Memories of Murder

Memories of Murder (2003)

 

A quiet country town becomes the hotbed of an investigation for an elusive psychopath. Two cops, with different professional backgrounds, join hands to track down the killer. Inspired by a string of true events from South Korea of 80s, ‘Memories of Murder’ gathers steam at a low pace (like most South Korean thrillers) but eventually turns out to be an immaculate study in character development. Movie has minimal violence as most death scenes don’t happen on screen. The climax and the postlude scenes could stay with the viewer for a long time.

My rating: ****1/2

Big Bad Wolves

              Big Bad Wolves

A masterful blend of sardonic humour and savage torture.

A hunt for a paedophile killer propels two men – a cop and a bereaved father – into a bloody inquisition of the suspect whose reticence raises more questions than answers and whom the viewers come to sympathize with. Gripping screenplay and brilliant, unflappable acting make this flick deserving of a QT salute. The only on-screen death scene takes place shortly before the denouement and by any yardstick, could be one of the most blood-curdling scenes ever filmed. In short, BBW is a riveting trip even with all the torture and mayhem…and unexpected spurts of black humor.  

My rating: ***1/2