This One is a Game-Changer

Rating: 10/10 (10 February 2020)

In 2006, when I went to an art house movie theater, I saw Bong Joon Ho's campy but awesome sci-fi horror monster movie "The Host." I was only 16, but I made sure from then on I would see all the things he directs.
When he began getting so much praise and attention in 2019 for "Parasite," I was a little worried. I wasn't a fan of "Snowpiercer" (although it is well crafted), and when he worked with Netflix in 2017 to direct "Okja," I was even more disappointed.
But this afternoon, with my parents, I saw "Parasite" at Cinemark before the Oscars. As my previous review of it says, it is now one of my all time favorite films I've ever seen. I figured, however, given the Academy's fancy for war films, I just knew "1917" would take home the award for Best Motion Picture of the Year, and in all fairness, that was an amazing film. When Jane Fonda opened the envelope and stared for a moment, I was worried that the one film I wasn't terribly impressed with, "Ford v. Ferrari," was the winner. Again, that was a technical feat for sure, but in my book it was the only one nominated for the best pic category that I felt it didn't deserve the win.
Jane Fonda, with surprised grandness (and obvious shock), announced that one word: "Parasite." There are many films that have won Best Picture that I've gushed over (remember my obsession with "The Shape of Water"?), but this announcement made my heart leap with elation; that same sensation you get when your crush kisses your cheek and whispers "I like you too."
Bong Joon Ho...I am so happy for you.