12/17 - Life Is But a Netflix Queue...
Banquo's Recommendations
1. Brokeback Mountain (hear me out)
Brokeback Mountain is a romantic drama that tells the story of a forbidden and secret relationship between two cowboys, Jack and Ennis. They meet after both being hired to herd a man's sheep through the summer in the Wyoming mountains.
I don't know about you, but I got some major bromance vibes from Macbeth and Banquo. I think Banquo would recommend this movie because it serves the purpose of showing how close friendships can be and also how friendships can deteriorate. The beginning of the film would remind him of the days of his friendship with Macbeth when things were playful and full of "brotherly love" and masculine energy. The storyline of Brokeback Mountain also serves as a parallel to Banquo's life. Jack and Ennis' adventures against the wildlife in the Wyoming mountains are similar to Banquo and Macbeth's adventures in battle. Both stories follow an inseparable friendship that ends in heartbreak.
2. Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is about a theme park attempted by genetic scientists, containing cloned dinosaurs. During a preview tour, the park experiences a power outage that allows the dinosaurs to escape and run rampant.
Banquo would recommend this film because he thinks it teaches important lessons about karma. In Jurassic Park, Dennis Nedry, the computer tech at Jurassic Park, betrays the entire company and almost ruins their careers by deciding to steal dinosaur embryos and sell them to a rival. He gets what he deserves when he ultimately gets eaten by a hungry Dilophosaurus. I can imagine Banquo's ghost being extremely satisfied as he watches Macbeth fall from grace and eventually be murdered by Macduff.
3. Passion of the Christ (again, hear me out)
Passion of the Christ is a biblical drama film that primarily covers the last 12 hours of Jesus' life. The film begins with the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, then shows the insomnia and grievance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the brutal scourge and crucifixion, and ends with a brief depiction of his resurrection.
Like Jurassic Park, Banquo would recommend this film because of its lessons about karma and legacies. Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus' original 12 disciples. He betrays Jesus by selling him to the chief priests for just 30 pieces of silver. Not only is he stabbing Jesus in the back, Judas is also really mean about the whole thing– he seals the deal with a secret kiss. However, Jesus definitely came out on top in the end? Tormented by demons, Judas hangs himself from a tree with a rope he finds on a decaying donkey corpse. Jesus is resurrected and becomes the symbol of worship for Christians. I believe Banquo would see himself in Jesus in the way that Banquo's sons eventually ruled Scotland after his murder, and Jesus' followers successfully live on after his murder. This also shows themes of fate, which I'm positive Banquo would've believed in. Banquo recognizes that his descendants would've only lived a good/powerful life if his life had been sacrificed.
4. The Place Beyond the Pines
The Place Beyond the Pines is a crime drama film that follows a motorcycle stunt rider as he turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop (who also has a newborn son) navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective. Later, their sons will have to deal with the consequences of their fathers' actions. The final third of the film follows both Glanton and Luke's sons, now teenagers, as they befriend each other and slowly realize the horrifying way they're connected. [This is such a good film! Please watch it!!]
Banquo would recommend this film because though it sells itself as a crime drama, The Place Beyond the Pines is ultimately a story about fate and family. The two fathers spill into their sons, whether in their personalities, their interests, or their career paths. Banquo would think this is an important movie for everyone to watch because it shows that fathers should leave a good and honest legacy for their sons, and that fathers' actions often have unforeseen consequences or benefits for their sons. Banquo was always an honest man, even questioning his best friend Macbeth close to his own murder, and his sons grew up to rule Scotland.
I loved that you picked some unexpected films for Banquo and also that you picked Banquo because he is a character that us as readers don't really know much about. All the movies seemed like stretches when I first saw them, but after reading your explanation every one of them made so much more sense. I especially like the Brokeback Mountain one and, also, RIP Heath Ledger. I thought Jurassic Park was a serious stretch at first but it actually kind of made the most sense for Banquo's character as well as to the plot of the story. Overall, great job!!! Nothing but respect for MY film maker and expert.
ReplyDeleteLike Maddie, i was a little surprised at the choices, particularly Brokeback Mountain, but your explanations made sense. It is clear that you spent time doing this and really considering his character rather than just throwing suggestions together. I especially like the explanation for The Place Beyond the Pines, because i think family loyalty and being a father figure was a really important part of Banquo's character.
ReplyDeleteI was a little hesitant when the first pick I saw was Brokeback Mountain, but the way you looked at it made it make sense. I like the fact that some of them tie into karma and that Banquo would be satisfied watching Macbeth's fall from power. I would be too, if my best friend murdered me in a power-hungry craze. The Place Beyond the Pines seems like a really interesting movie, and it's interesting to think about how our parents' traits feed into us, both genetically and personality; I also like to think that there is some sort of legacy that parents leave for us that is meant for good so I'm glad you brought that up.
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