Get Out: As In... GET OUT And Go See This Movie NOW!

Get Out manages to tackle issues of systemic racism, white privilege, interracial couplings, and societal taboos while still being a tense and taut horror/thriller, as well as [at times] a laugh out loud hilarious (on purpose) satire. It's genre-bending, convention-bending, mind-bending brilliance wrapped up in a tight hour and forty minute movie. It's almost surprising that one of the best (horror) movies of the past decade comes from someone solely known for comedy. Yet, if you think about it-- it's not really that surprising at all.  The best comedy, for most comedians, stems from some deep-rooted emotional pain. Most comics have this... are aware of this... and channel it into moments of humor to soften the inner turmoil. So, they're already familiar with what fucks you up.  Also, in order to stay relevant, they need to keep up with the cultural climate at all time. So, they're very in tune with the state of the ever-changing American culture. And finally, non-white comics tend to be more in tune with their racial and ethnic history. So, now, in fact, it appears that Jordan Peele should actually be the perfect person to tackle a movie such as this.

Get Out explores an avenue of racism that has hardly been seen, if ever, on film-- liberal racism. We've seen countless movies where blatant racism is the target theme, but this isn't that type of exploration of race. The white characters in this movie aren't the backwater, confederate-flag toting, DJDrumpf supporting, moonshine guzzling hillbillies slinging 'N-words' left and right. These are upper class doctors and psychiatrists and social elites that "would've voted for Obama for a third term". It's amazing how uncomfortable it is to watch these people try and acclimate their privilaged white lives with the one dark-skinned man who just so happens to be around. These are the type of people who bring up golf... and HAVE to bring up Tiger Woods with it. It's beyond uncomfortable because it's a very subtle, yet powerful racism being explored. Jordan Peele is breaking new ground here... and did I mention that it's still a horror movie??

Alright, so I'm not telling you shit about the plot. Like, at all. You've seen the trailers. You know that the one hot chick from Girls is dating a black man and wants to take him to meet her parents (Bradley Whitford & Catherine Keener) at their rich, secluded estate. Soon... weird stuff starts to happen. That's all you get. That's all you should want.  In fact, I think I've said too much. I know it's already been out for a good five days, but do your absolute best to avoid any and all information on this film. You shouldn't even be reading this right now unless you've already seen the movie-- which, if you have... please contact me as soon as possible so that we may discuss.

Elements I can discuss-- the genre-bending. Peele does a fantastic job of weaving in the terror and the comedy. It's like he studied very early Sam Raimi horror and was able to emulate that (without the campiness) and avoids making his film feel jarring when moving back and forth between emotions. It's not a horror movie in the sense of jump scares and gore... but it is wildly suspenseful and tense. It's the type of horror movie when you look down and realize you've been gripping your armrest so tightly that your hands hurt. The comedy only serves as brief levity (and it's very funny) until the suspense kicks right back in. I normally advise my readers to try and figure out a way to see horror movies in a theater that is near empty. There's nothing that ruins a good scare like assholes laughing and talking and ruining the movie. Other movies it doesn't bother me as much, but horror deserves to be seen in absolute darkness with absolute silence. However, a friend of mine saw it alone, whereas I'd been convinced by another review to see it in a crowded theater. After conferring with one another, I think the crowded theater is the way to go for this one. First of all, the movie is too damn good for nearly anyone to act like a dumbass, but second, it's amazing how often the film will elicit entire audience reaction-- which only adds to the fun.

For nearly two weeks Get Out was sitting at 100% on rottentomatoes (with over 140 reviews). I've never seen that. I know there are a few films out there that have received the 100%, but I haven't seen a film released in the last twenty years to do it with that many reviews. Then, yesterday, one asshole gave it a semi-negative review and knocked it back a percent. And while it is definitely surprising that this was the movie to hold the 100% honor for longer than I've seen in years, it's definitely worthy. There have been multiple Oscar winning films that haven't claimed that honor and a little horror/comedy released in February got it? There must be something special about this film? And yes... there is. Unless you are that aforementioned racist hillbilly... you're going to absolutely love this film. You're going to laugh, you're going to scream, you're going to reach for your heart medicine because it's going to be beating out of your fucking chest. It's a fantastic film that's already been cemented as one of the best movies of the year (I'm not talking so far... I mean we'll be saying this even at the end of the year).

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