Movies I Have Watched Recently

The Chaser (2008)- Hong-jin Na



An excellent film hailing from South Korea, it mixes seemingly out-of-place humor with stylized gore in this suspensful piece. Focusing on an ex-detective-turned-pimp's search for his missing girls, the movie moves along like a ticking time bomb, the viewer and the actor both aware of the imminent conclusion that is looming, pressing on every participant in the viewing of this film to pray for a just ending. Interesting flow between suspense and relief, this movie had me closing my eyes and sitting on the edge of my seat simultaneously. Usually not my favourite genre, but this is an impressive piece of work by any standard.

The Pope's Toilet (2007)- César Charlone & Enrique Fernández



Documentary-like film based on events surrounding a Papal visit to a Uruguayan town. Depicting the every day struggles of the villagers, one family and its neighbors in particular, this film shows the interesting relationship between religion, or maybe even fame, and money. As the villagers prepare for the Pope to come, the focus is mainly on how they can earn good money by catering for the expected crowds which supposedly will follow the Pope to their rural location. You see how good, poor people gamble everything they have on a seemingly infallible plan to riches. Moving film, told for those who struggle to make ends meet and who survive through determined hard work and the occasional, opportunistic dreaming.

Dekalog (Part 1) (1989)- Krzysztof Kieslowski



A Polish series of shorts initially shown on a TV network, these 10 pieces are based on the 10 commandments. I have so far only watched the 1st short. Although the technology and some of the imagery is quite dated, the emotion depicted is still viable and still connects with the audience.