The Host, Memories of Murder

I've seen quite a number of South Korean films - but only from two directors: Kim Ki-Duk, almost always brilliant, beautiful and frightening poetics films, and Park Chan-Wook, maker of the vengeance trilogy, which are absolutely stunning. Recently I got to know a third Korean director Boon Joon-Ho. I've seen two films by him, The Host and Memories of Murder. He can mix tragedy and comedy like no other, right in a specific scene it will go from heart-wrenchingly tragic to laugh-out-loud funny, I think that's a real quality


The Host is a monster picture, metaphorically I guess. I really liked the characters, how it moved almost seamlessly between genres, and of course the elegant mix of tragedy and comedy. It does get a bit erratic though, and the ending feels pretty forced. Plus monster pics aren't really that interesting, metaphorical or not. 7/10


Memories of Murder is about a serial killer (true story) wreaking havoc in a small Korean community in '86. His victims are all young girls, raped and strangled. The two local detectives are more interested in closing the case than solving it, and repeatedly try to pin it on random innocent towns people, usually by beating them until they confess. That changes when Mr. big-city detective volunteers to solve the case. This film can also be interpreted allegorically, as a criticism on the government and methods of that period, but you don't have to to enjoy it. As a serial killer film, it's one of the best I've ever seen. I would rank it right up there with Seven, not because the story is brilliantly clever, but because it's parts work so well together. There is a real sense of true character development, and again it moves elegantly between tragedy and comedy. I can't recommend this enough, unless you're squeamish of course, 'cause it is certainly dark (and funny). 10/10