Monday, February 17, 2020

Parasite

Parasite (Bong Joon Ho, 2019)
Click here for the basics
Image result for parasite film
Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Drama, Dark Comedy, Social Realism, Thriller

I don't know where to start with this film. Bong Joon Ho has made a masterpiece that is so compelling and so unlike anything I've seen before. He takes elements of many genres to create a movie that is entirely one of a kind. There were moments that made me laugh and cringe at the same time. I found myself holding my breath and tensing my legs, too. Parasite shows all the bad in human beings--the awkward, gruesome, and greedy. The entitled, rude, and offensive. Every line and scene is entirely realistic, despite being completely goofy.

This film is important commentary of the out-of-control, capitalistic society we live in. The film shows us how serious the income inequality and class divisions truly are and what it does to the psyche. For a while, we relish seeing the system overturned--it's fun to lie and cheat and steal from those who are lucky to be fortunate enough not to live in a semi-basement apartment that is flooded with sewage every time it rains heavily. It's fun and feels right because no one chooses to be poor. But soon it isn't fun anymore. We see our faults and are reminded (sometimes subtly, sometimes by force) of the bigger picture. Just like the father says, plans never work out.

Go see this film. It is marvelous.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Joker

Joker (Todd Phillips, 2019)
Click here for the basics
Image result for joker"
Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=2

Crime, Drama, Thriller, Psychological, DC Universe

Oh, the depths of the human mind and experience that we are taken to...what a haunting performance from Joaquin Phoenix. To me, this film is about mental health and class struggle. Yes, it is a DC villian's origin story, but it is so much more than that. Joker is mesmerizing and beautifully eerie in so many ways. The cello music mirrors Fleck's descent into madness and chaos, a place that for years he was not allowed to go to because he was "crazy." He's been abused, discarded, lied to, locked up, dismissed, not listened to. His life and the world he inhabits are so full of resentment and anger that just keeps building up. When he breaks, the world breaks, too. This is the best DC film I've seen. Truly disturbing but so poignant. 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Monday, February 10, 2020

Oscar Dash 2020: The Results

Another wonderful year of film-making! And what a historic Oscars--the first time an international film not in the English language has won Best Picture. So thrilling! Best Picture goes to Parasite!
Image result for parasite film
Click here to view all the winners.

I still plan to watch all the films I haven't yet in the next months. So stay tuned for my reviews!

Thursday, February 6, 2020

The Crown Season 3

The Crown Season 3 (Peter Morgan, 2019)
Click here for the basics
Image result for the crown season 3"
Rating: DSQ=11, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough
Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

1960s, 1970s, Historical, Biopic, Royal Family

Another fantastic season of The Crown. I love that this show is historic but most of the main characters are still alive today. It's hard to believe that the events of Season 3 happened only 50 years ago. So much of the tension and conflict between family members (and the public) still seems to be going on today, just with a different generation. My favorite part of this season is Prince Charles--his early life must have truly been miserable and confusing. Such an interesting story.

Read my posts on Season 1 and Season 2.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Monday, February 3, 2020

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

The Pirates! Band of Misfits (Peter Lord, 2012)
Click here for the basics
Image result for pirates band of misfits"
Rating: AQ=12, AP=6 / Meant to Be
Scale O=4, Scale P=4, Scale Q=4, Scale R=3, Scale S=3

Animated, Stop-Motion, Silly, Whimsical

I truly love watching Aardman animation because it is so mind-boggling detailed and complex. It's hard to believe how much time it took and all the painstaking movements involved to make something so beautiful become a reality. This story is hilarious and silly, the jokes are great. Hugh Grant voices a perfect Pirate Captain who's just a little peculiar. Best part: the dodo Polly. And it's also fun to watch Queen Victoria go insane.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here