Parasite

Parasite is a film from the Korean director of Snowpiercer.  If you've seen Snowpiercer, you'd agree that he's interested in telling stories that say something about current social issues, class differences, and the divides that our varying economies create throughout our world.  Parasite really showcases his ability to tell a very heavy story in an engaging and entertaining way that crosses cultural boundaries.  I wasn't a big fan of Snowpiercer, but this one is a really well made movie that kept my interest throughout and surprised me.

Without giving anything away, the movie begins in what I think was South Korea with a family who lives on the verge of homelessness and in real poverty.  This is shown with a subtle, light humor, rather than a plea for us, as viewers, to immediately feel bad for them.  They seem to be bright, interesting people who are just down on their luck.  They are making money any way they can - folding pizza boxes for a local restaurant is what we see at first.  You get the understanding that they live day by day.  If they don't make some cash each day, they probably don't eat.  The story is set in Korea, but this could easily translate to our western world.

Soon, their teenage son receives a visit from a friend who tips him off that he should apply to be a tutor for a local wealthy family.  He does apply and he gets the job, which sets off a chain of escalating events that would spoil the movie if I continued to explain.  The previews for the movie don't give it away, so I won't either.  What I will say is, by the end of the movie, you completely understand the title and would agree it's very apt.

If I'm honest, this movie made me very uncomfortable.  It's kind of brilliant in that way.  Situations we experience in every day life, such as throwing together an afternoon party for friends and family, are luxuries that many in our world can't afford or even conceive of.  It's a sad but true scenario.  So, movies and stories like this make me feel guilty in some ways.  Guilty of not stopping to appreciate the little things often enough.  Guilty of not seeking more ways to assist and help others who may be less fortunate.  Am I doing enough to contribute to society?  These are heavy notions to be challenged with when watching a movie that's as well-drawn and truly entertaining as this one.  Obviously, this is part of its appeal and why the movie has caught on so well with the critical community.

The plot was surprising enough that about mid-way through it throws you a few curveballs to keep you guessing.  I naively thought I had it all figured out about 45 minutes in, but thankfully I was wrong.  The movie offers you a lot.  It has an intriguing narrative, slick visuals, a Hitchcock-like tone, and powerful social commentary.  It's a heavy two plus hours at the movies, but it's worth it.

In the end, I was left with an uneasy feeling though.  Stories like this put a lens on some real and important issues, but their job isn't to really offer any answers.  With real issues like overpopulation and a growing social divide, how do we make things better for all, not just for a few?  Of course, the answers aren't easy and they are riddled with complexities.  Again, this is a slick, entertaining "punch-in-the-face" of a movie that I'll be thinking about for days.  In part, because I certainly don't have all the answers.

1917

1917 might be a perfect movie.  It's one of those rare films that doesn't waste a moment.  There's nothing I would change about it.  It says something that my wife agreed completely.  We were thrilled by the same footage and scenes throughout the movie.  Watching the movie became an experience in the greatest of ways.  If I had to use just one word to describe it then it would have to be powerful.

Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall), the movie is a love letter to his grandfather, who fought in World War I.  Probably because of that, it feels both grand in scope and incredibly intimate at the same time.  The film centers on two young men (boys, really) who are British troops stationed in France.  They receive a mission to travel through hazardous territory to deliver a message to another battalion before they fall for a trap set by the German army.  One of them has an older brother who is part of the other battalion, so that just increases the stakes. They have to travel through trenches, underground caverns with rats running wild, and across lands where they could be blown up at any moment by unexpected land mines.

Most of the movie intentionally feels like one long shot.  The camera never really breaks or edits to another angle or scene.  This effectively puts you along the journey with them.  If they are surprised by an enemy soldier, so are you.  It's truly a great emotional device that the movie deploys.

There were probably 5 or so times in the movie where the plot, the music, the footage, and the action all converge to create something that feels incredibly special.  I couldn't help but think I was watching some scenes that would become cinema history.  It has moments of high artistry.

The ending was note perfect.  A stunning achievement.  I went into the movie thinking it would be good, but probably not my vote for Best Picture of the year.  I walked out knowing I'd just seen the Best Picture of the year.  Honestly, one of the best pictures I've ever seen.