Indie Suspense/Thriller

“Broadcast Signal Intrusion”

By Brett_G on

8.1

The sister film to “Censor” from earlier this year.

From the first frame to the last, you will be on the edge of your seat with your head cocked, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I’m going to be honest; you probably still won’t know when the credits roll. If you do happen to figure it out, let me know. I’m still processing what I just saw.

In a tale reminiscent of the “Max Headroom” broadcast signal intrusion in the ’80s, this film journeys down the rabbit hole to explore human nature, obsession, love, friendship, paranoia, and our need to make sense of the world around us. The reason I compare it to “Censor” is that it also analyzes what happens when one envelopes themselves in the darkness of the world for too long and the effects it has on them and their interactions with the world. Spoiler alert, it gets weird.

The most effective part of this film to me was the tie-in to an actual life event that haunted us as a society in real life. Something is unsettling about the still-unsolved crime. The way it fractured our peaceful plane of existence and was never fully resolved makes for a strong base for a horror movie. Silly as the prank may have been, there’s something rather sinister about it that makes it feel discomforting. That feeling of unease covers this entire film, bathing it in well-earned intrigue, waiting to see where the twists and turns will lead next.

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Drama Suspense/Thriller

“Fear of Rain”

By Brett_G on

7.9

Strong “Words on Bathroom Walls” vibes, in the best possible way.

The art of cinema can be a compelling force. Helping us, as a society, to look in the mirror and reflect on our treatment of those with mental health issues can be a great force for good. This film struck a delicate balance between ensuring the extremes were felt and not getting too silly and over the top. They paid homage to the original Wes Craven trick of “is this the real world or is this a dream?” highlighting the unease and tension that fills the world of someone stricken with one of these terrible ailments. Not in such a way that it causes one to recoil and wish upon them a lifetime of confinement, but important steps to opening our hearts and minds to making a good faith effort to better understand and empathize with each other and the unique struggles we each may have.

Technically speaking, I felt like everything was exceptionally well balanced and that the twists that filled the third act were well earned and impactful. A term I’ve used with other films, this one keeps you in a state of productive discomfort. The edge of your seat feeling leads to the points of the story being that much more impactful by the time the credits roll. A very emotional tale and definitely a thinker of a movie. A great deal of nuance and interwoven clues that collectively form a beautifully complex piece of cinema. Extremely well done.

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Netflix Rom-Com

“The Kissing Booth 3”

By Brett_G on

6.5

*steps onto soapbox*

My contempt for the second installment finally killed it. It completely murdered my love for this adorkable series. So much unnecessary drama, such an unoriginal story, such an out-of-date soundtrack, such poor decision-making on the part of Elle. They seriously try to retcon Noah as not being a complete asshole and worth choosing over Marco?!?! What the hell, Elle? You know what? I’m happy for Marco. He’s finally free of this stupidity. Go live your life, my man. Don’t you dare look back. These 3 (4 if you count Rachel) deserve each other’s misery. My lord… so much cringe. Burn the beach house down and salt the earth on which it stood. Sprinkle it with holy water. Please leave this as a trilogy. Instead of capturing lightning in a bottle, this series is like being struck by lightning three times in the same spot. I had to finish it, but my ride along the sunset coast ended with me pulling a Thelma and Louise into the Pacific to free myself from this crew as the credits began to roll.

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Drama Indie Romance

“This is the Night”

By Brett_G on

7.2

This is one of the strangest films of the year. By a long shot. Who pitched this?

With the subtlety of a punch to the face, this moving tells the tale of a city coming together to worship their adopted messiah, Rocky Balboa. In a better mob movie than “The Many Saints of Newark,” we follow a wannabe restaurant (or catering business) owner rising against his childhood nemesis while his sons conquer their own adversaries, all connecting with the eye of the tiger fighting spirit of the Italian Stallion.

Yo Adrian. This movie is absolutely ridiculous, but it’s got heart. It’s got a lot of fight left in it. It’ll leave you in disbelief of your own inspiration as the credits roll. Looking for something off the wall? There’s nothing more random than round-the-clock screenings of Rocky 3 bringing a community together. Gotta love the power of cinema.

Spoiler alert: My man gets the girl.

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