Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Spontaneous”

By Brett_G on October 6, 2020

7.4

The strangest love story this side of “Warm Bodies,” this film is an explosive good time. Also, a great metaphor for how schools and the government are handling COVID, and the rebellious spirit of high schoolers caught in the middle of it trying to live their lives. Katherine Langford and Charlie Plummer rock it as leads and lovebirds. (Also highly recommend Plummer in “Words on Bathroom Walls.”) a pleasant surprise out of left field in the depths of the iTunes movie section. Gotta live life to the fullest before you spontaneously depart our dimension.

Any chance to rock out to The Hooter’s “And We Danced” is a win in my book.

Comedy

“Hot Tub Time Machine”

By Brett_G on October 5, 2020October 4, 2020

9.1

Review #200 incoming! Had to be one of the all time favorites. Subject of my Film Appreciation & History final essay I aced… “Hot Tub Time Machine!”

Homages to so many 80’s classics, John Cusack, a perfectly ridiculous plot. This film is cinematic lightning in a bottle. The lesson of “embrace the chaos” and “your future isn’t written yet, so make it a good one” a la “Back to the Future 3.” Time travel has a way of addressing much bigger issues under the veil of science fiction, similar to horror films. It’s why it’s always been one of my favorite genres. As sophomoric as the premise may seem, this film strikes a much deeper chord. So turn the bubbles on, enjoy the rockin’ retro soundtrack, and get ready for a legendary fourth wall break.

Also, thank you all for sticking around and reading these often off the wall ramblings of a guy who loves to watch and talk about movies.

Comedy

“Real Genius”

By Brett_G on October 5, 2020October 4, 2020

7.8

Ice man plays a child prodigy who gets exploited for his real genius by a professor and the government. They attempt to steal his space laser, and he turns it into a pretty hilarious prank. File this under the college hijinks category alongside “Back to School” and “Animal House.” Val Kilmer kills it as the tortured genius who just wants to have fun while he changes the world. A fun hour and a half of debauchery and lessons to not take life to seriously. Maybe a little more serious than the characters in the film, but not all the time.

Comedy

“One Crazy Summer”

By Brett_G on October 4, 2020October 4, 2020

7.4

John Cusack does John Cusack things. Demi Moore as an unexpected love interest. Evil rich brat trying to beat up on the nerdy kids. Prank wars. An annual regatta. This crazy cast of characters comes together to have one crazy summer. Another one of those light, fun, short and sweet summer comedies from the 80’s. They really never let you down.

Netflix Rom-Com

“Love, Guaranteed”

By Brett_G on October 4, 2020October 4, 2020

8.2

That’s awful ballsy… guaranteeing something as complex and unpredictable as love? Netflix is drunk on power. Fortunately, this is the genre they do best, so it turns out alright. Short and sweet enough to cause a toothache, you’ll want this on repeat like the Tiffany song that plays non-stop in Susan’s adorable car. The story is predictable as all get out, but you can’t help but get sucked in by how adorable it is. It’s an interesting twist, using a dating site as the macguffin to get these two broken hearts to come together under unlikely circumstances. Heather Graham is keeping it evil with this villain streak she’s had going on lately, but it works.

I will never not love Damon Wayans Jr., but Rachel Leigh Cook played off of him really well in this, and there’s a true chemistry that takes the story to a whole other level. From the meet-cute to the “oh hell no, she did not just snub him even though she knows she loves him” moment, this is just what the doctor ordered in the bubble gum entertainment market. I’m forever grateful an entertainment company picked up the baton and has continued the storied history of this genre.

Now, if I can only get this song out of my head…