Pre + Post Past Lives Viewing
What I Thought Before and After Seeing My Favorite Movie of the Summer
Before:
As we discussed on the last episode of Haunted Basement: The Podcast, the summer movie I’m most looking forward to seeing is Past Lives. I’ll admit that it’s an unusual choice for a highly anticipated summer movie. In Bubba’s opinion, this movie looks like one that you watch in the comfort of your own home, under your cozy blanket, possibly with a roaring fire in the fireplace (so…more of a winter movie). HOWEVER, the trailer for this movie haunts me, and every day that passes that I don’t see this movie feels like time wasted. If you haven’t already concluded by now, I’m a touch dramatic. The Barbie movie, yeah, I’ll definitely see it, hopefully with some friends in a theater and then we’ll go out to dinner after. I’m struggling with Oppenheimer because I don’t want to “support” the atomic bomb, but, it’s an amazing cast of actors and I know Oppenheimer’s story is crazy which likely makes for a good movie. And I definitely want to see No Hard Feelings, Joy Ride and Strays, but with two little children, I only have so many opportunities to get to the theater. So, tomorrow, after an appointment in the city, I shall bring myself to the theater and see Past Lives. By myself, during the day. And I will report back!
After:
Oh wow. Oh wow, that was good. That was a really, really good movie. One that I can’t stop thinking about. One that felt like art. It’s a story about a girl who grew up in South Korea, then immigrated to Canada, then NYC and all the emotions that go along with that incredible journey. It’s a story about immigrants, it’s a story about being a woman, and being in love.
Everything about it - from the sound, to the lighting, to the music (oh the beautiful music!), the acting, the silences, the cinematography, and of course, the story and the directing. It was beautiful. I am so glad I saw it in a theater, where I had the opportunity to really be immersed in the movie.
I went in thinking it may be an “ugly cry” movie - you know, the type of movie where you need a box of tissues because your tears and your snot make it impossible for you to see the actual screen (I’m talking about you, Toy Story 3). Instead, this was a feel-it-in-your-chest-the-entire-time movie. There was certainly a release of tears, but I felt emotional throughout which was a really cool feeling and one I normally reserve for my family and things I really truly love.
So, I’m going to encourage you to think outside the “summer blockbuster” norm, and go see this truly magnificent film in theaters. I don’t think you’ll regret it. Bravo, Celine Song, for your incredible film. It’s one I will be thinking about for a very long time.
