Tag: review

A Lazy, Spoiler Free Review of ‘Saturday Night.’

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

I’m too lazy to give you much detail about the new movie “Saturday Night,” but I can give you a general sense of my views on the movie. I thought it was really good, all things considered. The third act felt like a TV-movie in some respects, but the overall movie is definitely a “crowd pleaser.”

I really enjoyed the movie as a life-long fan of SNL. I remember watching SNL live as a little tyke. The show had such buzz that i stayed up in the late 70s, even though I was under ten at the time. So it was nice to see some of the lore of the series on the big screen.

But I do have a few quibbles. I don’t get why one actor played two different rolls. And there were elements of the third act that were rather cringe worthy. I think if the movie was a bit more droll in its delivery — or even just more consistent in tone — it would be, in general, better.

I also quibble with its portrayal of John Belushi. There was so much to work with and they went with that? I will note, in passing, that Kaia Gerber did a surprisingly good job in a small roll.

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie and recommend it — not that anyone listens to me. I will note the future of SNL is still up in the air. I wrote some about this in the past, when I was under dumb assumption that last year’s season was its 50th — it’s a testament to how much I live in oblivion that no one noticed I got the year wrong for that particular situation.

Anyway, in general, I really liked the movie.

Review: ‘The Tender Bar’


by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

I really liked this movie. It was a nice middling movie based on a late 70s to mid-80s memoir. It had a lot of great music and an excellent, stand out performance by Ben Affleck. He should at least get a Oscar nom for his performance.

My only quibbles were that it was a bit too on-the-nose with its maudlin, heartfelt memories. Ok, we get it. And, really, the one thing that bugged the shit out of me was the romantic subplot. I’m sure it’s far more fleshed out in the book that the movie was based on, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

I did not have any emotional attachment to the Hero’s longing for the young woman he was so smitten for. There was no there there. It was a meh romance because it all happened so quickly and was rushed over that I just didn’t care. I know the movie couldn’t have been 3 hours to accommodate making that particular important subplot more viable, but, still.

I would have just cut that element of the story altogether if they weren’t going to finesse it enough to make the audience care.

Also, it is amusing that Affleck had a supporting role, but totally dominated the movie. It felt very much like a Affleck vehicle, even though it obviously wasn’t. Anyway, I really liked The Tender Bar.

Two thumbs up, as they say.