Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
7.8
They all like ‘em a little bad…
This movie is as hilarious as Kate Hudson is hot. The Dane Cook leading man trilogy was one hell of a time to be alive. There’s some timeless wisdom in this one, buried deep underneath the surface. Much like the hopeless romantic, buried deep beneath the abrasive exterior of Tank.
7.3
It’s all fun and games until your car ends up in a lake and some yoga instructors trying to host private lessons with your wife.
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Anniston at the height of their powers, leading a fantastic supporting cast in creating comedic gold in this one. Everyone plays their part perfectly and the story is just the right amount of strange. I found it hilarious, yet totally believable in a weird way.
7.4
I was a little worried in the first act with this one. They heavily overplay their shtick of “divorced couple who hates each other.” However, they pull out of the tailspin just in time to recover and make this a really sweet love story mirroring another love story, set inside a family drama-comedy. Similar to “Couples Retreat,” this film uses the tropical locale and all-star cast to its advantage, but doesn’t make it feel like cheating.
Julia Roberts and George Clooney end up having a great chemistry, and Clooney turns the charm up to 11. Nothing short of expectations there. Partially a “turn your brain off and enjoy the cheese factor” movie, but a great popcorn flick.
7.8
“You gotta sleep in the middle of the bed. No sense in having a side when there’s no one else to have a side.”
Sage advice from Diane Keaton in this romantic comedy masterpiece. I had often known of this film, but was promoted to give it a shot thanks to an Instagram story. Glad I was bored with another movie and scrolling Instagram.
This one really caught me by surprise and joined the upper echelon of romantic comedies for me. Jack Nicholson shines across from the incomparable Diane Keaton. Bother the cast and storyline fire on all cylinders to bring both laughter and heartfelt storytelling to life. A perfect balance, and a great film!
8.2
Shout-out to a Twitter mutual for this recommendation! She must have known I have a soft spot for “type A meets an endearing, yet maddening type B, and they learn balance from each other while hurtling towards a happily ever after” films.
John Cusack at the height of his charm and powers. Daphne Zuniga playing the perfect better half that is charmed just enough by his shenanigans that she overlooks the annoyance while an unlikely bond forms. Thank your deity of choice she didn’t fall for the total square. Walter’s heeding of John Keating’s advice from “Dead Poet’s Society” pays off in the end… Carpe diem, indeed!
The advice, delivered as only the legendary Robin Williams could: “Language was invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do.”
Well worth hunting down a DVD copy on Amazon!
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 