Author: Dark Mark

The Chaser (2008)

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Written by Won-Chan Hong, Na Hong-jin and Shinho Lee
Directed by Na Hong-Jin

A disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of prostitutes finds himself in a race against time when one of his women goes missing. (IMDB)

So, onto the second of three Korean thrillers I was sent to review and if the trend continues, the third one should be one hell of a ride!

The chaser follows Joong-ho Eom (Kim Yoon-seok) a disgraced ex-policeman who now runs a ring of prostitutes with a distinct lack of compassion or care for his “girls”. When one goes missing, he is clearly more concerned about the money he spent acquiring her for his business than he is for her welfare. When it becomes clear that she has been taken by a suspected serial killer, Joong-ho embarks on a cat and mouse race against time to find out where the killer was keeping her before he was captured. The trail leads him back to Mi-jin Kim’s (Seo Yeong-hie) home and the daughter (Kim Yoo-jung) he never knew she had, heightening his desperation to find the missing woman and finally pushing Joong-ho to develop some compassion.

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A Bittersweet Life (2005)

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Written by Dong-Cheol Kim, Jee-woon Kim
Directed by Jung Doo Hong and Jee-woon Kim

Things go wrong for a high ranking mobster when he doesn’t follow his boss’s orders. (IMDB)

Okay, I know. Before anyone writes in, this isn’t horror. Much like Conrete Utopia a couple of reviews back, but it is a cracking film, so when I get some highly rated Korean movies sent my way, I’d be a fool to not give them a spin.

Just to be clear, I am not an expert on Korean cinema by any stretch of the imagination, but the movies I have seen have always entertained, and A Bittersweet Life was no exception.

Lee Byung-hun is Sun-woo, a cool, calm and collected hitman/enforcer/errand runner for a local hotel owner/crime boss. He is a trusted soldier and an efficient one, the opening scenes clearly showing he has the skills to outmatch anyone trying to muscle in on his Boss’ territory. Which is why he is the perfect choice for his latest job; shadowing his boss’ young girlfriend, Hee-soo (Shin Min-a) who may or may not be having an affair. Sun-woo is told to “deal with them” if she is found to be cheating. She is, of course, having an affair and Sun-woo catches her in the act. But he has taken a shine to Hee-soo who has opened his eyes with a glimpse of the beauty that exists in the world, despite the dark, shadowy places in which Sun-woo exists. He spares Hee-soo and her boyfriend, effectively defying his dangerous boss whi is far from happy.

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GNoH Review: Headless

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Written by Scott Cole

In the midst of a heat wave punctuated by frequent rainstorms, people are losing their heads. Literally. Not only that, but their bodies are still walking, and attacking others. (Amazon)

If you had asked David Cronenberg to write the episode of Doctor WHO where the little Adipose creatures appeared, HEADLESS is probably what you would have got.

Read the full review at Ginger Nuts of Horror HERE

Concrete Utopia (2023)

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Directed by Tae-hwa Eom
Written by Tae-hwa Eom, Lee Shin-ji, Kim Soong-nyung

Survivors from a massive earthquake struggle for a new life in Seoul. (IMDB)

Concrete Utopia opens with a series of images and voiceovers proclaiming the wonders of high-rise living; the ultimate social community revolving around a “concrete utopia.” Before the viewer has a chance to consider whether this is a good or bad thing, the mother of all earthquakes ravages the landscape and razes this paradise to the ground, leaving just one apartment building standing in the centre of all the devastation. This building becomes the new “concrete utopia”, an oasis in the middle of a desert of rubble, dust, and death as the residents band together to rebuild a functioning society out of all the chaos.

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Review: The Origin of Evil (2022)

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Directed by Sébastien Marnier
Written by Fanny Burdino and Sébastien Marnier

A woman on the verge of financial collapse attempts to impersonate her imprisoned lover and con her wealthy, estranged father and his new family. (IMDB)

There are some mild spoilers in this review

The Origin of Evil follows Nathalie (Laure Calamy) a con artist on the brink of financial ruin, evicted from her flat and stuck in a dead end job that leaves her smelling of fish. She worms her way into the wealthy family of Serge Dumontet (Jacques Weber), posing as Stéphane (Suzanne Clément) her imprisoned lover who was estranged from the Dumontet estate many years before.

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MONOLITH (2022)

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Written by Lucy Campbell
Directed by Matt Vesely

A headstrong journalist whose investigative podcast uncovers a strange artifact, an alien conspiracy, and the lies at the heart of her own story. (IMDB)

Lily Sullivan is The Interviewer, a disgraced journalist coming to terms with the destruction of her career after running a story about a politician which she was convinced was true, but for which she couldn’t provide the receipts.

House-sitting her parents’ modern country mansion she slogs away on a low-rent podcast that trades on sensationalism and conspiracy theories. She clearly thinks this is beneath her being less than complimentary about her listeners and the people calling with stories but, with her career in tatters, and her own home under siege by reporters, what other option does she have?

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Quick Review: The Mire (2023)

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Directed by Adam Nelson
Written by Chris Watt

On the eve of a mass suicide, charismatic cult leader Joseph Layton must convince his two most loyal followers that he intends to go through with their plans. A battle of wits ensues across one evening as all three parties attempt to manipulate, reform, and out plot the others. (IMDB)

Hannah (Holly McLachlan) and Marshall (Joseph Adelakun) want to believe Canon leader Joseph (Antony Knight) and his preaching about a higher plan for his flock. He has pulled them from the brink and helped them overcome severe hardship, so they owe him their dedication and faith. But something is niggling at them and the trust is wearing thin. On the eve of a mass suicide, Hannah and Marshall begin to question everything Joseph has told them when they find him seemingly planning to desert them. Just before he manages to disappear, they confront Joseph and begin to question everything he has told them and that they believed.

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Written in Blood (1998) (A.K.A. Driven)

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Written by Richard Cantillio and Simon Cox

Directed by Simon Cox

A century ago a series of horrific murders rocked the city. Now, as the end of the millennium approaches, a copycat killer stalks seven victims, praying on the unwary – repaying a pact with the devil which will plunge the world into chaos.(IMDB)

Written in Blood was a pleasant surprise. You are never sure what you are going to get with a low budget, unrated thriller from the late 90s, especially one that doesn’t seem to be readily available to watch anywhere.

Until now!

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