Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Book Smart”

By Brett_G on April 25, 2020April 18, 2020

6.4

The trailer looked hilarious, the premise was there, the jokes were there… Just couldn’t land the plane. This film seemed to suffer from friendly fire, as it would build hilarious moments that these raunchy coming of age movies are known for, and then kill the momentum with a lecture. There are strong female lead characters, and then there is whatever category these two fall into by the conclusion of the flick. The film would get you laughing, and then lecture you for laughing. Very strange clash of tones. Meh…

Comedy Horror/Thriller

‘Happy Death Day 2U”

By Brett_G on April 24, 2020April 24, 2020

9.0
Yes, you read that right… This one knocked it out of the park! I loved the first one, and this is a rare sequel that actually ups the game of the franchise. You’ll experience the full range of emotions, and be on the edge of your seat for the entire runtime. Very well done! BONUS: Jessica Rothe is 😍😍😍. That is all.

Netflix Rom-Com

“Always Be My Maybe”

By Brett_G on April 23, 2020April 18, 2020

7.6
Solid flick. Much like the trailer would lead you to believe, it’s your typical rom-com with some Asian stereotypes mixed in. While that may be true, there were many pleasant surprises sprinkled in this winning recipe. The surprise cameo was pretty amazing.
Anyone who has ever been stuck in a “will they/won’t they” situation will especially appreciate the story that unfolds, as the two leads really play perfectly off of each other. If you’re looking for some light fare this weekend, Netflix upholds its gold standard for feel-good rom-coms with this one.

Rom-Com

“Isn’t It Romantic”

By Brett_G on April 22, 2020April 18, 2020

8.6
Rebel Wilson > Amy Schumer. As a connoisseur of romantic comedies myself, I loved every minute of this movie. So much truth, so much humor. The perfect light, airy comedy of old. Plus, the Whitney Houston was ROCKIN’!

Horror/Thriller

“Ma”

By Brett_G on April 21, 2020April 18, 2020

6.9
Just as a viewing of the trailer suggests, this is a strange one. Then, once you reach the last half hour of the run time, you realize that even you’re already high expectations of weird aren’t adequate. Much like “Don’t Breathe,” this film will have you wincing at certain scenes due to their graphic nature, in between moments you’ll foresee miles away. It’s a very odd mix, but works in totality as it keeps you off your guard by mixing the two so effectively. If you’re like me, you’ll do a great deal of laughing. From genuine humor to such disturbing things that you will laugh in disbelief. All in all, a solid thriller with a refreshing premise.