1917 (SPOILERS)

I am a poor wayfaring stranger...

War is Hell, and film has done a great job capturing that. There have been may truly remarkable films within this genre, and 1917 can stand tall among them. Towards the end of 2019, this film gained major traction and was set to be a major reaper of awards at the Oscars. While that wasn't the case, this movie still manages to be a tremendous achievement in a number of ways. Here's why:

UPS

1. The one-take. Yes, it's been buzzed about that this film was shot to look like one long, continuous take...and that's exactly how it's presented. For the entirety of the movie, you feel like you're following Blake and Scofield on their journey and get a firsthand look at what it's like to be a soldier during this war. To put it bluntly...it's not great. What's even better is that the most glaring cut happens at a point that makes logical sense in terms of what happens. Now of course, there were probably several more cuts, but it's a testament to the filmmaking that they are barely noticed and do nothing to tarnish such a incredible technical achievement. Speaking of which...
2. Roger Deakins' cinematography. If the one-take transported you into the world of World War I, then the cinematography was what immersed you in it. Deakins is a master at crafting these shots that look so authentic and real that you can't help but be awed by the raw beauty of what you are seeing. That whole sequence in the town at night alone...truly breathtaking. 1917 may not have ran off with as many Oscars as originally thought, but it did manage to snag the one that was very clearly deserved. 
3. Dean Charles Chapman and George McKay's performances. The story of this film is rather simple, so it helps that these actors bring us incredibly likable leads to follow. Chapman, familiar to those who have seen Game of Thrones, fills Blake with a youthful idealism that clashes well with Scofield's more jaded outlook on the war. It's this bright optimism that makes his rather shocking death (I seriously did not see it coming) harder to take in. Of course, the heart of this film lies with McKay, who really carries the weight of literally everything as he becomes the sole star of this film. Watching Scofield endure all the obstacles, all the pain, all the loss, is something truly enthralling to behold. He's an easy lead to root for, and the ending is all the more cathartic because of it. 

DOWNS

None of particular note.

OVERALL

1917, while rather simplistic in terms of story, is a technical marvel of a film. Do I think it got snubbed at the Oscars? Honestly no, but I do think it was a great film in its own right and should definitely be checked out if one gets the chance.

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :)

Retro-Reviews: Parasite (SPOILERS)

No plan at all...

For a majority of last year, one film has gained major traction across the globe. That film is none other than Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite. To say the anticipation I had for seeing this film was high would be such an understatement that I won't even go into the details, but simply put, while I can't say it was my favorite film of 2019 or even the entire decade, I will say that this is a film that is worthy of all the praise it gets and then some. With its recent sweep of wins at the Oscars this year, including Best Picture, let's get into why Parasite is a timeless gem:

UPS

1. Bong Joon-Ho. A good movie needs a good director, and thankfully, Parasite has a great one in Bong. He has such a way with his craft that I don't think this movie would work as well as it did if not for his incredible skill. Every moment, every shot, every choice, all of it has meaning and nothing feels wasteful. Bong makes use of everything at his disposal and his passion for making this film is felt constantly. 
2. The message and overall theme. Bong has the theme of class structure and how capitalism affects society play a major part in his films. This one is no different and features a story that is built around these themes. What I like most is that the message is presented with such subtlety and nuance that it never feels preachy and instead feels like an organic part of the story. There are no real heroes or villains; just people trying to get by in a world that makes their situations so. It makes for a very complicated and engaging plot with so many twists and turns that it's hard not to get invested.
3. Going hand in hand with the message, the tone undergoes a gradual shift throughout the film that is also presented with subtlety. At first glance, it seems we are experiencing a dark comedy at play, which then transitions into a dramatic thriller, before concluding as a full-blown tragedy. Such massive tonal shifts would be jarring elsewhere, but here it works. The ending is the culmination of all of this, being utterly depressing as a whole yet still holding onto a sliver of hope that things could get better, which we pray they will.

DOWNS

It's hard to find fault with this film in all honesty.

OVERALL

Parasite is, again, not my favorite film of 2019, but I am glad, no, overjoyed that it got such high praise and recognition as everything accomplished in this film makes it deserving of that.

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :)