Romance – Page 8 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“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!

Comedy Rom-Com Romance

“No Hard Feelings”

By Brett_G on June 24, 2023June 24, 2023

8.1

This was definitely one of those “I can’t believe they made this” movies. I will also say that I don’t think it works with anyone else as the leads. It’s perfectly cast.

The story, the music, the surprisingly touching love story… all culminated to leave me flabbergasted by the time the credits rolled. I honestly did not see this movie being this good. Funny? Sure. But actually substantive? No way. But, here we are…

Definitely not a kid’s movie and probably not a great first date movie, but the couple I met in my showing thoroughly enjoyed it as a date night. Romantically raunchy… that’s what we’ll call it. And the piano accompaniment serenade of “Maneater” is *chef’s kiss*

Rom-Com Romance

“Love Again”

By Brett_G on June 15, 2023June 5, 2023

7.7

Turns out all of those unknown number calls and texts over the years could have been the love of my life… dammit! I knew it!

In all seriousness, this film is amazing. And not just because Celine Dion kills it. Intrigue, genuine chemistry, and a magnificent story takes this film from insane to incredible. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll think that woman you chatted with walking out of the theater could have been the one… Two thumbs up from Brett.

Comedy Rom-Com Romance

“Book Club: The Next Chapter”

By Brett_G on June 10, 2023June 5, 2023

7.2

A feel good sequel to one of my favorite Boomer Bait films of the 2010’s. And of course, they’re going global! You go to Italy, and you know you have to run into a long lost love. “Letters to Juliet” told us so. If I ever travel to Italy, I expect to run into the Italian foreign exchange student I had a wonderful time getting to know my junior year of high school. If not, my love of film has been all for naught!

Friendship and fun. That’s what you expect and it’s what you get a lot of from this film by the time the credits roll. A perfect match of expectations and execution.