Teo-neol (2016)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   Tunnel in a Korean survival movie about a man trapped for days in a tunnel collapse, and it really doesn't waste time getting us there. We follow him, of course, but also the crew working hard to get him out, as well as how the media is covering it (spoiler: horrendously). It's a movie, so there are things you have to willingly accept - batteries with a longer than normal life, and so on - but other than such situational "sustainers", the story is well handled, with logic applied, great reversals, and touching performances from the leads, including the man's wife played by Bae Doona (Cloud Atlas, The Host). There comes a point where you will want to shout at the screen out of frustration, which is a good thing, and later feel the characters' hopelessness. And that's the sign of a very effective thriller, isn't it? 5 years 8 months ago
2. 

   acoltismypassport

   I'd been wanting to see this ever since it was released in Korean cinemas.
   
   An excellent film, let down only by the few moments of idiocy and absurdity within the plot, including, but not limited to:

   
   
   1) Puncturing his leg on a rusty nail, and suffering no serious complications beyond a bit of pus and blood. In reality, he'd be in agonizing pain within days, and the limb would be gangrenous long before he applied the glass cleaner (after what, twenty-something days?)
   
   2) Despite surviving around a month on nothing but a fraction of a birthday cake and some dry dog food, he's somehow still able to crawl and walk around as if he had a large breakfast several hours ago.
   
   3) The incessant fucking around with the rescue operation and its ilk. I don't live in Korea, so have no idea how effective or ineffective such an effort would go in reality; but common sense dictates in such a situation you wouldn't be arsing around so much, at the same time slamming everyone over wasting time.
   
   4) A smartphone, with no replacement battery or charging point, lasting several weeks. Same with the torch, same with the car battery.
   
   5) Post-rescue, the minister's presumed lackey stating they wait, gurney in hand, whilst the minister poses for a photo. A month underground, in dire need of nutrition and medical care, and they want to take a picture. Seriously?

   
   
   So many more small, niggling points to write down, though they aren't worth mentioning. This is after all a fun film, not without its moments of intensity and thrills. It could've been something so much better, but alas... 7 years 3 months ago

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