Parasite

Call Bong Joon-ho's Parasite a "dark comedy thriller" if you want. Call it a great foreign film, the sorta movie you don't mind watching with subtitles. Go ahead and call Parasite a wonderful example of how cinemaphotography can make a very, very good film great.

Go ahead and say all those things. They're true.

But I'm gonna call Parasite the best movie of 2019.

South Korean filmmaker Joon-ho's movie about economic class division boasts the best cast ensemble of 2019, and serves as canvas for the remarkable artistry of lead actor Song Kang-ho. The movie is visually stunning and perfectly paced. While the story comes close to crossing the line, it never crosses (pun intended).  Parasite concludes in a beautiful, poetic way.

No matter the outcome of the 2020 Academy Awards, I'll remain convinced Parasite is the best movie released last year. It's certainly the best movie I saw.

2020 Golden Globe Predictions

Award season is here! Let's see if we can hit some predictions:

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Nominees: 

Joker

Marriage Story

The Two Popes

1917

The Irishman

Prediction: While I think The Irishman was the best on the list, I think the Globes will go anti-special effects and pro-streaming service and select Marriage Story as best drama.

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Nominees:

Dolemite Is My Name

JoJo Rabbit

Knives Out

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Rocketman 

Prediction: This comes down to a three-way tie for me, between Knives Out, Rocketman, and Hollywood. Forced to make a choice, I select Rocketman because it's a true musical. 

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture - Drama

Prediction: Renee Zellweger, Judy

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture - Drama

Prediction: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Best Performance By An Actress In  A Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Prediction: Cate Blanchette, Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy
Prediction: Taron Egerton, Rocketman 

Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role
Prediction: Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell

Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role
Prediction: Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood 

Best Director

Prediction: Martin Scorsese, The Irishman 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

When one reaches a certain age one begins to question things: life choices, career path, personal relevance, etc.

And I'm of that certain age.

I've lived life, and I've done some things. I've built strong relationships, mentored many from the next generation as they grew into adulthood. and tried to improve myself along the way.

But will I leave a legacy? Have I made a difference?

It's the question Bernadette Fox ponders throughout Richard Linklater's film, Where'd You Go, Bernadette? An accomplished architect revered by her peers, Bernadette spent years being a mother and a wife. Important and necessary, for certain. But being focused on others for so long cost her a bit of creativity and, as a result, caused a bit of an identity crisis.

And it's an identity crisis that requires dramatic intervention to resolve.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette? is uneven. The first half is rock solid as it provides insight into Bernadette and her relationships, while the second half is uneven and melodramatic, and has a conclusion that's hard to believe. The cast is very good -- Cate Blanchette is nominated for a Golden Globe for her role -- but they can't save the film from the over-the-top finish.

Far from perfect, Bernadette still gives the viewer some things to ponder about life and the choices we make. That, and Blanchette's performance, make the flick worth watching.

Rare Captain Marvel (John Davey) Public Service Announcement

One of my favorite memories from Saturday mornings was watching Shazam!(later the Shazam/Isis Hour) on CBS.

Here's a rare public service announcement by John Davey (who starred in the latter half of Season 2) asking kids to read up on multiple sclerosis.

Loved his moving those boulders in the intro.