Internationally renowned for a reason
Whenever I mention that I enjoy Korean cinema, "Parasite" is usually the first movie people will bring up. Its popular reputation even amongst people who do not usually watch Korean movies is well-earned.The movie brings thrillers and black comedies to another level by not relying on cheap jump scares, but rather by creating a too realistic and uncomfortable atmosphere which the viewer cannot escape. The many twists and turns and different use of symbolism to provides social commentary throughout the movie had me continuing to think about the movie after I was finished watching it. Which to me is the mark of a successful psychological thriller.
What I loved about this movie is that it is very impactful during the first watch, but also made me want to do some more research afterwards to look into the details and symbolism which I may have missed. This is a great movie to introduce people to Korean Cinema, and its subtle details and various easter eggs provides great rewatchability.
Overall rating: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
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"Among all the people you know, how many do you really understand?"
The summary of the movie reminded me of my favourite childhood movie "Matilda". Though both are centered around an abused young girl developing a friendship with a teacher, House of Hummingbird has a more in-depth approach, exploring relationships and sexuality, further outlining the historical context and gender roles in the '90s, and portraying the mentor being as a flawed individual.This movie's strength lies in its ability to deliver an impactful message and elicit a powerful emotional response, while being filmed and presented in a plainly. Being part of a working-class family, there is no flashiness in Eun-hee's life and the movie is delivered in a similar way, often making the viewer feel as if physically there with the characters. While watching the movie, it is very easy to empathize with Eun-hee. Through the abundant number of hardships, I found myself holding on to the little happy moments in the film, in a similar way she did when they appeared in her life.
I would recommend this movie to any fans of "coming-of-age" films, as it hits all the key points of the genre and delivers social commentary in a way that is easy for the viewer to digest; through the eyes of a young girl.
Overall rating: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Enjoyability: 3.5/5
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Social Commentary during Censorship in the Korean Film Industry
As someone who was not familiar with the Korean political situation in the '70s, I went into this viewing with very little context. I appreciated that even though the two main characters were men, there were still moments showing the women's perspective regarding women being "short-changed" during this time.The film itself is fast-paced and brings laughs through physical humour and funny interactions. Though there is constant "chaotic energy" coming from the characters' adventures and reinforced by the camera movements and music, Ha Gil-jong ensured there was emphasis on the meaningful moments. This contrast strengthened the impact on the viewer, especially for more poignant moments like the "whale hunting" scene.
Overall, I am happy I watched this film as I enjoyed the soundtrack and it inspired me to look further into the film censorships during this time. This is not a movie I would recommend as a "casual watch", however it is a great film for people who wish to have a better understanding of the effects the military dictatorship had on the Korean youth, and society as a whole.
Rating
Overall: 3.5/5
Quality: 4/5
Enjoyability: 3/5
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Funny movie which will pull at your heartstrings
This movie is popular for being a turning point in Korean Cinema, changing the usually "submissive" role of the female lead. Though I love that it challenged women's typical roles in movies, the behaviors the female lead exhibited throughout the movie would definitely be described as "abusive" instead of "quirky" by today's standards if the gender roles were reversed.The movie hits the typical rom-com checklist, providing laughs from physical comedy and hilarious situations, yet pulling at your heart-strings at the same time. It was funny and I would recommend to someone specifically in the mood for an early 2000s romantic comedy.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Quality: 3/5
Enjoyability: 4/5
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Great Watch for Classic Korean Movie Fans
This is the first movie my K-Cinema teacher showed our class in 2022. Learning that this was the first Korean film to win an international award made me curious from the start. I was amazed by a lot of the traditional elements in the movie; from the costumes to the sets. It is a rather simple plot, however the comedic elements added a nice balance to the dramatic aspect of the film and made for a fun watch.Though this is not the type of movie I would rewatch for fun on my own, I would recommend for any fans of classic Korean movies.
Rating: 3.5/5 (Quality: 4/5, Enjoyment: 3/5)
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