Must watch Korean movies - III
Scribbled on Thursday, February 5th, 2009This is the third post in series. You may like to read other two posts to get another stashful of must watch Korean movies.
While I started out from a romantic side and melodramatic side of Korean Movies, halfway in second post it underwent a more grim side. This post itself will have some movies which are thought provoking and requires a viewer with cosmopolitan view. However like previous two posts, this post do have it’s share of movies which will make you chortle. Pick your weekend watch, remember these all deserves a watch in no particular order:
200 Pounds Beauty (while it is not much good in lead cast acting but still I liked this movie for it’s music, plot and almost Jessica Alba’s Asian version Kim Ah Jung. An obese woman who sing as a proxy singer just cause she is obese despite having a sweet voice resorts to plastic surgery of whole body and comes back to take her long aspired wish. However it doesn’t take plastic surgery as the central plot, however it do give you a glimpse of the problems a super model with silicones can have. To put it in one line as said in movie too “If he touches them (breast) then he can realize that they are fake”)
200 Pounds Beauty
A Man Who Was Superman (It’s a movie with documentary like feel but it still eludes to a entertaining reel cliches too. A man who thinks he is Superman is the new dough for a documentary production company who sends an overworked employee, Jeong Je Hyun, to capture him over camera. She soon realizes that he is not simply a lunatic but there is more sadness to his past. A Man Who Was Superman is a satire on society, our perspective that we simply ignore others and wish for a superhero to save others. Only if we could have been a little helpful to those who are in distress, we may never have needed an idea of something almighty to look our welfare. Does it require to lost someone near to evaluate the value of life. Anyone can be Superman, it requires just one thing - help others and pay it forward, eventually it will reach to you, if not tomorrow then may be sometime later.)
A Man Who Was Superman
The King And The Clown (This is by far one of the most riveting movie about history, I pity when I thought that Gladiator was the best one can ever watch. No it’s not about some invincible badass soldier or aristocratic romance. It’s about two clowns who get arrested while satirizing the King. What happens next is a chance to make King laugh and he will spare them from death. But then things gets a little complicated. I won’t spoil much here and recommend anyone to get it as soon as possible. I just love both leads and you may find yourself attracted to second male lead, hey I am not gay but see for yourself before in below pic, bottom left.)
The King And The Clown
Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (This one is second movie in Park Chan Wook’s Vengeance Trilogy. Here a woman is framed for smothering a kid, she silently went to prison while praying each day to pay the one responsible with the same dime. The strength of this movie lies in it’s cinematography, orchestral music and sublime nature. The feeling of revenge at end is satisfying but still don’t do any justice to what already happened. Ending is symbolic and tragic but at the same time gives you a feeling that other than that could have been much worse. Watch it if you liked any of the movies in Vengeance Triology i.e. Oldboy or Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance)
Hearty Paws (If you are a pet loving guys and love pups then this movie will make you adore them even more. Plus the acting by kids in this movie is commendable. Story is told sever times before too but this one is recommended as it does it a lot better.)
Hearty Paws
Once Upon A Time In High School (It is one of the best movie which will almost feel like a ride down the road to your high school. Though the schools were a bit overly-disciplinarian at that time. Main character is kind of fan of Bruce Lee and a typical shy and less talkative person. You will see him as he finds the reason to live apart from love for the girl he never dared to propose. Believe me there is more to life than just girl and thats what this movie portrayed very well without generating a dislike to typical notion of love. You shall also be enthralled by a very realistic school fight scene, it’s quite gut wrenching. Don’t expect a hollywoodish ending though. Also you will see Han Ga In. )
Once Upon A Time In High School
The Bow (Kim Ki Duk always amazes me, he has something very unique and artsy quality to his movies. The Bow has story which is will incite some thoughts and leave you in dilemma. It’s like sticking ot a promise to one who took your care from childhood or leaving for someone other who comes as a guardian angel. OST features Kang Eun Il’s awesome Haegum talent which elevate the emotions. A vivid colorful movie which is beautiful in all respect.)
The Bow
Muoi (While it’s not downright scary, but I can assure of some spooky moments. Story is intriguing too and few scenes will make you feel too sad for when you come to know the legend of Muoi. Cha Ye Ryeon’s performance was awesome, a beauty with talent. You will also see some cultural references too. Ending is not that great though but a little expect an unexpected twist.)
Muoi
My Girl And I (It’s a loose adaption of a Japanese movie Socrates in Love. I will leave it in the class of movies like The Classic, Lover’s Concerto and A Moment to Remember. Still it rates lower than all of the three, only reason might be that first half didn’t pull that well with character development. But I will have to appreciate the second half and mostly the ending scene which surpasses your expectations considering the first half. A good movie to watch with your loved ones or even when you feel like a good tear jerker day.)
My Girl And I
Shiri (It’s an anti war movie clearly depicting that war is futile and it merely serves as nothing but atrocities and loss of valuable life. A battle hardened North Korean covert-op is on a mission to disrupt the peace conference between two Korea’s. While two South Korean secret agents are doing whatever they can do to stop the disaster. Amidst there is love and friendship. It’s a thriller and suspense movie, which leaves an anti-war feeling.)
Shiri
Time (Another Kim Ki Duk’s brilliant work. It outlines the perils of going under knife, plastic surgery. While on a symbolic meaning it is a never ending search of self identity and perception. Very nicely presented, starting and ending scene are just seamless and give you a deja vu. We love each other because we are missing a piece of puzzle to complete the picture. But what if one of the piece changes it’s shape ? Oh…and be sure to visit the park shown in this movie !)
Time
Joint Security Area (JSA is another anti war movie. But this one differs a lot from other one. You will see a different side of people and soldiers as what they are seen on media and under the influence of authority. As the story unfolds you will discover that there is much more to what seems like a kidnapping of one South Korean soldier by North Korean soldiers. There is this cool song at one point where bridge is crossed, Unsent Letter, which will leave you speechless with the moment and the meaning of lyrics. Ending is another strongest point of this movie. A soldier is often portrayed as hero in movies like Saving Private Ryan, but look at from his point of view. He is not a hero but a victim and adversary of war. I wish people see movies like this.)
JSA
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (It’s first work of Park Chan Wook in Vengeance Trilogy comprising Sympathy for Lady Vengeance and Oldboy too. Its a revenge drama, and as it should be there is no happy handing for such movies. Revenge is good but pain will find you again - as I may quote from Oldboy. But certainly this movie excels compared to other two in my opinion. There is no on screen graphical scenes but you are left a little more visceral with imagination off screen. Movie is subtle and slow unlike Oldboy whish is high on adrenaline. It differs from other two movies in just that both lead characters are basically good people revenging out of circumstances. A must watch for people who like other two movies. This movies also show instances of mis communication leading to situation going haywire. I laughed at end and you will know why I did, it’s just one funny instance in whole revenge fest.)
Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance
Virgin Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors (An independent direction movie. I like them as to how they always come up with some strong narrative and interesting character study. It almost felt like filling the gaps in puzzle while enjoying a black and white version of an anonymous sublime story. Beware casual movie watchers.)
Virgin Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors
