Korean Movies, Part Deux
I've been a little absent from LJ for the last couple of days, but I've been watching more Korean movies. I don't know if anyone reading this is actually interested in them, so I'll put my short ramblings behind a cut.
Again, there are links to KoreanFilm.org's reviews, and those contain better summaries than I could give.
Oldboy Review
Wow, this film certainly lives up to the hype, at least in terms of style and cinematography. It seems like every frame was painstakingly shot to contribute some small, meaningful thing to the whole. The plot was a little contrived, but it was so awesome that I didn't even care. This is amazing stuff, and everyone involved deserves accolades. I was spoiled as to one element of the shocking ending, but I highly suggest that you don't spoil yourself for anything. The effect of the twists and turns shouldn't be dampened if at all possible.
The Harmonium in My Memory Review
I'll admit, I watched this almost entirely for Lee Byung-hyun, who is probably my favorite Korean actor. (Okay, maybe he vies for that spot with Lee Jun-ki. I can't decide.) But I ended up really enjoying the movie in its own right. What I probably found more fascinating than the relationships between the main characters (though not more fascinating than Lee Byung-hyun's extreme hotness) was the portrayal of a poor community in the 1960's countryside and the people's struggle to at least keep their children in school until sixth grade. Recommended if you're in the mood for a quiet, touching story.
I'm a Cyborg But That's Okay Review
What I love most about this movie is that it neither glorifies mental illness nor wallows in melodrama, as so many western stories set in psychiatric hospitals do. The patients are definitely treated more sympathetically than the doctors, but only because the doctors have no idea how to relate to the patients' incomprehensible worlds and not because they're malevolent or uncaring. The main actress does an excellent job, and Rain is fantastic and utterly adorable, more so than I expected of him despite the praise he's gotten for the role. Overall, this is a very cute movie filmed beautifully by the director also responsible for Oldboy.
Memories of Murder Review
I watched this after seeing it mentioned several times on KoreanFilm.org, and it just happened to star Song Kang-ho, another of my favorite Korean actors. As far as stories about serial killers go, it didn't have much of anything new to offer, but it was handled with more grace than most. Its examination of 1980's police forces, especially in rural areas, was eye-opening, and I wonder how much embroidery was done to the truth of that. One of the greatest moments in the film, in my opinion, was the very last scene - not for some shocking twist or last sucker punch, but for its brief, profound statement of the truth about human nature. A gripping, fascinating, and poignant movie.
Joint Security Area Review
Oh man, this story will stay with me for a long time, I can tell. I watched it last night, and then possibly dreamed about it. If I hadn't already acquired it for Lee Byung-hyun, I would have anyway based on KoreanFilm's praise for it. Coincidentally, it also features Song Kang-ho (see Memories above), and comparing the roles of the two men to others I've seen them in emphasizes so strongly what amazing actors they both are.
It's a story about an effortless friendship in a turbulent, dangerous setting and how conflicting loyalties can wreak havoc on one's soul. If you don't watch this, you'll truly be missing something valuable.
Again, there are links to KoreanFilm.org's reviews, and those contain better summaries than I could give.
Oldboy Review
Wow, this film certainly lives up to the hype, at least in terms of style and cinematography. It seems like every frame was painstakingly shot to contribute some small, meaningful thing to the whole. The plot was a little contrived, but it was so awesome that I didn't even care. This is amazing stuff, and everyone involved deserves accolades. I was spoiled as to one element of the shocking ending, but I highly suggest that you don't spoil yourself for anything. The effect of the twists and turns shouldn't be dampened if at all possible.
The Harmonium in My Memory Review
I'll admit, I watched this almost entirely for Lee Byung-hyun, who is probably my favorite Korean actor. (Okay, maybe he vies for that spot with Lee Jun-ki. I can't decide.) But I ended up really enjoying the movie in its own right. What I probably found more fascinating than the relationships between the main characters (though not more fascinating than Lee Byung-hyun's extreme hotness) was the portrayal of a poor community in the 1960's countryside and the people's struggle to at least keep their children in school until sixth grade. Recommended if you're in the mood for a quiet, touching story.
I'm a Cyborg But That's Okay Review
What I love most about this movie is that it neither glorifies mental illness nor wallows in melodrama, as so many western stories set in psychiatric hospitals do. The patients are definitely treated more sympathetically than the doctors, but only because the doctors have no idea how to relate to the patients' incomprehensible worlds and not because they're malevolent or uncaring. The main actress does an excellent job, and Rain is fantastic and utterly adorable, more so than I expected of him despite the praise he's gotten for the role. Overall, this is a very cute movie filmed beautifully by the director also responsible for Oldboy.
Memories of Murder Review
I watched this after seeing it mentioned several times on KoreanFilm.org, and it just happened to star Song Kang-ho, another of my favorite Korean actors. As far as stories about serial killers go, it didn't have much of anything new to offer, but it was handled with more grace than most. Its examination of 1980's police forces, especially in rural areas, was eye-opening, and I wonder how much embroidery was done to the truth of that. One of the greatest moments in the film, in my opinion, was the very last scene - not for some shocking twist or last sucker punch, but for its brief, profound statement of the truth about human nature. A gripping, fascinating, and poignant movie.
Joint Security Area Review
Oh man, this story will stay with me for a long time, I can tell. I watched it last night, and then possibly dreamed about it. If I hadn't already acquired it for Lee Byung-hyun, I would have anyway based on KoreanFilm's praise for it. Coincidentally, it also features Song Kang-ho (see Memories above), and comparing the roles of the two men to others I've seen them in emphasizes so strongly what amazing actors they both are.
It's a story about an effortless friendship in a turbulent, dangerous setting and how conflicting loyalties can wreak havoc on one's soul. If you don't watch this, you'll truly be missing something valuable.