Sometimes movies escape our attention, for many reasons. We were busy with other things, we were sick when it was released, we lost our Netflix login. Here is another attempt by the TFH gurus to shine some light on a few films you may have missed.
The Chaser is a 2008 South Korean film that was inspired by a real-life serial killer. Directed by Na Hong-jin, the story centers on a former-cop-turned-pimp. Now, that's a real career change for you. The pimp becomes alarmed when two of his prostitutes go missing, creating a cash flow situation that probably makes him consider rejoining the force.
The suspect is captured during what can only be described as an automotive meet-cute - he literally crashes into a cop car - but he can't be held for long due to lack of evidence. His rap sheet includes performing a lobotomy on a family member, which might be excused, depending on how annoying that person is at Thanksgiving. Oh, the suspect mentions - by the way - that he has killed nine people. Guess that annoying relative can consider himself lucky.
A call for help from a future victim goes unanswered because the cops are literally asleep at the wheel. I once saw a parking enforcement guy kicked back, taking a nap in the driver's seat - while parked illegally. I'm sure they got a good laugh downtown from the picture I sent them.
Parasite may have grabbed the Oscar, but The Chaser was a huge hit in Korea and garnered high praise at Cannes.
If you're having a tasty beverage with The Chaser, there are Korean faves to consider - soju, a distilled liquor, and makgeolli, a rice wine. But let's not and say we did. If you keep track of the criminals in the movie, the tally may reach 19. That's the perfect opening for a tasty 19 Crimes wine. The Australian line features a different criminal on each bottle, and they speak to you through an app.
The 2015 Chinese film, Mountains May Depart, shows that the ol' love triangle knows no borders. She likes the coal miner, but is in love with the gas station owner. Ain't that the way it always breaks down? Those gas station owners get all the girls.
She and the gas pump tycoon marry… and get divorced… and she gets the gas station! There's a kid involved who doesn't call, doesn't write, but hangs on to a gift mom gave him back in the day. Will they ever reunite and try speaking to each other? Well, we wouldn't want to spoil that cliffhanger for you. Directed by Jia Zhangke, this Mandarin language movie - which features a song by the Pet Shop Boys - made some noise at Cannes, but fell short of the Palm d'Or. Go West, indeed.
If baijiu doesn't float your boat (it's a Chinese liquor made from sorghum and clocking in as high as 120 proof) try a mountain wine. Duckhorn has a Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes which were grown on Napa Valley's prized Howell Mountain. It's a hundred bucks well spent.
Les Un et les Autres, a 1981 French film - was also released as Bolero, as a nod to the Ravel piece used in it. Some say it is director Claude Lelouch's masterpiece, although his '60s film, A Man and a Woman, managed to snag a couple of trophies at the Oscars.
Bolero did some major box office in France, even though Jerry Lewis was nowhere near it. The stories of four families from different countries are intertwined through their love of music, culminating with Ravel's Bolero. Were the Pet Shop Boys on tour at the time?
How could we go wrong by pairing a French wine named Boléro with this film? Their Merlot is a Vin de France which was aged in steel and concrete.
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