When I was growing up, my father always made it a point to teach my sister and I about the homeless or those less fortunate than us. Growing up, in Baltimore, my father would have my sister and I prepare bag lunches for homeless men and women. We would take a couple of days to prepare the meals. Then, would usually go down the following Saturday to either the heart of Baltimore City or even Washington DC. Each man and woman would get a bagged lunch, a bible and prayer. We would often stay and talk with them. This early work started a foundation within our family dynamic. 

After a couple of years of doing this periodically, my father felt the inkling for something more - something a bit larger. He began the journey to volunteer and partner with local churches and shelters within our area. A group of volunteers, led under my father, would come in and prepare a meal for the less fortunate. Sometimes they would even get a show out of it. Seeing this firsthand in my own household - started to plant something within me. The older I grew, the less I was helping out. I started working and becoming more social with my friends. Those Saturdays, those events never once left me. In some ways, they shaped me for how I am today. It may not have directly affect what we do here, but the message of everyone having purpose and value, definitely started there. It's a message that we definitely still encourage people on today.

There's something that I've learned in all of my years in charity. People are more grateful in desperate situations. What would they do to get out of that situation, though, is an entirely different question. It's the question that Bong Joon Ho poses in his film, Parasite. Parasite tells the story of a family in poverty who slowly start to encroach upon an unsuspecting wealthy family. That is until events tend to go a bit too far. Much like his previous work with Snowpiercer, Ho manages to capture the reality of desperation so profoundly. It helps to establish the film's tone and vision, early on.  Parasite causes us to look within our own lives and ask the question, how do we really view those less fortunate than us? Ho's a master with his magnificent storytelling and his social commentary woven tightly within the narrative.

The cast of the Kim family Ki-woo(Woo-sik Choi), Chung-sook (Hye-jin Jang), Ki-jung (So-dam Park) & Ki-taek (Kang-ho Song) are nothing short of incredible. Their chemistry is immaculate. Joyful when they have little and joyful when they have much. It challenges the audience to look past the film and question our own lives. The father in particular is one of the strongest factors of the film's foundation. Everything from his charisma around the wealthy counterparts, to the facial expressions that he showcases throughout. The score by Jaeil Jung is yet another strong achievement for this film. Endearingly serving as the emotional backdrop of the film. Not to mention, the anxiety induced third act as well. The cinematography is absolutely stunning.

Overall, Parasite, is absolute feat for filmmaking. In some ways, the film feels like it returns to the roots of the medium in telling a humanistic story. The cast is fantastic. Perhaps, though, the true stand out of the cast is Kang-ho Song. His range throughout the course of the film is heartbreaking, beautiful and sometimes downright intense. Parasite manages to hit on a plethora of emotions. A large portion of that effective is not only the beautiful script and direction from Bong Hoon Jo but also the film's score. Managing to craft a beautiful human story soundtrack and anxiety attacks within the same breath. Parasite has something deeper to speak. The social commentary on the film beckons for conversations and for us to look inward. Prepare yourselves for the masterpiece that is Parasite.

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Music by Beggars. Parasite is property of Neon Pictures We do not own nor claim any rights.