Get Out – 9
One of the mysteries of modern movie going is trying to determine the long-term stature of a movie. Will it be a classic? Will it hold up? Will it be beloved? Or will it just fade into obscurity. Sometimes a movie which makes little splash at release (Tombstone?) grows in stature and holds up to repeated viewing. Sometimes a highly-acclaimed movie just doesn’t percolate for very long (American Beauty?)
I suspect Get Out will grow into a classic as it gets the cable treatment. I rarely go to see horror movies in the theater because the first “jump” elicits “I hate this movie” from my wife, and there were many such proclamations from her during Get Out. Buckle up. Like classic horror movies it duplicates that feeling of being on a roller coaster where you hate it, but you love it. Do you have the guts to let go of the restraining bar?
Director Jordan Peele makes an impressive debut by molding a movie where race is a central issue, but at its core it’s a scary movie. The cast is perfection. You won’t see a better acted movie this year.
One of the mysteries of modern movie going is trying to determine the long-term stature of a movie. Will it be a classic? Will it hold up? Will it be beloved? Or will it just fade into obscurity. Sometimes a movie which makes little splash at release (Tombstone?) grows in stature and holds up to repeated viewing. Sometimes a highly-acclaimed movie just doesn’t percolate for very long (American Beauty?)
I suspect Get Out will grow into a classic as it gets the cable treatment. I rarely go to see horror movies in the theater because the first “jump” elicits “I hate this movie” from my wife, and there were many such proclamations from her during Get Out. Buckle up. Like classic horror movies it duplicates that feeling of being on a roller coaster where you hate it, but you love it. Do you have the guts to let go of the restraining bar?
Director Jordan Peele makes an impressive debut by molding a movie where race is a central issue, but at its core it’s a scary movie. The cast is perfection. You won’t see a better acted movie this year.
Allison Williams is bringing her black boyfriend to “meet
the parents.” She assures him that they
will be cool – so cool that her father (Bradley Whitfield) will be sure to say “I
would have voted for Obama three times if he could have.” But, when he says it, something seems off. The mother (Catherine Keener) is a little off
herself. And what’s in the basement
anyway?
And off you go into an often brilliant, often funny, often “jumpy” world. To tell you more would be to spoil the surprises ahead. The only question will be, which will be more iconic in time – the movie, or this picture? Once you see it you’ll understand.
And off you go into an often brilliant, often funny, often “jumpy” world. To tell you more would be to spoil the surprises ahead. The only question will be, which will be more iconic in time – the movie, or this picture? Once you see it you’ll understand.
Scanning the Satellite
Big Little Lies – 8
HBO’s star laden mini-series kills someone off in the first episode then takes 7 weeks to reveal the identity of the deceased, not to mention the killer I’m not sure the subterfuge was necessary, but I’ll admit it kept me watching through some erratic story-telling. In the end, it’s great characterizations by Nicole Kidman (in a classic role – and she gets naked) and Reese Witherspoon (who does not) that hold your attention. This may be Kidman’s best role ever. She is the conflicted and abused wife of Alexander Skarsgaard, and her evolution over seven hours is something you couldn’t delve into in just a movie. In fact, her willingness to reveal her body is essential to the vulnerability of her character. The soap opera of rich people and their troubles is made palatable by the acting.
Big Little Lies – 8
HBO’s star laden mini-series kills someone off in the first episode then takes 7 weeks to reveal the identity of the deceased, not to mention the killer I’m not sure the subterfuge was necessary, but I’ll admit it kept me watching through some erratic story-telling. In the end, it’s great characterizations by Nicole Kidman (in a classic role – and she gets naked) and Reese Witherspoon (who does not) that hold your attention. This may be Kidman’s best role ever. She is the conflicted and abused wife of Alexander Skarsgaard, and her evolution over seven hours is something you couldn’t delve into in just a movie. In fact, her willingness to reveal her body is essential to the vulnerability of her character. The soap opera of rich people and their troubles is made palatable by the acting.
Billions – 10
Meanwhile over on Showtime, they are more than keeping up. I thought Billions could not top its first season. I was wrong. It keeps getting better, and it looks like it could go for years. I hope so. Billions has replaced The Good Wife as the best written show on television and sets a standard for Showtime that I hope they can live up to. Episode 6 of Season two is the best hour of television I’ve seen in years. I guess high finance is where the drama is. Who knew?
Meanwhile over on Showtime, they are more than keeping up. I thought Billions could not top its first season. I was wrong. It keeps getting better, and it looks like it could go for years. I hope so. Billions has replaced The Good Wife as the best written show on television and sets a standard for Showtime that I hope they can live up to. Episode 6 of Season two is the best hour of television I’ve seen in years. I guess high finance is where the drama is. Who knew?
