The Act of Killing 🐟
Also, my take on the trailer for 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife'
❄️ Happy snowy Wednesday from NYC!
We’re talking about my favorite movies of the decade all this month. We went to Japan on Monday, let’s go to Indonesia today.
Also, my take on the trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
First: Did you know you can see *every single movie* I’ve ever recommended right here?
Okay, here’s day five.
Today's Movie // Streaming on Prime VideoThe Act of Killing
Filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer challenges the death-squad leaders of the Indonesian genocide in the 1960s to reenact their roles in the killings through dramatized recreations. Giving them the resources and complete creative control, the men proudly display their acts through scenes inspired by old Hollywood gangster films and even musical numbers. (Trailer)
Why you should watch it: I think it’s pretty safe to say that there’s never been a movie quite like The Act of Killing. The audaciousness of the premise, of giving actual murderers a creative outlet to proudly show the world their “work,” is insane. However, the result is nothing short of magnificent.
The Act of Killing directly confronts the lies that led to the mass killing of alleged “communists” and the fact that to this day there has been no attempt to denounce any of the actions. But most compelling is the psychological dive we do into leader Anwar Congo. In the words of Filmspotting’s Adam Kempenaar he’s “one of the most charismatic, sincere, accessible, affable... monsters... you'll ever see on screen.”
Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer
Runtime 159 minsYear 2012Genre Documentary
📺 Buy or rent:Prime Video//iTunes//YouTube
One trailer you should watchGhostbusters: Afterlife
After inheriting her grandfather’s home, a single mother (Carrie Coon) and her two kids (Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace) discover their family's link to the original Ghostbusters, who have become something of a myth as the events of the "Manhattan Crossrip of 1984" have slowly been forgotten.
My take: I didn’t love the 2016 Ghostbusters remake mostly because it felt like too much of a retread of the original. Thankfully, this film looks completely different tonally. Just taking it out of NYC makes a huge difference. The 80s kid's adventure tone is — like everything nowadays — reminiscent of Stranger Things. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Directed by Jason ReitmanYear 2020Genre Fantasy Comedy Horror Thriller (?)
📺In theaters Summer 2020.
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Have a great night!
Karl (@karl_delo)