I'm a huge fan of Jordan Peele's movies. I'm not always big on horror movies, especially really gory or supernatural ones, but his always have really great societal messages. Nope wasn't an exception. While I still regard his first, Get Out, as my favorite, I still found Nope really enjoyable and engaging.
Nope is another film led by Daniel Kaluuya, who I love. In this, he plays OJ Haywood, alongside Keke Palmer as his sister, Emerald. They inherit their father's ranch and horse training business after he is killed by a falling object, presumed to be from an airplane. To keep the business going, OJ sells some horses to former child actor, Jupe (played by Steven Yeun), who runs a nearby western-themed theme park, Jupiter's Claim.
Soon, the siblings realize their father's death isn't as it seemed and question the presence of other life.
The movie is a really different take on alien invasion. It uses themes of spectacle and exploitation to tell it's story. It touches on the history of exploitation in film and how we exploit ourselves to "succeed."
As always with Jordan Peele movies, the performances are incredible. I'm always a fan of Daniel Kaluuya. I've talked about him in the newsletter before with his film Queen and Slim. I was also blown away by Keke Palmer in this. There's been a popular fancasting of Keke as Rogue from the X-Men online, which I loved the idea of anyway, but after watching this I'm almost going to be mad/disappointed if we don't get that when the MCU takes on X-Men. And it was great seeing Steven Yeun in a different role than Glenn from the Walking Dead.
The design of the UFO was also really interesting and not what I expected going in.
Overall, I'd really recommend the film if you were a fan of Jordan's other films. Or if you're not familiar and like science fiction, horror, and films that make you think a bit about society and the people around you.
For Fans Of...
Check out my newest newsletter called "For Fans of...". Each month, I'll be giving recommendations for popular media to keep the enjoyment going. Sometimes you'll see recommendations for books, sometimes movies or TV shows. This month I share some books for those that have a fondness for Hallmark Holiday movies and fans of Black Panther, especially the newest film Wakanda Forever.
You can sign up to receive "For Fans of..." (along with some of our other newsletters) here.
Staff Picks
Book pick from Corvid
We Sold Our Souls - Grady Hendrix
It's no secret that I love music. Lyrics and melodies are among my favorite things, and reading a book where music is the main focus was a delight. The main storyline starts as a jumbled conspiracy theory, and slowly unravels into something darker and much more sinister. Come along on the road trip to Hellstock 2019, and start jamming to the divine fiction metal music contained within these pages.
Book pick from Dave
The Dutch House - Ann Patchett
This immersive family saga - stretching from World War II to the present - tells the story of a family through its relationship (obsession?) with a huge mansion in suburban Philadelphia. Patchett does a wonderful job of exploring the ideas of family, identity, ownership, and love. Warning: The narrative bops back and forth in time without warning, which is fine with me but might cause vertigo in some readers.
Book pick from Martha
Amy Falls Down - Jincy Willett
I read this book because Amy Among the Serial Killers just came out, and I wanted to read the first Amy book before starting the new one. And am glad I did. This book is a gem to a reader, and maybe for writers. The story explores how accidents play a role in all our lives through the experiences of Amy, an aging novelist and writing instructor. She falls down in her back yard as she goes out to plant a Norfolk pine. A simple accident, as a result of which something happens, and then something else, and then a number of different things. As these small events cascade off one another, her life changes in multiple ways she is not really prepared for. We're all Amy, wholly unprepared for what happens next.
Book pick from Patty
Small Game - Blair Braverman
This novel is a must-read for all fans of survival shows or wilderness adventures. It had me hooked right from the beginning and kept me until the very end. It's a fictional story about 4 people who take part in a survival reality tv show that goes bad. The author's ability to grow her characters while developing a realistic storyline and including many wilderness concepts that I hadn't previously known was very refreshing and enjoyable! A fast-read that I give two-thumbs up to!
Book pick from Corvid
This is What it Sounds Like - Susan J. Rogers and Ogi Ogas
This book explains how we fall in love with, and how our preferences play into a unique "music profile", different for each individual. I've really enjoyed the "record pulls" that the author sprinkles throughout the book, songs to listen to as examples of what she is talking about. I love music, and this book has been very interesting so far. I've learned about ways to produce music over the years, how our brains react when listening to music we like, and more.
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Movie and Television Recommendations + New to the Library