Category: Drama

Blockbuster Drama

“Horizon: An American Saga, Part 1”

By Brett_G on

6.5

Him – “I’m about used up.”

Her – “No you’re not. Not yet. Just lay there.” <- This may go down as one of the most awkward sex scenes I’ve ever seen…

Shaking that one off – this is a hot mess. I’m trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but it was a struggle… and not just because it’s 3 hours long. The film is gorgeous, and the soundtrack is pure ear candy. Aside from these redeeming qualities, it feels like this would have been better as a mini-series at this juncture. There’s too much of everything here. It’s a lot to digest, let alone just make it through.

All the props in the world to Kevin Costner for putting up his own money and chasing a dream here, though. I applaud the moxie. Dude’s out chasing his dream, and I respect the hell out of it. Here’s to hoping parts 2-4 sew up some of the 400 loose ends left hanging at the conclusion of part 1.

If you’re looking for a comp with less thinking involved – go hit up “A Million Ways to Die in the West” or “Back to the Future: Part 3.”

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Documentary Drama Indie Romance

“Love & Mercy”

By Brett_G on

8.6

Alongside “Chef,” this is one of my all-time favorite indie finds on the silver screen. Paul Dano and John Cusack hold down the forts at either end of the Brian Wilson timeline as one of the most legendary figures in rock/pop music takes on a whole new depth. A fascinating tale of love, loss, and the toll that riding the razors edge between genius and instantly takes on a person and the loved ones around them.

The soundtrack is of course legendary. The love story is oddly adorable. The bar for all other biopics was set at a level that few, if any have since reached. There’s not a weak link in the cast or a wasted frame of film.

I suggest a pairing with the documentary “The Wrecking Crew.”

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Drama Romance

“Turtles All The Way Down”

By Brett_G on

8.4

Ah, young love… and intrusive, obsessive thoughts.

All of the John Green Easter eggs… *chef’s kiss. I totally didn’t coordinate drinking a Dr. Pepper while I watched this.

“You’re old-new, it’s different” was the most adorable, heartfelt half insult I’ve heard in a long time. The thing that John Green movies do better than most is relatability. There’s a realness in the stories that is undeniable. This film is no exception. The magical ambiance of a small town Applebees double date is undefeated.

The philosophy wrestled with is something I haven’t had to confront in a hot minute, but is so approachable in the way that’s it’s handled. The return of the god-turtle mythology to the big screen was an unforeseen connection. I never thought anyone this side of Stephen King would touch that.

All this to say what we have here is a wonderfully weird, exceptionally human story that was put on the big screen with a tremendous amount of care.

Tell your friends you love them.

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Drama Romance

“Challengers”

By Brett_G on

7.6

The tennis threesome movie… love triangle movie? A bit of both. Similar to “Snack Shack,” they let love get in the way of their craft. (Although, cards on the table, I liked “Snack Shack” way more.)

This one is far from a fairy tale love story, and includes some of the most creative camera work since “Madame Web.” It was more than I expected in some ways and less in others. More of a mixed bag than I anticipated. As expected, the three leads really knock is out of the court with their respective performances, and the tension is at an 11 the entire runtime. It was really a masterclass in holding your foot to the floor in a genre that isn’t notorious for that kind of narrative structure.

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Drama Foreign Indie

“La Chimera”

By Brett_G on

6.1

So… a grave robber love story? Kind of wrapped in a comedy of sorts. A very odd mix at every turn.

Some beautiful shots and an interesting premise to take a crack at it. Just really hard to get over the strange factor and get into the possible horror of being connected to the land of the dead through their former belongings.

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