Brandon Ellrich, Writer/Author/Poet
The Author and His Work
Teaching my cat to sit and “fetch.” He’s fetching treats, so that makes it easier, and he doesn’t return them, because he eats them, of course.
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I have never posted a film/movie critique, but I saw this movie earlier in the week, so I thought I would try writing a review of it.
Bros is a romantic comedy about a man named Bobby (played by Billy Eichner) who is not interested in forming any intimate relationships. He has a successful career, is an activist for the LBTQ+ community and his romantic life consists of nothing more than meaningless sexual encounters. Bobby is pessimistic in general, but specifically about falling in love, until he meets Aaron (played by Luke Macfarlane), who has a successful career (which he hates) and is ridculously fit and attractive.
I was glad to see a romantic comedy whose focus was on two gay males. I was disappointed, however, to find the storyline so cliche. It followed the same “formula” as nearly every other mainstream Hollywood romantic comedy: Two people meet, they don’t particularly like each other at first, but there is a clear, but unspoken attraction that neither will admit; they start dating, become vulnerable toward one another and then a conflict–one of them is hiding a secret or cheats on the other one; they have a major argument, split up, vowing never to speak again; they miss each other, admit they were both wrong, realize they were meant for each other and live happily ever after.
Apply this formula to just about any popular romantic comedy and see if it fits. There are some outliers, and those are the movies that I enjoy most. I like to see movies that are more realistic–the couple doesn’t end up together, maybe one of them dies (sorry, too morbid?), whatever it might be. I just get tired of the same thing. Of course, in Bros, the main characters are gay men, which we don’t see very often in mainstream Hollywood, but other than that, it was rather predictable.
The other aspects of contention for me was their looks and careers. Bobby is opening a LGBTQ+ history museum and is regularly in contact with celebreties, he lives in New York, and is attractive. Aaron has a law career, a nice apartment, and as I mentioned earlier, is VERY attractive. Are these characters relatable? Not so much. Believable? No.
On the positive side, there was comedy and there were attractive men. Overall, I would give this movie 2.5 (but since I can’t find a half-star, I’ll be generous and give it 3) out of 5 stars. It was entertaining, and I don’t feel like it was a waste of time or money. If you like most romantic comedies, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
*This review was written for entertainment value only and is my own opinion. I am not paid by any company or entity.
If you enjoyed this review or found it helpful, please leave a comment below. This is something new I’m trying, so I want to see if it’s something I should continue or not. Thanks for your input!
We were made for only one purpose: to be eaten.
But first, we will have to wait. We are put on display while we anticipate our death sentence. The ravenous beasts come by and gaze at us hungrily, almost lustfully. They are not allowed to eat us, however, until the bell is rung.
Just as it does every year, the crowd will gather. The spectators will watch and cheer as they witness us being manhandled, torn apart by salivating mouths full of teeth. Their jaws will move as quickly as they can while swallowing at the same time, almost choking on their meal. Those monsters will gorge themselves in this contest. Yes, a contest. Can you imagine? The gluttonous animals do not even eat out of hunger, but sport.
As we knew it would, our time has come. We are taken and each placed before a different beast. They smile as they look down upon us.
“Ready!” someone yells.
“Set…” They lean forward.
Then the bell rings–the sound that signals our doom.
Nickie claps and giggles with glee as the contestants plunge their faces into the pumpkin pies in front of them. The crowd cheers, “Eat! Eat! Eat!” for just a few minutes until one of the contestants stands up with his hands in the air.
“And the winner of this year’s pie eating contest is…Derek Montgomery!”
The crowd cheers and applauds.
Pieces of crust and globs of pie filling are cleaned up and discarded. Until next year.
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this flash fiction, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Did the ending surpise you or did you see it coming? Either way, I appreciate you taking the time to leave a response. Follow me if you would like to receive updates on new posts whenever they are published.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like Taken or Dia de los Muertos.
Waiting too long at traffic lights– It’s no delight. People too slow, They need to go. The light turns green, thank God, at last! Step on the gas. I’m out of sight, It’s time to write. Sixty seconds left on the clock; Life’s run amok. I don’t have time, To end this rhyme. Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
This little “Minute Poem” was written in response to W3 Prompt #24: Wea’ve Written Weekly at the Skeptic’s Kaddish, so please visit his page to participate and/or read other responses.
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Through the mist and fog, We traveled; Mysteries of song, Unraveled. To subside our fears, We talked; Lest something hiding near, We walked. O’er the ground we’re rushing, In retreat; Leaves all around, we’re crushing, ‘Neath our feet. Howling in the woods: They’re calling, Prowling; nothing good, Befalling. Stopped ahead in our path– A beast; Dropped dead by his wrath, We ceased. Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
This poem was written in response to Sadje’s What do you see # 155- October 10, 2022, so please visit her page to participate and/or read other responses.
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*If you liked this one, you may also like Halloween or Victim.
Blades are trembling with varying breezes Flowers bobbing their heads Colored wings flit by Buzzing bodies alite briefly Then move on and on again A patch of wild mustard vies for attention But competition is sparse Among the pale white flowers In this muted meadow Outside my window.
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
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If you liked this poem, you may also want to check out My Thoughts Move Like Water.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
Falling leaves festoon the forest floor as the Falsetto of falcons flows fluidly over the fields, where Faltering fawns flee fearfully from Following fellows with fierce fire. Birds beautifully balance on branches of Birches, where Blue Jays boast their bravado by Bursting with bountiful ballads, as Burbling brooks bubble on the banks below. Sonnets of the sweetest sort, sorbose, some Sonatas of a sorrowful and sordid state, Songs soaring softly but surpassing the strength of a Sonic wave. Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
This poem was written in response to a writing prompt at dVerse – Poetry Form: Traditional Mongolian Meter. Please visit their page to participate and/or read other responses. I think it follows the form, all but the number of syllables.
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They were frozen in fear. They knew that as soon as they were taken from their home, the end would be near. There was some comfort in being one of many, but their numbers, unfortunately, did not garner strength. The chilly environment was too much for most of the inhabitants (the birds, for example), but for them it meant protection, solidarity, life. But that solidarity would too rapidly melt away, and once they were all gone, they would soon be replaced. A new vessel, filled to the brim, would come in and await the same fate.
The door would open, at times, and they would wait in anticipation. Others would be taken, but not them; not this time. Then, without warning, light floods the cavern and one by one they are plucked out and tossed into the amber liquid that will, of course, assist in bringing about the end of their short lives.
It is cool at first, but not enough. They can float there for a while in what will assuredly be their glass coffin, but as the liquid is drained, so are their spirits. They are left at the bottom to melt away in a pool of their own essence. The heat, the dreaded warmth of the sun beats down through the glass, mercifully expediting the inevitable end.
Laura finished the last of her iced tea and continued to work in her flower garden. The ice in her glass melted quickly in the summer heat.
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this short story, please click the like button and leave a comment. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
If you liked this one, you may also like Taken.
Is it for us to lead our fate,
To circumvent our final date?
Have we the power over death,
To decide, ourselves, our last breath?
We change our minds, our course, reverse.
Does that then change the universe?
Do we bend to our Maker's will,
Unwittingly, His plan fulfill?
Are we pawns in God's game of chess,
Mindless robots and nothing less?
Christian and atheist as well,
Will end up in Heaven or Hell.
Has destiny or free will won?
You choose or it's already done!
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
This poem was inspired by the W3 Prompt #23: Wea’ve Written Weekly at The Skeptic’s Kaddish, so please visit his page to participate and/or read other responses.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
Brandon Ellrich, Writer/Author/Poet