Rom-Com – Page 10 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“I Want You Back”

By Brett_G on February 22, 2022February 21, 2022

7.8

Oh my god! They fell in love WITH EACH OTHER after trying to force their failed relationships?!?!? NO WAY!!!

Cynicism aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Not only because I loved the cast, but because it was a well-told story with heart. Heartful people committing heartless acts with good intentions. That tension leads to some great chemistry and humor. Prime Video gunning for Netflix’s domination of the romantic comedy genre with this one.

I think we’ve all been there and can all see where and how this one ends, but it’s still a fun ride. Unless you’re currently in the “I’m going to win them back” stage of a breakup. In which case, I feel for you. (Not that I’ve ever done it *wink*) You will get through this and be able to laugh at the complete ass you are about to make of yourself. It’s all in the name of character growth. The key is to buy chocolate or ice cream you can later eat yourself to drown the humiliation. Then you can watch this movie and laugh instead of cry.

Rom-Com Throwback

“The Break-Up”

By Brett_G on January 27, 2022January 18, 2022

6.2

To be honest, a Tik Tok of the “She’s been through a lot” scene brought me to watch this movie. Honestly, that was one of the few bright spots in what ends up being a pretty… blah film.

Credit to Vince Vaughn for making a career on the exact same character, movie after movie. It’s the eighth wonder of the world.

I think the a-ha moment in this one is that men and women communicate differently and sometimes want different things out of life and relationships. Without communication, it all falls apart. Nothing a little manipulation can’t make much, much worse.

Netflix Rom-Com

“Love Hard”

By Brett_G on January 7, 2022January 4, 2022

7.9

I think the lesson here is that people are shallow? But they also have heart when you emotionally kidnap them and break down their hard outer shell, and can learn their lesson and become fully functional humans after severe personal trauma.

The good old Netflix rom-com. You know you’re in for a solid hour and a half of heart and laughs. Not too deep, not too sweet, not too serious. Just right. In the end, I’m just glad to see that Jian Yang from “Silicon Valley” found love after shutting down his tech talent incubator in California and moving back in with his parents. (Really inside joke, I apologize)

Netflix Rom-Com

“The Kissing Booth 3”

By Brett_G on October 25, 2021October 22, 2021

6.5

*steps onto soapbox*

My contempt for the second installment finally killed it. It completely murdered my love for this adorkable series. So much unnecessary drama, such an unoriginal story, such an out-of-date soundtrack, such poor decision-making on the part of Elle. They seriously try to retcon Noah as not being a complete asshole and worth choosing over Marco?!?! What the hell, Elle? You know what? I’m happy for Marco. He’s finally free of this stupidity. Go live your life, my man. Don’t you dare look back. These 3 (4 if you count Rachel) deserve each other’s misery. My lord… so much cringe. Burn the beach house down and salt the earth on which it stood. Sprinkle it with holy water. Please leave this as a trilogy. Instead of capturing lightning in a bottle, this series is like being struck by lightning three times in the same spot. I had to finish it, but my ride along the sunset coast ended with me pulling a Thelma and Louise into the Pacific to free myself from this crew as the credits began to roll.

Rom-Com

“The Sweetest Thing”

By Brett_G on July 26, 2021July 25, 2021

6.9

Hey! It’s the guy from “Hung” on HBO! In a movie about as worthy of a parental warning as “Hung.”

I love Cameron Diaz, so this was going to be a winner in my book. The classic “someone with a guarded heart meets their kryptonite” love story with a fun road trip movie mixed in for good measure. The film did get a little in the weeds when it tried to be a musical a couple of times but got back on track to check all of the classic rom-com boxes by the time the credits rolled. The title is spot-on. This film is all frosting and will satisfy your sweet tooth.

The whole thing emits a strong sense of disarming charm. It’s a wonderful, “turn your brain off and watch the unlikely couple fall in love” film.