‘Memories of Murder’: a fine addition to your DVD library

Above: The Criterion Collection presents Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho's 2003 film "Memories of Murder" on DVD and Blu-ray. (Photo/Criterion Collection)

One of my Facebook friends asked a curious question the other day: “Do you still use CDs or DVDs? And what in the world for?” This was after stating that she’d saw a DVD at work and “honestly stared at it for like three minutes to try and figure out what I was supposed to do with it and how to access them.”

Her comments caused a bit of a furor. One reply from a movie fan wondered why this was even a question, since talking about “physical media” – which he loves – gave him “a tear in his eye.”

And it’s a valid response. Are we so far removed from the days when DVDs, especially Blu-ray formats, were considered state-of-the-art? Has streaming really, and finally, made our individual movie libraries irrelevant?

Some of us would argue no. And, in fact, companies such as The Criterion Collection still offer great deals on DVD versions of classic movies.

Case in point: “Memories of Murder,” which is included in Criterion’s April releases. The 2003 film, directed by Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho from a script he and Sung-bo Shim adapted from Kwang-rim Kim’s stage play, is a fascinating look at a murder investigation.

Set in 1986, it involves two detectives – played by Song Kang Ho and Kim Sang Kyung – who join forces to try and find a serial killer. Based on real events, the movie follows the year-long case and the personal struggles of both detectives.

Bong Joon Ho, of course, won an Oscar trifecta – Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture – last year for his film “Parasite.” Criterion is offering “Memories of Murder” in both DVD (two discs, $23.96) and Blu-ray (two discs, $31.96).

If you’re still maintaining a DVD library, you might consider adding this film to it. Or any of the other classic movies that Criterion has for sale.

That is, if you can figure out how to use it.