Us (2019) Movie Review

Us (2019) IMDB Prime Video

Us movie poster

Jordan Peele knows how to make an interesting horror film (Get Out anyone ?). A young girl wanders off from the amusement park on the beach and enters a deserted fun house. When the lights go out she tries to exit, but the mirror maze makes it difficult for her to find her way. Oh, and so does the girl in the mirror. And that’s when you know this thing is about to get sinister.

So this really good movie has a maze that kicks off the plot and hurtles us into a twisted world that you will want to escape from ! I give it a solid 7.5/10. It has won over 80 awards from dozens of different groups, so if you don’t trust me, trust them !

The Shining (1980) Movie Review

Considered by some as the greatest horror film ever made. Certainly one of the first films mentioned in the conversation. Features a handful of really memorable scenes that have become a part of our culture, like the creepy twins and the breaking through the door with an ax.

The Shining (1980) IMDB Prime Video

The Shining movie poster

One of the best horror movies of all time is also one of the best movies of all time. Stanley Kubrick as the director of a Stephen King best selling book with Jack Nicholson as the lead character….Yes please ! A writer takes a job as a caretaker of a secluded hotel that is closed for the Winter with his wife and young son joining him. Oh, did I mention the hotel is also haunted ? As the writer’s mental state deteriorates, his wife and son try to leave but he won’t let them. Can they escape a secluded hotel in the middle of winter ? I would try using the hedge maze outside….just a thought.

If you want to explore the symbolism in the film check out the documentary Room 237. It will have you questioning the choices made in the film and just what they might represent. Also, it gives you a reason to watch the movie again !

Fun Facts About The Shining

  • The Overlook Hotel was inspired by the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon. Kubrick filmed the exterior shots of the hotel at the Timberline Lodge, but the interior shots were filmed in a studio in England.

  • Jack Nicholson's famous "Here's Johnny!" line was not in the original script. Nicholson improvised the line on the spot, and Kubrick loved it so much that he decided to keep it in the film.

  • The film's score, composed by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind, is also considered to be one of the greatest film scores of all time.

Ready Player One (2018) Movie Review

Ready Player One (2018) IMDB Prime Video

Ready Player One movie poster

Steven Spielberg directed this great movie from the best selling book written by Ernest Cline. In the year 2045 a virtual reality world called the OASIS can be won by the person who can find a series of Easter Eggs hidden in the virtual world. To find the Easter Eggs you need to solve puzzles using details about pop culture from the past (our present). With cameos by over 120 characters this movie is one you can watch again and again and never see all the hidden cameos. This is a fun, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi movie that keeps you engaged and makes you think. I give it an 8.5/10.

Oh, and did you notice the Ready Player One logo is a MAZE ! You start from the initial R and work your way to the center of the O.

Ready Player One Logo Maze

Ready Player One Logo Maze

And there is good news if you like this movie. In November 2020 the sequel book was released, Ready Player Two, and quickly became a best seller. One month later the early work on a film adaption was reported to have started, although it may not come out for a few years.

Prisoners (2013) Movie Review

Prisoners (2013) IMDB Prime Video

Prisoners movie poster

A man (Hugh Jackman) tries to hunt down his 6 year old daughter and her friend who have been abducted. As he gets closer to the suspected abductor he finds a man obsessed with making mazes (I do not support this premise). Can he find the children in time to keep them safe ? A really tense thriller I highly recommend. Great intensity with a wonderful script and cinematography. Denis Villeneuve is a talented director (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Incendies, Sicario) and this might be his best film ! I give it a 9.5/10.

I found 3 more movie posters for this film, each which features mazes prominently ! Which do you prefer ? Did any make my list of The 10 best maze movie posters ?

Prisoners movie poster - maze background
Prisoners movie poster - maze background with writing
Prisoners horizontal movie poster