Best and Worst Korean Movies of the 2010s

I have gone more towards South Korea this decade even though I don’t often get the opportunity to see movies from that country outside of film festivals or special screenings. There is a stated goal from South Korea’s government for them to make quality cinema and spread their culture overseas they want to win all the awards. This is not in any sort of order other than by year.

Best

Parasite (2019)

It only just came out but is pretty much ruling all at this point. If it wins the Academy Award for Best Picture Song Kang-Ho can run around with his underpants on his head and still get roles.

http://blog.timchuma.com/2019/07/parasite-2019/

Train to Busan (2016)

Still don’t know how they are going to follow this up? I would like to see a parallel story following the high school baseball team from the other carriage. You can watch the prequel Seoul Station but it is not really necessary (I saw it on a double bill with this movie.)

http://blog.timchuma.com/2016/08/miff-2016-train-to-busan-2016/

The Age of Shadows (2016)

Best use of baby poo bum in a movie to break tension ever.

http://blog.timchuma.com/2016/11/the-age-of-shadows-2016/

The Wailing (2016)

I could not organise my feelings about this movie into a form that I could put down. I have not seen a movie that punishes you so hard for making assumptions or thinking that you “get it”.

The Handmaiden (2016)

I felt like a perv watching this movie in the cinema. No wonder both sessions plus the bonus screening at MIFF sold out that year.

Snowpiercer (2013)

I do remember liking this at the time but not sure it stands up as much as the director’s other work.

Comrade Kim Goes Flying (2012)

And old-school propaganda movie from North Korea but with a nice sweet story and supporting equality.

http://blog.timchuma.com/2013/08/miff-2013-comrade-kim-goes-flying-2012/

 

War of the Arrows (2011)

I think this was a Korean Film Festival in Australia watch? I remember liking it a lot when it first came out.

http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/warofthearrows.htm

 

The Yellow Sea (2010)

A good movie but it could have used more stabbing…

http://timchuma.com/miff2011/theyellowsea.htm

 

Worst

Rampant (2018)

More of a disappointment they could not decide if this wants to be an action movie or a historical drama. Everything stops dead when it switches styles. By all accounts Kingdom is everything this movie is not.

http://blog.timchuma.com/2018/11/rampant-2018/

Aim High in Creation! (2013)

OK, this a cheat since it is an Australian director in director but gets special mention due to the director not telling the people from Stop CSG Sydney that she was making a communist propaganda movie. Doubly so since her and the tour guide director criticized at the Q&A the director of the Red Chapel for deceiving their North Korean hosts.

http://blog.timchuma.com/2013/08/miff-2013-aim-high-in-creation-2013/

End of Animal (2010)

Zzzzzz

http://timchuma.com/miff2011/endofanimal.htm

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