Drama – Page 24 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Tár”

By Brett_G on October 30, 2022

7.1

What you expect to be a film about classical music and hustle and bustle of the inner workings of a professional symphony turns into a study of power, connection, and the people behind the music.

As a big fan of Mahler, especially his 5th symphony thanks to “Somewhere in Time,” I was sold on this in the first 10 minutes. Surprisingly, this film only drags for about 20 minutes of its two and a half hour runtime. The rest has Aaron Sorkin-esque tension that keeps you waiting to see what’s around the next corner.

Is it for everyone? Probably not. Is it Oscar bait? Oh yeah. Was I impressed when the credits rolled? Definitely.

Documentary Drama

“Hysteria”

By Brett_G on August 29, 2022

7.4

Man can’t get his fellow physicians to believe in germ theory. Gets fired from his job at the hospital.

Man joins a women’s medicine clinic, treating “hysteria” by providing orgasms by hand.

Man injures said hand due to a busy practice.

Man develops the mechanical-electric vibrator after his roommate’s electric muscle massager helps cure his hand and sparks an idea.

I kid you not… that’s the premise of this movie. Loosely based on the life of Joseph Mortimer Granville. Wrapped in a tale of women’s rights and progression of liberalization of a traditional, puritan European culture. It’s just as wild as it sounds, and far better than expected at first glance.

Maggie Gyllenhaal absolutely kills it as a revolutionary who takes over every scene she’s in, and delights as the incomparable Charlotte. A rather stimulating film, if I do say so myself.

Action Drama

“Memory”

By Brett_G on August 28, 2022

6.3

It’s “Taken,” but he has Alzheimer’s.

Drama Suspense/Thriller

“The Outfit”

By Brett_G on May 1, 2022April 24, 2022

7.8

“A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life.” – Oscar Wilde

I KNEW there was more to the old man than met the eye!

Zoey Deutch got me into the theater. This one-room play put to film that has better twists and turns than most trying to be mystery films kept me there and engaged until the credits rolled. It was like “Phantom Thread” meets “Goodfellas,” and I was all-in. The actors all do a superb job of slowly revealing their true selves and motives and keep the audience guessing almost until the film’s final frame. It was indeed a work of art.

Drama Rom-Com

“Book Club”

By Brett_G on April 24, 2022April 24, 2022

8.2

Some will think I’m crazy for this score, but that’s what the comment section’s for. I’ve always had a soft spot for this one.

A hilarious premise gets a warm depth built around it with the relationships between the four friends and their respective gents. Each couple’s arch is played as well as cast to perfection.

This film gets to the more profound meaning better than most and tackles an array of insights with relative ease. It’s one I left the theater rather inspired by. Glad to see it hasn’t lost any of its charms since then.