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Movies / On DVD / Memories of Murder
Memories of Murder

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Memories of Murder (2003)

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Reviews Counted:33

Fresh:29

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7.6/10

Consensus: Memories of Murder blends the familiar crime genre with social satire and comedy, capturing the all-too human desperation of its key characters.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jul 15, 2005 Limited

Synopsis: Based on a true story, Memories of Murder is a Korean suspense thriller offering an unusual fusion of death and laughter, while recollecting truly nightmarish events. This is a true story. In... Based on a true story, Memories of Murder is a Korean suspense thriller offering an unusual fusion of death and laughter, while recollecting truly nightmarish events. This is a true story. In a small town outside Seoul, over the course of six years, 10 women were raped and murdered in a 2km radius. Korean society's first serial killer took the lives of 10 victims, ranging from a 71 year-old grandmother to a 13 year old schoolgirl. As time went on, the methods of the killer grew more bold and well-planned. One victim was stabbed 19 times in the chest, while another victim was found with nine pieces of a peach embedded inside her. Other than the victims, the killer left not a single shred of evidence. Over 3,000 suspects were interrogated. At least 300,000 police took part in the massive investigation. But not a single person was indicted for the crimes. This is a story about the detectives. At a time in Korea when a murder investigation only meant grilling those who knew the victim, for these officers everything was a new experience. There was no profiling mechanism, nor any idea of preserving the crime scene for forensic investigation. Only search and interrogation based on the detectives' sense of duty and persistence. In this age of ignorance, two detectives at the bottom of an ill-supported police force, have only themselves to rely on to face this horrific series of events. The film reminisces about a time of innocence when the inability to comprehend such heinous acts led to unbelievable mishaps and harrowing nightmares. Both death and laughter infuse the "Memory of Murder." -- © Palm Pictures [More]

Director: Oh Bong-Joon

Director: Oh Bong-Joon
Studio: Palm Pictures

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Release:

Aug 9, 2005

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Reviews for Memories of Murder

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments)
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straightforward, with minimal flourish

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment 1 Comment
07/11/05
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

For a film about women getting brutally attacked and dispatched, the movie has no sense of urgency or underlying dread.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment 1 Comment
06/17/05
Jason Clark
Jason Clark
Slant Magazine
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
07/20/04
Channel 4 Film

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
08/05/06
Boston Phoenix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
09/28/06
Sight and Sound

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
10/10/06
Empire Magazine
N/R

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Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
10/10/06
AV Club

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Movie Gazette | comment Comment
07/30/04
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Movie Gazette

Suspenseful, surprising, and psychologically rich.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
06/23/05
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out

Establishes Bong as a helmer with a distinct vision of his own, supported by a strong cast that's totally at one with the material.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/23/05
Derek Elley
Derek Elley
Variety

An involving and skillfully mounted film from Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho that's based on a true story.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
07/28/05
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Uses dark humor, incisive characterizations and social commentary to infuse its familiar detective tale with a distinctive flair.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
07/21/05
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter

A great opening and...a visceral, heartbreaking ending

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
07/21/05
George Wu
George Wu
culturevulture.net

A refreshingly mature thriller that succeeds in its ambitious attempt to blend quips and killings.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
07/06/04
Jamie Russell
Jamie Russell
BBC

Achieves an unlikely but ultimately successful blend of blunt-force comedy and desperate investigation.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
06/10/05
Jeff Shannon
Jeff Shannon
Seattle Times

Memories of Murder offers a ruminative and affecting approach to a genre not known for its emotional content.

Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com | comment Comment
09/16/03
Jeremy Heilman
Jeremy Heilman
MovieMartyr.com

An almost perversely conceived hybrid -- noirish thriller, social satire and virtual Korean Keystone Komedy with a dash of political attitude.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
06/23/05
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...merits mention alongside Silence of the Lambs and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer...offers an incisive analysis of the culture that produced the crime.

Full Review Source: All Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/08/05
Josh Ralske
Josh Ralske
All Movie Guide
 
 
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