Category: Throwback

Horror/Thriller Throwback

“I Spit on Your Grave” (1978)

By Brett_G on

7.4

You know the violence and gruesome revenge that “Promising Young Woman” was missing? I found it, and then some. In the vein of the hyperviolence of 1970s slashers like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” this film gets… uncomfortable at times with how far it’s willing to push the envelope. If you have a weak stomach, this is definitely one to avoid. Also, a trigger warning to those sensitive to violent sexual encounters. As mentioned before, like in “Promising Young Woman,” our main character Jennifer has all the justification in the world to leave these men mangled by the time the credits roll.

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Action Blockbuster Throwback

“Anaconda”

By Brett_G on

6.2

Seeing as J Lo is making a comeback this week… “Anaconda.”

Were they really trying to riff on “Apocalypse Now?” Hahahahahahaha

If you’re looking for a ridiculous creature feature from the late 1990’s ripping off a horror classic, go watch “Deep Blue Sea.”

Honestly, almost everything was a miss for me on this one. The cast, the plot, the execution. It worked well as a comedy, but I don’t think that’s what anyone was aiming for.

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Drama Throwback

“Almost Famous”

By Brett_G on

7.9

I’m going to be honest, Paul Stanley on twitter raving about this film brought me here. Kate Hudson and Phillip Seymour Hoffman at the height of their powers kept me glued to the screen the entire time.

Such an amazing coming of age story alongside a character study of the many sides of friendship, fame and fortune. It felt like “Everybody Wants Some” and “Dazed and Confused.” With a little bit of “Spinal Tap” and “Rock Star” mixed in. Any movie that takes a sidetrack to the infamous “riot house” in L.A. is going to be a good story to see. For me, it was the perfectly balanced cast that took things to another level. You have the unhinged nature of 90% of the characters, moored to wisdom and reality by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Frances McDormand. Oh, and the soundtrack is an absolute banger. Wall to wall classic rock hits.

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Comedy Throwback

“The Toy”

By Brett_G on

7.2

What starts out as highly problematic actually sticks the landing as a hilarious, heartfelt tale of friendship and personal growth. Jackie Gleason and Richard Pryor at the height of their powers. Pryor and Scott Schwartz have great chemistry together on screen as they melt the cold heart of Master Bates’s “throw money at the problem” father. This really shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it knocks it out of the park and is one of the great hidden gems of the ’80s on this page. “I’m going to hell for laughing at this” humor at its finest.

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Rom-Com Throwback

“Something Borrowed”

By Brett_G on

4.5

As a romantic comedy connoisseur, I really hate to do this, but here we go…

This movie is asinine. (I contemplated a f**k filled review, but then Facebook doesn’t like me)

Why did Dex ever get with Darcy in the first place? Why did Rachel stay friends with Darcy after she hijacked a first date and stole Dax? Why did Dax never ask questions? Why is anyone friends with Darcy? How are Rachel and Dax successful as lawyers? They fold like cheap lawn chairs under the slightest pressure. How in the hell does Rachel actually take Dax back after everything? How was THAT a happily ever after? This movie just pissed me off for the entire runtime. But I trudged through it, so you might not have to.

John Krasinski is the only redeeming character here. And the movie takes great pleasure in narratively kicking him in the testicles at every turn. These 2 hours were more painful than watching him wait years for Pam.

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