Romance – Page 6 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3”

By Brett_G on October 18, 2023October 16, 2023

7.4

One thing I can say about this trilogy is that they never fail on the feel good front. It was the perfect way to round out a triple feature at the cinema today after two heavier films.

The Portokalos’s never fail to restore one’s faith in love and family. This film may have changed locale, but the heart of the story is as strong as ever, building off of the strengths of the first two films. Of course there is a forbidden romance, a wedding, and a relationship blossoming in time to launch the possibility of a fourth installment. I wouldn’t be upset with that, and will be one of the first in line if and when they do.

“Spoonful of Sugar”

By Brett_G on October 12, 2023October 7, 2023

6.8

Part “Infinity Pool,” part “The Witch,” with a dash of “Mary Poppins”… I can comfortably say that I had no clue what was around the corner through 90% of this one.

The end credits were such a nice touch and pitch perfect note to end this one on. The characters were perfectly sinister, yet took their time unraveling as the story weaved its way to the credits rolling. One of the more psychologically twisted Shudder finds I’ve seen in a hot second.

Drama Romance Science Fiction

“The Pod Generation”

By Brett_G on October 2, 2023September 16, 2023

7.9

Are you afraid of the future?

Do you question the motives behind maternity processes?

Do I have the film for you! I myself do not have children, and I’d be fascinated to know the way it would change my perspective on this one. From gender to societal roles and implications, this film takes a deep dive into much broader territory than I was expecting. There’s so much going on, yet it feels perfectly natural and palatable as the story unfolds and our characters journey on into the unknowns of a changing relationship with themselves, each other, and the world around them. Here I thought I’d never get to use “nature vs. nurture” in one of these things, yet here we are. It’s a fitting distillation of this film’s core.

Comedy Drama Romance

“Barbie”

By Brett_G on July 22, 2023July 22, 2023

7.5

Yes, I completed the “Barbemheimer” opening night double feature. It was a truly wild ride.

Like “Oppenheimer,” this film also surprised me. The pendulum swings both ways, and actually finds much more common ground than I anticipated during the first five minutes of the runtime. The opening act essentially spells out that women working together and living in peace, empowering each other is… a fantasy land? The message of this movie depends on how deeply you dive into the narrative.

First and foremost, it’s a brilliant marketing move by Mattel. For a movie that lectures in multiple points about the evils of capitalism… it’s a cog in the machine, man.

The story does a great job of showing how both sides can overcorrect in the face of adversity, leading to an unnecessary breakdown in society, when things become disingenuous and performative… and actually lands on a high note of everyone growing as characters and a fairly positive outlook towards the future that I did not see coming.

Stylistically, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The set design is amazing, as expected, and everything is over the top. As with “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie” is also perfectly cast, and that cast is firing on all cylinders.

Action Blockbuster Documentary Romance

“Oppenheimer”

By Brett_G on July 22, 2023July 22, 2023

8.9

In one word – haunting.

It was everything and nothing I expected at the same time. After listening to the source material, “American Prometheus,” (which I highly recommend) every second of this three hour runtime had an amplified impact for me. The message, the nuance, the attention to detail. All incredible.

The film is perfectly cast, and everyone turns in a career best performance. No matter how small the part, everyone brought their A-game.

The beauty contained in each frame was awe inspiring. Of course, I saw this in IMAX, on film. It’s a true blessing to have Celebration! Cinema in your backyard here in West Michigan. For this, and many other reasons. The place was packed, and I don’t think most were ready for what they were about to experience. Nolan at the height of his powers, and everyone glued to the edge of their seat.

Strap in, and enjoy the complex tale of brilliance, guilt, politics, and scientific discovery. They went a lot of places I didn’t expect them to, and ended on a much more powerful note than I anticipated. Well worth the hype!