Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
8.1
Get ready to get uncomfortable… like, extremely uncomfortable. But a productive, evolutionary uncomfortable, if that makes sense. In between discomfort, you’ll unexpectedly laugh and cheer.
Technically speaking, it felt a bit clunky at times and seemed to rush the ending. That said, it lives up to the hype of the trailer and will leave you feeling fired up in all the right ways. Inspirational art. Definitely not a light-hearted popcorn flick.
8.8
Highly recommended, greatly hyped… Lived up to and exceeded every expectation!
Apparently I’ve missed many golden opportunities to utilize the phrase “lifting cars” in my dating life over the years.
This movie checked all of my boxes for great love stories and relationship dynamics to drive the story. You have the guy with the “perfect” life that isn’t as it seems. Who wants to blow it all up to follow his passion instead of the plan, similar to the gang in “The Breakfast Club.” Then you have the awkward couple who clicks as friends but never quite has the spark… Similar to Becca and Jesse in “Pitch Perfect.”
In the vein of “Pitch Perfect,” this film does a great job of shining a light on a niche extracurricular college activity and the fascinating characters that are drawn to it. At the helm of the team is chief Brody, of all people, who may have moved from east coast to west, but kept his shorts from his time in Martha’s Vineyard all those summers ago.
In closing, I leave you with this…
7.9
Nice biblical reference there. Touche, movie…
If you’re ready to get really pissed off at the government and see on full display the fact that we as humans often trip over ourselves when trying to affect change… this is your movie. They almost had it. Almost came together to fight the real enemy, but in the end fell victim to the age old tale of “what could have been.” Very well done by all involved. Impactful, inspirational, and educational.
8.1
They had me in the first half, not gonna lie. I felt I was watching a group of narcissists feed off of each other until their ultimate, deserved demise. Then, the story blossoms in the third act that you’ll have to watch through a layer of tears as the hits just keep coming. Taking you to a beautifully dark place where the emotions of the finale of life reside.
Casey Affleck is officially sad guy now. He’s continuously kicked in the balls guy and does it better than anyone else in Hollywood. Jason Segal rocks it as the loveable loser with a heart of gold. Dakota Johnson expands her skillset in yet another outstanding dramatic performance.
Bring some tissues, and be prepared to call a loved one/loved ones afterwards. Another tremendous entry in the “dying person” genre, a la “Me, Earl, and the dying girl.”
7.9
Gary Oldman shines as the secret screenwriter behind the masterful manuscript of “Citizen Kane.” Hollywood studio politics, national politics, and international politics all collide in a wonderfully witty and dramatic period piece.
The black and white cinematography was a solid choice and lent itself to the story’s style itself. I felt truly immersed in the narrative the entire runtime. It strikes me as somewhat predictable that, of course, the famous author-screenwriter is a hellacious lush. Oldman finds an outstanding balance and hits all the necessary notes to round out the main character. I had no idea the hidden agendas behind all of the classic tale characters. Very well done!
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 