Let's Talk Movies #36 - 2020 - Yep it is a new decade

[Integrity]

Has anyone seen House of Gucci? I'm thinking about seeing it this weekend but I can't decide if it's going to be good, so bad it's good, or just bad.

This is how one of the movie podcasts I listen to describes it. I will definitely go to see it.

 

[jadingirl]

Worst movie back when Brad Pitt was new and my friend Shari was in love with him Cool World. I wanted to leave but didn't have a car so sat through it. Then I found out our driver Nancy wanted to leave too but she couldn't leave us stranded. Shari was in a daze though "isn't he beautiful".

 

[VGThuy]

Watched "Belfast" in a cinema this week. I always love Ciaran Hinds. He and the young actor Jude Hill were the standouts for me. The movie is described as Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical depiction of how he experienced "the Troubles" as a young boy in Northern Ireland in the late 1960s.

The film also touches on the beginnings of Branagh's love of movies. Belfast was filmed in black and white, but still Caitriona Balfe just glows. Jamie Dornan and Judi Dench also star is the movie. This is certainly not a documentary about the conflict, but as seen through the eyes of a nine year old, I guess that makes sense.

Jamie Dornan sings Everlasting Love in one scene. I love this song and he does a good job with it. I put this in a spoiler because Dornan's character is often on the edge of being harmed or killed. This scene is toward the end of the film.

Sounds wonderful. Regarding Caitriona Balfe glowing even in black and white, I’ve often thought no other light has been more attractive and more forgiving for actors than black and white cinematography. It makes them look larger than life, editorial, and even romantic.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

Sounds wonderful. Regarding Caitriona Balfe glowing even in black and white, I’ve often thought no other light has been more attractive and more forgiving for actors than black and white cinematography. It makes them look larger than life, editorial, and even romantic.

I prefer black and white photographs of people too over color.

 

[Cachoo]

I liked Tick Tick Boom. I think Andrew Garfield has immense talent.

 

[PeterG]

6.5/10 - Parasite is the 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller that won the Oscar for best picture, director (Bong Joon-ho), original screenplay and international film. I am a big Bong Joon-ho fan, but I think Joker should have won best picture and Sam Mendes should have won best director (Joker once again). I just found Parasite to be a bit of a mess. Parts of the movie were strange…characters actions not making sense to me. I think Bong Joon-ho should have been recognized for earlier films of his such as Snowpiercer and The Host. And DEFINITELY for 2009’s “Mother” which I can’t heap enough praise on. Mother is so much more superior than Parasite. But if Parasite happened to be the movie that made the world more aware of Bong Joon-ho, I’m okay with that. Now go watch his earlier movies!

Trailer for Parasite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K06eRHofI1U

 

[manhn]

What actions by the characters don’t make sense?

 

[Japanfan]

6.5/10 - Parasite is the 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller that won the Oscar for best picture, director (Bong Joon-ho), original screenplay and international film. I am a big Bong Joon-ho fan, but I think Joker should have won best picture and Sam Mendes should have won best director (Joker once again). I just found Parasite to be a bit of a mess. Parts of the movie were strange…characters actions not making sense to me. I think Bong Joon-ho should have been recognized for earlier films of his such as Snowpiercer and The Host. And DEFINITELY for 2009’s “Mother” which I can’t heap enough praise on. Mother is so much more superior than Parasite. But if Parasite happened to be the movie that made the world more aware of Bong Joon-ho, I’m okay with that. Now go watch his earlier movies!

Trailer for Parasite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K06eRHofI1U

I share @manhn's question.

I was somewhat disappointed in the films. The sets were pretty amazing, especially the house, but I found I didn't like or care about any of the characters.

 

[PeterG]

What actions by the characters don’t make sense?

• After four years of working for this rich family, the housekeeper hasn’t made enough money to pay off the loan sharks? (Hiding her husband in the basement for four years is pretty crazy.)
• Why would the Kim family be so cold as to make the housekeeper’s husband leave the house to face the loan sharks? Nobody knew he was there, he could have just stayed there and the housekeeper would owe them BIG-time.
• The father kills the wealthy homeowner because of his reaction to the odor of the father’s nemesis, who no one in his family had any sympathy for. Why would the father kill his cushy-job employer? And why MURDER in defense of someone who you coldly would not help…and whose wife your family murdered??
• Why would the father not go on the run and instead choose to live in the basement where he saw the housekeeper’s husband do so unhappily? He won't even have his wife around to help him like with the previous couple. The father will have to live in fear of being caught every day of his existence.
• The son writes a letter to his father saying that he will earn enough money to buy the house. This family came from such severe poverty, what chance is there that the son could ever do this?

There are other things for which I don’t remember exact details.

From where the family discovers the housekeeper’s husband and how they deal with that whole storyline.

To the strange ways the family dealt with the early return of the wealthy homeowners.

And then the birthday party, so many confusing things happened there as well. Messy, messy script-writing.

 

[millyskate]

Has anyone seen House of Gucci? I'm thinking about seeing it this weekend but I can't decide if it's going to be good, so bad it's good, or just bad.

I saw it last night. Both mr millyskate and I found it painfully boring.

 

[MacMadame]

I saw it last night. Both mr millyskate and I found it painfully boring.

I think I'll wait for it to be streaming.

 

[millyskate]

I think I'll wait for it to be streaming.

Upon reflection one of the things that lets it down is that it doesn't contain a single likeable character.

 

[VGThuy]

I saw it last night. Both mr millyskate and I found it painfully boring.

That’s what I heard about it too. I’ll wait to stream it I think.

 

[manhn]

They had a lot of debt and they owed money to loan sharks. It can take more than 4 years to pay down such loans.

The former housekeeper had caught the family in the act and had cell footage, which she was gonna tell the rich family. Then all hell broke loose. The two poor factions did not trust each other. Thematically, it showed how poor people are going after each other, instead of supporting each other. But if this was real life, I understood why the family did not let the husband out. They thought he was gonna tell on them, and they weren’t wrong.

The wealthy homeowner’s distain for the husband’s odor is the same disdain the homeowner had for the father’s odor. His odor, his poverty, was the one thing he could not hide. His daughter was just murdered and the homeowner’s family showed no reaction to her death. His home was lost from the flood. Besides, I am not sure how long he would have had his cushy job. The wife noticed his odor too, they would have fired him eventually.

He snapped. Thematically, it certainly works (everyone out in the open, chaos ensues), but I understood the dad’s actions too (not condoning).

Where would the father go! He is not that cunning out in the world without his family, he’d be easily caught. I also think the father thought he deserved such isolation. Thematically, it also just works—stuck in a basement, forgotten by society. Loved that ending.

That was the son’s hope, not a reality. The ending shows that it is extremely unlikely that he could ever buy that house. The other sad part is the son still clinging on to the dream that being really successful will
occur via hard work. He was still holding onto the dreams of capitalism.

Love your thoughts, Peter.

 

[VGThuy]

They had a lot of debt and they owed money to loan sharks. It can take more than 4 years to pay down such loans.

The former housekeeper had caught the family in the act and had cell footage, which she was gonna tell the rich family. Then all hell broke loose. The two poor factions did not trust each other. Thematically, it showed how poor people are going after each other, instead of supporting each other. But if this was real life, I understood why the family did not let the husband out. They thought he was gonna tell on them, and they weren’t wrong.

The wealthy homeowner’s distain for the husband’s odor is the same disdain the homeowner had for the father’s odor. His odor, his poverty, was the one thing he could not hide. His daughter was just murdered and the homeowner’s family showed no reaction to her death. His home was lost from the flood. Besides, I am not sure how long he would have had his cushy job. The wife noticed his odor too, they would have fired him eventually.

He snapped. Thematically, it certainly works (everyone out in the open, chaos ensues), but I understood the dad’s actions too (not condoning).

Where would the father go! He is not that cunning out in the world without his family, he’d be easily caught. I also think the father thought he deserved such isolation. Thematically, it also just works—stuck in a basement, forgotten by society. Loved that ending.

That was the son’s hope, not a reality. The ending shows that it is extremely unlikely that he could ever buy that house. The other sad part is the son still clinging on to the dream that being really successful will
occur via hard work. He was still holding onto the dreams of capitalism.

Love your thoughts, Peter.

That’s exactly what I got out of the film. The film is all about its message and theme of the empty promises of social/economic mobility and the existing class system. I read that’s resonating big time in South Korea right now, as it is here, and that explains projects like Squid Game.

 

[clairecloutier]

That’s exactly what I got out of the film. The film is all about its message and theme of the empty promises of social/economic mobility and the existing class system. I read that’s resonating big time in South Korea right now, as it is here, and that explains projects like Squid Game.

I appreciated that aspect of Parasite, as well as some of the bitterly dark comedic moments. What I didn't like as much was the sudden lurch into nihilistic violence.

 

[PeterG]

They had a lot of debt and they owed money to loan sharks. It can take more than 4 years to pay down such loans.

The former housekeeper had caught the family in the act and had cell footage, which she was gonna tell the rich family. Then all hell broke loose. The two poor factions did not trust each other. Thematically, it showed how poor people are going after each other, instead of supporting each other. But if this was real life, I understood why the family did not let the husband out. They thought he was gonna tell on them, and they weren’t wrong.

The wealthy homeowner’s distain for the husband’s odor is the same disdain the homeowner had for the father’s odor. His odor, his poverty, was the one thing he could not hide. His daughter was just murdered and the homeowner’s family showed no reaction to her death. His home was lost from the flood. Besides, I am not sure how long he would have had his cushy job. The wife noticed his odor too, they would have fired him eventually.

He snapped. Thematically, it certainly works (everyone out in the open, chaos ensues), but I understood the dad’s actions too (not condoning).

Where would the father go! He is not that cunning out in the world without his family, he’d be easily caught. I also think the father thought he deserved such isolation. Thematically, it also just works—stuck in a basement, forgotten by society. Loved that ending.

That was the son’s hope, not a reality. The ending shows that it is extremely unlikely that he could ever buy that house. The other sad part is the son still clinging on to the dream that being really successful will
occur via hard work. He was still holding onto the dreams of capitalism.

Love your thoughts, Peter.

This is why I need you to watch movies with because then recent viewings like Omar and Another Round would not leave me feeling

 

[Jay42]

I think Joker should have won best picture and Sam Mendes should have won best director (Joker once again).

Are you saying that Sam Mendes directed Joker? Because he directed 1917, Todd Phillips directed Joker.

 

[PeterG]

Are you saying that Sam Mendes directed Joker? Because he directed 1917, Todd Phillips directed Joker.

Yes, I did say that. And I am standing by that error.

 

[Cachoo]

Just Friends: Something Christmas and funny with Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart. As much as I like them I LOVE Anna Faris in this movie. I’m glad Netflix picked it up. I enjoyed it again…kind of becoming a holiday habit.

 

[SandraMGfan]

I’m planning to see it at some point this weekend. I have moderated expectations as it’s been really hyped.

I did see it today and enjoyed it - always like movies (somewhat) based on true story.
Don’t think it should be in contention for awards but some good acting nonetheless!
Loved the soundtrack!

 

[PeterG]

I did see it today and enjoyed it - always like movies (somewhat) based on true story.
Don’t think it should be in contention for awards but some good acting nonetheless!
Loved the soundtrack!

^^^
House of Gucci reference.

❤

 

[annie720]

That’s exactly what I got out of the film. The film is all about its message and theme of the empty promises of social/economic mobility and the existing class system. I read that’s resonating big time in South Korea right now, as it is here, and that explains projects like Squid Game.

Yes. My son works in the film industry in the U.S. and spent time in Korea when Parasite was getting attention here. When talking with Koreans about the film, he was told that non-Korean viewers probably don't realize that the lower-class family in the movie is actually middle class and educated. The job situation in Korea is that bad. College graduates are taking any kind of menial job they can get and if they can, they will get family members involved. The situation is desperate.

 

[Vash01]

6.5/10 - Parasite is the 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller that won the Oscar for best picture, director (Bong Joon-ho), original screenplay and international film. I am a big Bong Joon-ho fan, but I think Joker should have won best picture and Sam Mendes should have won best director (Joker once again). I just found Parasite to be a bit of a mess. Parts of the movie were strange…characters actions not making sense to me. I think Bong Joon-ho should have been recognized for earlier films of his such as Snowpiercer and The Host. And DEFINITELY for 2009’s “Mother” which I can’t heap enough praise on. Mother is so much more superior than Parasite. But if Parasite happened to be the movie that made the world more aware of Bong Joon-ho, I’m okay with that. Now go watch his earlier movies!

Trailer for Parasite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K06eRHofI1U

I hated Parasite. I would have given it 1 or 2 out of 10. It was gratuitous violence. Totally unnecessary. I was upset that it won all those awards, esp. BP and BD. I agree about Joker but was it the same year? I dont Remember. After last year's Oscars, I have decided to Not watch that show this year.

 

[PeterG]

I hated Parasite. I would have given it 1 or 2 out of 10. It was gratuitous violence. Totally unnecessary. I was upset that it won all those awards, esp. BP and BD. I agree about Joker but was it the same year? I dont Remember. After last year's Oscars, I have decided to Not watch that show this year.

Well...I got an answer or two for you, but if accuracy is a big deal or something to you, perhaps check with @Jay42 ...

 

[Davy88gtbwxyc]

Today I watched "Sorcerer", a 1977 thriller/drama movie.

Older movies aren't my usual go-to, but I ended up watching this one today, and it was quite good.

The suspense was intense, and it was quite riveting, which made up for its older-movie characteristics.

This movie had all the ingredients necessary to keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you don't mind an older movie filmed in the late 1970's, that pales in comparison to the quality of the movies made nowadays, but has a good story intact that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I'd recommend watching this.

 

[Vash01]

Well...I got an answer or two for you, but if accuracy is a big deal or something to you, perhaps check with @Jay42 ...

I am not going to check. Not that important.

Actually the first part of parasite was not bad at all. Poor people lying, cheating, etc,. For a better life. Of course I don't condone that behavior. For me it got really bad after the first 20 percent (I don't remember exactly) when the gratuitous violence kicked in. Joker had violence too but it was about a mentally ill person, so IMO it was not gratuitous and it was not as crude as in Parasite.

Anyway, I will be watching two relatively short and old movies in the next few days. Then I am off to another 'no Internet' trip.

 

[PeterG]

I am not going to check. Not that important.

Actually the first part of parasite was not bad at all. Poor people lying, cheating, etc,. For a better life. Of course I don't condone that behavior. For me it got really bad after the first 20 percent (I don't remember exactly) when the gratuitous violence kicked in. Joker had violence too but it was about a mentally ill person, so IMO it was not gratuitous and it was not as crude as in Parasite.

Anyway, I will be watching two relatively short and old movies in the next few days. Then I am off to another 'no Internet' trip.

I was joking. Yes, Joker and Parasite were competing against each other the same year. I was reviewing all the nominees at wikipedia and that's where I saw Mendes and Phillips both listed as directorial nominees and got a little fuddle.

As for Parasite, I don't think that anyone condones lying or cheating. But as long as a dramatic inequality exists in the distribution of wealth, one has to be pretty naive to think that there won't be desperation among a certain segment of the population. And some of those desperate people will cheat and lie. I guess I could add that I don't condone the people who take a dramatically larger piece of the pie which results in so many people suffering.

As for the violence in Parasite, I can see why you have a problem with it. I believe the director's goal was for you to feel that way. And to ultimately hate what set everything up for violence to ensue rather than hating the violence itself (or the violence only).

 

[Japanfan]

I hated Parasite. I would have given it 1 or 2 out of 10. It was gratuitous violence.

I didn't hate it, but also didn't think it deserved all the hype.

The issue for me was that I didn't like or care for any of the characters - this was probably intentional, but didn't make the film appealing to me. I did think the set for the house was great, but that is all.

 

[manhn]

Parasite was not that violent, especially compared to Joker and the Sam Mendes movies (granted, I never like Sam Mendes movies). I found everyone in Parasite fully rounded. The rich people were out of touch but not evil. And the poor people had moments of real familial love and loyalty.