Sue (Eden Sher) is finally turning twenty-one, which is a problem considering back in season three, Frankie (Patricia Heaton) forgot about it as it was actually on Leap Year for a change. So, in reality, she should be turning twenty-two, but whatever, lets just go with it.
Frankie goes to college to help Sue celebrate and they both get completely drunk. Frankie's purpose may have been to teach Sue to drink responsibly, but that backfires. Fortunately, Aidan (Jackson White) shows up to help them get home as Frankie can't stand up straight and Sue runs out into the middle of the street without looking. Even more fortunately, Sean (Beau Wirick) shows up and when Sue needs to throw up, Aidan runs away so he doesn't join her while Sean holds her hair back and when she wants to kiss him, he doesn't take advantage of her. His parents raised him right.
That next morning, Sue has a raging headache and when Aidan returns to make sure she's alright, she ends things. He is alright with that as it was a sign when she picked her mom over him to spend her birthday with. That hurdle is out of the way, leaving Sue free to date Sean, just as everyone else wants. That being said, I would prefer Sue with Sean over Aidan.
Brick (Atticus Shaffer) and Mike (Neil Flynn) go to a Planet Nowhere convention and Mike isn't thrilled. He complains about the length of the lines and the price of souvenirs and is livid when Brick texts Frankie behind his back.
Mike grounds him, by taking away the microfiche machine's light bulb and promptly stepping on it, ruining one of the few things Brick truly loves. But Brick has the last laugh, shoving all of the Colts paraphernalia in Mike's face, which forces Mike to understand that while the Colts are important to him, Planet Nowhere is important to Brick. So they return and Mike sucks it up, buying him some nice presents to remember the event.
And we can't forget about Axl (Charlie McDermott). He has his own road trip. He and Hutch (Alphonso McAuley) are going to Kenny's (Tommy Bechtold's) wedding. That's right, Kenny is the first of the bunch to get married. First, their avatars fell in love, then they did. And each of them have to give a speech, but they have nothing to say about him as they don't him that well. But they have touching speeches for each other.
They realize that they are grown-ups, which is the truth and most of Kenny's guests are watching the live stream of the wedding. Hopefully, it will still be nice.
This was another solid episode and drunk Sue is just as funny as normal Sue. However, I don't think we will see her again. And Frankie still can't hold her liquor and is just as irresponsible as a college student. Sue, Mike and Axl learned valuable lessons in this episode, while Frankie is still the same and Brick schooled his father on hypocrisy. No real laughs, but it was touching nevertheless, with everyone getting their moment to shine. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-The blue bag is now orange, keep up people. Yet, it is still just as forgotten.
-Mike likes Angie Dickinson, interesting.
-Brick does have ninja like texting skills.
-Hutch still needs to date one more crazy chick before settling down and likes drinking out of juice boxes.
-I don't think Sue will ever go to see Aidan's band again, but she plays it off well.
-For whatever reason, it is a tradition to kiss the dragon on your twenty-first birthday, funny Axl never mentioned it.
-Axl and Hutch didn't even know Kenny's last name until the invitation arrived.
-Axl wouldn't be in his penthouse without Kenny who forced him to take college seriously.
-When you drop something breakable on the floor, bend down to look for it.
-At the Planet Nowhere convention, it is a thing to throw fresh food against the wall. That is such a waste of food. I'm not a fan.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Victoria and Abdul (2017)
Alas, this film was not very good.
Judi Dench shines as an elderly Queen Victoria who befriends Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal). His life is service and he is thrilled that the Queen has taken a shine to him while her eldest son, Bertie (Eddie Izzard) growls in the corner. Abdul did have a humble background but is able to teach the Queen about the lovely subcontinent of India as she is its empress but has never been there and wants to know more about it.
The scenes with those two actors shine while the rest of the film suffers. Bertie is close-minded and nasty, cruel and misunderstanding of different cultures. And there is the stupid, ridiculous subplot of the fact that Abdul and his wife don't have children.
The film starts to suffer in the second fact, after Victoria discovers that Abdul fabricated some information to her to build himself up. But she forgives him as the two deeply respect each other. She values him far more than her own son.
While the film tries and tells a good story, unfortunately, I feel that because a lasting impression was not left on the world, as immediately after Victoria's death, Bertie banished Abdul back to India and burned all traces of him from the palace and society, it is too trivial for the big screen and would have been more suited for the smaller one. Dench is still a revelation though. Grade: B-
Judi Dench shines as an elderly Queen Victoria who befriends Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal). His life is service and he is thrilled that the Queen has taken a shine to him while her eldest son, Bertie (Eddie Izzard) growls in the corner. Abdul did have a humble background but is able to teach the Queen about the lovely subcontinent of India as she is its empress but has never been there and wants to know more about it.
The scenes with those two actors shine while the rest of the film suffers. Bertie is close-minded and nasty, cruel and misunderstanding of different cultures. And there is the stupid, ridiculous subplot of the fact that Abdul and his wife don't have children.
The film starts to suffer in the second fact, after Victoria discovers that Abdul fabricated some information to her to build himself up. But she forgives him as the two deeply respect each other. She values him far more than her own son.
While the film tries and tells a good story, unfortunately, I feel that because a lasting impression was not left on the world, as immediately after Victoria's death, Bertie banished Abdul back to India and burned all traces of him from the palace and society, it is too trivial for the big screen and would have been more suited for the smaller one. Dench is still a revelation though. Grade: B-
Monday, February 19, 2018
The Post (2017)
This film is basically the prequel to All the President's Men (1976), a great film with excellent actors. However, this film is different, but also the same. The government has secrets and doesn't want the general public to know the truth. They lied to us, for decades.
First, The New York Times has some secret documents and The Washington Post's editor, Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) is livid that they got them first, but they are slapped with a cease and desist order.
Fortunately, the Post has a journalist, Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) who digs, calls of his old contacts and goes to Boston to fetch four thousand pages of these classified documents. And then the crew assembles at Bradlee's house, sorting through all the papers and coming up with a story, despite the lawyers getting involved, despite the impeding lawsuit.
In the end, the decision comes down to the paper's owner, Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) who is the only woman in a man's world and has just made the shares of the paper public, so this decision is a big deal as it could mean jail time for her and Bradlee.
The case does go to the Supreme Court but the papers win and soon, all the papers pick up the story. Kay is grateful that she survived this battle and hopes that life will be easy after this, but Watergate is just around the corner.
While the film is more than solid, the secret that America remained in Vietnam to save face, all those men dying needlessly isn't enough attention and people don't get angry enough over it. And the court case is brushed over.
But the atmosphere is there. This is a time when a conference call meant picking up the extension in the other room and when people relied on the newspapers for the news as the internet wasn't around. The performances are brilliant and inspired and the film is packed with talent, including Tracy Letts, Jesse Plemons, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Sarah Paulson and Carrie Coon. And the film is assembled brilliantly, save for one minor inconsistency of the position of Kay's robe. It is fascinating to see how the paper was put together and how dedicated people were to get the facts right. Streep fully deserved her Oscar nomination and Hanks was robbed. But I wish the film had ended differently, instead of setting it up for a sequel that wouldn't be needed as that film has already been made. That was unnecessary when the main plot had been wrapped up. Nevertheless, this is still one of the best films of last year, and makes you hope that journalists still have that much integrity. Grade: A-
First, The New York Times has some secret documents and The Washington Post's editor, Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) is livid that they got them first, but they are slapped with a cease and desist order.
Fortunately, the Post has a journalist, Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) who digs, calls of his old contacts and goes to Boston to fetch four thousand pages of these classified documents. And then the crew assembles at Bradlee's house, sorting through all the papers and coming up with a story, despite the lawyers getting involved, despite the impeding lawsuit.
In the end, the decision comes down to the paper's owner, Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) who is the only woman in a man's world and has just made the shares of the paper public, so this decision is a big deal as it could mean jail time for her and Bradlee.
The case does go to the Supreme Court but the papers win and soon, all the papers pick up the story. Kay is grateful that she survived this battle and hopes that life will be easy after this, but Watergate is just around the corner.
While the film is more than solid, the secret that America remained in Vietnam to save face, all those men dying needlessly isn't enough attention and people don't get angry enough over it. And the court case is brushed over.
But the atmosphere is there. This is a time when a conference call meant picking up the extension in the other room and when people relied on the newspapers for the news as the internet wasn't around. The performances are brilliant and inspired and the film is packed with talent, including Tracy Letts, Jesse Plemons, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Sarah Paulson and Carrie Coon. And the film is assembled brilliantly, save for one minor inconsistency of the position of Kay's robe. It is fascinating to see how the paper was put together and how dedicated people were to get the facts right. Streep fully deserved her Oscar nomination and Hanks was robbed. But I wish the film had ended differently, instead of setting it up for a sequel that wouldn't be needed as that film has already been made. That was unnecessary when the main plot had been wrapped up. Nevertheless, this is still one of the best films of last year, and makes you hope that journalists still have that much integrity. Grade: A-
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Breathe (2017)
I don't feeling like going much into the plot as it is rather square: Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) meets a pretty girl, Diana (Claire Foy), falls in love, gets married and then nearly dies of polio. He spends the rest of his life paralyzed from the neck down but Diana's will for him to live forces some major changes for the lives of others with severe disabilities. No longer will they be confined to the hospital, which Robin compares to a prison. Differences are made so Robin will be remembered long after his death, which is inevitable.
Okay. There is the plot. The performances are excellent and it cannot be easy for Garfield to live there immobile and to get the speech patterns properly, but they are wasted as the script lets them down. It hurries through their courtship. You don't understand why Robin was attracted to Diana for any reason other than she is beautiful and vice versa. They don't have personalities before Robin falls ill, really. He just likes to win at tennis, but who doesn't? And how do they have money after he gets sick? Diana has to be his full time caregiver and he certainly can't work. He does mention stocks at one point but that's it.
And when he decides to die, with the help of a doctor for a medically assisted suicide, that should have inspired a brief debate of that controversial issue.
Still, it is interesting to see how he was able to survive outside when no one thought he could, but fortunately, he had connections, most of which aren't explained. Robin was fortunate that way.
Now, while Garfield and Foy are excellent, the supporting cast is more uneven, mainly Tom Hollander's unexplained double role. I believe that he is brother of Diana but am not sure.
It is a shame that this film is not better as all the ingredients are all there including Robin's and Diana's son, Jonathan served as one of the producers, but it is not assembled properly in any way. Grade: B-
Okay. There is the plot. The performances are excellent and it cannot be easy for Garfield to live there immobile and to get the speech patterns properly, but they are wasted as the script lets them down. It hurries through their courtship. You don't understand why Robin was attracted to Diana for any reason other than she is beautiful and vice versa. They don't have personalities before Robin falls ill, really. He just likes to win at tennis, but who doesn't? And how do they have money after he gets sick? Diana has to be his full time caregiver and he certainly can't work. He does mention stocks at one point but that's it.
And when he decides to die, with the help of a doctor for a medically assisted suicide, that should have inspired a brief debate of that controversial issue.
Still, it is interesting to see how he was able to survive outside when no one thought he could, but fortunately, he had connections, most of which aren't explained. Robin was fortunate that way.
Now, while Garfield and Foy are excellent, the supporting cast is more uneven, mainly Tom Hollander's unexplained double role. I believe that he is brother of Diana but am not sure.
It is a shame that this film is not better as all the ingredients are all there including Robin's and Diana's son, Jonathan served as one of the producers, but it is not assembled properly in any way. Grade: B-
Friday, February 16, 2018
Marshall (2017)
This was a pretty good film.
Instead of focusing on Thurgood Marshall's (Chadwick Boseman's) most famous case of ending segregation of schools in the US, this film focuses on a case in Connecticut where a socialite (Kate Hudson) has accused her chauffeur (Sterling K. Brown) of rape.
But African Americans can't even practice law in the state of Connecticut so Thurgood needs the help of insurance attorney, Sam Friedman (Josh Gad, excellent) who doesn't want to do this but his brother roped him into the whole thing.
The case turns interesting as it turns out that Ellie Strubing did have sex with Joseph, but it was consensual. Her husband (Jeremy Bobb), who never speaks throughout the whole film, is abusive and she's lonely but she instantly regrets her decision. She's even more worried about pregnant than I would be, but then again, this is before condoms and the pill. She weaves the whole story.
The film is also about Joseph's decision to turn down two plea deals, one of which would be a good deal even if it meant pleading guilty to a crime he didn't commit but he decides to fight for his freedom, though Thurgood can't even speak in court and the evidence is mounting against them. They can't even use the witness, as everything seems to be going against them.
But, in the end, men are men and women are women, with needs. Despite having an all-white jury, including one juror being from the south, they still win the case and it forces Sam to fight for the rights of all people.
The film is solid with a great cast, each one giving workman-like performances. Though Boseman is the star and does a great job, I find that somehow, Gad steals the film, perhaps because his role is the one that goes through a transformation. Still, the film is good, and tells an interesting story and does so very well, the same message has been driven home many times before and better but this is still a film that you want to watch to the end and keeps you entertained along the way. Grade: B+
Instead of focusing on Thurgood Marshall's (Chadwick Boseman's) most famous case of ending segregation of schools in the US, this film focuses on a case in Connecticut where a socialite (Kate Hudson) has accused her chauffeur (Sterling K. Brown) of rape.
But African Americans can't even practice law in the state of Connecticut so Thurgood needs the help of insurance attorney, Sam Friedman (Josh Gad, excellent) who doesn't want to do this but his brother roped him into the whole thing.
The case turns interesting as it turns out that Ellie Strubing did have sex with Joseph, but it was consensual. Her husband (Jeremy Bobb), who never speaks throughout the whole film, is abusive and she's lonely but she instantly regrets her decision. She's even more worried about pregnant than I would be, but then again, this is before condoms and the pill. She weaves the whole story.
The film is also about Joseph's decision to turn down two plea deals, one of which would be a good deal even if it meant pleading guilty to a crime he didn't commit but he decides to fight for his freedom, though Thurgood can't even speak in court and the evidence is mounting against them. They can't even use the witness, as everything seems to be going against them.
But, in the end, men are men and women are women, with needs. Despite having an all-white jury, including one juror being from the south, they still win the case and it forces Sam to fight for the rights of all people.
The film is solid with a great cast, each one giving workman-like performances. Though Boseman is the star and does a great job, I find that somehow, Gad steals the film, perhaps because his role is the one that goes through a transformation. Still, the film is good, and tells an interesting story and does so very well, the same message has been driven home many times before and better but this is still a film that you want to watch to the end and keeps you entertained along the way. Grade: B+
Sunday, February 11, 2018
i, Tonya (2017)
Margot Robbie inhabits the misunderstood Tonya Harding in this unique look on the events surrounding one of the most controversial events in US Figure Skating History.
Tonya is the first American woman to land the triple axel in competition and yes, she's a great skater but this film also focuses largely on her personal life which was troubled, to say the least.
Her mother, LaVona (Allison Janney, great) was abusive and downright nasty. But Tonya grew up poor, her mother poring every hard-earned dime into Tonya's skating. She doesn't want Tonya to make friends with the other skaters as that's her competition and curses in front of the children without care as to what the other parents must think.
And then, Tonya's first husband, Jeff (an unrecognizable Sebastian Stan) is also a real prize. He is also abusive, many scenes of which are shown on screen.
While the film does focus on the events surrounding the attack on Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver), and Jeff's dumb, idiot of a friend, Shawn (Paul Walter Hauser), it also focuses on her career and how much skating truly meant to her as it really was all she had. She dropped out of high school to focus on the sport, which never gave her the credit she deserved because of her colorful personal life and how they didn't want someone like her to represent America.
She really was never given a chance but she also made some bad choices, like marrying Jeff, big mistake. At least he admitted that he ruined her career, which he absolutely did.
The film itself is solid, with plenty of plot to go around, but Steven Rogers screenplay is flawless. The authentic feel of the late 1980s and early 1990s is also well-captured. The editing is seamless, and the costumes truly do look homemade. Janney and Robbie are brilliant as the dynamic duo. It is no surprise that the two of them aren't on speaking terms currently. Grade: A-
Tonya is the first American woman to land the triple axel in competition and yes, she's a great skater but this film also focuses largely on her personal life which was troubled, to say the least.
Her mother, LaVona (Allison Janney, great) was abusive and downright nasty. But Tonya grew up poor, her mother poring every hard-earned dime into Tonya's skating. She doesn't want Tonya to make friends with the other skaters as that's her competition and curses in front of the children without care as to what the other parents must think.
And then, Tonya's first husband, Jeff (an unrecognizable Sebastian Stan) is also a real prize. He is also abusive, many scenes of which are shown on screen.
While the film does focus on the events surrounding the attack on Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver), and Jeff's dumb, idiot of a friend, Shawn (Paul Walter Hauser), it also focuses on her career and how much skating truly meant to her as it really was all she had. She dropped out of high school to focus on the sport, which never gave her the credit she deserved because of her colorful personal life and how they didn't want someone like her to represent America.
She really was never given a chance but she also made some bad choices, like marrying Jeff, big mistake. At least he admitted that he ruined her career, which he absolutely did.
The film itself is solid, with plenty of plot to go around, but Steven Rogers screenplay is flawless. The authentic feel of the late 1980s and early 1990s is also well-captured. The editing is seamless, and the costumes truly do look homemade. Janney and Robbie are brilliant as the dynamic duo. It is no surprise that the two of them aren't on speaking terms currently. Grade: A-
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
The Middle: Guess Who's Coming to Frozen Dinner
This was one of those episodes that was just middle of the road.
Axl (Charlie McDermott) just received his first paycheck and doesn't listen to his father. Instead, he listens to Frankie (Patricia Heaton) and blows it on a giant TV which is so loud, it shakes food out of the kitchen cabinets. They try to get some financial sense together, which also largely fails. Frankie buys too much food so she decides that she won't buy any more until the freezer is empty which leads to them eating frozen vegetables while they try to come up with an easier way to manage money. In the end, Frankie brings them a movie as they are visual people, but that leads to an awkward night, similar to the one Sue (Eden Sher) and Mike (Neil Flynn) have at the beginning.
Sue, for whatever reason, has a break from college and Mike is struggling with the fact that she doesn't spend as much time with him anymore but the film he picks has a sex scene which makes him uncomfortable. And Mike doesn't like this feeling.
And then Rusty (Norm MacDonald) returns from his adventure in Tampa and presents the girl with a beautiful necklace that Mike believes is stolen. This was the first part of the episode that I predicted. Turns out it belonged to Mike's and Rusty's mother and since Rusty believes that he will never have a daughter of his own, he gives it to Beth, which is what he believes is Sue's name. So they have a touching moment also.
Now, poor Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is feeling pretty ignored. Neither of his parents give him much attention during this episode as they are focusing on their other children, but every time Brick opens the front door, something nice appears. The universe is trying to tell him something. And then he finds flowers, which he promptly gives to Cindy (Casey Burke) who opens the card. Again, as I predicted, it was Sean (Beau Wirick) leaving these gifts for Sue and he is set to reveal himself to her at the fountain in the park, only Cindy shows up instead, neither of whom even know each other. I guess Sean as the same winter break as Sue.
Now, while I think Rusty is an interesting character, this episode fell flat for me. It was too predictable, something this show often isn't and that upsets me. And it wasn't the best idea of Sean to leave Sue presents at her house when she should be at college most of the time, but that would also lead to Lexi (Daniela Bobadilla) to think that they were from Axl so poor Sean is in a no-win situation. The universe is keeping them apart until the show's series finale and I still have mixed feelings.
And I thought Axl had more money sense; he did in that one episode from last season so this is an abrupt change which I also don't like.
Still, it was funny and that is good. Despite all their flaws, I will miss the Hecks so much. Grade: B
Side Notes:
-Sue hasn't made a scrapbook for Mike in years.
-Brick just learned about Charlie Brown.
-Also, take note of Brick's T-shirt in the beginning, Cat's Cradle.
-Frankie should leave her wallet in the freezer more often if she wants to spend less.
-What in the world did Axl learn in college?
-Rusty was in Tampa, renting out jet-skis that belonged to another guy.
-Rusty's new idea is wrapping old people in bubble wrap so they won't get hurt when they fell over.
-Sue judges people who smoke.
-I don't know why Frankie buys food when she never, ever cooks.
Axl (Charlie McDermott) just received his first paycheck and doesn't listen to his father. Instead, he listens to Frankie (Patricia Heaton) and blows it on a giant TV which is so loud, it shakes food out of the kitchen cabinets. They try to get some financial sense together, which also largely fails. Frankie buys too much food so she decides that she won't buy any more until the freezer is empty which leads to them eating frozen vegetables while they try to come up with an easier way to manage money. In the end, Frankie brings them a movie as they are visual people, but that leads to an awkward night, similar to the one Sue (Eden Sher) and Mike (Neil Flynn) have at the beginning.
Sue, for whatever reason, has a break from college and Mike is struggling with the fact that she doesn't spend as much time with him anymore but the film he picks has a sex scene which makes him uncomfortable. And Mike doesn't like this feeling.
And then Rusty (Norm MacDonald) returns from his adventure in Tampa and presents the girl with a beautiful necklace that Mike believes is stolen. This was the first part of the episode that I predicted. Turns out it belonged to Mike's and Rusty's mother and since Rusty believes that he will never have a daughter of his own, he gives it to Beth, which is what he believes is Sue's name. So they have a touching moment also.
Now, poor Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is feeling pretty ignored. Neither of his parents give him much attention during this episode as they are focusing on their other children, but every time Brick opens the front door, something nice appears. The universe is trying to tell him something. And then he finds flowers, which he promptly gives to Cindy (Casey Burke) who opens the card. Again, as I predicted, it was Sean (Beau Wirick) leaving these gifts for Sue and he is set to reveal himself to her at the fountain in the park, only Cindy shows up instead, neither of whom even know each other. I guess Sean as the same winter break as Sue.
Now, while I think Rusty is an interesting character, this episode fell flat for me. It was too predictable, something this show often isn't and that upsets me. And it wasn't the best idea of Sean to leave Sue presents at her house when she should be at college most of the time, but that would also lead to Lexi (Daniela Bobadilla) to think that they were from Axl so poor Sean is in a no-win situation. The universe is keeping them apart until the show's series finale and I still have mixed feelings.
And I thought Axl had more money sense; he did in that one episode from last season so this is an abrupt change which I also don't like.
Still, it was funny and that is good. Despite all their flaws, I will miss the Hecks so much. Grade: B
Side Notes:
-Sue hasn't made a scrapbook for Mike in years.
-Brick just learned about Charlie Brown.
-Also, take note of Brick's T-shirt in the beginning, Cat's Cradle.
-Frankie should leave her wallet in the freezer more often if she wants to spend less.
-What in the world did Axl learn in college?
-Rusty was in Tampa, renting out jet-skis that belonged to another guy.
-Rusty's new idea is wrapping old people in bubble wrap so they won't get hurt when they fell over.
-Sue judges people who smoke.
-I don't know why Frankie buys food when she never, ever cooks.
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Get Out (2017)
Okay, I know I might be alone in this and certainly the Oscars and all the other major awards don't agree with me, but I didn't like this film at all.
That being said, Jordan Peele proved himself as there are some scenes that reminded me of Hitchcock especially focusing on the teacup. However, it is also my least favorite genre, horror.
This is nothing like Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Sure, the basic premise is the same, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams) brings Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), who is African American home for the weekend to visit her parents, Dean and Missy (Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener) who are incredibly wealthy. But things take a twisted turn almost immediately as the family's servants just act oddly and it goes downhill from there.
The film has a bloody and unexpected ending and yes, I was desperate to find out what was going on. As it turns out, Dean's father developed a method where a mini-brain transplant would take place and the African Americans are basically just shells of a human being, which is beyond wrong. And Chris takes them all down. But I know that he feels guilty, you can see it in his eyes but he did what he had to do to survive.
While the film has a good slow burn, some scenes were cut too short and the acting wasn't as great as everyone says it is. Though Kaluuya did well, I can't believe all the awards he is nominated for. Honestly, I thought Lil Rel Howery, who portrays Chris's friend, Rod was probably the best, after all, he turns out to be the hero and works for the TSA.
Despite my dislike of the film, I do hope that Jordan Peele continues directing and writing films as this shows promise and Hollywood needs a fresh voice in Hollywood. Grade: B-
That being said, Jordan Peele proved himself as there are some scenes that reminded me of Hitchcock especially focusing on the teacup. However, it is also my least favorite genre, horror.
This is nothing like Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Sure, the basic premise is the same, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams) brings Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), who is African American home for the weekend to visit her parents, Dean and Missy (Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener) who are incredibly wealthy. But things take a twisted turn almost immediately as the family's servants just act oddly and it goes downhill from there.
The film has a bloody and unexpected ending and yes, I was desperate to find out what was going on. As it turns out, Dean's father developed a method where a mini-brain transplant would take place and the African Americans are basically just shells of a human being, which is beyond wrong. And Chris takes them all down. But I know that he feels guilty, you can see it in his eyes but he did what he had to do to survive.
While the film has a good slow burn, some scenes were cut too short and the acting wasn't as great as everyone says it is. Though Kaluuya did well, I can't believe all the awards he is nominated for. Honestly, I thought Lil Rel Howery, who portrays Chris's friend, Rod was probably the best, after all, he turns out to be the hero and works for the TSA.
Despite my dislike of the film, I do hope that Jordan Peele continues directing and writing films as this shows promise and Hollywood needs a fresh voice in Hollywood. Grade: B-
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