THE CALL OF THE WILD: While top billing in this re-tooling of the Jack London classic goes to Harrison Ford, the real star of the film is a CGI dog named Buck. In fact, all of the animals are the result of brilliant CGI work. (CGI, as a reminder, stands for Computer Graphic Imaging and in this case, Buck was the result of a ballet dancer going through the "choreography" of Buck's movement and then having it enhanced through technology)...………….Too much information? Perhaps, but I include it to let you realize what goes into a film like this. And it is magnificent for those reasons. In a nutshell, it concerns the "journey" of a rambunctious canine "dognapped" from California and thrust into the "Klondike Fever" of Alaska. Yes, as a sled dog. Along the way, there are terrors, beauty, kindness and eventually, "The call." While, Mr. Ford appears in only about the last half of the film (with a brief a scene early on) I thought he was at the top of his game (considering he was acting with a dog that wasn't there). So, if brief, go see this wonderful film and marvel at how it was made.
PARASITE: After winning all those Oscars (including Best Picture and Best International Film), I had to see what all the fuss was about. Let's just say it is well deserved in that it is a comedy of sorts, a thriller of sorts and a look at Korean classes of wealth and poverty. In short,the film is a bit of a marvel that keeps you guessing as to what is next. Best Director Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho has realized a miracle of a movie, both satirical and sardonic. While the cast is virtually unknown to American audiences, they are individual superb and equally thrilling in the ensemble playing. I can't reveal too much of the plot lest I spoil your entertainment. Let me just say, I was mesmerized for the last half of the film and you will be too. While "1917" is still my choice for best picture of the year, "Parasite" is a worthy number two.
