What I’m watching: an excellent movie and one that was notDate: 8/1/2022 In theaters: “Nope”
“Nope” is simply one of most intriguing films I’ve experienced in a long time. The reason is this film turns the science fiction genre on its head by making audiences think they know what is going on but in reality, they don’t.
Writer, director and producer Jordan Peele has created two previous films that won critical acclaim and audience support, and now with “Nope,” he has shown himself to be an extremely capable filmmaker who is dedicated to creating something that is both challenging and ultimately satisfying.
Here is the official synopsis of “Nope” from its distributor Universal: “After random objects falling from the sky result in the death of their father, ranch-owning siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood attempt to capture video evidence of an unidentified flying object with the help of tech salesman Angel Torres and documentarian Antlers Holst.”
While all of that is true, there is much, much more going on in this film. If you think you know what to expect from an UFO science fiction film, I can assure you “Nope” will keep you guessing.
And frankly in an era in which the plot with surprises is telegraphed by its trailer or trailers, I completely enjoyed going into this film about as blind as I could be.
While there are definitely science fiction elements to this story there are moments of horror, especially in a subplot involving one character and a TV show on which he was featured as a boy. Again, I’m dancing around spoilers here.
The characters played by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer are brother and sister and couldn’t be more different. Kaluuya plays OJ Haywood, the son of the founder of a horse farm that supplies trained horses for use in movies. Palmer is Emerald, his sister from whom he has been estranged. OJ is quiet and is determined to follow in his father’s traditions, while Emerald thinks they should accept an offer for the property.
When they spot a UFO, their problems are just beginning.
I have to say the character that caught my eye the most was the cinematographer Antlers Holst played with a low voice and an inexplicable manner by Michael Wincott.
The performances are spot-on and Peele has created a standout film that defies your expectations.
On Netflix: “The Grey Man”
When you and your brother are the people responsible for directing two of the highest grossing films in movie history (“Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”) one would think they would know how to make a great action movie.
Anthony and Joseph Russo certainly have the necessary pedigree, but their new film “The Gray Man” is a big-budgeted spy film that has great action sequences, a superb cast and marvelous locations but lacks a script with any real originality.
This is an amazingly predictable film in which one can see every single move coming.
Ryan Gosling is Six, a deep undercover CIA operative – part of a special unit. He is assigned to kill someone and retrieve a computer card. He is successful but comes to learn he killed Four, who tells him the person at the agency to whom they report is corrupt and the card had all the evidence needed to put him away.
The CIA bad guy hires an ex-CIA operative, Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), who is now running his own mercenary unit to retrieve the card and kill Six. Six’s only allies are his former boss and another CIA agent Dani played by Ana de Armas.
The only thing missing from this cliched story is a love/sex scene between Six and Dani. Somehow, the Russo Brothers forgot that standard element.
This film comes down to Good Guy versus Bad Guy and its lack of nuance is its major problem. This is one of the movies you watch and believe you’ve seen it before.
“Captis” to be shown
On Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Greenfield Garden Cinemas will debut the short film “Captis” as the lead-in to the feature “Bullet Train.” “Captis” was written, directed, and edited by Agawam native Mick Gorley. “Captis” follow the story of a young man haunted by his past; initially fighting to protect himself and his partner from vengeful family members in Gorley’s previous film “Periculum” and then fighting for his life in “Captis.”
Gorley filmed “Captis” in multiple locations within Feeding Hills. The cast and crew are from various parts of the Northeast; including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Notable members include stunt coordinator and fight choreographer Manny Ayala (of “John Wick 2” and “Creed”), Justin C. Schilling (of “Hostage House” and “Lockbox”), Christopher Brian (of “Finding You”), James Luca (of “Jack Jonah”), Matthew Menendez, and Tali de Assis.
The third and final installment of the “Periculum trilogy” will be filmed in New York City in March 2023.
For more information or to buy tickets contact Greenfield Garden Cinemas at 773-9260.
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