Apple Tv+ Documentary Drama

“Five Days at Memorial”

By Brett_G on

8.3

… because any longer, and there’d be no one left with the stomach to survive watching this heart-wrenching tale.

Based on the events at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during and immediately following Hurricane Katrina, follow along on one of the move visceral deep dives into clinical ethics I can think of ever seeing put to film. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

Perfectly cast, each character brings their all, but also doesn’t overshadow anyone else. There’s a nice balance to everything as we all dive into the darkness together. Unfathomable decisions stemming from an unthinkable scenario playing out. Unprecedented times leading to unprecedented decisions and actions. The best and worst of humanity on full display.

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Action Suspense/Thriller

“Hardcore”

By Brett_G on

6.4

Courtesy of Quentin Tarantino’s “Cinema Speculation,” which I highly recommend… one of a handful of oddballs you’ll see here on the feed in the next month or so.

A classic revenge thriller. “Taken” before the genre was run into the ground in the 2010s… back when it was run into the ground in the 1970s.

Man from Grand Rapids sends his religious daughter to LA on a youth group trip. Girl gets into porn. Man goes on the hunt for retribution against the man/men/women who contributed to her corruption.

I’ll also save you time – the reason you know the private investigator is because he’s Ray’s dad from “Everybody Love’s Raymond.” Apparently he’s never had hair.

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Action Blockbuster Science Fiction

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

By Brett_G on

8.5

If you enjoyed the first one, you’ll love this one.

The story itself isn’t much to write home about, but let’s be honest, that’s not why you’re here. We’re all here in front of the biggest screen we could find (preferably IMAX) to watch this in 3D because it’s the most beautiful film since “Interstellar.” Similarly, the special effects are scary good. The CGI water is so realistic it will have you questioning reality. It makes almost all other CGI since the original seem like a waste of time. In a word – breathtaking. So much so, you’ll forgive the director for wandering of for 45 minutes in the middle to just show off the technical capabilities of the special effects studio.

Story-wise, I couldn’t help but applaud the “homages” to other classic films such as (as quickly as I could mentally note): JAWS, Moby Dick, Fast and the Furious, Avatar, Titanic (including the exact score and shot of the flooding hallway), Blackfish, Interstellar, and so many more. But again, it’s so damn beautiful and well done, you’ll forgive it. In summary, it’s a story about family. Wrapped in a story about the importance of love as a cornerstone of humanity, similar to “Interstellar.”

The third act makes it all worth it, as Cameron revisits his action directing chops and delivers a superb final 45 minutes that leaves you on the edge of your seat cheering for number three. A true master of his craft, even if he only delivers one film per decade.

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Documentary Netflix

“Sr.”

By Brett_G on

7.5

If you thought Jr. was an interesting man, wait until you become acquainted with Sr. The man, the legend…

Similar to “The Fabelman’s,” Robert Downey Jr. turns the camera inward and takes us back through his fascinating origin story, which rests upon a beautiful catharsis between father and son as they both face their mortality in different ways. It shows why Jr. was so damn good in “The Judge,” as the father son conflict seems to be familiar territory for him. That conflict may have been a weight on him throughout his life, but it was a weight that forced him to strengthen in a way that made him far stronger for having learned to carry it.

RIP Sr., and hugs to Jr. A truly beautiful tribute.

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Drama Suspense/Thriller

“Triangle of Sadness”

By Brett_G on

7.4

Well, this is the most interesting episode of “Below Deck” I think they’ve ever released…

In all seriousness, it’s “Gilligan’s Island” from hell. Not even Woody Harrelson’s charm can distract the audience from the horrifying, imperative truths contained in this film. It’s truly a narrative work of art about class, societal collapse and rebuilding, and human nature. But… It’s an 11/10 on the weird. I also apologize for the cover photo of the trailer. Haha

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