Cinematic Sommelier
7.4
I may have over-hyped this one in my head a bit. It even got me to subscribe to Netflix for a month to watch it. (It’s one of the few streaming services I don’t have unless they suck me in with a release like this that I would have had to travel to CHICAGO to see)
It’s absolutely gorgeous, and Michael Fassbender is perfect in this role. But the the film itself was… surprisingly okay for me. It was solid, but not life-changing as some (including myself) had been expecting.
6.8
Hey, I get it. “The Godfather” film itself, let alone the trilogy, is a serious commitment.
A solid studio comedy leveraging the endless charm of Toni Collette and a strong script riffing on “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Eat, Pray, Love.”
9.1
A new favorite Christmas film for the yearly rotation!
This film envelopes you in a warmth that is palpable from beginning to end. I wanted to go see it a second time just to enjoy the ambiance for 2 more hours. Every single frame is steeped in unshakable charm. Each character is perfectly crafted to build and play off of each other, and get to the heart of matters of life and love that many others only dare to tiptoe around during their time on the screen. It’s a film of complicated people living for the unforeseen beauty in the complication of life. Similar to “Silver Linings Playbook” or “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” this film deserves every bit of critical praise and award season success it gets. From the cast, to the cinematography, to the soundtrack, this film fires on every cylinder and never lets up. I cannot recommend this one enough, and only wish it was more than a limited theatrical release that will hopefully gain traction and a possible re-release due to it’s success in home video release. As soon as I left the theater, I knew at least one of my top films of the year with this one.
7.6
Don’t let this inspire you to reach out to your ex. I had to hold strong, so… so do you! (Even if I get to hang out with the old friend I bicker with like an old married couple for the next couple of months)
The charm radiating from these two is infectious, and the story incredibly relatable. The premise of the film is so simple, yet so effective. I initially worried that it would be a bit dry, but I’ll admit I got a little misty-eyed by the time the credits rolled, even with the multiple fake out endings threatening to make me yell at the screen. It’s an “awe…” inducing rom-com that really packs a punch, and I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional roller coaster!
6.6
So… this one’s kind of dumb. I want to say “points for originality,” but it’s ripping off “Happy Death Day,” and 400 Christmas movies. It at least keeps the runtime tight, the kills bloody, and the hero’s relationship with her sidekick genuine and fulfilling. If you don’t expect too much, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I’m glad smaller films like this are getting a shot at the multiplex while the studios grapple with the fallout from the writers and actors strikes.
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 