Horror/Thriller Science Fiction Shudder

“Suitable Flesh”

By Brett_G on

6.9

I was bummed to have missed this one in theaters. Thank God for Shudder!

Somewhere between “Freaky Friday” and “It Follows” sits this film. In the wise words of the Sex Ed/P.E. teacher in the original “Mean Girls,” “Don’t have sex, or you will get pregnant and you will die.” Turns out to be partially true. But I mean, it is Heather Graham, so can we blame the demon? Well above “suitable.” Speaking of whom, you could tell that she reveled in this role, going all-in on the crazy and embracing the scenery chewing Elizabeth Derby when she has her Mrs. Hyde moments in the spotlight. As with anything H.P. Lovecraft, get ready to get weird, sit back, and enjoy!

No comments
Comedy

“Mean Girls”

By Brett_G on

7.1

A movie… based on a broadway play… based on a movie. What can go wrong? I’m pretty sure this is the definition of “snake eating its own tail.”

If you enjoyed the original and don’t mind some surprisingly well-fitting musical numbers (it is a musical in disguise), you’ll like this one. After HBO’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” I’ll watch anything with Renee Rap in it. She’s joining Anna Kendrick in that hallowed territory. And she kills it as Regina George. That being said, Angourie Rice, Avantika Vandanapu, and Bebe Wood all fill the big shoes they were left by the original cast. Is it as “lightning in a bottle” as the original? No. But it does a great job of honoring the original while updating a few things along the way enough to make it feel fresh. Maybe in the third installment, “fetch” will finally happen…

2 comments
Comedy Drama Indie

“Scrambled”

By Brett_G on

7.7

An eggcelent film.

Reminiscent of “The Pod Generation” from last year, this one delves into the complicated, beautiful, messy dynamics of reproductive health in modern society. Leah McKendrick absolutely kills it here. Her performance, especially a tender moment in the third act alongside Vee Kumari had me on the edge of my seat and bought in from the first frame. Never have I ever expected myself to actually laugh out loud during a scene set in a miscarriage support group, but here we are… only to mere minutes later be inspired and a little misty eyed by the ensuing speech. Movie didn’t play it safe, and I appreciated that. The exploration of this territory with the necessary nuance and levity to counter the natural weight has been a renaissance of sorts.

No comments
Action Blockbuster Science Fiction

“I.S.S.”

By Brett_G on

6.1

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first bomb of the year!

What could have been an interesting plot is sufficiently squandered by the time the credits roll. We didn’t need this movie. Let alone the tired Russia vs. U.S. plot. The sad state of space CGI. Mediocre execution. Maybe it’s just that “Interstellar” set too high of a bar, and movies since are just struggling to catch up?

Nothing against the cast. They tried. There was just nothing to work with here. The only bright spot was that it was on an hour and a half of my life I can’t get back.

No comments
Amazon Prime Documentary

“Kelce”

By Brett_G on

7.7

“I think the best thing that a human being can give another human being is belief.”

Thought I’d learn more of the backstory of the cohost of the New Heights podcast. Taylor Swift’s future in-laws are one hell of a crew.

The perspective of Jason’s daughters after a Super Bowl loss was priceless. Kylie Kelce is an absolute badass. So many touching scenes. A great watch.

No comments