Hello and welcome to Mendelson Media Musings! Last issue, we hosted the MMMs as an awards show, but this variation will focus on current films, series, and games that I’d love to discuss (or am greatly anticipating). I often see online frustration when certain pieces of media get delayed or projects that don’t turn out as well as one might hope. Many people tend to hyperfixate on a handful of movies or shows, but I always think it’s valuable to broaden your horizons to countless more stories and experiences. Mainly this exists as a place where I can dump my thoughts and feelings on things I’m passionate about.
No Other Choice – A black comedy from Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, this movie from last year keeps you laughing out loud yet oddly paranoid. When a man loses his job and line of support for his family, he must go to great lengths to win back the stability of his life. Lee Byung-hun’s lead performance as this down on his luck loser at times matches the slapstick absurdity of somebody like Jim Carrey. He constantly reacts to his environment with such frantic energy. The vibrancy of color additionally heightens the frenetic energy of some of the most thrilling sequences. I will say, I went into this movie expecting quite a bit more chaos, and while the chaos truly does ensue, it never quite reached the levels I expected. But, reflecting now, I’m happy with the family drama-centered second half of the film. It makes a nice parallel for the protagonist’s transformation from laughable to something else. Go check this one out, especially if you want a jumping off point into foreign films!
Eternity – A love triangle romcom with the most extreme stakes ever! Elizabeth Olsen portrays the younger incarnation of an old woman who passes to the afterlife (you take on the appearance you had when you were happiest in life). She then has to decide between whether she’ll spend literal eternity with her first husband who died at war and her second husband with whom she had a family and grew old. It’s pretty agonizing to watch both men see the love of their life undecided, and it’s even more agonizing to see our protagonist face to face with quite possibly the most heartbreaking decision a person can make. Abandon a person for all eternity. The sci-fi elements of the afterlife are silly yet vague enough to focus on a fun story. I loved watching Olsen and her second husband, Miles Teller, embody confused elderly people. Olsen even captures the warm laugh of a wholesome grandmother. Eternity is a must-see for all romcom fans, posing philosophical questions of spending forever with somebody and offering some inspired performances as well.
The Studio – Apple TV continues to pick up some of the most original, exciting, and irreverent TV series, with Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire The Studio standing out among even the best comedies on TV. With each episode capturing the ridiculousness of a different corrupt corner of the film industry, The Studio feels alive and timely. The second episode blew me away: it follows the head of the studio (Seth Rogen) and one of the executive producers as they visit the set of one of their films. Within the episode, the director of the film shoots a “oner,” a single shot that travels across the set. Here’s the catch: the episode itself is also shot in a single take. No cuts, no edits, no nothing. This is what The Studio does best; subvert your expectations in comedic ways while celebrating the strengths and criticizing the pratfalls of the film industry. Each episode introduces an engaging standalone plot, new tasteful celebrity cameos, and nonstop jokes that feel like the filet mignon of comedy series. A true gem of a show, and one that I highly recommend to anyone who loves film or loves to laugh. Plus Bryan Cranston plays a scumbag corporate exec, what’s not to love?
Red Dead Redemption 2 – While not released last year like these other pieces of media, this 2018 universally acclaimed best-selling video game has taken over my thoughts. More of an interactive journey than anything, this sprawling love letter to westerns contains dozens of hours of storytelling. The creators of the Grand Theft Auto series take a step back from the grimy, intense storytelling to produce a slow paced, somber tale of a gang of outlaws trying to make ends meet. Each member of the familial crew has their own story, their own likes and dislikes, and their own incredible voice actor. Roger Clark, the actor for playable protagonist, Arthur Morgan, has gone on record claiming to have spoken over 500,000 lines for the role. The entire experience is dedicated to realism and atmosphere. Every player is sucked into the old west as they gallop through a muddy town up to the doors of a saloon, go fishing with their surrogate son as they evade the law, and rob an oil industrialist’s train. As the West enters modern times, the decline of the frontier takes its toll on the gang. It’s a story of family, honor, and the debate between true freedom and organized freedom. A modern classic, and a must-play for anyone who likes cinematic gaming experiences.