Category: Indie

Comedy Drama Indie

“Kinds of Kindness”

By Brett_G on

7.2

I expected weird, and weird I received.

What turned out to be the same ensemble telling 3 loosely related tales of psychologically disorienting oddity plays out over almost 3 hours of runtime. Each seemingly stranger than the next. I’m still not sure how to adequately put into words what this one entails without giving away the element of surprise, which is this movie’s biggest pocket ace. Definitely don’t watch with children or if you have a weak stomach… Shit gets weird, and it keeps getting weirder…

No comments
Indie Suspense/Thriller

“The Last Stop in Yuma”

By Brett_G on

7.5

In the wise words of Karl from “Sling Blade”… “it ain’t got no gas in it.” The gas station may not have any gas, but the diner has rhubarb pie!

Somewhere between “Bad Times at the El Royale,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “The Hateful Eight”… (it was recommended as a comp to The Hateful Eight)

A fun whodunnit of sorts, that unfurls in an increasingly wacky manner as the runtime progresses. Really keeps you on your toes. I got a little worried about the third act, given our bridge into it (trying not to spoil the surprises)… but I’ll be damned if they didn’t stick the landing with 2 of the best needle drops I’ve heard in a long while. Both made me laugh at likely inappropriate, but intentional situations. A fun sleeper hit!

No comments
Indie Suspense/Thriller

“I Saw The TV Glow”

By Brett_G on

6.8

File this alongside “Broadcast Signal Intrusion” and “Censor” in the “what the f**k did I just watch?!?” section of my mind… But the third best of those three. There was a lot of potential left on the table here, but also may have been some breadcrumbs left unnoticed by yours truly. There was a lot to take in in the short runtime here. I applaud the originality and production quality of the “Stranger Things” – esque trip down repressed memory lane here. The imagery and soundtrack are second to none. This is what A24 does best.

No comments
Documentary Drama Indie Romance

“Love & Mercy”

By Brett_G on

8.6

Alongside “Chef,” this is one of my all-time favorite indie finds on the silver screen. Paul Dano and John Cusack hold down the forts at either end of the Brian Wilson timeline as one of the most legendary figures in rock/pop music takes on a whole new depth. A fascinating tale of love, loss, and the toll that riding the razors edge between genius and instantly takes on a person and the loved ones around them.

The soundtrack is of course legendary. The love story is oddly adorable. The bar for all other biopics was set at a level that few, if any have since reached. There’s not a weak link in the cast or a wasted frame of film.

I suggest a pairing with the documentary “The Wrecking Crew.”

No comments
Drama Foreign Indie

“La Chimera”

By Brett_G on

6.1

So… a grave robber love story? Kind of wrapped in a comedy of sorts. A very odd mix at every turn.

Some beautiful shots and an interesting premise to take a crack at it. Just really hard to get over the strange factor and get into the possible horror of being connected to the land of the dead through their former belongings.

No comments