Those kings of the backhanded compliments, North Korea, have come out with some good press of Bong Joon-ho’s monster movie, THE HOST. Apparently they were quite pleased by the film’s critical stance toward the American military presence in South Korea.

Now, I would never claim to be Bong Joon-ho’s best friend, but from my conversations with the man, plus what I have heard from those who know and work with him, the idea that he is a raging anti-American is pretty off the mark.

Why knows — maybe the North Koreans are just buttering up director Bong so he will remake BULGASARI.

Bong’s THE HOST will make its debut in France on Nov. 22. Maybe even on a good number of screens. Not sure about the United States; I have heard December and February.