mattman149 Reviews

Genesis (2018)

A beautiful film for broken hearts

[7/10 · 12 May 2020]

Perhaps the folks who don't get it have had the fortune of never experiencing broken heartedness before. If so, their opinion matters not because they are the lucky few who have somehow avoided suffering and therefore personal growth. For the rest of us, those who have had our hearts broken, this film is a monument. Discovering betrayal, and allowing that to motivate poor decision-making which leads to further betrayal. Discovering years of friendship can disappear in a single gay moment, but having the courage to stand firm rather than hide or self-harm. And the touching innocence and rapturous joy of required love, young love, first love--that section ought to have reverberated with the fortunate few, had they kept watching.

It's a film about love and heartbreak. Is the pacing perfect? No. Is the music perfect? No. But the film is solid and the performances excellent.

The Best Friend (2013)

A portrait of an all too familiar problem

[6/10 · 5 May 2020]

It's the all-too-familiar gay story of falling into unrequited love with one's best friend. It becomes especially obvious when that friend has chosen a sexual encounter with an older stranger than one's own company. What I found most remarkable is the restraint shown by the main character. Frankly it sets a good example for young LGBT people, that sometimes it is better to maintain a valuable friendship than ruin it with an ill-fated attempt at sex.

Dragged Across Concrete (2018)

Believe the negative reviews

[1/10 · 30 April 2020]

This is a pointless, meandering, idiotic film. It is NOT an action film. I suggest skipping it entirely.

Siberia and Him (2019)

A sad Russian version of Brokeback Mountain

[9/10 · 28 April 2020]

The film is about 2 incredibly conflicted men who have found love but are otherwise cursed by circumstances. From the first scene one knows it isn't going to be a haply film, but it is beautiful nonetheless and, like Brokeback Mountain, features silences that speak volumes.

At Dawn (2018)

Classic story

[8/10 · 3 April 2020]

Two men and a woman foolishly hop into a dinghy and end up stranded in open waters. With no survivalist skills and no supplies, it certainly looks bleak. With full sun all day and cold temps all night, the three struggle to survive as the consequences of hunger and dehydration take their course.

Add to that the element of men vs. woman, and you've got a dangerous situation at sea.

The Road to Edmond (2018)

Surprisingly Thoughtful

[9/10 · 24 March 2020]

It's a film where earnest, normal adults discuss organized religion, God, and the scars of their own lives and how it has affected their views on faith.

I thought it would suck, but it's actually quite good.

Management (2008)

Lovable, though misrepresented

[9/10 · 19 May 2009]

By no means will this be the most successful movie of any given time period, genre, or actor in it, but that has no bearing on the actual content of the film. Jennifer Aniston plays Sue, the equivalent of the modern "frigid bitch". So entrenched with her crappy job (a clever statement in and of itself; selling bland corporate art), she has completely forgotten to even search for happiness of fulfillment in her life. Through a business trip she meets an unlikely Steve Zahn, who's the night manager of his parents' motel. He's certainly a man-child at this point, and through awkward,an uncomfortable dialogue Aniston allows him to feel her butt. Although the action of the scene is seemingly sexual, the tone of it and of the film are completely emotional. What's essential to grasp the film is the sense of desperation these two have, and after each awkward and unsuccessful interaction there's a moment where they both pause, rethink the events, consider facing each other again, and give up only to immediately regret it. None of it's spoken (which may confuse some viewers), but it's what drives the romance throughout the film; the fact that, although Aniston's in no way in touch with her emotions and Zahn is not the brightest, there is something alluring there that keeps them in contact and changes them both.

I think people sell its subtly short, but if you're willing to think for yourself, you may enjoy it. It has all the quirk and humor one expects from a good indie.