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.

No comments
Horror/Thriller Indie

“Inside”

By Brett_G on

7.5

WHAT DID I JUST WATCH?!?!

^Me through most of this movie.

Solid recommendation on this one! A super-tight claustrophobic thriller that kept up its believability and tension the entire runtime. Where most will stumble with minor details, this film doesn’t lose itself in becoming too crazy or too over the top. Similar to “The Strangers,” it invades your safe space and leaves you deeply disturbed despite the momentary victorious comfort at the close of the finale. The crime statistics at the beginning of the film perfectly set the tone for what’s to come. (It’s insane that this is a thing.) Well written, well acted, well put together. Well worth an hour and a half.

No comments
Comedy

“Queen Bees”

By Brett_G on

7.7

This one was kind of amazing… I was expecting funny, but it far exceeded my expectations!

Be it my appreciation that it brought Dementia/Alzheimer’s into the limelight or the fact that this cast was fantastic, and it knocks it out of the park for a tight hour and a half. Better than expected laughs with just as much heart balancing it all out, some moments hitting a little close to home for someone who used to work in a nursing home, bringing back all the right nostalgia. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) continues his recent renaissance. Helen Wilson shines as the leading lady. They seem to crank out at least one of these comedies a year, but this one was up there with “Book Club” on the level of wildly out-kicking its coverage. A feel-good movie when we need some real feel-good movies to welcome us all back to theaters.

No comments
Horror/Thriller Indie

“Censor”

By Brett_G on

8.7

“Horror is already out there, in all of us.”

File this one alongside “Midsommar,” “It Follows,” and “Hereditary.” The originality and intelligence on display here are off the charts!

From the score to the cinematography, everything is as razor-sharp and as detail-oriented as Enid’s discretion as a member of the British Film Ratings Board. There are so many clues in the dialogue and scenes that this shouldn’t have caught me by surprise as strongly as it did, but nonetheless, I was left in a daze by the finale. This is not your traditional slasher-thriller, though it might play off of many of the same tropes and allegories.

This film perfectly encapsulates what I love most about the genre. Great films help us contextualize and process things in our world that we may have difficulty approaching traditionally. The irony in Enid being a film rating specialist who becomes numb to the violence she witnesses and suppresses, similar to the trauma in her real-life being her downfall, was superb. The very thing she is trying to save others from becomes the thing she can’t keep herself from. As I said earlier, there are many verbal and visual clues along the way in this film that come full circle. Some even in the trailer. My jaw still dropped multiple times.

Processing of disbelief aside, I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for something out of the ordinary and thought provoking. It’s not the scariest, it’s not the bloodiest, but it is so perfectly crafted that you can’t help but appreciate the art at its highest form on the silver screen.

No comments
Blockbuster Horror/Thriller

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It”

By Brett_G on

8.9

Upfront, I’m a sucker for this franchise. Spinoffs and all.

The anchor of this film and one of the best parts of the tentpole films in The Conjuring universe is the relationship between Ed and Lorraine Warren. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are perfect together. The investment in these two characters takes these films to another level and keeps them above the typical studio horror film status. This film dives much deeper into the chemistry between the dynamic duo and a bit more of their backstory, as they are both tested in ways they haven’t been before. Vera, especially, shines as she takes the lead in this film after Patrick’s character is somewhat sidelined in this round.

Story-wise, it’s pretty straightforward. More of a detective story and a much broader scope than the other two prominent films in the franchise. The cinematography is again off the charts. The camera work is perfectly executed to give the audience all they need, framed just the way it needs to be, and timed for maximum impact. Even when the film leans on topes, they’re so well done that you won’t care.

I get a little worried every time they add to this cinematic universe, and each time my fears have been alleviated by the finished product. The balance is always there with just enough new set upon a foundation of familiarity, with strong enough characters that we follow them to hell and back. Extremely well done. Highly recommend.

No comments