🦃 Happy Friday and welcome to November!
Today also marks a weird day in movie history. 1982’s Blade Runner, which is set in Los Angeles, November 2019, officially takes place in the present. Yet we still don’t have flying cars…
Since it’s Friday, I’m recommending a cyberpunk double feature to wrap up our week dedicated to Dystopia movies 🌎. Plus, I tell you about Martin Scorsese’s latest, in theaters this weekend.
Okay, here’s day 3️⃣.
Movie #1: Upgrade
STREAMING ON HBO
What it’s about: Upgrade is set in a near-future where technology controls almost every aspect of life — including our bodies. After a robbery gone wrong leaves his wife dead and himself paralyzed, Grey (Logan Marshall-Green) gets an artificial intelligence implant called STEM that gives him the ability to walk. Unexpectedly, though, he also gets superhuman strength and agility, which he uses to seek revenge.
Why you should watch it: Part revenge flick, part techno horror, part film noir, Upgrade is an amalgamation of ideas and genres that actually works. Director Leigh Whannell (best known for his work on the Saw and Insidious franchises) balances a twisting plot with flashes of humor, well-choreographed action, and world-building that begs the question: when do we get Upgrade 2?
Details: 🎬 Leigh Whannell // ⏳ 100 minutes // 🗓 2018 // 📺 Trailer
Fun fact: Grey is almost always in the middle of the frame, even when doing complicated movements. To achieve this, they hid a phone in Marshall-Greene’s costumes that they paired with the camera so they could track every movement. Guess the future they created isn’t far off.
Also available on: Prime Video | iTunes | YouTube
Movie #2: Ghost in the Shell
STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO
What it’s about: In 2029, the human body is able to be completely replaced by cybernetic parts. Meaning that a “ghost” (the brain) is inserted into a “shell” (a cybernetic body). However, when a criminal called The Puppetmaster begins hijacking people’s bodies for his own use, Major Motoko Kusanagi is put on the case.
Why you should watch it: Arguably one of the most influential anime films ever released, Ghost in the Shell is credited with inspiring The Matrix, AI: Artificial Intelligence, and Avatar. The most fascinating part about it is that as impressive as the world-building is — particularly the visuals — director Mamoru Oshii is more interested in exploring identity and gender, among other things. While it’s certainly dense, it’s the perfect introduction to the wild world of anime.
Details: 🎬 Mamoru Oshii // ⏳ 83 minutes // 🗓 1995 // 📺 Trailer
Fun fact: It’s rumored that Carrie-Anne Moss got her role in The Matrix because she resembles Major Motoko Kusanagi.
Also available on: Prime Video | iTunes | YouTube
In theaters: The Irishman 🍀
What it’s about: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran (Robert DeNiro who is aged and de-aged so he could portray the role from 24 to as old as 80) recalls his time as a hitman for the mob, including his potential involvement in the disappearance of labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino).
Why you should watch it: The Irishman is an epic 3 1/2 crime movie that also functions as a meditation on age and a comedy. Wild, right? The movie almost functions as a self-reflection for Martin Scorsese’s career. It has the pace of Silence, the witty style and humor of The Wolf of Wall Street, and combines all the best of his classic gangster films. DeNiro, Pacino, and Joe Pesci haven’t been this good in years. And while it’ll eat up a good chunk of your day, it’s certainly worth your time.
NOTE: Since this is a Netflix release, it won’t be playing in any of the major theater chains.
Details: 🎬 Martin Scorsese // ⏳ 209 minutes // 🗓 2019 // 📺 Trailer
Fun fact: It’s rumored that coaches had to be hired to train DeNiro, Pacino, and Pesci on how to walk in the scenes they portrayed their younger selves in.
That completes our week dedicated to Dystopia movies! If you watch any of the movies recommended this week I’d love to hear what you thought. I’ll be back next week with a new theme and fresh set of recommendations.
Have a fun and safe weekend! 🎉
Karl (@karl_delo)