I joined to get on the Dunkirk train and to talk movies, so I'm a little shocked that there's no thread on this fantastic movie? If there is one, please ignore this message and accept my apologies.
Anyway, below is the trailer, and my review.
For a debut film, I thought this was really, really good. It wasn't perfect, but it was well done, especially for the genre. People are saying it's both funny and scary, I would say that it's more creepy and suspenseful with some moments of levity, and a running strand of dark humor throughout. I do think the trailer gives away too much and the twists would have been much more effective if they had held back a bit in the advertising. Speaking of the twist,
Even knowing what the twist was going in, I still found the build up to it effective. The thing that really makes this movie shine though is the dialogue and the acting. A lot of the satire and social commentary is subtle and comes off so natural and realistic it almost doesn't feel satirical at all. In less competent hands, like a Tyler Perry or Daniels, this theme could have been very hamfisted and preachy. But Peele sneaks shade and commentary in like a ninja (most of the time). Any black person who has ever been the only in a room of whites has heard a lot of the things these people say. And Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, and Lil Rel all bring their A game. Kaluuya especially shines here, conveying an impressive range of emotion like a pro, and Lil Rel stole every scene he was in. Dude is very funny, and I hope to see him in more movies.
My only problem with this film besides the giveaway trailer is that it wasn't completely fluid. While the dialogue is natural, some of the transitions and lingering camera shots didn't quite feel natural. It was almost like Peele was trying to tell us "pay attention to this, it's gonna come up later!" or "isn't that weird?!". It's strange that he careful with being so subtle with his social commentary in the dialogue, but then kinda beats the audience over the head with way he pauses a moment to make sure we know it's a MOMENT. But I chalk that up to beginner clumsiness.
Overall, this was a really brilliant debut for a first time horror writer/director, especially with a comedic background. I think this is gonna be a instant cult classic because it's' so different, and it was so much fun in many ways.
I give this a 9 out of 10 or two thumbs up.
Anyway, below is the trailer, and my review.
For a debut film, I thought this was really, really good. It wasn't perfect, but it was well done, especially for the genre. People are saying it's both funny and scary, I would say that it's more creepy and suspenseful with some moments of levity, and a running strand of dark humor throughout. I do think the trailer gives away too much and the twists would have been much more effective if they had held back a bit in the advertising. Speaking of the twist,
My only problem with this film besides the giveaway trailer is that it wasn't completely fluid. While the dialogue is natural, some of the transitions and lingering camera shots didn't quite feel natural. It was almost like Peele was trying to tell us "pay attention to this, it's gonna come up later!" or "isn't that weird?!". It's strange that he careful with being so subtle with his social commentary in the dialogue, but then kinda beats the audience over the head with way he pauses a moment to make sure we know it's a MOMENT. But I chalk that up to beginner clumsiness.
Overall, this was a really brilliant debut for a first time horror writer/director, especially with a comedic background. I think this is gonna be a instant cult classic because it's' so different, and it was so much fun in many ways.
I give this a 9 out of 10 or two thumbs up.
