Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
7.7
Instead of your typical Victorian/Colonial age film from A24 that makes your skin crawl, this one has robots!
Brilliant performances by all involved precisely weave a cautionary tale of AI gone awry. The age-old scientific inquiry, “we can, but should we?” Michael Crichton would be proud! Get ready to have your mind bent, then blown by this masterpiece of science… Fiction? (only because this feels all too real in the not so distant future)
6.5
Do you want to be really uncomfortable, then really angry, then really sad? Well, do I have the movie for you!
The beautiful backdrop of the Dakota’s serves as the setting for this menacing tale of family dynamics run amuck. Somewhere between “Taken” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” resides this film in Hollywood history. So many warning signs are ignored, and all pay a high price. The title sums it up pretty well. It all boils down to that simple request that turns out to not be so simple.
7.2
“If you want something done right, you oughta do it yourself.”
What he doesn’t mention is the Scarface-sized mountain of cocaine that led to this decision. God love him, Stephen does his best. Creates an… interesting film. Get ready to laugh, get kind of weirded out, and then laugh some more. Basically a less dreadful version of Terminator. The machines may come to life, but they only kill you if you’re an imbecile. Crank up the AC/DC, and enjoy the ride.
7.1
Well, the title isn’t lying. There is a thing, and it does some things. Great special effects. Great acting by all involved. The very sense of paranoia we’re all trying to escape nowadays, for two hours put to film. Insanity. Also, the most moist film this side of “Society.” When in doubt, kill it with fire!
7.6
Almost all the way through the Christopher Nolan cinematic universe. Pretty fitting this is coming out late at night, given the title.
No one does manic like Al Pacino. Walking that fine line between genius and insanity. And an absolute masterclass performance by Robin Williams… as a villain! He plays it straight, and it works. No goofball in this character, only sinister intent. Nolan really has a knack for casting to subvert expectations of us moviegoers. Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. My money is still on us finding out that all Christopher Nolan movies are connected in the end. We’ll have a “saw”-type flashback montage showing how they all connect. Book it.
This film, similar to “Memento,” is an integral stepping stone in a legendary director’s journey honing his craft. The storytelling, casting, and cinematography being further refined as the resume grows over time.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 