Category: Suspense/Thriller

Documentary Drama Suspense/Thriller

“Argo”

By Brett_G on

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!

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Horror/Thriller Indie Suspense/Thriller

“Night Swim”

By Brett_G on

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!

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Drama Suspense/Thriller

“Saltburn”

By Brett_G on

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.

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Indie Suspense/Thriller

“How to Blow Up a Pipeline”

By Brett_G on

7.1

Maybe not the best laid plans, but a solid movie nonetheless.

Some of the film hit the notes I was worried about, some of it hit the high gear I was hoping it would. There are parts of the film that beat you over the head with the stereotypical college freshman taking on the world, blissfully unaware of the verbiage coming out of their mouth. Some of it hit the high gear of realizing that sometimes in the pursuit of a righteous goal, one becomes the very thing they seek to destroy. We then explore the irony of that for approximately 45 seconds. A brief glimmer of hope.

Technically, this film had me on the edge of my seat like I was re-watching “The Hurt Locker.” Something about watching someone handle explosives set to a score as tightly wound as the devices wiring was spell-binding. The story structure was also a nice creative choice that broke the tension and gave needed reprieve and backstory before diving back into a sweat session in the thick of the execution of the group’s plan. I can honestly say that the twist at the end caught me by pleasant surprise.

A solid, albeit odd film. I’m glad I finally got to see it on the big screen after months of it sitting in my Hulu watchlist.

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