Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Bitter Moon”

By Brett_G on April 23, 2023

7.8

^In essence, it’s a two hour reflection on the intricacies of the above chart. Polanski keeps to his niche of passionate oddity put to film. An immaculate introspection on the intensity of intimacy.

What could just be dismissed as an x-rated episode of “The Love Boat” has so much under the surface to explore for those willing. As erotic thrillers go, this has a much stronger delivery, in my opinion, than the likes of “Fatal Attraction” and “Eyes Wide Shut.” They all dance on the same floor, but this one is the definite belle of the ball. Perhaps it’s Polanski’s touch for the eccentric, added to by the fact that he ended up marrying Emmanuelle Seigner, who is electric in her performance as the minx muse Mimi. The heat of the passion shared between the main couple is only topped by the intensity of the revenge enacted in the final act.

The film spends the entire runtime ruminating on the razor’s edge of the results of such powerful passion… both the beauty and the dread. Only such a strong affection could lead to such affliction as this rose blossoms and then withers on the vine in the most violent of fashions.

Comedy Throwback

“The Secret of My Success”

By Brett_G on April 23, 2023April 23, 2023

7.1

A really charming comedy about corporate calamity. In the vein of “Office Space,” if you’ve ever worked hidden within the origami of an org chart, you’ll love this one.

Michael J. Fox brings his trademark charm, helping to lighten the mood of what could have been a much more questionable movie had it been anyone else. Between the personal and professional infidelity, there’s a lot of moral ambiguity going on. But with Marty McFly in the frame, there’s a lovable levity to it all.

Also a lesson to be gleaned… as Newman in “Seinfeld” once said, “when you control the mail, you control INFORMATION!”

Horror/Thriller

“Evil Dead Rise”

By Brett_G on April 22, 2023

7.9

Definitely one of the most gruesome movies I’ve seen in a LONG time. The lengths to which it goes to make the audience genuinely uncomfortable to their cores is commendable and impressive. It doesn’t let off the gas from the first frame to the very last. And the blood… blood EVERYWHERE!

The cast did a great job of establishing a rapport, despite the lack of time and scenes built for that explicit purpose, helping you to have someone to root for and a reason to care about the carnage.

The homages to the classics were a work of art. “The Shining,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and of course “Evil Dead,” to name a few. This film may be gruesome, but it is also gorgeous.

Not for children… or the faint of heart. Worth every second!

Horror/Thriller Indie

“Nefarious”

By Brett_G on April 18, 2023April 22, 2023

7.2

Thank (insert deity here) Christians finally figured out how to make good movies to deliver their messages. We’ve come a long way since the days of “God’s not Dead.” The key to delivering messages is in the delivery, and that comes down to making subjects palatable and subtextual, instead of attacking the audience with the subtlety of actually being thumped with a Bible.

Above all else, this was a really solid crime/horror thriller. The two main actors deliver powerhouse performances in what amounts to a one room play, with a few surrounding shots to support the narrative and round out the runtime. The Glenn Beck interview at the end was a bit unnecessary to drive the points home, but it’s understandable in the big picture. All in all, a solid addition to this year’s horror film lineup.

Moral of the story… probably not the best idea to straight up invite a demon into your soul. Just a thought from your friendly neighborhood movie reviewer.

Drama Indie

“Rare Objects”

By Brett_G on April 18, 2023

7.1

Kintsugi in film form. Broken people helping fellow broken people. The best of humanity on display.

Alan Cumming and Julia Mayorga kill it in their respective roles, while Katie Homes’s performance pushes it over the top. A study in grief, damage, recovery, and resilience. Wrapped in a wonderful sense of, well, wonder.