Gwoemul | The Host (2006) [Film Rec]

If you're looking for a monster movie to watch - on Halloween, or otherwise - I suggest the 2006 Korean horror film Gwoemul, also known as The Host (IMDB).

This is one of the best monster films I've seen in a while. It starts with your basic environmental horror setup: toxic chemicals in a river cause some of the local wildlife to mutate in horrifying ways. But I wouldn't call this a standard film.

It goes to great lengths to really develop the characters in the family that the movie centres around, and builds them up as people who sure as hell aren't perfect, and sometimes they don't like each other, but they still care about each other so much. Toward the end it seems like they're getting through out of sheer willpower to help one another. It's great.

In addition to that, you have a touch of dark comedy and satire, and political commentary of various flavours. It also features some really nice cinematography; this is just an overall really well-rounded movie. Not to mention, the monster looks GREAT, and a lot of the scenes it's in are genuinely unsettling; it's really well-done. And considering that we see a lot of it, that's essential.

To be honest, there isn't a single thing I dislike about this movie. Maybe the pacing could be a little different in certain parts, but I didn't find anything excessively slow. It's just overall good. Why not watch it yourself, to see if you feel the same way? :D

Probably my favourite part of it was the character of Park Nam-joo, played by Bae Doo-na. Nam-joo is a national medalist in archery, and there are several points in the film where she tries to take down the monster with only her bow and arrows. That sounds pretty nuts, but the scenes feel so natural; it's understandable that her first instinct would be to reach for her bow in this situation - and there's actually a decent plot explanation as to why she has it on her. Not to mention, these scenes are beautifully shot. Anyway, Nam-joo is just all-around cool, and I love her. :D But there are plenty of other things to appreciate about this movie aside from her, of course.

...Anyway. Yes. Watch Gwoemul. It's excellent.

☆☆☆

☆ Can hardly wait for Trick or Treat reveals... Unfortunately, I'm working tomorrow, so I won't get to read anything until I get home. OH NO. Alas.

☆ I commissioned Scout to do an Emil/Lalli illustration (specifically, of a scene from one of my fics) and now it's done. It's over here and ahhhh is it ever adorable. *_*

☆ Haven't managed to go through the entire FemslashEx collection, but I did read this one: I Will Continue Playing, a lovely SSSS fic with Pastor A/OC. :) I do suggest reading it - and also I think it's one that can, for the most part, be enjoyed if you aren't familiar with the canon. Aaanyway I hope to get around to poking though more of that exchange later this week... we'll see.

☆ I finished a long (10K!) aRTD story: "The Ghost in the Woods" (Ao3 | DW). Joona and Jonna take Hannu and Ville ghost hunting, and scary things happen. Yep. ;) Fffuu, I need to write more long stories. And horror. Maybe it'll get easier if I do. ;p

☆ I've somehow acquired a taste for ASMR. I think I'll blame my mate Lorien. Yes. She kept referring to it and posting videos and I got curious. I don't actually get any of the tingly feelings that are the intended effect, but I do find those videos oddly relaxing. It's kind of the same way that I find rain noises relaxing, except it's... somebody scratching on a table, or scraping textured soap, or whatever. ??? How strange. xD (I think this one is my favourite of what I've listened to so far. And the fact that it's nice and long - 40 min - is even better.)