Handsome Guys (2024) was such a cute movie. A delightful remake of the (ultimately forgettable) Tucker and Dale Versus Evil (2010), with a Korean and occult spin. The over the top CGI was enjoyable in context. No chills or thrills in this one, but lots of aws, mostly due to a cute pup, and a very adorable dynamic with big softie Park Sang-goo (Lee Hee-joon) and "kidnapped" student Kim Mi-na (Gong Seung-yeon). Would recommend.
Kim Jee-woon's directorial debut, The Quiet Family (1998), was awesome! Sarah and I recently watched his film A Tale of Two Sisters (2006), and I liked this much more. What can I say, I'm a sucker for dark comedy! It has a great cast, starring heartthrob Song Kang-ho (of Snowpiercer and Parasite), before he became famous, Na Moon-hee (of My Lovely Sam-Soon), and Choi Min-sik (of Oldboy, etc.), among others. Almost like a National Lampoon film, except if the hijinks always ended in dead bodies. 🤣
Busy busy week and I'm behind on the horror countdown, but glad to be getting back on track with Sarah Jablonski tonight, watching A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)! This Korean horror film had great use of color and some very powerful shots. The story was interesting but confusing, maybe something was lost in translation -- had to read the wikipedia plot synopsis haha.
Recommended for fans of spooky, atmospheric, psychological thrillers (though some scenes are kinda gory). Vibes of The Others (2001). If you liked this, recommend Ich Seh Ich Seh (2014).
My pandemic movie grades:
Outbreak (1995) -- A. The original and the best. Everything you'd want from a pandemic movie -- corrupt government, vigilante scientists, a helicopter chase, and a monkey named Betsy. / 6.6 IMDb / 60% Rotten Tomatoes
It Comes at Night (2017) -- B+. A visually intense and claustrophobic look at paranoia and isolation during a plague. I have some objections to the storytelling but don't want to give spoilers, hmu if you've watched and wanna discuss. / 6.2 IMDb / 88% Rotten Tomatoes
World War Z (2013) -- B. It has Brad Pitt. / 7.0 IMDb / 66% Rotten Tomatoes
Contagion (2011) -- B-. An all-star cast and an interesting plot, with lots of sciencey content for those who are so inclined. Definitely scratches the pandemic "itch," but the meandering storytelling strangles the suspense. A more aggressive editor could have made this movie a lot tauter and more thrilling. Would be interested to watch a fan re-cut. / 6.7 IMDb / 85% Rotten Tomatoes
Flu (2013) -- C. Cliched Korean disaster melodrama. Exciting in the moment but not too memorable. / 6.7 IMDb / 36% Rotten Tomatoes
A visceral, dizzying, and visually powerful Korean ghost/demon possession story. 👍👍 A great start to the season!
Watched Train to Busan (2016) with Sarah and Mark. A fresh take on the zombie story, focusing more on the relational elements and the horror of man's treatment of man, rather than the (still awesomely scary) fast zombies. In this way, it was reminiscent of (but much less horrific and cruel than) Sabu's revelatory Miss Zombie (2013).
