Cinematic Sommelier
8.3
A little on the nose to be coming from Amazon. A company developed virtual reality that your consciousness is uploaded into after death? And it turns out that the parent tech company is evil? Little close to home, don’t you think?
The show itself was a pleasant surprise. Very well done! The cast have a great chemistry, the jokes all land without feeling like stale VR jokes. The love story develops naturally. And the scenery is gorgeous.
8.2
The infamous tale of the rise and fall of Dirk Diggler. From the heights of the adult film industry to the lows of unspeakable acts in the shopping center parking lot… a tale as old as time. More legendary Hollywood stars than any Oceans film, and a rocking soundtrack, this classic film really fires on all cylinders… unlike Dirk’s Little Dirk after he develops a drug problem and goes off the rails. Lace up your roller skates, and get ready for a wild 2 hour ride…
7.1
Cult? Scientists? Hippies? All three?
The storied tale of the strange architectural marvel in the middle of the Arizona desert and the people who inhabited it as human subjects in a grand experiment are on full display here. Jumpsuits and all. From their beginnings in shipbuilding, to traveling the world to use their talents amassing a small fortune and trying to save the planet, the team’s individual journeys all led them to the same bio-dome. Fascinating to see not only the ecological but also psychological effects of the experiment. Did not expect the Steve Bannon cameo at the end, no matter how on-brand it was in the nature of his involvement.
Similar in excitement level and educational value to the EPCOT attraction.
6.7
Female version of “The Big Short?” Perhaps a hybrid between “Magic Mike” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” J-Lo steals the show, as predicted. Film itself I felt could have been about 20 minutes shorter. Felt like it wandered a bit in the transition from second to third act. Overall, a solid addition to the cinematic stripper-verse, and not as bad as “Showgirls.”
6.7
Like, a totally rad movie. One of Nicholas Cage’s first (and best) roles of his career. Just enough lunacy to fit the character who’s a bit of an outsider, who gets the girl in the end. Amazing 80’s soundtrack. Hanging out at the mall. Neon color galore. Very 80’s. Somewhat of a John Hughes type love story, checking all of the character and storyline boxes as it moves along.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 