Drama – Page 32 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Pig”

By Brett_G on July 17, 2021July 17, 2021

8.1

I cried during the pig movie. I’ll admit it.

I’m also beginning to thing Nicholas Cage has a new rider in his contracts that he is to say no more than 15-20 words per film.

Also also, I unwittingly saw 3 chef-centric films last night. Did not see that one coming.

On the surface, think “John Wick.” But instead of a dog, a pig. Instead of Keanu Reeves, Nicholas Cage. There’s a sweet car, and a guy comes back from the dead to kick ass and take names.

Digging deeper, this film has a lot going on. There is a lot of wisdom woven into this script, from the meta-commentary on the nature of success and the intimacy of the culinary arts to the value of friendship. I did not expect the depth that begins to unfold in the third act but was left in awe of how impressed I was by the time the credits rolled.

Every Nic Cage movie, I’m reminded of this scene from “Community”…

“F9”

By Brett_G on July 11, 2021

7.7

Cards on the table – I would have preferred 2 hours of Tyreese and Ludacris in Space Pontiac Fiero, just making quips and being badass.

I’m only rating it this highly because I knew what I was getting when I went in. The fact that this monstrosity is making the film festival circuit has to be mentioned in the book of Revelations somewhere.

Get ready for narrative whiplash worse than the characters would suffer if they had to obey the laws of physics. Vin Diesel is yet again the only person on the planet still taking these things serious, and decides to take you on a trip to sadsville every time things start to get fun. To the academy: don’t give him an Oscar. Don’t encourage him.

It’s a great action film, and pure spectacle. The “turn off your brain and watch the cars go boom” we’ve all come to expect. Try to forget he’s making a 10th one and decided to piss away all of the goodwill regarding a certain situation from Fast 7. I’m still shaking my head thinking about the decision to greenlight the storyline in this one.

Fasten your seatbelts, and get ready for another 2.5 hour globe-trotting superspy action film. Or, you know, go watch “Tokyo Drift” or something.

Dom, what are doing? The dark side is no match for family meme - MemeZila.com

Drama Indie

“Zola”

By Brett_G on July 11, 2021

5.8

Not what I expected from A24. Or really from a stripper movie. This was dumber than “Showgirls,” and that’s saying something. I guess the lesson here is don’t ever base a movie script off a chain of tweet and reddit threads. I don’t even think they re-wrote and polished them. Just printed screenshots and ran with it.

Another valuable lesson – don’t go to Florida with a stripper you just met to go dance. Especially when she travels with a duo of… questionable men.

I’ll fully admit that I may have missed some deeper meaning here, but I also feel almost as resentfully confused as I was walking out of “Uncut Gems.” Also slightly offended? Let’s just say I have new frown lines and almost lost my voice yelling “WTF?!?” at the screen throughout the runtime. (Don’t worry, I was the only one in the theater)

Drama Throwback

“Almost Famous”

By Brett_G on June 14, 2021June 13, 2021

7.9

I’m going to be honest, Paul Stanley on twitter raving about this film brought me here. Kate Hudson and Phillip Seymour Hoffman at the height of their powers kept me glued to the screen the entire time.

Such an amazing coming of age story alongside a character study of the many sides of friendship, fame and fortune. It felt like “Everybody Wants Some” and “Dazed and Confused.” With a little bit of “Spinal Tap” and “Rock Star” mixed in. Any movie that takes a sidetrack to the infamous “riot house” in L.A. is going to be a good story to see. For me, it was the perfectly balanced cast that took things to another level. You have the unhinged nature of 90% of the characters, moored to wisdom and reality by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Frances McDormand. Oh, and the soundtrack is an absolute banger. Wall to wall classic rock hits.

Drama Indie

“Dream Horse”

By Brett_G on May 23, 2021May 23, 2021

7.6

I loved the sense of community that bled through the screen and into your heart while watching this one. The story was a bit cheesy at times, but the people were so damn relatable and likable, you couldn’t help but root for them and their horse. Get ready to cheer like a fool at a movie screen while watching the race scenes. After the past year, it’s great to see such an uplifting film that has a happy ending even more since it’s based on a true story.