Documentary – Page 15 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“The Men Who Stare At Goats”

By Brett_G on January 28, 2021

8.8

Jedi Warriors? Tax dollars well spent!

One of George Clooney’s all-time great performances.

One of my all-time sleeper hit movies.

What seems like an incredibly juvenile fantasy turns out to contain innumerable kernels of wisdom if you’re willing to give yourself over to it—cinematic spiritual enlightenment at its finest. On my Mount Rushmore along with JAWS and Hot Tub Time Machine.

Also, you can’t go wrong with any track on the soundtrack. They all rock, and they all transport your spirit to the exact right spot to receive the film’s full impact.

Documentary

“The Donut King”

By Brett_G on January 25, 2021January 19, 2021

7.6

A wonderful window into a world I admittedly never knew existed. Truly one of the beauties of cinema, expanding our horizons and awareness of the world around us.

Basically, it’s “Scarface,” but a different powder this fellow is peddling. A harrowing tale of achieving the “American Dream,” doing battle with Dunkin Donuts, and then losing it all. His legacy is a lasting one, mostly in the lives he changed. It’s an inspiring character study in the imperfect nature of even the best of us. It also serves as a delicious advertisement for donuts.

One of my more odd recommendations, but a highly recommended one nonetheless!

Blockbuster Documentary Suspense/Thriller

“Antebellum”

By Brett_G on November 27, 2020

Definition – existing before a war, especially : existing before the American Civil War.

Now I understand why the band shouldn’t have used it in the first place. Good lord, don’t they hire PR teams to say ”probably not the best idea.”

Back to the movie… Get ready to get uncomfortable, but in a productive way. If this film doesn’t make you uncomfortable, there is another conversation to be had. Janelle Monáe kills it as our two main characters. An absolute powerhouse performance.

The cinematography is downright breathtaking. The score is perfectly complementing the visual elements. The attention to detail, second to none. So many easter eggs to be discovered within almost every frame, driving you to a second viewing to immerse yourself in every nuanced “a-ha” moment fully. Hauntingly beautiful comes to mind.

You won’t expect or believe what you see upon first viewing. The film wasn’t at all what I expected, but it was better than I could have imagined.

Documentary ESPN Sports

“UFC Fight Island: Declassified”

By Brett_G on October 7, 2020

7.9

Fantastic documentary! ESPN and the UFC really show off their collective talent for depth and flair in this one. We all knew things got crazy on fight island, but not THIS crazy. The macro themes of business operations playing out overlapping the incredibly personal stories of the fighters and their loved ones. Sold me on the genius and gusto of Dana White and his faithful followers in and around the UFC. Well worth all 4 parts.

Documentary Netflix

“Challenger: The Final Flight”

By Brett_G on September 30, 2020

8.1

Netflix has two markets cornered. Romantic comedies and documentaries. This mini-series came out of nowhere and blew me away. The pacing, the new footage, the storytelling. Excellence on display. You’ll learn, be moved, and leave entertained. Things start off with an emotional weight that doesn’t let up until the final credits roll. Certainly not for the faint of heart, but well worth the emotional roller coaster. So many twists and turns, a wonderfully constructed window into introducing a new generation to such important historical lessons. Another home run by the red menace.