Nothing Rotten About “The Host”
Last summer’s Korean blockbuster “The Host” (괴물) has received a rating of 95 percent at the popular movie review website Rotten Tomatoes. Says Salon.com’s Andrew O’Hehir of the movie directed by Bong Joon-ho,
“(The Host is) a thrilling ride and a sometimes dry, sometimes sweet comedy, but beneath all that is a humane and tragic view of life worthy of the greatest films. Even those without rubber monsters.”
I saw the movie last summer and, while I enjoyed it somewhat, I wouldn’t say anything about it is “worthy of the greatest films”. On a scale of 0 to 100, The Iceberg gives “The Host” a 60.
On a related note, I just finished watching Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto”. This movie was INTENSE. A must see (95 on the new Iceberg scale)…if you don’t mind violence.
March 10th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Fully agree with your take on Apocalypto. Great movie.
March 10th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
The Host was just released this week in Australia. It has received some fantastic reviews in the local media but due to the limited number of screens wont be seen by many. I agree it is not one of the greatest fims ever but it surpasses alot of the ‘Blockbusters’ we are subjected to these days.
March 12th, 2007 at 5:48 am
True enough.
By the way, last Saturday I watched “Little Miss Sunshine” (or, as it is for some reason known in Korea, “Miss Little Sunshine”) - the movie “The Host” has drawn comparisons to because of the dysfunctional families in the respective stories. I don’t see what all the hubbub was about. I’d give it a 65. And, though he was entertaining, I don’t understand what was “Oscar-worthy” about Alan Arkin’s performance.