Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
8.1
Proof that John Cusak is the key to the perfect movie.
This film lacks the magic of the first, but still manages to be hilarious throughout. They embrace the “over the top” formula for bringing back a part 2, and do it in style. “Terminator” car, “Back to the Future” alternate timeline mumbo jumbo… they pull out all the stops. It’s hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice, what can you say?
8.5
Similar to the transition between JAWS and JAWS 2, this film trims the nuance and goes straight for the jugular with straightforward action and creative kills. A continuation of “the night he came home.” A more simplified slasher flick than the comparable thinkpiece that was the original “Halloween.” A great film nonetheless. And really the last one of the original trilogy that made sense.
9.1
The directing, storytelling, and score are absolute horror perfection. The tracking shot in the beginning is a thing of cinematic beauty. The unstoppable force that is Michael Myers meets the immovable object that is Lorie Strode. So many firsts that would soon become staples in the genre. A masterclass in horror cinema.
8.9
Classic Spielberg.
The dynamics between the siblings, newly children of divorce. The soaring John Williams score. The perspective of the camera angles between filming the adults and filming the kids, much like JAWS, provides a subtext that really adds to the realism of the storytelling. The masterfully subtle, yet impactful touch of one of the all time great directors. Only Spielberg could make a creature like E.T. lovable.
7.9
Ari Gold selling cars. Supported by an all-star cast. Too many high profile comedy actors to count. A solid script that feels like it was lit on fire very early on to make way for “just roll the camera and let the improv fly.” Short, sweet, and to the point. Just like this movie.
And… since they play it to roll the credits, it gives me an excuse to play one of my favorite 38 Special songs. Rock on.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 