Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
6.9
Nicholas Cage’s filmography has jumped the shark, and I am here for it!
A ridiculously simple premise with ridiculously ridiculous accents and execution. I don’t really know what to say to explain this one…
Turn your brain off, and enjoy the ride!
7.2
Wonderfully weird.
The design of the spacecraft and extra-terrestrial are perfect. Just normal enough but just strange enough to make it comedic. The unlikely team of humans coming together to discover a newfound purpose in life was a nice change of pace. It’s as if E.T. had the elderly as friends instead of kids fresh off a divorce. A really well made, adorable little movie.
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.
7.5
Yes, I completed the “Barbemheimer” opening night double feature. It was a truly wild ride.
Like “Oppenheimer,” this film also surprised me. The pendulum swings both ways, and actually finds much more common ground than I anticipated during the first five minutes of the runtime. The opening act essentially spells out that women working together and living in peace, empowering each other is… a fantasy land? The message of this movie depends on how deeply you dive into the narrative.
First and foremost, it’s a brilliant marketing move by Mattel. For a movie that lectures in multiple points about the evils of capitalism… it’s a cog in the machine, man.
The story does a great job of showing how both sides can overcorrect in the face of adversity, leading to an unnecessary breakdown in society, when things become disingenuous and performative… and actually lands on a high note of everyone growing as characters and a fairly positive outlook towards the future that I did not see coming.
Stylistically, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The set design is amazing, as expected, and everything is over the top. As with “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie” is also perfectly cast, and that cast is firing on all cylinders.
8.1
This was definitely one of those “I can’t believe they made this” movies. I will also say that I don’t think it works with anyone else as the leads. It’s perfectly cast.
The story, the music, the surprisingly touching love story… all culminated to leave me flabbergasted by the time the credits rolled. I honestly did not see this movie being this good. Funny? Sure. But actually substantive? No way. But, here we are…
Definitely not a kid’s movie and probably not a great first date movie, but the couple I met in my showing thoroughly enjoyed it as a date night. Romantically raunchy… that’s what we’ll call it. And the piano accompaniment serenade of “Maneater” is *chef’s kiss*
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 