Akmareul boatda (2010) aka "I Saw the Devil"

(Yet) Another uber-violent, stylish revenge thriller from the South Koreans.. but, they don't half know how to make them.

Film Jam 4 stars
Rotten Tomatoes 81%
Metacritic 67 out of 100

Madeo (2009) aka "Mother"

Another smart and stylish South Korean thriller asking the question "do Mums know best?"

Chugyeogja (2008) aka "The Chaser"

Soon to be remade by the team that brought you The Departed screams the the cover.. screw that and just watch this version for another fine film to come out of Korea (it's no Oldboy tho).

Janck 4 stars (Aug '09)


Dark central themes and grisly violence are no strangers to Korean cinema, and The Chaser is no exception. Raw and energetic performances enliven this macabre tale.

Mitch 4 stars

Bakjwi (2009) aka "Thirst"

The Korean Twilight.

Oldboy (2003)

Oldboy is the perfect example of the exciting and brave cinema coming out of Asia in recent years, so much so that another Hollywood remake is tentatively in the pipeline (see The Departed, The Ring etc..). A stunning tale of vengeance that gets inside your brain - and then deals a real hammer blow to the senses..

5 stars

Gwoemul (2006) aka "The Host"

It's slightly ironic that in my recent review of Cloverfield I likened the film to pretty much every movie ever made ever apart from The Host when it is clear Joon-ho Bong's picture clearly inspired the former. Monster causes mass panic with a bit of comedy and a slightly deeper message(s) in there too, one of which being a green one so I was all smiles and award The Host..

3.5 stars