The major reason Korean cinema attracts me is because of their style of making movies. They are very stylish & have a completely different way of showing things. This week, let’s focus on the thriller ones. Bringing into spotlight, I recommend you the following movies -
1. OLDBOY (2003)
Have you watched 'Zinda'...did you like it? The treatment of the movie script, the action sequences...if yes, then please do watch this one to realize how bad a copy zinda was. The story is about a guy who is been kidnapped suddenly one night and is then kept in a secluded room with only a television. He however manages to escape & then hunts for people responsible for his condition, in the process discovering the reason & the main person behind everything. The movie is an awesome thriller & managed to keep me well engulfed even though I knew the story (to some extent although). It has a very bold concept (might be offensive for some), but all praises to the makers for presenting it in such a refined manner. It is based on manga tales & has been remade many times. The latest remake is by Steven Spielberg, starring Will Smith!
2. MEMORIES OF A MURDER (2003) Now this one is based on a true incident, & this one fact makes this movie really outstanding. This is one thriller in which I desperately wanted the hunt to continue on & on. The story deals with two detectives hunting for a serial killer but with no intentions to catch him, just doing duty, until they are accompanied by a special detective from another district,& then the series of events following them. The characters are fabulous and they very beautifully show the condition of Korea at that time. Another remarkable thing about this movie is its end, which I can't disclose so that you enjoy it the most! Korean movies are somewhat similar to bollywood in the sense that they show the existing political & judicial systems along with their weaknesses.
3. SHIRI (1999) This one is supposedly the first Korean 'hollywood-style' action thriller. The basic plot is that North Korea's 8th Special Forces hijacks a shipment of CTX, a potent new liquid explosive, and threatens South Korea as part of a plot to re-unify the two countries. Two special agents of South Korea's secret intelligence service Ryu and Lee, attempt to track down the terrorists and find the CTX. In parallel, Hee, the 8th's ultra-bad female sniper, creates disaster and haunts Ryu. The movie is tremendously stylish; however it loses grades in special effects at some places. It is supposedly the highest grosser in Korean film industry. After watching it, you may not consider it as one of the best movies you have seen, due to its weak script & characterization; however, it has all records in its favor.
Written By: Rishabh Shukla
1. OLDBOY (2003)
Have you watched 'Zinda'...did you like it? The treatment of the movie script, the action sequences...if yes, then please do watch this one to realize how bad a copy zinda was. The story is about a guy who is been kidnapped suddenly one night and is then kept in a secluded room with only a television. He however manages to escape & then hunts for people responsible for his condition, in the process discovering the reason & the main person behind everything. The movie is an awesome thriller & managed to keep me well engulfed even though I knew the story (to some extent although). It has a very bold concept (might be offensive for some), but all praises to the makers for presenting it in such a refined manner. It is based on manga tales & has been remade many times. The latest remake is by Steven Spielberg, starring Will Smith!
2. MEMORIES OF A MURDER (2003) Now this one is based on a true incident, & this one fact makes this movie really outstanding. This is one thriller in which I desperately wanted the hunt to continue on & on. The story deals with two detectives hunting for a serial killer but with no intentions to catch him, just doing duty, until they are accompanied by a special detective from another district,& then the series of events following them. The characters are fabulous and they very beautifully show the condition of Korea at that time. Another remarkable thing about this movie is its end, which I can't disclose so that you enjoy it the most! Korean movies are somewhat similar to bollywood in the sense that they show the existing political & judicial systems along with their weaknesses.
3. SHIRI (1999) This one is supposedly the first Korean 'hollywood-style' action thriller. The basic plot is that North Korea's 8th Special Forces hijacks a shipment of CTX, a potent new liquid explosive, and threatens South Korea as part of a plot to re-unify the two countries. Two special agents of South Korea's secret intelligence service Ryu and Lee, attempt to track down the terrorists and find the CTX. In parallel, Hee, the 8th's ultra-bad female sniper, creates disaster and haunts Ryu. The movie is tremendously stylish; however it loses grades in special effects at some places. It is supposedly the highest grosser in Korean film industry. After watching it, you may not consider it as one of the best movies you have seen, due to its weak script & characterization; however, it has all records in its favor.Written By: Rishabh Shukla
