Netflix South Korean Movie (short) Stream of Consciousness

North Korea has been in the news lately and I figured I’d write about something other than the hyped up nuclear war that will not happen-seriously American Media, read up on your history.  Seldom do I find myself in firm agreement with the New York Times (usually 30-40%) but this time they are dead on the money.

Anyway onto the other Korea.  The one whose leader isn’t in a global dick measuring contest with the President (man, I still hate calling him that).

It took about 7-8 years but I finally got around to watching The Host. Well not really 7-8 years, I actually tried to watch it before last night…..twice.

I just couldn’t get through the first 10 minutes.

Why did I bother? Because almost everyone who watched The Host gushed over it. Some even call it the most defining monster movie of the century.

Dude, we’re only 17 years in and this movie premiered 11 years ago.

The plot revolves around a giant man eating squid – the result of a heartless American scientist carelessly disposing of formaldehyde into the Han river.  The Squid eats a kid (actually many kids and adults) and the kid’s family goes after it while fighting the establishment in the process.

This happens to me about once every decade. I forced myself to watch 2001: A Space Oddysey after 3 failed attempts. Citizen Kane was another act of self-inflicted torture – I still don’t remember anything about the movie. And don’t even get me started on Breaking Bad – I got through 5 episodes and gave up.  If history is any guide I’ll come back to it.  All because the internet had to be right.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Korean films especially when it comes to horror. The East as a whole has been kicking Hollywood’s ass in this department for nearly two decades. But The Host irritated me with its very obvious political message (I don’t necessarily disagree with them, I just wish there was a bit more sophistication in the delivery) and really unfunny, almost painful attempts at comedy. It tried too hard to be a spoof, a horror movie and political commentary all at the same time.  It felt like a stylized throwback to the old Godzilla flicks….except in Korean.

To be fair I’m not a big fan of comedy joining horror – I’m good with some humor here and there but this was a bit much for my taste.  I should also mention that I thought the special effects were pretty decent for a movie that’s 11 years old.

If you’re curious about Korean horror and are looking for something more current and entertaining, give Train to Busan a shot. It offers a really interesting and horrifying take on zombies – it’s like 28 Days Later, Night of the Living Dead (one horror film that incorporates a political message beautifully) and a New York City Subway had a baby.

A really angry baby.

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