the girl in the end. Amazing 80’s soundtrack. Hanging out at the mall. Neon color galore. Very 80’s. Somewhat of a John Hughes type love story, checking all of the character and storyline boxes as it moves along.
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.)
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.
8.2
What the hell was that?
I definitely see why this film is a classic, and there are many aspects that have now become commonplace in horror movies, but damn. Just when you think you know what’s going on, it takes a turn deeper into the darkness. Spectacular horror directing, suspense building, and acting. Heavily influenced by the French renaissance films of old.
