Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare

“Candyman” (2021)

By Brett_G on October 20, 2021October 16, 2021

7.6

If you enjoyed the original, you’ll enjoy this one.

They dive deeper into the lore of Candyman and into the psychological connection between a community and the myths they pass down through generations. Jordan Peele was involved, so you know it will be time well spent in the theater. The originality of the kills was a nice change from the typical horror movies lately. Very Freddy Krueger-esque at times. Where you’re not quite sure which reality you’re currently standing in and witnessing. That instability keeps you on the edge of your seat and attempting to look around corners before the camera does. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II nailed the manic paranoia of the character being drawn into Candyman’s grip. He went all-in, and it pays dividends in how captivating he is on-screen. He keeps you invested in going deeper into the insanity of the story. Very well done and well worth a watch!

Drama HBO

“Many Saints of Newark”

By Brett_G on October 19, 2021October 16, 2021

6.7

If there was such a thing as a “Goodfellas” cover band… this would be it.

They check off all of the boxes for “making a mob movie,” but with little to no creativity. Almost purely riding the coattails of the legendary series. It was cool that they cast Michael Gandolfini to play Tony Soprano, but that was about all of the novelty you get here.

Action Blockbuster

“Venom: Let There Be Carnage”

By Brett_G on October 18, 2021October 16, 2021

6.5

How about “let Marvel finally handle this character and stop mismanaging the cinematic universe?”

I really don’t like crapping on movies. They tried. Everyone here tried. They just missed the mark. I enjoyed many pieces of this film, but in the end the short runtime was my favorite thing.

I think they were going for the Marvel quippy, but it ended up just being silly in most instances. A lot of half baked plots and funny scenes that don’t add up to anything. Fun to watch, but not a great film overall. Happy to see the post-credit scene, and hope it means brighter days ahead for this character.

Action Blockbuster

“No Time to Die”

By Brett_G on October 17, 2021October 16, 2021

9.3

Possibly the best James Bond Film. Definitely one of the most James Bond films.

There are other films in the franchise that do a better job at one aspect or another, but none that fire on all cylinders quite like this one. My favorite aspect was the human aspect they brought to Bond. For the first time, I can remember, James Bond had depth. No longer an enigma, we actually get to see below the surface of 007, making for a much more impactful movie. It’s made for a much more impactful series with Daniel Craig in the tux. I got misty-eyed at a James Bond movie.

The cinematography breathtakingly highlights a globetrotting slate of locales. The action is razor-sharp, the fights beautifully choreographed. Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack was a fantastic choice. He brings his signature flair to the classics but still keeps everything grounded in the traditional Bond themes we all know and love.

We couldn’t have asked for a better send-off for Daniel Craig as Bond. Honestly, I would be comfortable with this being the finale at Bond 25. Bravo!

Indie Suspense/Thriller

“Possession” (1981)

By Brett_G on October 17, 2021October 16, 2021

6.4

Similar to “Cannibal Holocaust,” I had to hunt down an unofficial official blu-ray of this online. How was this not on Shudder?! Anyway, there is a reason for that. It’s a strange one. Very moist.

Before Sam Neil was busy auditing theme parks (“Jurassic Park”), he was working for the government in a job more mysterious than Barney Stinson’s. He leaves this high-paying job to move back in with his… wife(?) and young son, only to find that there’s something amiss. I’m not entirely sure how to even explain it. Overall, the moral of the story is “Don’t stick your dick in crazy.” I know most slashers kill teenagers for doing the deed, but this takes it to a whole other level. Everyone who enters that sacred temple ends up mangled by the end of the film. This is what happens when curiosity drives one of my weekend watch picks.

Fun fact: Isabelle Adjani, the lead actress with the hypnotizing blue eyes that lure you in as a viewer almost as strongly as men into her trap in the story, was once married to actor Daniel Day Lewis.