Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
7.7
“Worrying’s like a rocking chair. Gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”
This around the millennium renaissance of National Lampoon cinematic universe films were one of the wave peaks in comedic cinema. This is one of the strongest contenders.
Offensive? Absolutely. Inappropriate? Wildly. Still somehow delivers a heartfelt message about life and love and finding meaning? You bet. And with an amazing underground pop-rock soundtrack to boot!
7.1
A really charming comedy about corporate calamity. In the vein of “Office Space,” if you’ve ever worked hidden within the origami of an org chart, you’ll love this one.
Michael J. Fox brings his trademark charm, helping to lighten the mood of what could have been a much more questionable movie had it been anyone else. Between the personal and professional infidelity, there’s a lot of moral ambiguity going on. But with Marty McFly in the frame, there’s a lovable levity to it all.
Also a lesson to be gleaned… as Newman in “Seinfeld” once said, “when you control the mail, you control INFORMATION!”
6.1
In the vein of “Mannequin,” but not nearly as good.
I had to use a clip in lieu of a trailer, because the trailer on YouTube contained an honest approximation of unnecessary topless women. Not that I’m necessarily complaining, but it started to take me out of the story and became comical after the first 30 minutes.
The genie, played by the incomparable Ami Dolenz, really carries the movie. She’s the emotional anchor, the comic relief… I wouldn’t doubt she even composed the score.
One of those “this is 3-4 layers deep on prime video and I’m looking for something off the wall, let’s give this a whirl” movies.
6.8
Seemed very “Fatal Attraction,” but the genre wasn’t quite as refined yet.
He’s just a gigolo, and everywhere he goes… apparently people are trying to frame him for murder. Luckily, he’s also close friends with some of his clients, and in the world of underground crimes, it’s all about who you know.
A solid crime thriller with way more Richard Gere than I ever expected to see. At least he tries to not look as guilty as Ben Affleck in “Gone Girl.” A for effort.
The soundtrack is also a BANGER!
7.1
Another recommendation of the “Video Archives” podcast with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary. Lived up to the hype. The show continues to be a staple in my weekly listening rotation and leads me down some interesting cinematic rabbit holes such as this. A welcomed reprieve from the predictability that can run rampant in todays cinematic releases from time to time.
It’s a very strange film, and takes a while to get going, but once it gets where it’s going… holy crap.
Content warning: not for the faint of heart and beware to those sensitive to sexual assault.
The relationship between the main couple is so tenuous that it takes a while for the viewer to gain their bearing with what’s really going on between the pair. There’s so much subtextual happening the entire runtime that it keeps you in a state of fight or flight from beginning to end. The only clue that comes full circle is the bear trap. You don’t keep a fully operational bear trap on your wall just because…
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 