Reviews

‘NOPE’ Review

Jordan Peele once again demonstrates why he is becoming one of the most reliable directors in Hollywood. Nope builds on his already impressive resume, cementing him in the big leagues. Hitting home with some social issues all while telling a unique and original alien tale. Paying homage to films before it, while adding his own unique twist on a disturbing discovery.

Nope Teaser: New TV Spot Features A UFO But No Aliens, Nope

The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.

What lengths would you go to for that perfect shot? To capture the impossible on screen? If you were to witness what can only be described as a “bad miracle” would you be able to turn away, or would you like most people look up in not only curiosity but also fear? These are just a few of the questions that Jordan Peele asks with his newest film. A film that centers around a brother and sister dynamic who run a Hollywood horse ranch and are trying to capture the unimaginable on tape, but with all things supernatural, it comes with a price.

Here’s the thing. When you see something out of this world, your first inclination would be to look up not only in amazement but potentially in fear. Well, what if doing so meant it was the end of the line for you? We live in a world that is obsessed with likes, clicks and seeking attention. It’s rare now that something amazing happens in your life and you don’t try to capture it with a video or photo. No one tends to live in the moment and just let life happen around them, everyone needs that validation and to cement their legacy as it is.

One thing that is certain when watching a Jordan Peele film is the layers and questions and themes that he presents to the audience. Living in the moment, is just one of those themes, how our obsession with social media, and capturing every moment can ultimately consume us. It’s always difficult to discuss his movies without spoiling anything, but if you’ve seen any trailers, you know this is about some sort of alien aircraft and the repercussions that come with it. When OJ Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald Haywood (Keke Palmer) stumble upon the supernatural, they both realize that this is a once in a lifetime moment for the both of them. See their family has been apart of Hollywood royalty for sometime, well they are descendants of the man who was in the first movie ever made. Now taking a place behind the camera, training horses for movies and commercials, they play a vital role in the film industry, whether the industry itself wants you to know or not. Early in the film, OJ is trying to go over the safety protocols around the horse, and when it’s apparent that no one is paying attention and think little of the horse, it’s a reminder that people take animals for granted. Not only that, but using animals as “spectacle” rather than let them be one with nature. Even the vastly important people training these animals are never mentioned or brought up with talking about movies. Leading to another theme throughout the movie, the exploitation of crew members on film sets. Usually the people doing the brunt force of the work, pouring in hours of work and most of the time doing the most dangerous things, are usually the ones who get the least recognition from the industry and audience. Peele makes this clear by having our hero OJ where a bright orange sweater in the finale with the word CREW in giant letters on the back of his sweater.

There’s two other notable performances in this movie, one belonging to Brandon Perea as Angel who helps the Haywood’s set up their cameras. He’s the much needed comic relief in this insane story, that helps ease the tension, but also wants to be apart of history. Knowing that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, he digs in deep and jeopardizes his entire future, for the perfect shot. Steven Yeun plays Ricky ‘Jupe’ Park a former child star turned ranch owner. It’s not much of a park but he relies on nostalgia from his dark past to bring the costumers. He was part of a sitcom that went array, when an ape attacked cast members, and he’s been leaching off that horrid moment for his entire life. Another theme from the movie, not messing with nature, and that it can not be control. No matter how hard you try, nature always wins. When we fail to learn from our past experiences we are doomed to repeat ourselves. Jupe falls right into this trap and he ultimately learns that mother nature is undefeated.

Overall, it’s another stellar outing from Peele, who is in full control of his movies from every aspect. He wants the audience to leave asking questions and pondering the themes he has presented for us. He’s telling original stories, and cementing himself as one of the best to do that in recent memory. This is a spectacle in its own self, while feeling like a true summer blockbuster. See it on the biggest screen possible, and feel the weight of this thing.

NOPE = 81/100

News

‘Nope’ Trailer Hits

We are all the same page right? Nope means, Not. Of. Planet. Earth.

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There are directors, and then there are film-makers. That craft things that entice and unite movie fans around the globe. Jordan Peele is one of those selected few now. He brought the world to its knees with Get Out, and promised us that he was just getting started. Now he’s telling an alien story? This is one of the better teaser trailers or recent memory. Can always count on him to blend comedy and horror with a little remixed hip-hop music in the background.

Without a doubt, this has the best ending shot from a trailer in recent memory. Keke Palmer getting sucked into the sky, but it some how just feels terrifying. Peele is also reuniting with Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya and this appears to be his most ambitious film yet. Steven Yeun is also joining the ranks, and he seems to be playing the ring leader at some crazy tourist attraction, which I’ll talk about in a few seconds.

You know nothing is ever as it seems with Peele and his movies, but from the look of things, either aliens are on earth living among us, and they have been turned into somewhat of a tourist attraction kind of thing. Think a circus but with alien lifeforms and their kind is coming to earth for either revenge or to bring their babies home. You can catch glimpses of weird things and people throughout the trailer, and maybe it’s them who’s opening this gigantic portal in the sky. That’s just my guess, and seeing how this is a Jordan Peele flick, I’m going to be way off, but that’s the feeling I’m getting from the first few watches of the trailer.

What a summer event this is going to be.

Reviews

‘Us’ Review

Creep on in on in. Jordan Peele follows up Get Out with a stellar sophomore performance. Lupita Nyong’o shines, but Winston Duke steals the show.

A family’s serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begins to terrorize them.


What is your deepest fear? For some, it’s heights or spiders. Some people have fears that we can even begin to imagine, like the fear of peaches. But what about fearing oneself? Deep down we truly are our own worst enemy right? Have you ever seen someone out in public that you swore was someone you know, or stumbled upon a photo of someone who looks just like you? It can be creepy, the old adage that if you ever time travel, you are forbidden to ever see yourself because the human psyche couldn’t handle something like that. Well now imagine not only seeing a mirror reflection of yourself, but that every person is here to kill you. The concept of duality is very interesting when used correctly in the film. What if we all had our own double out there somewhere, but we just didn’t know it? Duality is a very large theme within Jordan Peele’s new movie Us, his incredible follow up to the cultural phenomenon that was Get Out.

I can’t even fathom the amount of pressure Jordan Peele must have felt when making and writing this movie. Get Out literally changed his life forever and will be regarded as one of the best horror movies of all time, and perhaps one of the best movies of this decade. Those are some rather large shoes to fill for your follow up. But, if you had one great idea, you’re bound to have more right? Well, not only is Us going to be a smash hit, in some ways he ups the ante from his previous movie. Onions have layers, Ogres have layers, this movie has many layers. Sometimes adding a ton of layers won’t always translate to success and people enjoying your movie more. In fact, peeling back too many layers can be tiresome and at times boring. There’s a ton to digest with Us, it packs a punch. The movie at times can feel psychedelic and almost hypnotic with the imagery we are given. Peele crafts some spectacular shots, one that includes shadows of our family as they walk on the beach. Like I mentioned, duality and mirror images are a large aspect of this film. Speaking of the family, let’s meet the Wilson’s shall we?

Nothing screams vacation like fighting with your family. Now being hunted down and having your doppelgänger trying to kill you is a whole other ball game. Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) Gabe (Winston Duke) Jason (Evan Alex) and Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) are just your typical American family trying to have some fun at the beach. Now, for a movie like this, there is no way I’m giving away anything, I wouldn’t do that. Just know, the trailers don’t even scratch the surface of what this movie is, which I was pleasantly surprised with. Jordan Peele did an incredible job keeping this thing hush-hush. Lupita gives one hell of a performance, one of the best that I can remember in a horror movie. She’s doing a lot here because these four are also playing their counterparts. But Winston Duke man, that’s my new guy. The way I would describe him is simple, he’s – “that’s how I would act kind of guy.” What he’s saying, how he’s acting, he’s doing all the things use average joes would do when faced with these circumstances. The best part about this whole film is how Peele is able to serve up comedy in some scary and suspenseful moments. One misstep and it could have fallen so flat on its face, but it’s the chemistry between our four leads that make it work. They really feel like a family, it’s some of the funniest moments I can ever remember in a horror movie. I want to see this again, which I will, solely for one comedic moment, because I was howling with laughter. The rest of the cast, which is pretty small was just so perfectly crafted. Elizabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker and Cali and Noelle Sheldon play family friends and they were all terrific as well. Fun fact with the twin girls, they played Emma, Ross and Rachel’s daughter in Friends, and now I made you feel old.

My only small gripe with the film was the ending like I said there is a ton to peel back, no pun intended. I wasn’t exactly sure what Peele was going for and he’s asking a lot from his audience, and either you’re going to go there with him or like myself just have maybe a few questions that seem unanswerable. I am not letting that take away from this terrific, suspenseful, master craft of cinema. Jordan Peele is the real deal, and we have just another gifted filmmaker among us and I can’t wait to see what he does next. Go see it, go see it twice, let’s support this man, because he deserves hit. Us could have the biggest box-office openings in history, couldn’t be happier for the guy.

Nate’s Movie Tour Reviews – Us = 94/100

News

Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Trailer

Nothing says Christmas like a terrifying home invasion.

The master of horror has return! Jordan Peele just gave us all the best Christmas present, the debut trailer for his next film Us. After the critical success of Get Out, one of the best original horror movies ever made, we’ve been waiting for our first glimpse at Peele’s next project.

We certainly got a look, and it’s incredible that this trailer dropped a mere 12 weeks before the release of the movie. Not your typical family vacation I’d say. What wide range of talented actors and actresses we have, Elizabeth Moss, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o and Yahya Abdul-Mateen, this promises to be another smash hit. Much like Get Out, I’m sure there will be a big twist, and there will be a ton of layers to peel back and digest. This is one of the scariest trailers I can remember and I counted like 10 plus jump scares, so I’d recommend wearing a diaper in March. What a premise, my guess is that this family will be serial killers themselves and that they are like battling their inner demons or something. Whatever it is, Us looks fantastic and we have another young insanely talented film maker in our ranks.

Just another movie to look forward too in 2019. Which already promises to be one of the most packed movie going seasons of all time.

Reviews

‘Get Out’ Movie Review

I haven’t rooted this hard against rich white people since the election.

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Get Out is written and directed by Jordan Peele, who you might know from the hilarious sketch comedy show Key & Peele. It tells the story of Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) who are an interracial couple who are taking the next step in their relationship. Chris is about to meet Rose’s family. Her father Dean (Bradley Whitfield), her Mom Missy (Catharine Keener) and her brother Jeremy. (Caleb Landry Jones) Before they set out on their trip Chris asks Rose if her parents know if he is black or not, and Rose responds by telling him that her family is pretty normal white family, that he shouldn’t worry about anything and it won’t matter because they are not racist. Things seem normal at first with Chris realizing that maybe her parents are just a little nervous and trying a little to hard to connect with him. Instead of seeing him for who he is, they immediately try to connect with on some black thing. Once Chris starts to realize that things aren’t exactly what they seem, he decides that he is in way over his head. As Jordan Peele put it, it’s Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner mixed with Rosemary’s Baby. The great thing is this, it’s a cliche to have a character like Chris be the first person to die in a slasher flick. Instead Peele flips it on its head and we see Chris fighting his way through the whole thing. The joke is though Peele makes the audience aware that young black males know their lives are always in peril from the opening scene.

Get Out is a horror/thriller with a little comedy sprinkled in. More importantly it deals with pressing issues surrounding race that people have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Jordan Peele came up the idea for Get Out when he started noticing that sometimes he would be the only black person at a party or a get together and how awkward and uncomfortable that can make somebody feel. There’s a great scene in the movie where Rose’s family is hosting a large party and all the white people around Chris are trying to connect with him on some black thing. It represents that people are being seen for their colour first rather than as an individual. It’s not a hateful thing, but it fits into the whole mess that we call racism. The guests at the party are using Chris’s race as an olive branch to try and easily connect with him instead of just tying to learn who he is as an individual. Rose’s dad keeps telling Chris that he would have voted from Obama for a third time if he could have, he thinks he’s being cool with Chris, by connecting with him and making him feel welcome, but it almost makes Chris feel even more isolated. The movie does a fantastic job showing Chris’s side of this, who stays calm throughout the whole ordeal and it isn’t until he sees another person of colour at the party and just how almost whitewashed they are and he realizes that something is wrong in this community.

It’s suspenseful and incredibly tense at times. But it is also insanely funny and for the majority of the laughs they come from Chris’s friend Rod (LilRel Howery). He’s the comedic outlet for the movie and represents the audience’s point of view throughout the movie. He keeps calling Chris to check up on him, because from the get go he clearly tells him he’s crazy for going into a white girls parents house. When Chris starts explaining what’s going on, and sends Rod a picture of another black guy that was at the party and they soon discover that he’s been missing for six weeks, Rod makes it his mission to help save his friend. The back and forth between Rod and Chris is so funny, Rod is all of us telling this guy to get the hell out of dodge before it’s too late.

The less you know about this movie the better your experience of it will be. There are a ton of reveals and twists and turns and I found myself enjoying every second of it. That’s why I don’t want to go into great detail about the plot or what goes on. Go in and just enjoy this brilliant film. It’s so fun and unique and it’s ORIGINAL something that today’s modern Hollywood lacks dearly. The acting feels so real and authentic. Allison Williams really blew me away with her performance and I know that this will be a star making performance for Daniel Kaluuya. This is a important movie, and something the world needs right now. It deals with an issue that is still on going and it’s a smart and inventive way to look at racism and how it affects people in everyday life. It makes you feel what the African American perspective is, through fear and insecurity. What it feels like to be black man walking through a white suburban neighbourhood at night. It addresses so many important topics and issues, in a really unique way. The movie isn’t shovelling these messages down your throat every 5 seconds, it comes naturally. With this being Peele’s first time in the directors chair I cannot wait to see what he does next. Go see this movie.

Check ya later,

Nate’s Movie Tour Reviews — Get Out = 86/100