Uncategorized – Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

2022 Wrap

By Brett_G on December 31, 2022December 31, 2022

A much better variety this year than I had expected or remembered when going back through the archives to compile this list. I’m loving the trend of new studios emerging with diverse content that isn’t necessarily continuation of tentpole franchises. I feel like we’re emerging from that era into a new frontier of cinema once again where “new” and “different” is the name of the game. We are due for this every 20 years or so phenomenon to occur.

Without further adieu, my top 12 movies of this year… cheers to what looks to be a great 2023!

Top Gun: Maverick

Violent Night

The Fableman’s

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

Terrifier 2

Smile

Barbarian

The Menu

Avatar: The Way of Water

The Banshees of Inisherin

Uncategorized

“Gringo: The Dangerous Life of Pat McAfee”

By Brett_G on April 25, 2022April 24, 2022

6.7

He protected our computers from viruses for decades but couldn’t save his own mind from slipping into madness. As stated in the trailer, I was reminded of Colonel Kurtz from “Apocalypse Now.” A man descending into madness and taking the locals with him on the journey. Only to have it all come crashing down in the end, in a blaze of glory.

Uncategorized

“West Michigan”

By Brett_G on April 14, 2021

5.5

Beautiful shots of Northern Michigan, and a healthy message of seeking help if you are struggling with depression.

Movie wise? Meh.

Action Blockbuster Uncategorized

“Nobody”

By Brett_G on March 28, 2021

8.5

Turns out Saul Goodman never needed Mike to be his enforcer after all. Also turns out that Doc Brown was sandbagging it when he was taken out by Libyan terrorists in the parking lot of the Twin Pines mall that fateful night in 1985.

Everything about this film is beautiful—the soundtrack, the stunt choreography, the script… all well refined and expertly executed. A tight hour and a half runtime keeps this film from getting bogged down by unnecessary plotlines or extraneous scenes. Of course, it’s the Russians causing a ruckus. Of course, he’s going to go full John Wick, kick-ass, and take names. However, this movie does what I love to call subtle exposition better than most action flicks I’ve seen of late. The backstory isn’t just dumped on the audience but slowly exposed throughout the film without you even knowing it’s happening as a member of the audience.

Extremely well done. Well worth a watch!

Documentary HBO Uncategorized

“McMillions”

By Brett_G on March 26, 2020March 22, 2020

8.7

Wow… between this and “Chernobyl”… HBO’s docuseries are knocking it out of the park! The characters and story here are the stuff Hollywood only dreams about. Agent Matthews steals the show, though. He was born to break this case. You’ll spend six episodes on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next twist and turn to this epic tale of deceit. You’ll also never look at McDonalds or Monopoly the same way ever again.