Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
5.8
I still can’t tell you exactly what the point of all this was. There’s gun running, body building, she hulk, and… Dave Franco. That’s all I got. It was a strange one, which I knew going in since it’s from A24, but I expected a little bit more by the time the credits rolled.
8.8
I’ll admit – I slept on this one too long.
With the tension building of “Sicario” interwoven with a plot akin to “American Hustle,” this film establishes itself as one of the best of the historical drama boom of the 2010’s.
The razor sharp script, masterful directing, and perfect cast really took this to the next level. Even the supporting case is a who’s who of the industry who turn in a-list performances. And the soundtrack… chefs kiss.
It’s no surprise it won so much praise back in the day. Not only is it a fantastic film with a powerful plot, but it’s a movie about Hollywood as well, which is always the secret ingredient to becoming an awards season darling. The best of Affleck on full display!
7.9
What a way to kick off the theatrical releases for the year!
If this is a sign of things to come, 2024 is going to be an amazing year for horror films.
For all the folks who put in a pool because they never felt it safe to go back in the water after the events of “JAWS,” I have some bad news for you. It’s also not safe in your pool. Especially when it’s spring fed. Magic pools always have a catch. Look no further than “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
The story, the execution of the scares, and THE SOUNDTRACK… everything here brings its a-game until the credits roll. With every twist and turn, you’re drawn further and further into the depths of this one. There was a wonderful charm of originality with this one that I deeply appreciated. The wholesomeness of the family and America’s pastime (baseball) as a central theme made the turn into darkness all the more striking. A home run to start the year for Blumhouse!
5.8
Umm… I’m at a loss. I’ve seen some sick and twisted things on the silver screen, but typically there is a general direction or purpose to the chaos. Not here. You’ll want to burn the thing to the ground and salt the earth so it can’t come back after this one. If there was a deeper meaning here, they lost me at drinking bath water and necrophilia. A bridge too far in my book. Even as “shock and awe” filmmaking, it didn’t stick the landing for me.
6.5
The first half hour of this had so much promise. The role so perfect for Nicholas Cage…
Then, it crashes and burns. Leaving originality to succumb to mediocrity and in the end lands on being quite bland and predictable. Sad, really. To see such a great premise wasted.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 