Page 2 January 9, 2020 Entertainment Your Neighborhood In 2019, Which Films Felt Spiritually Connected? By Ryan Rojas, Cinemacy While it’s no doubt that every film is its own singular, unique vision expressed by that filmmaker, it can be seen that certain films circle larger ideas that multiple directors are subconscious of circling. In looking back at the films I watched in 2019, several stood out as feeling more than similar – but spiritually connected. Below is an excerpt from the original article in which it ran. For a full list of all films, visit cinemacy.com. The Irishman & Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood While Martin Scorsese’s decades-spanning crime epic does follow the life of a hitman, the film is not just another celebration of criminals like Goodfellas. In The Irishman, Scorsese, now all of 77 years old, seems to be very much consciously reflecting on the end of his filmmaking career. He chooses to depict the story of Frank Sheeran (Robert DeNiro) through Sheeran recounting his life’s end in an assisted living facility. So too does Quentin Tarantino reflect on a similar sense of displacement in a shifting culture, as Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood shows former leading man Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) struggling to admit that his best days are behind him and that he’s eclipsed from relevancy. Tarantino’s and Scorsese’s films both act as meta-tributes to the things they’re known for doing best (Scorsese making a “gangster” film, Tarantino making a showy Hollywood romp). However, both directors imbue a piece of tragedy in their leading men’s futile attempts to preserve a time that they know, or knew. It’s heartbreaking that both Irishman and Hollywood end with each of their leading men – after having endured a lifetime of battles and achievements, and who should feel triumphant for it – being very much alone. After a lifetime of great accomplishments between Scorsese and Tarantino, these films feel as if even masters can feel a sense of emptiness and longing. Parasite & Us Sometimes, the more uncomfortably real a problem or issue is, the more that idea needs to be disguised through something more allegorical so that it can be better understood. It was so refreshing and revitalizing to see each of these next two films in theaters, as both audiences were electrified while watching. I saw Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite after it had been around for a little while, and yet I didn’t know anything about it going in (which is exactly how you should see it if you haven’t yet). The outh orean film starts as a whipsmart comedy about a low-income family that dupes a more affluent family into hiring each of them in their home, then becomes a headspinning twisty horror that reveals another level to this concept. Ultimately, it becomes a politically charged piece (like all of Bong Joon Ho’s films) that highlights the divide in the world through economic inequality. Jordan Peele’s follow up to Get Out – Us – uses a classic horror set up to show a film about a family and their doppelgängers who seek revenge in the world by taking their place all across America. Peele has proven that he’s aware of the meaning of every shot, and every piece of what goes into a film so that horror can be effective in informing people of real-world issues.• Film Review Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (Sony), the cast of Us (Universal), Robert DeNiro in The Irishman (Netflix), and the cast of Parasite (Neon). Ryan Rojas CLASSIFIED ADS – ONLY $40 for twenty words or less. Email class@heraldpublications.com or call 310-322-1830 for more information. Therapist By Tom Andre Welcome to a new column supporting emotional and mental well-being. My name is Tom Andre and I have been working with families, couples and individuals as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist for the past three years on Main Street in El Segundo. Before that, I worked in entertainment advertising, and in a former life I produced a music festival in South America. I am delighted to be here, and I hope you will find this space both helpful and engaging. We have a lot to cover. Times are tough for many people. For some, the stress is financial. One income is not enough for most families. Sometimes two incomes are not enough. With the prices of property, education, and healthcare (and childcare, and groceries, and coffee, and parking...) skyrocketing while salaries muddle along, wallets are squeezed. So is free time. For others, it’s school. If it feels like the only path to a decent life is a great job; and the only way to a great job is a great college education; and the only way a great college education is a great record in high school, which begins with study habits at a rigorous elementary school; and certain elementary schools are “fed” by certain preschools… then if you don’t get your child into the “right” preschool and on the “right” path, her life is doomed. Meanwhile, we are bombarded with messages telling us that our bodies should be better. Our relationships should be better. Our personal brand and our social media presence should be better. It’s hard to go outside without a billboard exhorting us to work harder on our imperfect body so we can fit into clothes made for models. Our mobile devices constantly remind us that other people cook like chefs, take exotic vacations with gorgeous partners, raise delightful children and lead generally flawless lives. It’s no wonder that many people feel deeply alone - even when they are in a relationship - and that loneliness is harder to endure during the holidays, when we are besieged by calls to shout out our gratitude for all the world to hear. And of course, too often in the face of stress and anxiety, alcohol and other substances promise us welcome relief but end up leading us away from the people and the things we care about. This is by no means an exhaustive list. For many people, it’s all of the above. My hope is that in this space, we as a community will take a hard look at the problems many of us face while also looking compassionately at one another. In order to do that, I would like to invite you to write to me at tom@tomandrecounseling. com with any questions you may have about handling what is affecting your life, your family, the community or the world. I will answer as many questions as I can privately, and with your permission we will publish the most appropriate for the public. No names will ever be published, and details will always be changed for anonymity. See you next week. Tom Andre is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT96089) supervised by Chris Thomas (MFT78020). The information in this column is for educational purposes only and nothing herein should be construed as professional advice or the formation of a therapeutic relationship. • “If you are not happy with something, you should change it. So I went to a lot of therapy, and finally, I am able to speak up for myself: You are going to hear me roar!” – Katy Perry PROMOTE YOUR SERVICES ADVERTISE IN OUR BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SECTION Six Months – $450 Less then $18.00 a week One Year – $800 Less then $16.00 a week We will create your B&P ad for you, at no additional cost. Interested parties Email: marketing@heraldpublications.com All Ads Go In All Our Papers! We take Visa and MasterCard, checks and cash. Always include a phone number with your submission. 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