Unexpected Laughs through a Royal Intrigue
Some historical films can feel heavy and tedious to watch, however this was not the case with "Masquerade".This film's strength lies in the characters' complexity and development throughout the film, making the viewer invested in their success and intensifying the impact of the dramatic scenes. The comedic angle of the movie made for an enjoyable experience, ensuring that the viewer does not have to be a fan of historical dramas to enjoy this movie.
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Enjoyable Black Comedy
This film's strength lies in the great balance between the thriller and comedy aspects of the movie. Tense scenes of possible discovery has the audience holding their breath, quickly followed by ridiculous events completely lightening the mood and releasing the previously built tension.Though the plot is relatively simple, the great use black comedy makes for a good, casual rewatch.
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"Saw" Movie in a Korean School
This film was reminiscent of the American "Saw" franchise, if it had taken place in a Korean school setting. Since horror movies are a popular medium used to not only reflect our fears but also criticize societal issues, it was refreshing to have a horror movie centered around the pressure put on students for high grades, especially during exam season. It had both satisfying thriller and horror elements, displaying torture contraptions which were both twisted and creative.On the other hand, the ambiguity of whether this was a slasher or supernatural horror (or a mix of both) made it harder to be fully invested. Though a clearer narrative would have been beneficial, the ending clarified the previously ambiguous aspects, making this an overall satisfying watch.
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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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