Garrett's Review Blog

Full of Life SCORE: 84 /100 Directed by: Wes Anderson Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton Synopsis: A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch Magazine". ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: This is my second Wes Anderson film after watching The Grand Budapest Hotel on the podcast a little while back. So does this one live up to the hype? Yes, but I'd temper your excitement by about 10%. I'll jump into my two major criticisms first. First is its story. While it's interesting, funny, and well-written, the film really feels like a collection of stories that Anderson couldn't develop into full-length films. The film is supposed to feel like you're reading the eponymous magazine, but aside from loose connections to the overarching narrative, each "section" feels more lik...

A Beautiful Start SCORE: 90 /100 Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson Synopsis: A feature adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of Spice, the most valuable and vital element in the galaxy. ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: (IMPORTANT UPDATE: Dune: Part Two has been announced for October 2023) Before I dig in to my review for Dune, I need to get this off my chest. I have not seen the original Dune film from David Lynch, and I have not read the book. What you are getting is an unbiased review of the film based on its own merits. Luckily, it's a pretty damn good film.  We'll start with my critiques, of which there are two. First up is a minor spoiler, but this film is intended as a first part. The title card even reads Dune: Part One. Why this concerns me is that the story is left at its midpoint, and doesn't really receive resol...

Hey everyone! Here's my latest weekly catch up, where we look at all of the films I've watched this week. The episode of The Drive Back this week had six massive films that we had to watch, and the rest were watched on my own time. SPOILER: the films this week were all good to masterpiece level. There weren't many movies this week due to a busy schedule, so there aren't as many films outside of the episode ones! Let's start with the films we watched for the show. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST SCORE: 99 /100 (MUST WATCH) Directed By: Peter Jackson Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen Synopsis: A meek hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and Save Middle Earth from the Dark Lord Sauron. Quick Review: The Fellowship of the Ring is an incredible start, breathing life and character into a  world that feels so alive through perfect music, awesome v...

Hey everyone! Here's my latest weekly catch up, where we look at all of the films I've watched this week. The episode of The Drive Back this week had one film that we had to watch, and the rest were watched on my own time (for better or for worse). As I did last week, I tried to vary the types of films I watched this week, so hopefully you'll see a nice spread of different years and genres. Also a quick note, these films are in the order I watch them during the week, so as you'll see I went back and watched a movie after its sequel.  Let's start with the film we watched for the show. Jupiter Ascending (2015) REVIEWED ON THE PODCAST SCORE: 29 /100  Directed By: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski Starring: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne Synopsis: A young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry. Quick Review: While it has some unique visuals ...

Gore-er Story SCORE: 71 /100 Directed by: David Gordon Green Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak Synopsis: The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode continues in the next thrilling chapter of the Halloween series. ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: Well that was fun. Halloween Kills is the second chapter of the rebooted trilogy from Universal and Blumhouse. Laurie Strode (Curtis), and her daughter and grand-daughter are on their way to the hospital after the events of the first film, when they see fire engines racing towards Laurie's home.  That's all I'll say as far as story goes, because this film is far more fun when you go in without knowing more than that. They've realized that we're here for the scares, the kills, and the typical Halloween stuff. And they give it to us in spades. This is by far the most violent and gory Halloween movie yet, and it's for the better. As I said with this film's predecessor, the writers and...

The Truth at Last SCORE: 82 /100 Directed by: Ridley Scott Starring: Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver Synopsis: King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel. ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: The Last Duel is a return to form for Ridley Scott. His previous historical films have been either good or horribly miscast, good being Gladiator and bad being Exodus: Gods and Kings. I'm happy to say that, while not perfect, The Last Duel is among his better historical films.  Ridley Scott has crafted a great-looking and relevant film that has an incredibly interesting structure. The film is told through three perspectives, Matt Damon's Jean, Adam Driver's Jacques, and Jodie Comer's Marguerite. All three stories vary in their accuracy, which accounts for a lot of the uncertainty the audience feels regarding the story. While some audience members may feel that this is repetitive, it's ac...

Film, I am your watcher. Hey everyone! Here's my newest weekly catch up, where we look at all of the films I've watched this week. The episode of The Drive Back this week had two films that we had to watch, and the rest were watched on my own time (for better or for worse). Only six this week, as I did not have as much free time this week, and two major releases in theaters also got my attention. You can find the reviews for those, No Time to Die and Lamb, on my blog. Let's start with the films we watched for the show. Push (2009) REVIEWED ON PODCAST SCORE: 34 /100  Directed By: Paul McGuigan Starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle Synopsis: Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does. Quick Review: Push has some inventive visuals and interesting ideas, but those are lost under a convoluted story, bad cinematography, and questionable performances and directing. If...

Mother Nature SCORE: 80 /100 Directed by: Valdimar Jóhannsson Starring: Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson Synopsis: A childless couple, María and Ingvar discover a mysterious newborn on their farm in Iceland. The unexpected prospect of family life brings them much joy, before ultimately destroying them. ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: Well that's one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen. Lamb is a peculiar film from first time director Valdimar Jóhannsson, bringing what I initially thought was a horror movie and completely subverting any of my expectations. At both times beautiful and tense, unnerving and joyous, Lamb is one of those films that will linger with you. First off, this film is gorgeous. The cinematography here is excellent, with the camera moving and staying in place in ways that are both calming and unusual. Combined with the excellent sound design and the absolutely captivating environment around the farm, it creates a t...

His Own Endgame SCORE: 75 /100 Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga Starring: Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux, Rami Malek Synopsis: James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: No Time to Die is the final Bond film that stars Daniel Craig, and his tenure certainly goes off with a bang. As with all Bond films though, it's not without its problems.  We'll start with the performances here, and since it's Craig's last film it makes sense to talk him first. He's fantastic in this film, offering a layered and emotional performance (especially toward the end) that really expands upon the character. The returning cast members are all great too, with Ben Whishaw, Lea Seydoux, and Jeffrey Wright being the real standouts. As far as newcomers, it's good news as w...

You had me at "Movie Night". Hey everyone! Here's my fourth weekly catch up, where we look at all of the films I've watched this week. The episode of The Drive Back this week had one film that we had to watch, and the rest were watched on my own time (for better or for worse). This week was busy, with more going on for me than usual, so there were only five films watched this week.  Let's start with the film we watched for the show. Real Steel (2011) REVIEWED ON PODCAST SCORE: 64 /100  Directed By: Shawn Levy Starring: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo Synopsis: In the near future, robot boxing is a top sport. A struggling ex-boxer feels he's found a champion in a discarded robot. Quick Review: A fun and harmless film about fighting robots that has a few surprises, but not many as it sticks to a way too predictable formula.  If you'd like to watch it, it's available on Netflix until October 6th. Spirited Away (2001)  SCORE: 100 /100 (MUST WAT...

Better Together SCORE: 53 /100 Directed by: Andy Serkis Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris Synopsis: Eddie Brock attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady, who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution. ****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD**** REVIEW: The sequel to 2018's Venom is a definite improvement over the original, however it still suffers from enough issues that I feel need to be addressed.  Let's talk about positives here, and it really boils down to the two main actors; Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson. Arguably the best part of the original, Tom Hardy doubles down on his completely insane performance here, bringing enough humor and heart to really make sure that he is seen as the definitive on-screen Venom. Woody Harrelson is clearly having a blast playing Cletus Kasady and Carnage, reveling in the chaos he exudes. And when both of them come together to fight...