Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare
Cinematic Sommelier
6.8
There’s a great deal of firepower in this cast for the story being told. It’s essentially “The Devil Wears Prada,” but with books instead of clothing. An interesting tale of a pen name and the journey of an intern finding her way in the world. Really well done by all involved, as long as you’re not bored to tears by so much literary subject matter.
8.1
The Most Nic Cage movie to ever movie.
Lightning in a bottle. A stroke of brilliance. Lunacy, set to film. This one is everything you want it to be and more. Pedro Pascal and Nicholas Cage absolutely kill it. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be confused.
“An intelligent film for grown-ups.”
8.2
Maybe not Jordan Peele’s best organized film, but definitely him at the height of his powers. There are 3 or 4 great storylines here. My only complaint is that a couple of the threads are left hanging. other than the narrative shortcomings, it somehow pulls off the sci-fi western!
That being said, this is, technically speaking, a masterpiece. Both small and large scale sets, dramatic scenes and suspenseful scenes that make you feel like you’re on the verge of a coronary. One of the best suspense sequences and one of the most unsettling opening scenes and side quests I’ve seen on the big screen in quite some time.
All tied together with the patented Jordan Peele grand lesson to be learned that effortlessly comes across and earns its impact, as opposed to feeling at all preachy. Bravo to all involved!
P.S. One of the best “nope” scenes I’ve ever seen in a horror movie.
6.7
Want to be genuinely uncomfortable for 2 hours and end things by saying “what the actual fuck did I just watch?” Do I have a film for you!
It’s weird, but beautiful. Typical A24.
8.4
One of the year’s best. And that’s saying something in the horror genre of 2022.
What makes this clock tick and the tension tear through you as the viewer is how well developed and sympathetic the characters are.
The other thing that puts this film over the top is that it does a fantastic job of showing instead of telling the audience. The visuals are so well executed that they instill a sense of dread that is palpable in the air of the theater. Just when a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon, you soon realize that it’s a mirage in a desert of despair, and we’re in for another twist or turn in this wild ride.
Such originality and respect for the audience and for the craft… brilliantly done!
Brett Garten, Movie Extraordinare 