Opened Up

This time, I provide brief descriptions for South Korean Director Hong Sangsoo's Turning Gate and Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker, point out some of the flaws of Paranormal Activity, provide praise for South Korean films Possessed and A Million, and complain about Ditto and The Doll Master. Enjoy.



Turning Gate
(a.k.a. On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate)
Directed by Hong Sangsoo, starring Kim Sang-Kyung, Chu Sang-Mi, Ye Ji-Won, and Kim Hak-Sun.

In January of '09 I wrote:
"Turning Gate is a great film about self relfection, with strong performances, and assured direction. Most definitely worth seeing."

I think that nicely sums up Hong Sangsoo's Turning Gate.


The Hurt Locker
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty.

An incredibly intense film from one of the best directors. I highly recommended it.


Paranormal Activity
Directed by Oren Peli, starring Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat.

Several people urged me to see Parnormal Activity in theaters, but I just didn't find the time. I finally watched it on dvd, and I was neither scared, nor impressed. Not only was Paranormal Activity an inappropriately titled film (as little paranormal activity occurs), it was also damn near unwatchable. I can't recall any other film that bored me as much as Paranormal Activity. It's a poorly directed, horrendously acted mess of a film.


Possessed
(a.k.a. Living Death; a.k.a. Faith)
Directed by Lee Yong-joon, starring Nam Sang-mi, Shim Eun-kyung, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Kim Bo-yeon.

In a word, excellent. Possessed is a clever thriller in which demonic possession and religious faith are put under the proverbial microscope. At times frightening and thought-provoking, Possessed is creepy goodness.


A Million
Directed by Jo Min-ho, starring Shin Min-ah, Park Hae-il, and Park Hee-soon.

A group of strangers (which appears to be almost entirely comprised of assholes) is lured to the middle of nowhere and forced to survive while being hunted by a lunatic. A Million isn't revelatory in any way, but it is well acted, and at times intense. For a survival horror flick, A Million is better than average.


Ditto
Directed by Kim Jong-kwon, written by Jang Jin and Kim Jong-kwon, starring Kim Ha-neul, Yoo Ji-tae, Ha Ji-won, and Park Yong-woo.

Two love-lorn college students from different times find each other via a malfunctioning ham radio.

The first time I watched Ditto, the dvd stopped working with twenty minutes left. Up to that point in the film, I enjoyed most of what had transpired. A couple weeks later (after buying another dvd of Ditto), I re-watched it with the ending. While it was nice to be able to see the complete film, I think it was better without the ending, which wrapped things up in an unsatisfying manner. Despite a less than spectacular finish, Ditto is a decent film.


The Doll Master
Directed by Jeong Yong-gi.

A forgettable and disjointed horror flick where dolls come to life. The Doll Master is an okay time waster, but that's about it.



Check back soon for my picks for the best films of '09.