Korean Films For Someone Who Hasn't Seen Korean Films.

The problem with American films is that they are too conventional. The problem with foreign films is they are too unconventional. Of course, this is a insupportably  massive generalization, but it's catchy right? As the typical American film watcher you are likely predisposed to the conventions on which Hollywood based an insanely huge and profitable industry. Meanwhile, you probably think the foreign section of your video store is a homosexual meet-up spot offering free hand-jobs. Because foreign films are typically not expected to gross hundreds of millions of dollars and don't need to appeal to the lowest common denominator, they can break conventions more readily and do some really cool stuff. Granted, without the same weight of expectations and conventions as Hollywood productions, some of that foreign stuff does spin way out of control. Don't worry, I'll just force feed you the good stuff. While you wait for Will Smitth's (or the Spawn of Will Smith) next summer blockbuster it's easy to put on the blinders and believe that every foreign film features sex with old people and weeping clowns, but it's not true. There is some good stuff that even you, with your limited intellectual curiosity and predilection for Puritanical values, can appreciate. So, come with me now on a journey to the far-off land of Korea . . . no, not the "evil one," you racist.

1. City of Violence - This is a personal favorite of mine, I've seen it a bajillion times. Essentially, this is a film about childhood friends and the paths they take growing up - some use violence for good, some for bad, but ultimately the struggles and conflicts of life are boiled down to violent encounters with inevitably tragic resolutions. The beauty of this film is that it really pulses with the violent energy of it's namesake, but the violence is portrayed as difficult and painful - yet the characters fatalistically tumble down the spiral to the tragedy they know awaits.  The revelations of the film are structured perfectly so that the audience knows about the betrayal far in advance of the protagonist. Because of this, the audience knows the final conflict is inevitable, which really places the audience at the side of the protagonist's fatalistic journey. If the director had gone for a surprise reveal at the end, it really would have been a waste.

Think Trainspotting mixed with Stand By Me mixed with the martial arts of Enter the Dragon.  I think you can get down with this because the plot is simple enough, the theme of betrayal is powerful enough, and  action grabs the attention enough so that you won't be disappointed if you don't get anything else out of the film. It's funny, tragic, and awesomely awesome.

2. Crying Fist - My favorite boxing film. To be fair though, it's not a boxing film in the way that Rocky is, instead, this is about the redemption of a couple of miserable people . . . who also box. I have found the way many Korean films portray inner turmoil, conflict, and suffering to be very powerful and effective. This is an element that is so important for getting the audience invested in the characters, especially when they are despicable. I find a lot of American films really fuck this up and overly sensationalize, simplify, or generally retard this important part of film making (for a good example, see Affleck's The Town). Have you ever found yourself laughing at a film when the character is supposed to be at "rock bottom?" Well, you won't for this one because it really captures the loneliness and desperation of the two character's struggles in their youth and middle-age.

I think you can get down with this film because plot is focused enough, the themes of old vs young and family are clear enough, and people like to watch boxing no matter how shitty unrealistic it is. Reasons why you may not like this film are that it is not really carried by actions and some people really do everything they can to block out and avoid empathizing with someone else's suffering. You may ask why some parts drag on, why dudes are weeping, and why isn't anyone getting their face punched in slow motion.

3. Old Boy - Revenge. This is a very powerful and well-made film. It's a film that just simmers in the teapot letting out an irritating whine before exploding into a deafening scream. Quentin Tarantino <3 this film and you can see how it influenced his work. You like Tarantino right? Royale with cheese? Everyone fucking knows that one.

I think you can get down with this film because it is very powerful and tense; however, you may not have the patience to wait for this fruit to ripen. Also, you may have trouble figuring out exactly what is going on and then reconciling it with your church group ideals once you do. It may be a little too raw and savage for you . . .  tempted?

4. The Host - I thought I would hate this film . . . I didn't. It's a monster movie with a terrible looking CG monster, but it pulls it off beautifully. It 's a film where you don't really get to see the monster, which can make it even more frightening or appear obviously strained and eye-rollingingly stupid. Luckily, this film does it with style and uses the threat and mystery of the monster to heighten the tension. I really appreciated the way this film got me invested in the characters especially Park Gang-D, played with a masterful performance by Kang-ho Song (who is in almost every film I mention here). In many other monster movies the characters' personal conflicts seem trivial and ancillary to the danger of the monster and end up being more of a burden on a film. But, I really go pulled in by this film and even forgot at times that there was the threat of a weird-ass monster.

I think you can get down with this if you can appreciate Jaws; however, you might get hung up on the CG and you might be shallow enough to not invest in the characters - in which case you will not understand why the fuck they are going after a monster.

Honorable Mentions:

The Good, the Bad, the Weird - This was close to making the list. When I saw this film I thought it would be an incredible film if the director cut about 30 minutes off. While watching the extras I heard the director say that, in hindsight, he thought he should have cut about that much as well. I felt like a fucking genius. It was awesome. But, yeah, it's a bit flabby and with tummy tuck I would probably put it at #2 because it is a lot of fun. 

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance - More revenge. What is it with Koreans and revenge? Because they are REALLY good at it. It kinda frays at the end as the frightening trajectory of the main character is aborted. Similar to Thirst, I thought there were two films in here that could have been better if explored separately.

Thirst - There are three good films in here, but they add up to one that is OK. I think this speaks to a difference in expectations; whereas I am more accustomed to more static, less dimensional characters, Korean audiences may be more accustomed to exploring the different dimensions of a character and the arcs off of those facets. Personally, I don't think "complicated" is necessarily better.You will probably have a hard time understanding the characters, but you might be able to appreciate some very refreshingly unconventional themes.

Sky Blue - OK, I didn't even like this film, but I enjoyed the visuals and appreciated that it was not absurdly convoluted like Japanese animated films. If you are a teenager and your amygdala is in overdrive you might like this. Either way, I regret mentioning it now.