Just about all the reviews I've heard and read are treading extremely carefully around not giving anything away, so I'll do the same and keep this extra-short.
If you know anything at all about the film's 'plot' it'll be that it involves two South Korean families at opposite ends of the social/wealth divide, and their coming together by such means as simple as it is audacious - until there's discovered a mighty big spanner in the works, and it's not the first.
I never saw director (and co-writer for this) Bong Joon-Ho's other film which got a wide release outside his home country, 'Mother' (2009) and also received even good reviews, but this one seems to have outstripped that one in plaudits. With 'Parasite' you get two-hours-plus of quality entertainment albeit containing moments which made me flinch, though it's a very long time since I saw any film where I went so long without looking at my watch once.
So, is all the hype and praise deserved? The answer is..............8.
(IMDb.......................8.8 - Rott.Toms....................4.6/5 )
I retired onto an island in Maine and the only place to go out to see a movie is at our Opera House. The usually show one movie a week and only on the weekend. They actually played this film there way before any Oscar buzz and we missed it. I regret not seeing it and will have to watch it whenever it is available on our TV. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteShameless Plug: My hubby and I are currently on a cross-country trip that I'm blogging about at www.blogmarkblog.com. Check it out. Thanks!
You really MUST see 'Parasite', Mark, and much more preferably on a cinema screen if at all possible - and soon. Failing that, on TV as a last resort, just make sure you're not likely to have interruptions.
DeleteI've had a quick look at your blog, and I must say it promises to be worth following. I've tried to do just that but somehow it didn't 'take'. I'll try again later, but in any case I'll definitely be having further looks.
I've also noted with considerable pleasure your inclusion of a good half dozen among your favourite film of some I also rate very highly. I'll only mention for now 'Fargo' 'Hannah', 'Amelie', 'The Birds'.....We're going to have quite a bit to talk about! :-)
I would love to talk more with you about film. I do want to see Parasite in a theater, but not sure I'll be able to. Thanks for trying to list my blog btw. It looks like somehow you got the name of my old blog as the title of your blog list. Sorry I'm such a problem. I blame Blogspot. Wish I could be more helpful.
DeleteRaymondo
ReplyDeleteI'm going next week !!!!
You're sure to be impressed, JayGee. I can bet on it.
DeleteWe saw it and loved it so much that we went back and saw it again.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that it's one of those films where, each time you watch it, more relevant things are noticed. I'm sorely tempted to do likewise.
DeleteI eventually enjoyed the movie, but 'love' isn't quite achievable with this. It was interesting and well executed.
ReplyDeleteI too wouldn't say that I LOVED it, but it did deliver much more satisfaction and entertainment value than many another film. A cert for my 'Favourite Films of 2020' list.
DeleteI saw it last week, and although a good movie I thought 1917 should have got the Oscar for best picture.
ReplyDeleteI might give The Lighthouse a miss though - too intense looking for me.
Although I did like '1917' a lot, it was more because of the technique employed in its filming which, admittedly, did take my breath away more than once. Acting was also v.good indeed. But I did think 'Parasite' had the edge in being a perfectly well-rounded product and brilliantly crafted entertainment. But that's only my one person opinion.
DeleteWish I'd given 'Lighthouse' a miss. 'Intense' to the point of near-overwhelming, I'll bear the scars fr some time yet! ;-)
Thanks! I always trust your take!
ReplyDeleteMy advice is simple, Mitch. If you're at all curious about this, you really MUST go.
DeleteI will definitely look out for this. I saw an old version of The lighthouse on television quite a long time ago and have no wish to see another version of it.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't surprise me that the 'Lighthouse' kind of story has been done before, Carol. It's a fairly obvious scenario, and very effectively achieved on the big screen. While it played I thought it should work well on the stage, just the two, maybe three actors, required - plus appropriate sound effects. Voila!
DeleteMeanwhile, no such reservations about 'Parasite', as long as you're aware of their being some gory bits, though not enough to really put you off (I hope)..
I had never heard of this film until it won the Oscar. The Right here is all upset some foreign film won - as if they ever cared about the Oscars.
ReplyDeleteMe neither - and to think that it would have gone largely unnoticed had it not been nominated, let alone winning.
DeleteAs for it being the first non-English language film to win 'Best Picture', it was long, long over due. Especially pleasing that it's a deserving win too.
I haven't watched Parasite maybe I will try searching on playtv geh and watch it after watching your shared helpful, I feel it is right for my taste.
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't be disappointed, B.V. I had reservations before going, but swayed by the many enthusiastic reviews I was curious as to what all the fuss was about, and soon had no regrets at all about spending money and time on it. It really is that good.
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