Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
8.8
Partially exactly what I expected, but so much more at the same time. In the spirit of “The Great Gatsby,” the brothers chase their dreams of throwing a great party and meet poetic ends. The music, the cast, the scenery… Everything fires on all cylinders here! The ending giving Tarantino a run for his money had me speechless. The vampire angle surprisingly fits and doesn’t disrupt the momentum or seem silly. Instead, it fits remarkably well as an allegory. One of the best of 2025!
8.2
Sad I didn’t get to see this one in IMAX. Even on a TV screen, it’s EPIC. The grandeur of this film is off the charts, every frame beautifully crafted and dripping in gravitas. Guillermo del Torro doing what he does best, at the height of his powers. Oscar Isaac turns in a surprisingly great performance as the good doctor. This iteration of the story tackles the complicated themes of the original in a way not many have in recent iterations. There was a great weight to things and a tension throughout that was palpable. Truly a work of art!
7.6
So many twists and turns that it almost tips the scales into comical territory, but the drama feeds the dedication to hit “continue watching.” A solid Netflix whodunit series with a nice mix of ridiculousness to keep things interesting. Brittany Snow has a very interesting post “Pitch Perfect” career so far. You’ll say “what the hell am I watching?!?” at least once per episode.
7.4
Such a bizarre love triangle, with the backdrop of a literary competition… I didn’t expect it to work as well as it did. A little cliche, but with enough charm to carry it across the finish line. You almost won’t mind the French.
8.4
WAY better than I expected. The dog has such personality, and steals every scene. Naomi Watts is stellar. This one emits a palpable warmth from beginning to end like a hug from a loved one or your favorite winter blanket in front of a fireplace. Let it wash over you as you laugh and cry your way to the credits rolling.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 