Comedy – Page 25 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Mannequin”

By Brett_G on April 21, 2021April 21, 2021

9.5

One of the strangest movies ever made. One of my favorite movies ever made.

Unabashedly itself.

A movie about an ancient Egyptian princess whose consciousness is transported to 1987 into a mannequin, which only comes to life for the gentleman who assembled her. They find each other, together find trouble, and in the end, find true love. All set to a soundtrack that oozes 80’s nostalgia. What more can you ask for?

Kim Cattrall… enough said. For a love story between a man and a dummy, the chemistry is off the charts. They have a perfectly playful rapport. Everyone is just the right amount of “in on the joke.” It’s lightning in a bottle, the likes of which only come around once or twice in a generation. “Hot Tub Time Machine” of the late ’80s. Probably a healthy dose of cocaine, too.

Comedy Indie

“Shiva Baby”

By Brett_G on April 10, 2021

6.9

Get ready to get uncomfortable. And be uncomfortable until the credits roll. A film that beautifully encapsulates the pain of family/church functions. Especially when your booty calls all show up to the same party. Awkward…

Sharp script, witty dialogue, well-framed shots. It plays like a play. Just the right amount of claustrophobia to keep you on the edge of your seat and waiting to see what the next twist will be.

Comedy

“Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar”

By Brett_G on March 29, 2021

6.5

I really don’t know where to say this one lands. I was either laughing so hard I was crying, or just that weird heavy exhale “almost laugh.” Most of this film makes absolutely no sense. It had the feel of Austin Powers in a way, but falls off the track and gets a little too sophomoric at times, where it lost me. It’s a delicate balance. The boobies song won me over every time they walked into the hotel bar. Jamie Dornan fits surprisingly well in a comedic role. The actual villain was from an entirely different movie and subtracted from the film more with each frame of runtime she took up. Barb and Star have a great chemistry, but felt like they were holding back in some scenes.

Very colorfully designed and shot film, with a less colorful storyline, executed by a moderately colorful cast of characters. Don’t ask me why, but I had this one hyped up pretty strongly in my head, and it clipped the third or fourth hurdle on its way to the finish line.

Comedy Drama

“Thank God It’s Friday”

By Brett_G on March 13, 2021

6.8

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

Also of note: the only reason this wasn’t the hit is that it decided to go head to head against “Saturday Night Fever,” and John Travolta was a bigger draw than Jeff Goldblum. Insane. “Last Dance” by Donna Summer got robbed!

Filmed at Studio 54 West, with almost every cross-promotion available to Casablanca records at the time. Disco, KISS, Donna Summer… The decade of decadence. Eerily similar to “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” or “American Graffiti.” Or “Detroit Rock City, ” although I feel this is of higher quality than that record company cross-promotion film.

Apple Tv+ Comedy

“Ted Lasso”

By Brett_G on March 10, 2021March 1, 2021

9.1

Finally caved and got on the bandwagon. Well worth the all-day binge! Jason Sudeikis kills it as Ted, but has a stellar cast surrounding him that fire on all cylinders every episode. The quality of product here is other-worldly. Another home run for Apple TV+. A work of comedic art, blending wit with just the right amount of edginess and attitude. And inspiration… you’ll be ready to run through walls for coach when it’s all said and done. Whether you enjoy futbol/football/soccer or not, you’ll likely love this lovable lad Lasso. Bravo!