Science Fiction – Page 3 – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Suitable Flesh”

By Brett_G on February 6, 2024February 6, 2024

6.9

I was bummed to have missed this one in theaters. Thank God for Shudder!

Somewhere between “Freaky Friday” and “It Follows” sits this film. In the wise words of the Sex Ed/P.E. teacher in the original “Mean Girls,” “Don’t have sex, or you will get pregnant and you will die.” Turns out to be partially true. But I mean, it is Heather Graham, so can we blame the demon? Well above “suitable.” Speaking of whom, you could tell that she reveled in this role, going all-in on the crazy and embracing the scenery chewing Elizabeth Derby when she has her Mrs. Hyde moments in the spotlight. As with anything H.P. Lovecraft, get ready to get weird, sit back, and enjoy!

Action Blockbuster Science Fiction

“I.S.S.”

By Brett_G on February 3, 2024February 3, 2024

6.1

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first bomb of the year!

What could have been an interesting plot is sufficiently squandered by the time the credits roll. We didn’t need this movie. Let alone the tired Russia vs. U.S. plot. The sad state of space CGI. Mediocre execution. Maybe it’s just that “Interstellar” set too high of a bar, and movies since are just struggling to catch up?

Nothing against the cast. They tried. There was just nothing to work with here. The only bright spot was that it was on an hour and a half of my life I can’t get back.

Horror/Thriller Science Fiction

“Five Nights at Freddy’s”

By Brett_G on October 30, 2023October 30, 2023

7.1

I didn’t expect this much Freddy Krueger in my Freddy Fazbear.

The PG-13 rating only really took away from the gore factor with this one. The kills and the tension were still there. The story was stronger and had more depth to it than I expected. Even more-so if you’re a fan of the video games, as the gentlemen behind me were. It drops a lot of Easter eggs and deepens a great deal of the lore behind the (even more) twisted version of Chuck E Cheese.

A perfect cast and a strong story made for a strong outing by Blumhouse. Unlike the recent “Exorcist” reboot attempt, I found this one much more within their wheelhouse. With the perfect song choice. 🤌🏻

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 Science Fiction

“Asteroid City”

By Brett_G on June 24, 2023June 24, 2023

7.9

One word – bizarre.

That being said, it’s Wes Anderson at the height of his powers. The aesthetic is awe-inspiring, and the alien invasion amusing. The typical cast of this time different characters unveil a narrative that had the packed theater both tilting our heads in confusion and tossing them back in laughter in unison. A really enjoyable opening night experience at the theater.