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.
4.5
So… it’s pretty much all in the title on this one. Navigating a drought in new releases in theaters, I found this one in the indie film section in iTunes. As someone who has watched and loved Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room,” I’m here to tell you that this acting is just as bad, if not worse. Basically, everyone cheats on everyone, it’s all English dubbed like an old Godzilla movie. All around strange. Save yourself the hour and a half.
7.5
They officially outlasted Family Video! Haha
A heartwarming and fascinating documenting of the story of the little store that could. The family atmosphere and nostalgia this store projects even through the screen leaves no doubt as to why they’ve made it all this way, despite their lack of necessity in the new digital age. Not a need, but a want. A yearning for a moment back in time in the good old days of renting your favorite movie and snacks on a Friday night. Very well told and kudos to the family for keeping up the legend!
7.9
Brett’s Movie Reviews After Dark… (cue funky bass line)
You wouldn’t know it from the trailer, but this is not, in fact, an A24 horror flick.
Instead, it’s the film this Valentine’s day for the ladies out there who are getting ready to hit send on a social media post swearing off men. The two main characters hear you and raise you a steamy romance that scratches an itch neither of their husbands can collectively figure out how to, probably because one of them is sad Casey Affleck again. Who’s confidence is as flaccid as his… You get the picture. The other guy is just a straight-up abusive asshole. Neither have any redeeming qualities, so as a viewer, we see this coming a mile away.
I do have to say, the women have a great onscreen chemistry and dynamic that plays out in a way that seems very natural and unforced. In my continued flogging of the “Fifty Shades” franchise, Anastasia would have been better off in colonial America, apparently.
8.3
Tired of living in a society? Striving to find a significant other? Contemplating moving to a remote cabin to live out your days? Well, have I got the movie for you!
It’s actually a touching tale about an attempt to outrun grief, losing all hope, then having a connection with a fellow human to restore the life force within. You’ll go through the full spectrum with this one. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll facepalm at the absurdity… You’ll leave hopeful for humankind. Cinematography as beautiful as the story. Highly recommend.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 