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Post by stephen on Aug 15, 2019 15:27:58 GMT
So this film is the real deal. If Alfred Hitchcock and the Coen Brothers had a baby and decided to raise it in Korea, that child would’ve made this movie. Bong Joon-ho has crafted a twisted black comedy about a clan of leeches who concoct a sprawling scheme to become the hired help of a well-to-do family, using their charm to ingratiate themselves with each of their employers while ruthlessly dispatching their predecessors by any means necessary. And just when you think you know where Bong’s going to take the film, it takes a sudden swerve that blindsides the viewer so thoroughly that they are still dizzy from the blow even after the movie’s over.
There's so much more I want to say about it, but it's a film that really defies description, and I've attempted twice to write a review before realizing that I just can't really do it justice. Suffice it to say, it's my favorite Palme d'Or winner since Pulp Fiction (and maybe even Barton Fink). I'll need more time to marinate on it, but I really am rooting for Bong to get that Pawlikowski slot at the Oscars this year . . . and I think it's very possible.
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Post by mhynson27 on Aug 15, 2019 16:23:33 GMT
Right there with you. Lucky enough to have already seen this twice and its comfortably my #1.
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avnermoriarti
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Post by avnermoriarti on Aug 15, 2019 18:05:10 GMT
Yep, agree. This is pretty much my kind of movie, the Hitchcockian moments, the satire, twisted humor, the unpredictability, social critique, themes. It has so many edges that is one of those movies that could be seen again and again, and is technically brillant. ❤️ This is how you do it
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Post by DeepArcher on Aug 15, 2019 18:23:35 GMT
That’s great to hear. Trying to resist the urge to watch the leak and wait it out until I can catch it in the theater... we’ll see how long that lasts...
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Post by DanQuixote on Aug 15, 2019 20:12:41 GMT
hyyyyyyyyyyyyyyped
I'll be shocked if this doesn't end up being my favourite of the year at this rate.
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Post by JangoB on Aug 15, 2019 21:07:27 GMT
I'm not quite on the hype train. But at the same time I certainly do consider it to be a solid piece of work. The unfolding of the story is indeed quite entertaining to experience although I don't particularly feel that the twists were THAT mind-blowing. They were good surprises though and there's definitely a reason why Bong asked the reviewers not to reveal the movie's secrets (his video message was actually played before the small press screening I was invited to before its Russian release). Then again, I feel the same way about pretty much every movie as I'm firmly not a believer in the 'The story doesn't matter, it's only HOW it's told that does' kind of theory.
It really is a strong film overall but I guess my issues were two-fold: 1) the social commentary was really on the nose and didn't amount to all that much for me as I didn't feel the movie had anything profound to say about its theme; 2) I wanted the visual presentation to be a bit more interesting since I felt that the visual decisions (a relative lack of memorable ones) was exactly what separated this from the heights of Hitchcock or the Coens. But the plot itself, the ensemble and the energy of it certainly were on point.
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Post by stephen on Aug 15, 2019 21:10:57 GMT
I'm not quite on the hype train. But at the same time I certainly do consider it to be a solid piece of work. The unfolding of the story is indeed quite entertaining to experience although I don't particularly feel that the twists were THAT mind-blowing. They were good surprises though and there's definitely a reason why Bong asked the reviewers not to reveal the movie's secrets (his video message was actually played before the small press screening I was invited to before its Russian release). Then again, I feel the same way about pretty much every movie as I'm firmly not a believer in the ' The story doesn't matter, it's only HOW it's told that does' kind of theory. It really is a strong film overall but I guess my issues were two-fold: 1) the social commentary was really on the nose and didn't amount to all that much for me as I didn't feel the movie had anything profound to say about its theme; 2) I wanted the visual presentation to be a bit more interesting since I felt that the visual decisions (a relative lack of memorable ones) was exactly what separated this from the heights of Hitchcock or the Coens. But the plot itself, the ensemble and the energy of it certainly were on point. I can see what you're saying here, as I do feel that Bong's works are usually pretty blunt and on-the-nose. Subterfuge isn't his long suit. But I nevertheless felt so engaged because it felt like it was evoking classical-era cinema, when plots usually were heavily laden with moral consciousness to "make a point", and he'd just updated it for modern sensibilities. I also think there were a lot of really great visual cues in this movie (the flooding toilet was a favorite of mine).
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Film Socialism
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Parasite.
Aug 15, 2019 22:13:46 GMT
via mobile
Post by Film Socialism on Aug 15, 2019 22:13:46 GMT
can't wait to hate this when i inevitably torrent it in 7 months
but for now it's kinda cool that a palm winner is getting like, universal widespread acclaim. feel like that's kind of rare these days
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Post by Lord_Buscemi on Aug 16, 2019 0:58:20 GMT
can't wait to hate this when i inevitably torrent it in 7 months but for now it's kinda cool that a palm winner is getting like, universal widespread acclaim. feel like that's kind of rare these days Kinda curious why you presume you're gonna dislike it (if you're not being ironic)
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Film Socialism
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Post by Film Socialism on Aug 16, 2019 1:06:02 GMT
can't wait to hate this when i inevitably torrent it in 7 months but for now it's kinda cool that a palm winner is getting like, universal widespread acclaim. feel like that's kind of rare these days Kinda curious why you presume you're gonna dislike it (if you're not being ironic) bong is a filmmaker i've kinda grown bored of and i'm usually skeptical of things with this universal acclaim behind them
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Post by getclutch on Aug 16, 2019 2:43:10 GMT
I loved the film. Joon-ho never seems to disappoint me though I am not sure where I would rank this one with his other films. It is very hard to top Memories of Murder but Parasite is not far off. RT currently holds a 100% on this one, wow. Seems everyone at Cannes loved it too. Overall, it was his best work since Mother imo. Will definitely re-watch sometime later.
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Post by Johnny_Hellzapoppin on Aug 16, 2019 19:54:40 GMT
This was very, very good. It was nicely amusing, but dark and moody at the same time. As JangoB mentioned, the social commentary is a blunt as a rock, but subtlety isn't always a requirement for me, and if a story is being told well then it isn't really needed at all. I adored the ensemble, from which Kang-ho Song and Yeo-jeong Jo were the clear standouts. I think Mrs. Park is one of my favourite characters of 2019 so far. I definitely appreciated those final few minutes, bittersweet as they are. This is definitely one to mull over and a rewatch will happen soon I'm sure, but in the interim I can say this was great stuff.
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Post by stephen on Aug 16, 2019 19:58:03 GMT
This was very, very good. It was nicely amusing, but dark and moody at the same time. As JangoB mentioned, the social commentary is a blunt as a rock, but subtlety isn't always a requirement for me, and if a story is being told well then it isn't really needed at all. I adored the ensemble, from which Kang-ho Song and Yeo-jeong Jo were the clear standouts. I think Mrs. Park is one of my favourite characters of 2019 so far. I definitely appreciated those final few minutes, bittersweet as they are. This is definitely one to mull over and a rewatch will happen soon I'm sure, but in the interim I can say this this was great stuff. Her overly theatrical gasps were my favorite part of the movie.
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Post by Mattsby on Aug 17, 2019 0:49:27 GMT
7.5/10. Not a Top 3 Bong. Reminded me of Burning from last year which is more of a controlled and transfixing slow burn - both explore a divide of lifestyle and class and its mysterious nooks but Burning has a more strongly realized and earned trajectory. They had the same cinematographer too! Parasite’s first half is masterful - I was loving it - a perfectly pitched satire of imposture, upward mobility and property takeover. It’s both hilarious and surprising just how impressively the family assumes their roles, peaking with that great peach-fuzz montage that includes their rehearsing - and a lot of the music (theremin?) has a beautiful lilt. That family is a strangely affecting unit, in the ways they are sort of accidental pros of their cunning craft, and how they behave together without remoteness or friction. And it’s filmed very sharply by Bong… Then the old housemaid returns and sours not only the tone but the momentum. I think the biggest missed opportunity that Bong forgets is the reciprocal wealth - the Kang-ho Song father seems staggered by the prospect of their combined salaries. So how might their situation begin to mirror the family they’re ostensibly swindling but actually in many ways merely serving? And it follows, how would their “foul” jobs discredit their new social status? But that isn’t covered. Bong takes the route of secret underground lairs, highlighting the unpleasantness of the lower class leeching, with thriller/horror tropes that feel a little awkward against the mildness of the characters who are altogether lacking in cruelty you’d think. Despite the violence, Bong doesn't kink the characters like he should've, but softens their behavior with reasoning and pity. The second-half detours witlessly - and certain plot points are discarded, like the old tutor or how the kid discovering the “help me” morse code goes nowhere. Crucially, the relationships - of which each has their counterpart or who they’re “assigned” to - are shortchanged. Tutor vs daughter romance, Art tutor vs unruly son and their truce, maid/mother vs mother, driver/father vs father and their gap of prestige and virility. There’s no culmination to all of this, the tutoring, or any ‘behind closed doors’ revelations, or further embedding or insinuating. And the script starts to tap-the-nose regarding theme and self-awareness (the rock of wealth, commenting several times on characters being ‘gullible’ and things being ‘metaphorical’ - etc). But, I liked it! I did! Of the strong cast, MVP goes to Mrs Park, the wealthy mother character — outlined with hypersensitivity, she’s deeply weak and lorn, delegating her duties, yet it’s an attractive and humorous perf; her introductory shot: she’s clumsily passed out. I also liked the Artistic daughter’s conspiratorial nonchalance, and how Song, the greatest of Korean actors btw, distills his affable intro with impinged shame.
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Post by bob-coppola on Aug 17, 2019 19:07:41 GMT
Really really really loved this. Either this or the Tarantino is my #1 of the year so far, and it'll likely to stay in a very high ranking when all's said and done. It reminded me a lot of Shoplifters in its sensibility, and they both share this snarky sense of humor (it's heightened in Parasite tho). It's very moving, it has killer DP and art direction, and Song Kang-ho is fantastic.
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Post by notacrook on Sept 10, 2019 19:00:13 GMT
Holy fuck, this was incredible. Instant #1 of the year so far, and it'll take something special to dethrone it. To my shame, I've only seen Bong Joon-Ho's recent English-language films Snowpiercer and Okja, and only moderately liked both. Parasite, however, is a masterful piece of filmmaking that makes me want to get to the rest of his filmography at the first opportunity. His direction is full of energy and defined by sharp precision that takes already great scenes to a next level. An array of wonderful, fleshed-out characters are played to perfection by an excellent cast. I also adored how the movie evolved as it went, from black comedy to all-out thriller, to tragedy, without ever feeling erratic or tonally confused. This really lives up to its acclaim.
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Post by wilcinema on Sept 12, 2019 15:44:16 GMT
This movie is a triumph. The battle of the poor to the obliviousness of the rich. Blunt satire, yes, but who cares about subtlety when you have this.
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Drish
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Parasite.
Sept 20, 2019 21:45:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by Drish on Sept 20, 2019 21:45:12 GMT
Old News😋 PS: Do update when Luce gets leaked please. I've been dying to watch it.
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Parasite.
Sept 20, 2019 21:50:18 GMT
via mobile
Post by akittystang on Sept 20, 2019 21:50:18 GMT
Yeah I just realized it had been out awhile! My bad.
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Post by pacinoyes on Sept 21, 2019 2:04:02 GMT
~8.5/10 -
I wouldn't rank this as high as Mother or Memories of Murder but it has some of Bong Joon Ho's most perceptive and unified work - that's why it's such a big deal I think - people who didn't get him before might get this film apart from any previous one. The first half of the movie is perfect particularly in glorious scene composition - the small apartment contrasts beautifully with the expansiveness of the house and you feel the suffocation and release.
When the film pivots it resembles Dogtooth in its absurdist humor and Burning in its raising the stakes but Burning got better when it shifted in plot .........Parasite becomes a bit lesser. What makes Mother and Memories of Murder so devastating in their humor was casual and cruel in connection to their tragedy - the tragedy was always looming. In Parasite it strains belief because it's so conceptual and so clever (almost too much so) - you just know it was written out and rewritten many times before it was shot so it feels a small bit sterile.
Still that's not something to scoff at when it's woven so masterfully and one of the world's great filmmakers is for much of this stinging black comedy/satire operating at peak level form.
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Lubezki
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Post by Lubezki on Sept 21, 2019 3:09:08 GMT
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Nikan
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Post by Nikan on Sept 21, 2019 13:15:15 GMT
I feel I have to watch it again to see things I didn't before this time knowing where it's headed (and there must be many wonderful details to be found) but yeah it's really something. Made shifts that could've turned into disasters yet it sticked the landing and did more than that too. It was my first Joon-ho too.
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LaraQ
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Post by LaraQ on Sept 21, 2019 13:23:31 GMT
Insane that he can't be tried for the murders because the statute of limitations expired in 2006.Imagine having a Statute of limitation on murder!.
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Post by Ryan_MYeah on Oct 28, 2019 19:48:25 GMT
I thought this wasn’t gonna come near me, but I’m getting it this weekend! 😃
I mean, I know f-all about this movie, but maybe that’ll make it more rewarding. AMC, you did something right for once.
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Good God
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Post by Good God on Oct 28, 2019 20:27:56 GMT
Jesus, can't believe I missed this news. I have so often wondered about the identity of the killer and always hoped for that to be discovered. This feels surreal.
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