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Brick is an exciting noir film about an innocent guy who falls into the drug culture in the suburbs, by the sea no less. It is shot entirely in San Clemente, California and really provides an experience of how the area looks and feels. I know because, just like director Roan Johnson, I grew up there! This is my contribution to MovieRob‘s Genre Grandeur topic of Film Noir Movies chosen by Ghezal of Ghezal Plus Movies.

Brick (2005)
R | 1h 50min | Action, Crime, Drama | 14 April 2006 (USA)

A teenage loner pushes his way into the underworld of a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.
Director: Rian Johnson
Writer: Rian Johnson
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas, Emilie de Ravin

Joseph Gordon Levitt is Brendan, a half-wit drug dealer who when we start isn’t dealing but later reveals he was. Because of his history, he is a narc for the “AP” (Richard Roundtree) who seems to enjoy threatening high school students to get information though he never takes any action with that information. Brendan is seeking vengeance against the murderous kid(s) who killed his girlfriend and dumped her body in a creek. He discovers a crime ring of heroin and seeks to continue his search working with them. He finds out her druggie boyfriend was going to be with her even though she was already pregnant and the inference is that the baby is Brendan’s. There is a new girl that comes into the picture and a lot of punches in the face, cars threatening to hit Brendan and at the last-minute swerving.

I think to see the novelty of this film, you need to realize that these kids are far too organized for high school students. We can piece together here and there why each does what he/she does but there isn’t much help from the film. From what I’ve read, Brick has become almost cult status. I have to respect that but for me, it was a “made by kids” film. Kids can do a lot but when they grow up they make films like Looper, also by Rian, that blow grownups away. I loved Looper and plan to review it in the next couple of days since I watched it for the podcast. I applaud Rian for what he’s done but most of all for getting a career such as his in movies after getting out of the maelstrom of growing up “rich” in Orange County. Some do not make it out alive. Brick is a fun piece of film Noir. I’m glad it catapulted Rian Johnson as far as it has. I recommend this one as a sleepy noir serious film with some comedy.

7/10

Classic Paul Rudd here similar to the one was see in I Love You Man. In this case however, Rudd’s character is a caretaker looking after a real pill of a teen with 7 or 8 months to live. Has he met his match of wits?

The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
TV-MA | 1h 37min | Comedy, Drama | 24 June 2016 (USA)

A man suffering an incredible amount of loss enrolls in a class about care-giving that changes his perspective on life.
Director: Rob Burnett
Writers: Rob Burnett (screenplay), Jonathan Evison (novel)
Stars: Craig Roberts, Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez

I’m going to go out on a limb here and recognize Netflix for making some great original “movies.” These are films you can leave the room to get your laundry, come back and you haven’t lost the whole thrust of the show. Would they work in a theater? Hmmm, not sure, probably not as well. This is a dramedy (more drama) that makes you feel good a little but kind of rattles your nerves a bit as well. I like those types. It’s good writing too. There’s a part when the youth really challenges Rudd’s character and his words handle it perfectly.

Craig Roberts plays the invalid being cared for. He decides to trick his caretaker into taking him on a road trip and there is the meat of the film really. On the road they meet and pick up the Selena Gomez character. His wildfire hormones have a chance to offer some unholy commentary there. This is a simple but funny and touching film. It’s good for anyone but I imagine people in the caring profession would closely relate. Some may find the simpleness disappointing but I think it works well as a whole.

8/10

This is an excellent binge watch that draws you in and keeps you guessing. The acting is excellent and is on the same level as the writing. If you’re looking for a great binge watch, check this one out. At time of writing this it was streaming on Netflix.

Rectify
TV-14 | 1h | Drama | TV Series (2013–2016)

Daniel Holden must put his life back together after serving 19 years on Georgia’s Death Row before DNA evidence calls his conviction into question.
Creator: Ray McKinnon
Stars: Aden Young, Abigail Spencer, J. Smith-Cameron

Did Daniel do it? That is the question all throughout the episodes. I only got through the first two seasons before I wrote this but I am set to watch the final season for sure.

Ray McKinnon wrote this screenplay. He is known for many acting roles including his in Sons of Anarchy, Mud, and Deadwood.

The story: Daniel Holden was accused of raping and murdering a 16-year-old girl. He spent almost 20 years in prison on death row before DNA evidence was produced to show he possibly was not to blame. The show starts with him getting out of jail and going through jeers and persecution by many in the town who think he did it. The show consists of him trying to heal and basically just cope with life outside of prison. There is also a mystery of whodunnit as his lawyer and the local sheriff start piecing together what happened that night. It takes you in and there are many surprises. At times it does go a bit slow but that is the exception to the general rule. Another thing: Daniel is not necessarily a likable character so that may be a problem for some.

If you like a good mystery that keeps you guessing, I recommend it!

8/10

This is a SundanceTV production and at the time of writing this, it was streaming on Netflix.

Aaron Paul shines as actor but also producer in this tv series on HULU. His character is more mature soulful than Jesse on Breaking Bad. Still, he portrays the role with grit and wiliness as a questioning member of a cult.

The Path
1h | Drama | TV Series (2016– )

A man who converts to a controversial following suffers from a crisis of faith.
Creator: Jessica Goldberg
Stars: Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan, Emma Greenwell

I’ve seen the first two series of this and I can tell you it is a must-see binge-watch. We all have shadows of cults in our subconscious we learn from the news and some even first hand experience. This is a weird one but it has some of the trappings we hear about and even experience in fundamental Christianity. Even more so is the similarity to Scientology. It’s like a mix of both the way its people behave. It pits members against their families who refuse to believe, it sucks people in who are poor, “damaged,” or needy offering them the answers to all their questions.

This series is a winner because of the actors and their performances. You are left hanging on every episode as you identify ad feel for these people. Some of the material is truly dark and takes your breath away what humans can do to each other mentally. At times it didn’t seem like a real cult but these moments were rare. I would have liked to have seen more parallels to Christian cults because that’s where the damage occurs every day in my opinion. Scientology is just a small piece of the pie.

8/10

Check it out on Hulu, it’s streaming on HULU and you can see episodes now on Amazon Video for $2.99 apiece.