Gisaengchung (Parasite)
A film that won an Oscar, and also the Palme d'Or, crossing off one of last August's ohnotheydidnt challenges.
Is it a bit weird that I decided to watch this after seeing The Simpsons' latest Halloween special parodying it? Maybe.
So, in this film, the main characters are living below the poverty line, and they manage to work their way into the lives of a rich family by getting jobs around their house; this even involves exploiting the housekeeper's allergy so that the mother can take her job.
It's a strange film, and strangely funny in places, in a very dark way, and you can't exactly see what is coming next (at least if you didn't see the Simpsons' version first!) I enjoyed every moment of this, although the violent content put me in mind of another Korean import, Squid Game.
The ending was very touching, as well.
1. January 5th is National Bird Day, watch any movie that features a bird on the poster (some ideas).
3. Watch any movie that features an actor/actress or was directed by someone who passed away in 2021.
6. Watch any movie that has been mentioned on the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
8. Watch any movie featured on the Writers Guild of America: 101 Best Screenplays of the 21st Century (so far) list.
9. Watch any movie that has been featured on any of the previous 1001 movies you must see before you die lists.
December
6. Watch any Christmas movie.
7. Watch any campy movie.
9. These Timothée Chalamet stans don't mess around... here's a list of movies he's mentioned, watch one of them.
10. Watch any movie that takes place during New Years (some options).
November
1. Thanksgiving is November 25th. Watch any movie that takes place during Thanksgiving (some options).
7. Watch any movie that is adapted from a television show (some options).
8. Wonder what it's like to spend hundreds of thousands to go to Harvard all to get a PhD in film? Well now you can get a glimpse; watch any movie Harvard has on their suggested viewing list.
9. November is Native American Heritage Month. Watch any movie featuring a Native actor/actress.
October
1. Watch any movie that features an actor/actress that has appeared in the Scream franchise.
3. Watch any horror movie directed by a woman.
5. Watch any sci-fi horror movie.
7. Watch any giallo.
September
3. Watch any movie about the afterlife (some ideas).
4. Summer is almost over, which means beach season is too, thankfully. Watch any movie heavily involving a beach (some ideas) - may I suggest one of the greatest movies of all time, 2019's Portrait of a Lady on Fire expertly directed by Céline Sciamma?
5. Ever wonder what Jimmy Carter watched while he was President? Watch any one of the movies he did watch; full list here.
7. It's September, watch any movie that features the song September by Earth Wind & Fire. I made a list with some options that is hopefully helpful, here, but I'm sure there's other options out there.
8. Watch any movie off the list of films that hits different at night.
August
2. Watch any previous Palme d'Or winner.
3. Watch any movie that has featured on the How Did This Get Made podcast.
6. Watch any movie that features an actor/actress that started out on reality TV - a link with examples is on Letterboxd, the source is banned :(
9. Watch any 80's crime movie.
July
1. Directors sometimes hate their own movies, maybe studio interference or just plain ol' lack of talent (which they won't admit, but I'll gladly call them out for), watch any movie that has been hated on by the very director that made it (I linked ideas over at Letterboxd, but its from a banned source... so go over there for a link or google for ideas).
6. On July 16th Anthony Bourdain's documentary will be released, watch any movie he's previously called one of his favorites.
10. Using this list find a movie you've previously seen and liked and watch a movie that is in the same row and is apparently similar to the one you've previously liked.
June
1. Pick any user who has previously participated in this challenge and watch one of their favorite movies (any movie featured in their top 4 or that they've given 5 stars). If you're not on Letterboxd, then this might be a difficult one, but here's some lists from users who have participated, you should be able to see them without having an account.
May
1. Melissa McCarthy's newest movie (Thunder Force) is a continuation of her making the bad decision to work with her husband. Watch a movie that a couple (past or present) worked on together (actor/actor, director/actor, etc.) I wanted to include some sources with names, but they're all banned sources, so use this IMDB Collaboration thing maybe. Thanks to decemlvng once again for the task (you da best)!
4. Watch any streaming original movie.
6. Watch any movie where the cinematography was done by a woman (some ideas).
April
2. Pick any movie from this list and watch the suggested companion movie (if you like the older one then watch the newer one, if you like the newer one then watch the older one).
3. Watch any movie on the 250 Essential Female Filmmakers list.
5. April 25th is the Academy Awards. Watch any short that is nominated this year or any previous year. Options: Animated, Live Action, Documentary.
March
1 and 2. Same Name, Different Movie. Watch two movies that share a name. Some ideas: here and here. Thanks to decemlvng for coming up with the task!
5. Pick any film movement and watch one of the important movies within it.
6. Martin Scorsese once again upset some Twitter folks with a recent essay. Watch any movie he mentions in the essay (to expand your options, you could watch any movie by any of the directors on the list).
February
1. Pick any top member on Letterboxd (under the members tab) and watch one of their favorite movies.
3. Watch any movie that was the most popular film the year it was released.
4. Watch any movie that is on the 2020 Best Picture According to Letterboxd Users list.
8. On February 4th the SAG nominations will be announced, watch any movie that has previously been nominated for Best Ensemble.
10. Watch any movie that has been referenced on the show Community.