Indie – Page 10 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Lovely, Dark, and Deep”

By Brett_G on March 31, 2024March 23, 2024

7.2

Just like my love life *rim shot*

All jokes aside, this movie is terrifying. The beauty of nature intertwined with the real-life creepiness of disappearances in the national parks woven into an intricate web of interdimensional intrigue the likes of which I haven’t seen pulled off in a hot second. I can honestly say that this one kept me guessing until the very end, and bravely left me hanging with a gut punch of an ending that is unlike most Hollywood fare of late. The darkness doesn’t just help you see the stars better…

Drama Indie

“Perfect Days”

By Brett_G on March 30, 2024March 30, 2024

7.4

I never thought I could feel so comforted by a film… Watching this man clean public toilets, read paperback novels, and take pictures of trees was the most calming presence imaginable for two hours. An incredibly powerful portrayal of the beauty of simplicity and the calm found in routine. This is a tough one to put into words. I found the initial explanation of Komorebi to be the best, tying everything together as “soothing sunlight through trees.” This was soothing light on a screen.

Komorebi (木漏れ日): Sunshine filtering through the trees.

Comedy Indie

“Drive Away Dolls”

By Brett_G on March 27, 2024March 26, 2024

7.2

You know, come to think of it, this is a better version of “Love Lies Bleeding” but without the bodybuilding. I finally figured out the connection!

A fun road trip caper with unlikely… heroes(?) At least we finally get the answer to the age old question “what’s in the box?!?” and it does not disappoint.

Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan “Thelma & Louise” it with just enough twists along the way to keep it fresh and just a tad nostalgic. They may not pick up a Brad Pitt lookalike hitchhiker, but they do stumble upon a softball team that pinch hits in his place as a temporary love interest for our dynamic duo as Jamie slowly but surely gets Marian’s nose out of her book and headfirst into… adventure.

Indie Suspense/Thriller

“Love Lies Bleeding”

By Brett_G on March 26, 2024March 23, 2024

5.8

I still can’t tell you exactly what the point of all this was. There’s gun running, body building, she hulk, and… Dave Franco. That’s all I got. It was a strange one, which I knew going in since it’s from A24, but I expected a little bit more by the time the credits rolled.

Drama Indie

“How to Have Sex”

By Brett_G on February 16, 2024February 16, 2024

4.5

Hint – this ain’t it. The “50 Shades” trilogy is a better example. I never thought I’d say that.

I was going to make a joke to start this one, but after trudging my way through, I couldn’t muster comic relief. Maybe they were going for “pain is the purpose,” but leave that to the “Promising Young Woman”’s of the world. AND WHY IS EVERYONE SMOKING IN EVERY SCENE?!?!?

The bright side – it was only an hour and a half of my life I can’t get back.