The Official Last Movie You Saw Thread (Part 2)

[KCKUKFan]

Get Out.

Much has been written about this movie in the last couple of weeks, and if you want fresher and more interesting takes they're all over the internet. All I'll say about it is that it's one of the eeriest, strangest horror movies I've ever seen. It begins with what is obviously a sketch comedy conceit--What if a black guy went to meet his girlfriend's parents and found out that all the black folks in the town had been brainwashed?--and turns that conceit into a headtrippy, Invasion of the Body Snatchers-style horror flick.

What I loved most about this is its subtlety. The way it plays and toys with race is tremendous, making the viewer more and more unsettled as the main character begins to slowly realize that things aren't right. The acting is incredible down to the peripheral characters; I really loved Bradley Whitford as the liberal dad who takes the act about a million steps too far.

This is the best it gets as far as the horror genre goes and has enough meat to be taken as a serious film--very, very rare for scary flicks. Cannot possibly recommend it highly enough.

I'd recommend "Get Out" as well, but as time goes by I can barely remember anything about it, other than the fact that I enjoyed it.

I'm not entirely sure it's worth all of the praise that's it's been receiving. I mean, it has a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score (and 99% only because Armond White is a notorious troll). It was a good movie, but after much consideration, I'm not sure it's much more than that.

I never found it particularly scary OR hilarious, just amusingly entertaining for two solid, well-crafted hours. And there's nothing wrong with that, but I'm sort've confused as to the huge praise it's garnering. I suppose you could have a discussion about the themes they explored, but I'm not even sure if that was the point.

[Joneslab]

I think the praise has mostly to do with the horror genre itself.

You don't see horror movies that take on societal issues much. I loved It Follows because it was tackling economic anxiety--kids from a hollowed-out Detroit, bored and desolate, were losing themselves in sex...and being haunted by it.

A horror movie that tackles race in an interesting way is almost too goofy an idea to even think about. And yet this movie not only takes on race, it seems to nail a lot of our sort of deep-down stereotypes and clichés. And it does this in a time when racial issues are so present in a lot of people's lives.

[KCKUKFan]

A horror movie that tackles race in an interesting way is almost too goofy an idea to even think about. And yet this movie not only takes on race, it seems to nail a lot of our sort of deep-down stereotypes and clichés. And it does this in a time when racial issues are so present in a lot of people's lives.

You think so?

I thought it was just another mildly clever take on the old "difference between blacks and whites" routine that every African American stand-up comedian on earth has run into the ground.

I thought it was entertaining and certainly well-crafted, but I thought the race politics were pretty basic, and I don't even feel that was Peele's main objective, at least not any more than a standard sketch from his TV show.

Also, I really don't want my horror movies tackling societal issues. As long as the script isn't insulting my intelligence, I basically want blood, guts, and tits, in large doses. One or two "It Follows" a generation is fine, but I go to horror movies to be scared and/or disgusted. "Get Out" didn't really do either, although it did entertain me in other ways.

[Catatonic]

As long as the script isn't insulting my intelligence, I basically want blood, guts, and tits, in large doses.

If the latter is what interests you, you probably don't have to worry about the former.

Haven't seen Get Out yet, but I am looking forward to it. I was pretty excited, or at least intrigued, when Peele announced his ambitions to make horror movies.

[KCKUKFan]

If the latter is what interests you, you probably don't have to worry about the former.

Not necessarily. The best horror movies are the ones that balance the tits with the wits.

[Joneslab]

The Wicker Man is arguably one of the best horror movies ever made, definitely in the top ten, because it really gets religion. The Christian main character is so perfectly drawn that as things start falling apart around him, you begin to feel dread but also this sense that Yeah, that's exactly how that guy would react. I know guys like that.

But that movie is also goofy. It's comedic, sometimes unintentionally, and it also has this sense of careening wildness. You get about halfway into that movie and get the feeling that the filmmakers are capable of anything because everybody associated with the movie is half-nuts.

I feel that way about Get Out. Probably because of Peele's sketch comedy background it has this sense of weird and almost lunatic unpredictability. Everything in the movie begins to happen exactly as you think it won't down to the last scene. It's constantly toying with expectations and then ripping them away.

But I also think it gets black/white anxiety right, and that's why it has achieved such success. What better grounds for a horror movie than race? That nobody has really tried to go there before is the most astounding thing.

[Catatonic]

Not necessarily. The best horror movies are the ones that balance the tits with the wits.

Not so much. The best horror movies are the ones that are about something more universal than blood n guts. Not that I don't like those too, but they're disposable entertainment.

[Catatonic]

But that movie is also goofy. It's comedic, sometimes unintentionally, and it also has this sense of careening wildness.

It's also pretty dated, but that sort of adds to its weird appeal. The remake is a great comedy in its own right.

But I also think it gets black/white anxiety right, and that's why it has achieved such success. What better grounds for a horror movie than race? That nobody has really tried to go there before is the most astounding thing.

To be fair, Night of the Living Dead went there 50 years ago. White Dog is another one that comes to mind.

But I agree it's odd it hasn't been explored more than it has.

[Blue Heaven]

I saw the trailer for the new It movie that comes out in September. I never read the book but saw the 1990 two part series on TV and enjoyed it for the Tim Curry performance. This movie has reportedly received King's blessing and King is said to have enjoyed it as it stays true to the book. It's gonna be a two movie series with the first movie focusing on the kids and the second the adults. Anyway, the trailer looks creepy as hell. I really want to see this.

[KCKUKFan]

It is my all time favorite novel and a masterpiece of horror, so ive been following the (troubled) pre-production. I was worried when Cary Fukunaga left but this trailer pleases me greatly. Looks like its slavishly faithful to the darker parts of the source material, as well as nailing the stand by me nature of the kids relationship.

curry was great as pennywise in the tv version, but the film itself is pretty bad and dated.

Cannot wait for this movie.

[Joneslab]

I'm actually reading It now. I started it back in the early '90s but never finished. Read a crap-ton of Stephen King but never read this one.

[George]

It is my all time favorite novel and a masterpiece of horror, so ive been following the (troubled) pre-production. I was worried when Cary Fukunaga left but this trailer pleases me greatly. Looks like its slavishly faithful to the darker parts of the source material, as well as nailing the stand by me nature of the kids relationship.

curry was great as pennywise in the tv version, but the film itself is pretty bad and dated.

Cannot wait for this movie.

Why'd Fukunaga drop out?

[TrueblueCATfan]

It is my all time favorite novel and a masterpiece of horror, so ive been following the (troubled) pre-production. I was worried when Cary Fukunaga left but this trailer pleases me greatly. Looks like its slavishly faithful to the darker parts of the source material, as well as nailing the stand by me nature of the kids relationship.

curry was great as pennywise in the tv version, but the film itself is pretty bad and dated.

Cannot wait for this movie.

My daughter said the book was awesome .....we also can't wait to see the movie

[Blue Heaven]

Why'd Fukunaga drop out?

Google the movie and look for an article on the website Fuse. It gives a timeline of events in regards to bringing the movie to production. It talks about why he dropped out. Hollywood pretty much forced his hand. Good read too. I am gonna have to read the book. Never read King but like his movies.

[KCKUKFan]

I'm actually reading It now. I started it back in the early '90s but never finished. Read a crap-ton of Stephen King but never read this one.

Let me know what you think.

It's an absolute masterpiece, in my humble opinion. Nails childhood, memories, and King describes the town of Derry so well that you feel like you live there.