Movie review: Parasite

 

When the Kim family runs across the Park family they see an opportunity. Though wealthy, the Parks are somewhat naïve allowing the street-smart Kim children to install themselves as tutor and art therapist to the Park children. Soon the unaware Park's are financially supporting the entire household even as the Kim's struggle to maintain the parasitic relationship.

Kang-ho Song (Ki Taek), Sun-kyun Lee (Dong Ik), Yeo-jeong Jo (Yeon Kyo), Woo-sik Choi (Ki Woo), So-dam Park (Ki Jung), Jeong-eun Lee (Moon Gwang), Hye-jin Jang (Chung Sook), Myeong-hoon Park (Geun Se), Ji-so Jung (Da Hye).

Parasite launches well, introducing us to the Kim and Park families while impressing upon us their difference in economic status. The Kim children quickly begin installing themselves in the Park household, pushing out existing employees on the way. Soon, the entire Kim family is being supported by the Parks. But when another parasite threatens the arrangement the Kim's must fight to keep their host.

Acting was pretty good in Parasite. Song did a good job playing the doltish dad and delivered well. Lee was enjoyable with good energy, as was Jo and Jung. Park was good and fit her role perfectly. Jang, Park, and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid, enjoyable, and all seemed to work well together.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are mild but nicely done. Physical effects are solid and fitting for the film without moving it from the drama genre. Dialogue is fun, funny, and fitting. Be aware this is a foreign language film with English subtitles. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Parasite is a well done, and well twisted, comedy drama. The storyline includes a nice mix of drama, comedy, and suspense. Those who enjoy unusual dramas should enjoy this one.

With some sexuality, a bit of graphic violence, foul language, and disturbing scenes, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 3.21.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Foreign Language, Dark Comedy

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Professor

 

 College professor Richard transforms from a mild academic into a no-limits party animal after learning he has only six months to live. To the delight of his students, he stands up against authority and hypocrisy.

Johnny Depp (Richard), Rosemarie DeWitt (Veronica), Odessa Young (Olivia), Danny Huston (Peter), Zoey Deutch (Claire), Devon Terrell (Danny), Ron Livingston (Henry), Linda Emond (Barbara), Matreya Scarrwener (Rose).

The Professor begins by showing us Richard's current life including his failing marriage and distant daughter. Once he is diagnosed with only six months to live, Richard quickly changes drastically. Realizing time changes things, Richard refocuses on enjoying life via pharmaceuticals while calling out authority and hypocrisy on every level. The result is a film with a few laughs that moves along fairly well.

Acting was good with Depp delivering fairly well, though drunk or high might not have required much acting on his part. DeWitt fit her role well, delivered nicely, and was completely unlikeable. Young was good and seemed to work well with Depp, bringing a bit more depth to things. Huston delivered well as usual, as did Deutch, Livingston, and the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are mild but fitting with an authentic, solid feel. Action scenes were mild but fit well. Dialogue was a mix of dramatic, campy and corny which worked well. Sound and soundtrack are decent.

Overall The Professor is a mild but fairly well done dramatic comedy that has a way of twisting around and pulling at the heartstrings a bit. Those who enjoy a bit more drama than comedy, or deeply enjoy Depp's quirky performances, should enjoy this the most.

With some fairly explicit sexuality, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 3.9.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Indie Dramas

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

 

 1969 saw Hollywood's Golden Age coming to an end. Actor Rick and stunt double Cliff struggle to hold onto fame in a changing industry that may just have left them behind.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Rick), Brad Pitt (Cliff), Margot Robbie (Sharon), Emile Hirsch (Jay), Margaret Qualley (Pussycat), Timothy Olyphant (James), Austin Butler (Tex), Dakota Fanning (Squeaky), Al Pacino (Marvin).

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood launches by showing us Rick's career and relationship with Cliff. From there the storyline appears and seems to be little more than Rick and Cliff struggling to navigate a quickly changing Hollywood and keep them both employed. Along the way we encounter their old friends, watch them make some new friends, and generally stumble or bumble through life in multiple storylines. The film seems to try and make a point with Charles Manson references toward the end before quietly fading away.

Acting was a mix throughout. DiCaprio fit his role and delivered well, unfortunately the role itself seemed to be the problem. Pitt had possibly the most likeable character in the film and delivered very well. Robbie was solid, as was Qualley, Butler, Fanning and the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all solid and enjoyable with good fit and feel. Physical effects fit the film nicely and were executed well. Dialogue was okay but could have done a lot more to develop the storylines. Sound and soundtrack are good with a few nice tracks.

Overall Once Upon a Time in Hollywood feels like a film that rode onto the big screen using Tarantino's name. The story develops little energy and seems to have no point whatsoever, compounded by its over 160 minute length. While we are used to offerings from Tarantino being unusual, they aren't often this boring and without direction. With a few mild chuckles, some will enjoy this one.

With plenty of foul language and sexual references, fairly graphic violence, and disturbing adult situations, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 3.9.20
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Showbiz Drama, Crime Drama, Period Pieces

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel