Nightmare Alley - Review!

[@bev9708]

I'm so glad I saw it knowing absolutely nothing and expecting absolutely nothing!!! I was totally transported by both the style and the slow ramp up to the unpredictable yet totally inevitable conclusion. It is an absolute masterpiece with style just dripping off the screen.

[@lily-_-]

Same here. I'd heard it was worth watching but knew nothing else. I didn't even know what genre it was and ended up being so blown away.

[@bev9708]

@@lily-_- If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend the Vanity Fair youtube video where Bradley and Guillermo break down a scene... just excellent!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGianIZjn9-Hp9U

[@TheAeris07]

Me too! I find going in blind to watch a movie, you really get more out of it. Awesome movie.

[@reeldeal3227]

I just love how Guillermo has an appreciation of film history. For example, he combined classic films and creature features of my childhood with very adult and harsh depictions of violence in the multi-genre The Shape of Water. Honestly, I cannot think of any other director that could have pulled that off...yet, it's so damn rewatchable that I pick up new things with each viewing. Although Nightmare Alley apparently steers more toward drama than magical realism, hopefully it will have the same rewatchability factor.

[@Kris_AB]

The book and the 1940s film adaptation and the beginning of this current version are all upfront about the mentalism in the story right off the bat and I'd like to help people set REASONABLE expectations for this film, but spoiler warning just in case: ***concept/tone/genre category SPOILER*** * * * * * * * * * * There's no magic or sci-fi this film, it's a straight-up period piece drama. The supposed mind reading is a complete scam. Hopefully Del Toro fans will still give it a shot, but yeah, there're zero monsters or magical elements in this.

[@ELENIKARASAVVIDOU]

W. Dafoe stands out (along with Blanchett of course).. give this guy the Suppoting Actor Oscar!

[@thenu9960]

I'm always keen for a Del Toro movie. I met him briefly when he was in NZ at a book signing. I was dumb struck and he was eloquent. I'll never forget it.

[@Jed_Elias]

0:22 it’s okay Dan. We still love you no matter how many videos you put out. As long as charts with Dan happens every week, I’m cool 😂

[@nickfunkhouser7096]

I was genuinely surprised how much I liked this movie. Definitely requires multiple viewings. Might have to read the book as well.

[@Kris_AB]

The book's fantastic

[@medusaspupil]

I agree, Del Toro said it himself. Most of the film is the prologue until the very end, the last minutes of the movie is just the beginning, so a 2nd view is required. Del Toro also recommends to view it the 2nd time in black in white. I might end up watching this several more times when it comes on streaming.

[@ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

The original Nightmare Alley was my dad’s all time favorite movie. My best guess is he saw it as a new release when he was 11, maybe he caught it at a later time. I categorize it psychological horror, working out themes of desperation, rise and fall, hubris and self-destruction. I can’t wait to see the new one, so many twists and turns,

[@cowslane1]

Pausing this review. Going to watch the movie this weekend and then return.

[@invaderkendall]

C'mon.. "12 Dan's of Christmas" writes itself

[@PseudoFiction]

the thing I'd take notes of on a rewatch of Nightmare Alley are the scenes that it is raining or snowing, cuz it happens a lot and it had me wondering if the there was a significance to that.

[@Kris_AB]

The rain was created by rain machines, dunno about the snow (pretty sure it was snowing a few times when we shot it). The weather was intentional, but the seasons in which the film took place had to be altered a bit due to pandemic delays. All the carnival stuff was filmed from late September 2020 to December 2020, but it originally would've filmed late-March/early-April to the beginning of summer, so they had to trade spring/summer for fall/winter.

[@sushigirl648]

They also had a absurd amount of shots of peope eating meals Idg why

[@rinfinity930]

Man dan got me more hyped for this movie than Spider-Man

[@paradisecity0406able]

I'm so happy that this is a 'Shape of Water'/'Carol' reunion.

[@nancykerrigan]

Curious: What's the connection? Because Carol from my research isn't a del Toro film and I don't think Mara and Blanchett were in Shape of Water?

[@paradisecity0406able]

@@nancykerrigan Del Toro directed 'Shape of Water' and Richard Jenkins is in this. Plus Rooney and Cate are in a movie again together since 'Carol'.

[@goseeaboutagirl]

No Sally Hawkins tho :(

[@lawrencescales9864]

I hope one of your new reviews is titane! Great film and I’m eager to see this one. I sadly don’t know how well it will do in theaters but hope it has long legs and does a killing on streaming too

[@emanuellopez9732]

Excited to see all the videos coming out. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@oinkmastersupremeforever]

Last Friday I saw back to back: West side Story ( 3rd time) Spider-Man in 3d(2 thime) Nightmare Alley. Hot Damn,it was a great day at the Cinema

[@Kris_AB]

I love days like that. Did a couple double-headers at the drive-in this summer, but haven't spent all day at the theatre in a few years.

[@franciscoguzman1065]

Got a chance to see it early and loved it. It got a 86 RT right now but should be higher. Don’t get why some have bashed it. They say it dragged in the beginning but it didn’t bothered me. It has been included on some list as a top 10 film from the national board of review and american film institute. I enjoyed it. This movie should get an oscar for production design. Loved the cinematography as well.

[@Kissma22]

7:59 Funnely enough, the picture you shown from the movie is actually inspired (intentionally or not) by a painting by Andrew Wyeth called Christina's World from 1948.

[@kapilesh14]

I just clicked because it was your video, I had no idea that Nightmare Alley is a Guillermo del Torro movie. That is an amazing surprise.

[@TheClockchan]

Dan you’re on fire! I’m excited for all these reviews !! Thank you so much for doing this one in particular. I was very curious about it.

[@ahmadalmaiman8600]

I am looking forward to DON'T LOOK UP!!!!

[@TheFourthAct]

Rich blues hide the shadows of night while interiors are bathed in both firelight and moonlight...wow this is such a good review do you write your reviews down and read it off on camera or do you just do it off the top of your head?

[@heatheraggus7501]

This has been a great year for movies.

[@89sooner]

Watched the OG version recently for Noirvember, and thought it was pretty solid...maybe not quite Laura or Gilda, but solid. I even thought Tyrone Power was pretty good in the lead. Of the trio of female actresses, I kinda felt Collette would be a push, but Mara and Blanchette would elevate. Sounds like I was half right. The young ingenue in the original was similarly constricted, so probably predictable.

[@Kris_AB]

Molly (Rooney Mara's character), the young ingenue, has some great material in the novel, but yes, she's shunted aside. Del Toro has admitted in interviews that he zeroed in on Bradley Cooper's character, couldn't adapt the whole novel because it's just too much. And yes, the new movie misses out on getting to know the other carnival characters. But the Cooper/Blanchett material is strong.

[@mikegibbons5585]

Gonna see this one, thanks Dan!

[@kwalton7690]

Yeah, Arcane BABY!!! Looking forward to your thoughts on Licorice Pizza, Don't Look Up, and Tragedy of MacBeth as well.

[@robertmarginean164]

I think the score of this movie deserves more credit. I loved it and I feel like it doesn't get enough praise!

[@mackjay1777]

Nice review. I'm a huge fan of the 1947 film. If anyone shies away from older, b&w, please give it a shot. It's amazing in many ways and incredible that it was even made back then, even if you consider that some elements in the novel had to be left out. I'm assuming Del Toro puts those things into his film, along with other touches of his own. I'm looking forward to seeing this one a lot.

[@yasinradee]

I loved this film. It definitely compares to the original.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

This was a slicker more involved, and evolved, version of the original movie which was interested and surprisingly disturbing for the time. The original was low budget and quirky. The remake captures the era with fantastic cinematography and has much better acting. But the remake seemed to overdevelop each scene to the point of tedium while overlooking the overall story -- which had several holes. The love interest is forced and has no chemistry. Overall, it's an interesting topic and could have been great, but it missed the mark , as so many modern films do, by the excess of the director falling in love with every frame he shot.

[@kstepko]

12 Reviews of Christmas! Woot! 🍿🎅🏼🤶🏻🍿🎥 🎄

[@jackashworth3956]

every film is the answer. Defoe always steals the show everytime, its that BDE he transmits

[@Nagnullat]

I'm very excited to see this, now. Thank you for the review.

[@woodyhitya]

TIL it’s 12 days til Christmas holy snap

[@rmsgrey]

Depends how you define "Christmas". If Dan releases a review video each day, starting today, with the last one coming out on Christmas Eve, that will be 13 videos; if the last one is on the 23rd, that will be 12 videos.

[@alfirojascornelius6542]

Yes!!! We love your reviews. 👍💛💛💛🎄

[@myfilms999]

I look forward to seeing this

[@drewmcgill5290]

Please review Passing and Mass!

[@sushigirl648]

I saw this movie in the theaters and it felt like torture watching it. The whole movie was SO BORING the run time was far to long. It was so clear to me what would happen to the charecter. I felt cheated out of my money watching it

[@sushigirl648]

@Al Oc lol, you do realize not liking a non formulaic film piece doesn’t mean you only like factory driven pieces right? This movie was god awful and MANY proffesional critics agree. The production design, FABULOUS, the film making, of course beautiful. It was very aesthetically pleasing. However, you can decorate a shitty cake all you want it won’t taste good. This story was boring and had absolutely no uniqueness to it. It did not need to be redone. The beginning made it feel like it was going somewhere and ended up going absolutely no where. I enjoy carefully crafted stories with subtly and nuisance. Like power of the dog for example, EXCELLENT FILM. This film however was banal and only for audiences who like being spoon fed a a simplistic Big Mac under the guise of being Caviare.

[@VicInNocal]

@@sushigirl648 I agree completely, and also on Power of the Dog. Del Toro is vastly overrated and his movies are cheesy. Pan's Labyrinth is superb, but his other stuff, including the ridiculous Shape of Water, are just shiny pretty turds

[@sushigirl648]

@@VicInNocal exactly. I actually enjoyed most of power of the dog (I felt certain chapters dragged) but I can see why someone else wouldn’t. It’s made for a select audience. I loved it but my mom thought It was boring and Benedict’s acting she said was “cheesey and over done” haha. Some movies just aren’t generalizable enough to have a story that connects with everyone.

[@scottfw1193]

Really looking forward to, but felt the trailer was too long? And Cate Blanchett must be a vampire (or have a good surgeon 😊). My fave scene-stealing Dafoe is Walter Hill's 'Streets of Fire'. Classic.

[@ryanotterholt458]

I was really intrigued with the first hour, but then immediately after the time jump I could tell where/how it was going to end. The rest of the movie for me just became about how they were going to get there. While I enjoyed a lot of it, it also had some of those oscar bait vibes (in the bad way) where you can tell uppity critics would like it but it may not land with a large audience.

[@rabbitmaze]

I read in a comment, that Guillermo del Toro said in an interview that the ending is not supposed to be a surprise. That it is foreshadowed throughout the whole movie, and like you said, its more about the journey to how he is going to get there. So it's not supposed to be like some big twist, and it's supposed to be obvious and not a big reveal.

[@LAnimeMaster]

So glad you're doing Arcane!

[@bluecrow8649]

So I saw Nightmare Alley at the theater. And it was a visually beautiful film. Juicy for the eyes. The story line, while entertaining enough, really fell short, so much potential and depth was missed. It was a let down. Many loosely woven attempts at complexity and interwoven stories, but also so many plot holes. Plus empty references to something more, that never lead anywhere. It was like the whole movie was story line foreplay. It left a number of mysteries, but not in a good way. Just in the way that an overlay worked script with poor character development can. Meh, not totally dull but far from great.

[@dreamerrt216]

Agreed. It left me completely empty.

[@KMReviews]

I didn’t even know this was out! I’m definitely gonna check this out

[@daywren7511]

Please review TITANE! I want to know your thoughts so badly

[@TheOneWithTheManyZs]

Ah yes, I can already see the historians wondering about this one in the future. 2019, 2020, The Year of Cocomelon, 2022, 2023...

[@rachelkatoch2869]

I'm getting caught up on reviews I missed! This is an excellent exam of why I seek out your reviews. I saw Nightmare Alley and liked it but was also unsettled by it. You perfectly worded why it's a good movie and in a way whereby I could see not only why I liked it but also found it jarring. Willem Defoe is outstanding!

[@GrandMasterYoW]

I guess I'm a dissenting voice here, but man, what a boring film. I was gorgeous to look at, but nothing in it excited me. I considered walking out, in fact. But stayed till the end to see if it got better. I was really glad it ended as I thought it overstayed its welcome. On the positive side, the performances were very good all the way as well as the ambiance. I just didn't like any of the characters and the story lost me completely.

[@timderuijter]

Another worthy oscar contender!

[@KW-vy1rf]

Wow, this is the most positive review I've seen of this film so far! Very excited about the 12 Days of Christmas reviews. I really wanted to hear your thoughts on The Power of the Dog, the Tragedy of Macbeth and the French Dispatch. I know you'll have more insightful things to say than the tired refrain of it's the most Wes Anderson-y Wes Anderson movie. If anyone can appreciate the craft and exuberance on display in TFD, it's you.

[@brendanlittle2498]

This movie is fantastic

[@billyvang-TheStruggler]

this movie is a gem. i loved all of it. foreshadow, pacing, acting. damnn. legendary

[@Churro_Flaminguez]

I agree, Dan-I agree. I think GDT could possibly be one of the greatest directors ever, and he already surpassed QT in my mind by not being as self-indulgent & full of himself as that other guy.

[@hamilpatel4025]

Great to see you back home! One review per day!?!? I'm not sure I'm ready for that much fun! I gotta charge my headphones for this!

[@jdramirez77]

I watched the movie last night... but I didn't really think the kate blanchet character seemed trustworthy... and yes... I'm watching as a spectator of a film noir, so I have some advanced notice... but seriously... keep the money in a bank... under your mattress...

[@bairsm2081]

I didn't expect that: perhaps my favorite del Toro movie

[@Brandon-xp1ob]

Just saw it last night in Spanish. I thought it was great. Del Toro cinematography was top notch. I'd like to see it on original version though

[@Splinter3385]

I LOVED THIS MOVIE!! So much that I'll give it a MUCH higher score than it may deserve. Realistically I was saying around 8.2, but I'm gonna boost that up to 9.2. And my feeling is that it SHOUDL be 9.6 purely based on how much I enjoyed it. Not sorry Also, I wrote this comment before watching the review, so I also want to give a ton of credit to your video. I've watched several reviews, but this one was the most spot on for my experience. A+ work, just like this masterpiece of a movie.

[@matheuslascasas134]

I don’t get the demand for an Arcane review. We’ve all seen it and enjoyed it already… I feel like a lot of people watch reviews to have their own already formed opinions better articulated by a smart movie critic.

[@joshwilner5622]

Ya, people just want their views validated, but I get Dan's got to get those clicks

[@matheuslascasas134]

@@joshwilner5622 and I’m 100% sure he’ll enjoy the show

[@TheRedname]

You could see it that way, but personally I'd just like to hear what Dan thinks and share the show with him in that way.

[@kevinschultz6091]

Your implicit critique is that people only (ought to) watch reviews to determine whether or not they should go see the work in question, and I agree that's certainly one (common) reason to watch a review. But according to a brief Interwebs search, a common definition of "review" is "a critical appraisal of a book, play, movie, exhibition, etc., published in a newspaper or magazine." For this discussion "....or on KZbin" can probably be added there at the end. Personally, I've read critical analysis of lots of artistic works both before and after I've experienced them. Very often such critiques contain insights that I didn't catch or wasn't able to articulate at the time. Thus, in my mind, wanting to have a better understanding of a film you just enjoyed (or of one you hated) is a perfectly fine reason to watch a review.

[@asf8648]

I just think he would enjoy it and i like hearing his thoughts on things.

[@earnthis1]

Willem Defoe is the king of supporting actor roles.

[@jacobaarum]

Loved this movie, hate that it came out the same week as Spider-Man.

[@davidpick1076]

I just watched Nightmare Alley now on Christmas Day after seeing Spiderman Far From Home 2 days earlier. I agree with everything Dan said in his review and I agree it's a 100% tragedy this opened the same weekend as Spiderman as it wasn't remotely a fair competition. That all said,not once did I hear advertised this was Guillermo del Toro's latest film. I feel strongly all that needed to be said was a Guillermo film and I feel others would know it's something to see. One final note. I did not know it was a remake. But I definitely want to see Guillermo's film again. Possibly in Black and White as it's reported there will be a January Black and White release I'd be interested to see.

[@Wolf.madame]

We love you no matter how many videos you post! However, I'm really looking forward to the cocomelon video HAHAHAHA

[@swordrush]

I did finally see this film after awhile ago seeing you had a review. Honestly...I was bored. I didn't want to be--the acting is solid and it doesn't look ugly and it IS del Toro; however, I still came away feeling like I was watching 2.5 hours of a TV movie. No part made me feel tense or deeply interested in its direction. I waited for a spiritual or supernatural or especially dark conclusion, and in the end it does none of those. It just kind of dryly shows characters following the what was clearly inevitable from the beginning: the innocent stays innocent, the betrayer betrays, and the violent returns to violence. I'm not going to appreciate this film as much as others will.

[@masoodkhan1096]

Guillermo has incredible record. This one will carry it forward

[@Kris_AB]

@@summertyme5748 He perhaps deserved the Best Director win for Shape Of Water (though really his best was Pan's Labyrinth and he should've won for THAT), but not Best Picture. What else was out that year? If it was Three Bilboards' year, THAT should've won best pic. I'm fine with The Shape Of Water, it's pretty and it's a sort-of modern fairy tale and I appreciate it not giving a shit about being strange, but it's not his best in terms of story and characters.

[@makerstudios5456]

Did anyone else get Barry Lyndon or Man Who Would be King vibes? Just the plot.

[@MarcoGarcia-br4le]

Just watched this and loved it

[@chrisszyyy]

Between this and A Star is Born, it's evident that Bradley Cooper's characters dont have booze as their buddy.

[@SydneyTravellersGuide]

carnivale the movie. I would love for HBO to continue Carnivale.

[@allen604]

This movie feels like _The Wolf of Wall Street_ but with carnies instead of stock brokers

[@stefanfeist9893]

Fantastic movie. Went in expecting and knowing nothing and was blown away.

[@auntydeborahcent]

Arcane review please

[@henryohenry1504]

So it's safe to say, its got legs

[@laurenmasters]

Hope you’re ok 🤞🙏.

[@WayneWootton]

That's two and half hours I'm not getting back. Yes it's beautiful to look at and it's well acted but my word it's boring. I cannot understand how these types of movies are nominated for best picture. It wouldn't even be in my top 100 movies of 2022. Style over substance I would give it 👍👍 out of 👍👍👍👍👍

[@damiensaintjohn6292]

Blown away, damn great film.

[@danalmont8340]

You don't watch The Expanse?!?

[@Kris_AB]

A lot of people find it dull. I had to be an apologist for it, at first (that first season DOES move at a snail's pace and, unless you've read the books, the show doesn't do a GREAT job at exploring and explaining Belter culture, IMO). But was always highlighting that it LOOKED great, that it had some good actors in it, and that it was respectable for its science (minus the protomolecule stuff, of course). Each season has improved upon the last, IMO, so it got easier and easier to recommend. But...even now, some of the characters still leave me cold. The lead, Holden, is FAR more interesting and entertaining in the novel. He's just extremely of-that-mold, dull, and unfunny in the show. I recommend it to those I'm confident will appreciate it, but I'm not gonna try to get my mom into it or anyone who needs more of an emotional connection in their entertainment. I'm VERY emotionally invested in the novels, I GOT that way with the show (ie, Dominique Tipper/Naomi had an amazing season last year and Book 5 was the same with her character), but I suspect my viewing of the show was HUGELY enhanced by having read the books.

[@lincolnlu9869]

Alan!

[@frippinit]

Saw the thumbnail. Thought Steve-O was reviewing movies. Slightly disappointed.

[@Cobralalalala]

I'm unbelievably excited for this movie. I love the original adaptation and everything from GDT. Glad to see your thoughts. I also can't wait to see the rest of your reviews coming up. 😁

[@manualbatt1648]

I wonder why nobody went to see it .. I was the B/W version

[@earnthis1]

Every one of Guillermo's films are must see events.

[@VicInNocal]

Nah. Just Pan's Labyrinth

[@haunted_autumn]

Ok, I know I'm being pedantic with this, but aren't supernatural and love stories spiritual? haha.. sorry. Excellent review! I can't wait to see this film!!

[@aflameinthevoid8047]

There are so many intricate pieces. The deus irae (death motif) woven into the score of an ostensibly romance scene. Cooper’s initial muteness and subservience to contrast with the way he takes all the oxygen in the room and fills it with words later. The 20 Chekhov’s guns cocked one after another. It’s remarkable. Remarkable. It crumbles a bit under the weight of its ending for me, but golly Del Toro can make movie magic.

[@VicInNocal]

Cringe

[@isprayNpray4u1]

Three Netflix suggestions: Power of the Dog, The Unforgivable, and The Harder They Fall. Enjoy!

[@Iastiven]

Looking forward to this. Shape of water was trash