Tag Archives: 2017

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

Best and Worst Hong Kong Movies of the 2010s

Best

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010)
Dr Donkey Wang I presume?
http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/detectivedee2010.htm

Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen (2010)
If you are a fan of Donnie Yen and martial arts movies I would still recommend this movie, otherwise you might want to wait for “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame” that looks a lot better (and it was).
http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/returnofchenzhen.htm

The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011)
While not essential viewing compared to some of Tsui Hark’s earlier work, it is still a lot better than the super serious historical Chinese epics or all the “Happy Birthday China” movies that seem to be coming out at the moment.
http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/flyingswordsdragongate.htm

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013)
The better of the two Journey to the West trilogies by a mile.
http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/journeytothewest_ctd.htm

Cook up a Storm (2017)
Accidental comedy masterpiece FUCK YOU DAD! *throws bottle of hard liquor at giant poster of Anthony Wong*
http://blog.timchuma.com/2017/02/cook-up-a-storm-2017/

Shadow (2018)
For those of you who prefer your action more slow and complatitive
http://blog.timchuma.com/2018/10/shadow-2018/

Project Gutenberg (2018)
This got a lot of shit but I liked it. That shot of Chow Yun Fat setting the counterfeit money on fire is totally not in the movie. Needs 100% more scenes of the engraving the money.
http://blog.timchuma.com/2018/10/project-gutenberg-2018/

IP Man 4 (2019)
A nice wrap up to the series and well worth your time when it comes out on streaming or whatever service you get to see it through. I thought I reviewed the 3rd one by I can’t find it. This serves for both.
http://www.impulsegamer.com/ip-man-4-the-finale-review-2019/

Worst

Monkey King (2014)
This film is a mess.
http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/monkeyking2014.htm

Sky on Fire (2016)
SKYDIVE INTO BULLSHIT!
http://hkmovies.timchuma.com/skyonfire.htm

The Mermaid (2016)
Supposedly the biggest box office of the year in the world, why do I not care about any of the characters or story at all?

Bleeding Steel (2017)
Medicore!
Some of these actors should have just asked if they needed the money this much. I am ashamed to watch it.

L Storm (2018)
Not bad, just adequate, but movies have to do a lot more than just be OK these days. Louis Koo’s hair is indestructible as it even survives getting electrocuted and his suit is always immaculate.
http://blog.timchuma.com/2018/08/l-storm-2018/

Big Brother (2018)
I did like the go cart chase, but this movie seems like Dangerous Minds did it better in the 90s.
http://blog.timchuma.com/2018/09/big-brother-2018/

Triple Threat (2019)
Not enough Michael Wong, negative a billion!