GET OUT (4/4): Scary, smart & seriously funny!

Horror film market is filled with cheap thrills or gore these days. The use of latest technology and stuff has made it all about getting you jump off your seat by disturbing loud noises, or getting you disgusted by disturbing loud violence. But in that dirty crowd, here comes a smart horror film, that's scary, funny and thought provoking as well. And you may be lil surprised (although not me!), but its the genius of Jordan Peele of Comedy Central's Key & Peele. Jordan is the writer and director of this brilliant film, which makes you go WOW, on too many occasions. 

I'll say this out front, the spoilers about this film can actually spoil the film for you. It's more of a psychological thriller, so what you read next, can change your experience of the film. Just saying!

***SPOILERS***

Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) is visiting his 4 month old girlfriend Rose's (Allison Williams) parents for first time. He's concerned that how will the white parents, Missy and Dean (Catherine Keener & Bradley Whitford) will take the fact that he's black. But Rose is confident and protective of him too. And on first sight, parents seem fine too. But something is off in their reaction and interaction with him. Not necessarily racism, but something weird. Something also seems to be going on with the two black servants in the house. But things get really weird when he gets to meet rest of the town folks, in a house party, which becomes racist and super weird and more... It becomes a question of life & death!

Is the town possessed? How weird are these people? Are they really racist or...? Who's against Chris and who's on his side? What the F**K is going on?

This film is not a supernatural horror film. Its a truly crazy psychological science-fi-ish thriller, that is actually scary too. Crazy as in, someone's craziest BS/joke becomes REAL, and it's terrifying! What's that BS? In the (paraphrased) words of Rod Williams (Lil Rel Howery), the TSA officer who's the only person able to decode this conspiracy, using his advanced detective skills he acquired from his TSA training (Peele cannot give up TSA, the esteemed organization. And I love him for that). 

"In this crazy ass white town, white people are brainwashing black visitors, and using them as slave or sex slave!"

Yeah, it sounds crazy, or sketch from a Key & Peele or SNL. But that's exactly what's happening. Rose's parents are leader of a cult, which the entire town is part of. Rose brings new victims as her boyfriends & girlfriends, and then they get brain transplanted by Dean after being hypnotized by Missy. They transplant the brains of older & weaker people in town, in the body of these younger black males. And Chris is the next target!

***SPOILERS END***

The film is perfectly cast. Daniel and Allison make a perfect couple, but when the things turn around, both of them play there part beautifully. Either its being scared, or being scary, they do the job well. All other actors are wonderful in their roles, but the stand out performance of the film is the TSA super-agent Rod Williams (played by the amazing Lil Rel Howery). He's funny, he's crazy and he's just awesome. He deserves his own spin-off movie or TV show. He does the impossible. He makes you almost like TSA!

The film is beautifully shot and directed. It uses sounds, camera work and everything else to scare you. The amazing writing and the plot keep the tension tight and hot. But there are still several hilarious moments, which do not break the tension, but add to it. The moments that make you jump from your seat, or call out to the screen, or even cheers for characters are plenty. It's truly an iconic genre defining kind of landmark film.

So, if you ever thought that a horror film cannot be really scary & seriously funny, and also have a smart and interesting plot, you NEED to watch this film. And if you didn't think so, you still need to watch this true gem from the wonderful Jordan Peele, and give him a bow, salute and clapping with cheers. Great job Jordan, great job!!!

Get Out - In Theaters This February http://www.getoutfilm.com In Universal Pictures' Get Out, a speculative thriller from Blumhouse (producers of The Visit, Insidious series and The Gift) and the mind of Jordan Peele, when a young African-American man visits his white girlfriend's family estate, he becomes ensnared in a more sinister real reason for the invitation.

TRACY MORGAN IS BACK - FIST FIGHT!

Tracy Morgan is arguably one of the funniest comedians in Hollywood and we can all appreciate his comeback from his nearly fatal accident in 2014.  With his upcoming appearance in Warner Bros film FIST FIGHT on the horizon, his first major motion picture since his accident, we put together a list of five times we really LOVED Tracy Morgan.  

1.  Tracy's SNL comeback - Just under a year and a half after his accident, Tracy returned to SNL to host one of the funniest episodes in his career.  He brought back many of his unforgettable characters and reminded everyone why we all loved his SNL stint.

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/october-17-tracy-morgan/2920150 

2. Tracy's 2016 Academy Awards Appearance - With all of the media attention on The Oscars not representing enough diversity, Tracy Morgan decided to be a part of one of the funniest skits from last year's Oscars show. Starring as the lead in The Danish Girl - Tracy surprised everyone with his silly take on the film.

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/october-17-tracy-morgan/2920150 

3. Tracy's ability to be honest with the world - In one of his first TV interviews after his car crash, Tracy completely opened up on The Today Show and broke down in tears discussing his situation and thankfulness to still be here.

On Monday's episode of Today, Tracy Morgan sat down with his attorney Benedict Morelli and host Matt Lauer to discuss, for the first time, the June 2014 accident that resulted in Morgan getting brain trauma and broken leg, nose, and ribs. Morgan says he has no memory of what happened, "I don't remember the accident.

4. Tracy on 30 Rock - No doubt that 30 Rock was one of the most clever, insanely funny shows that was ever on television.  And with an all star cast featuring Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and more, it goes without saying how tough it is to stand out amongst them.  Tracy, however, did just that, bringing some of the funniest scenes to life as his character Tracy Jordan.  Check this clip out:

Tracy Jordan from 30 rock talks about googling himself

5. Tracy's take on life - Tracy once said, "I don't take any relationship for granted and I won't ever again.  I just enjoy life." 

*******

Synopsis: On the last day of the year, mild-mannered high school English teacher Andy Campbell (Charlie Day) is trying his best to keep it together amidst senior pranks, a dysfunctional administration and budget cuts that put jobs on the line. But things go from bad to worse when he accidentally crosses his much tougher and deeply feared colleague, Ron Strickland (Ice Cube), who challenges Campbell to an old-fashioned throw down after school. News of the fight spreads like wildfire and ends up becoming the very thing this school, and Campbell, needed.

Watch the NEW Red Band trailer for #FistFight, starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, and Jillian Bell! -- Ice Cube and Charlie Day star as high school teachers prepared to solve their differences the hard way in the comedy "Fist Fight," directed by Richie Keen ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") - in theaters February 17!

“Fist Fight” also stars Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”), Jillian Bell (“22 Jump Street”), Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”), Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Dennis Haysbert (“The Unit”), JoAnna Garcia Swisher (“The Astronaut Wives Club”).

Richie Keen directs from a screenplay by Van Robichaux & Evan Susser (Funny or Die’s “What’s Going On? With Mike Mitchell”), story by Van Robichaux & Evan Susser and Max Greenfield. “Fist Fight” is produced by Shawn Levy, Max Greenfield, John Rickard, and Dan Cohen. Serving as executive producers are Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Samuel J. Brown, Dave Neustadter, Charlie Day, Ice Cube, Marty P. Ewing, Billy Rosenberg, and Bruce Berman.

Keen’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Eric Edwards (“Knocked Up”), production designer Chris Cornwell (“Ride Along,” “The Wedding Ringer”), editor Matthew Freund (Comedy Central’s “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail”) and costume designer Denise Wingate (“Wedding Crashers”). The music is by Dominic Lewis (Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle”).

New Line Cinema presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a 21 Laps/Wrigley Pictures production: “Fist Fight.” The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

#FistFight
Official Site: fistfightmovie.com 
Facebook: facebook.com/FistFightMovie/ 
Twitter: twitter.com/fistfightmovie 
Instagram: instagram.com/fistfightmovie/ 

A UNITED KINGDOM (4/4) | David Oyelowo's passion project, about a bi-racial royal couple's love

On the first sight it may seem a  story inspired by David Oyelow's life. He does belong to a royal family and is married to a beautiful white woman, Jessica Oyelowo (nee Watson). But this film is actually based on a true-life romance between an English office clerk Rose played by Rosamund Pike and the future king of Botswana, King Seretse Khama, played by David Oyelowo is a stunning romantic story in the hands of director Amma Asante (“Belle”). It makes sense why he felt so connected to the story, besides his passion to tell stories of string black male characters. So, for film producer and lead actor David Oyelowo his six year passion to bring the powerful true story of African King Seretse Khama to the U.S. has finally materialized with “A United Kingdom.”

David Oyelowo & Amma Asante @ A UNITED KINGDOM panel talk-1

Based on extraordinary true events the film is set in 1947 when the bright university student, Seretse Khama [the King of Botswana] meets the young Ruth Williams at a London dance.  It was clear that they were perfectly matched and yet their proposed marriage was challenged by everyone near and dear to them and then it grew from bad to worse when the British and South African governments decided to intervene in the name of “political” stability. 

Uploaded by MyNewYorkEye on 2017-02-10.

When the two governments begin to apply pressure the uproar surrounding an African prince’s marriage to an Englishwoman, on the eve of South Africa enacting its evil apartheid laws which would eventually separate blacks and whites, made their situation a political rally call for justice.  

This film is essential viewing because love dared to challenge hate and love won. Based on Susan William’s book Colour Bar this simple story about two people who just wanted a life, together, in peace directly influenced the outcome of British and African history.

David Oyelowo & Amma Asante @ A UNITED KINGDOM panel talk

As the heir to the kingdom of Bechuanaland (later Botswana) this man later becomes his country’s first democratically elected president. As a producer Oyelowo, who memorably portrayed American leader Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma,” has been carefully nurturing this film for over six years.  And in his own way “A United Kingdom” is itself a political statement and relevant today.  The evil of apartheid is rooted in the evil of exclusion and feed by fear.  The facts, at the time, were the facts and the law. The English government controlled Bechuanaland as a British Protectorate and to that end, they sided with the morally bankrupt South African government who made it clear that they would not accept a happy, mixed-marriage royal couple living on its border.  If you dare take the temperature of America’s current political climate it would show familiar tell-tale signs of the cancer that is intolerance. 

David Oyelowo & Amma Asante @ A UNITED KINGDOM panel talk

The opposition send Seretse into exile as Parliament and two prime ministers maneuver the African chessboard and husband and wife, Ruth and Seretse, are bullied by many apparently “invincible” forces.  Yet in the face of such hatred and threatening behavior their peaceful but obstinate refusal to give up leads to the film’s rousing final scene.  

This is great filmmaking and director Amma Asante makes the end result lookand feel effortless. Her eye for detail elevates every frame and her gentle way with actors, leaves them room to do what they do best, and that’s find the characters and move the story correctly.  She’s one of the best storytellers working today and the result as witnessed in “A United Kingdom” highlights this film as a modern masterpiece.

Starring: David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Tom Felton A United Kingdom Trailer 1 (2016) - David Oyelowo Movie Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana causes an international stir when he marries a white woman from London in the late 1940s.

Now Playing:  “A United Kingdom” produced and starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, Terry Pheto. Directed by Amma Assante. Based on the book Colour Bar by by Susan William.

RINGS (2/4): Samara is back!

In the horror franchise, RING series has made its name. It's almost a surprise that it took 12 years for next one to arrive since The Ring Two in 2005. But the wait was not for nothing, since this movie directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez is not too short of what you would expect. This film is written by the Hollywood legends David Loucka, Jacob Aaron Estes and Akiva Goldsman; and starring  Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Vincent D'Onofrio, Aimee Teegarden and Bonnie Morgan. 

***SPOILERS***

The idea is still the same; one watches the film and dies with in 7 days, unless they pass the "tail" to someone else. And it sen starts with VHS video tape, but moves to digital and email etc pretty soon (UPGRADE!). And the terror starts in a plane, which is quite an interesting scene. We also get to see Samara climbing out of a upside down TV, and even a cell phone (more upgrade!). Most of Samara stuff is not as horrifying and scary as original movie. But its difficult to recreate same horror. But the movie does a good job of creating its own moments.

We also get to meet Samara's real mother and father (played wonderfully by Vincent D'Onofrio), and find out their story. It's interesting to see how the writers are able to continuously explore and expand the story. Johnny Galecki is also there, as a biology professor, and does good justice to his role. Unfortunately, he dies in the movie, so we own't see him in next. Why next? Well, the movie ends with Samara surviving through our lead Julia (played by the beautiful and very talented Matilda Lutz). So yeah, a sequel!

**** SPOILERS END**** 

The casting is good, and so is the performances by the actors. The ones stated above stand out. The film is shot well, and it's not 3D. It's not as visually stunning as the first film, but again, its a difficult mark to cross. If you are a fan of RING or horror movies, you should watch it. Otherwise, a skip is okay. Although I would recommend to watch the first RING.

Official "Rings" Movie Trailer 2017 | Subscribe ➤ http://abo.yt/kc | Johnny Galecki Movie #Trailer | Release: 3 Feb 2017 | https://KinoCheck.de/film/1cl/rings-2016 The film revolves around the events that took place before The Ring. It tells the story of the years before the video tape came to be and the beginning of how Samara's terror began.

As part of promotions for the film, we also get to experience "KOMNATA QUEST: ESCAPE ROOM", in NYC. It was pretty cool. You basically get stuck in a maze and you have to escape by solving the mystery, unlocking doors and "fighting" demons. Pretty interesting concept, like your own movie. In homage to Japanese origin of RING, we explored a Japanese maze. I won't spoil it for you here, cuz you need to do it yourself, but here are some video and pics from the exploration. It sure was LOT OF FUN!

Instructions before you go in!