Six books into my 2026 sci-fi novel binge and I am officially tapping out.  This echoes a similar experience several years ago where a string of thoroughly mediocre reads effectively killed my enthusiasm for reading – until it was reawakened in a big way with 2025’s Crime Read Blitz.  Between my work on Stargate and my disappointment with the sci-fi titles I’ve read to date, I’ve elected to switch to watching – specifically, South Korean films.  I kicked off the marathon with back to back Park Chan-wook bangers…

Film #1: No Other Choice (2025)

After being unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job: eliminate his competition.

My thoughts: One of the things I love about foreign films is discovering and losing myself in the cultural elements that often underpin and drive the story.  In the case of No Other Choice, it’s the classic import of family, class, and a husband’s duty to provide.  It’s not unique to Korea, but I’ve found it’s a theme that’s often explored in Asian cinema.  Based on a story by author Donald Westlake, it’s a cutting and at times comical exploration of humanity’s losing battle against technological advancement.  The ever brilliant Lee Byung-hung is backed by some equally stellar performances, and director Park Chan-wook delivers his hallmark visual flourishes.

Film #2: Decision to Leave (2022)

A detective investigating a man’s death in the mountains meets the dead man’s mysterious wife in the course of his dogged sleuthing.

My thoughts: I had a harder time following this one, but it all came together in the end in devastating fashion.  The twin themes of mountain and sea that run throughout this film are turns touching and tragic in their elegance.  The cast is top notch, but actress Tang Wei gives a particularly stunning performance as the anguished perhaps not-so-grieving widow.

Choose your ship’s engineer.  The Final Four+…

Choose!

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Choose…

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Okay, I’m going Scotty and Hermiod!