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Archive for the 'South Korean Movie Reviews' Category (Most Recent Entries On Top)


Secret Sunshine (2007) Movie Review

Saturday, November 3rd, 2007 at 9:14 pm by James Mudge

“Secret Sunshine” is the latest effort from acclaimed Korean director Lee Chang Dong, who previously won praise and prizes both at home and abroad for his films “Green Fish”, “Peppermint Candy” and “Oasis”. Returning to the director’s chair following his work as Korean Minister of Culture and Tourism from 2003 to 2004, he managed to enlist two of the biggest names in Korean cinema in the form of Song Kang Ho (recently in “The Show Must Go On” and Bong Joon Ho’s blockbuster hit “The Host”) and Jeon Do Yeon (who enjoyed success with “You are my Sunshine” and the controversial films “The Untold Scandal” and “Happy End”), whose performance won her the Best Actress award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, at which the film itself was nominated for the Golden Palm. Unsurprisingly, the film has since been chosen as the country’s entry for the 2008 Academy Awards.


The Cut (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, October 28th, 2007 at 12:40 pm by James Mudge

There can be no doubt that Korean horror is badly in need of a blood transfusion, as the majority of genre films over the last few years have been a pretty anaemic bunch without much in the way of visceral thrills. Strangely, despite the best efforts of the DVD box art, marketing blurb and indeed the rather violent sounding title to convince viewers otherwise, director Son Tae Woong’s “The Cut” isn’t the film to reverse that trend, as it too turns out to be a fairly restrained affair which shies away from graphic carnage. Of course, this is not to suggest that all genre outings require blood and guts in order to entertain, and the film here is a perfect case in point as it more than makes up for the absence of splatter by for once actually trying to be frightening rather than melodramatic, a small but important lesson which many Korean horror directors seem to have forgotten of late.


Boys of Tomorrow (2006) Movie Review

Sunday, October 28th, 2007 at 12:34 pm by James Mudge

“Boys of Tomorrow” is poorly served by its misleading DVD box art, which seems to suggest some kind of wacky action comedy, despite the fact that the film is a very different proposition indeed, being a gloomy portrait of disaffected youth. Although this is perhaps understandable given that the film is not a particularly obvious commercial sell, it’s a shame, as it may well see it being unfairly lumped in with an already overcrowded field of far more generic efforts. Directed by Noh Dong Seok, who won praise for his 2004 debut “My Generation”, the film follows along the same nihilistic lines, trying to fulfil his artistic leanings without sacrificing good storytelling or entertainment value.


Muoi: Legend of a Portrait (2007) Movie Review

Saturday, October 27th, 2007 at 8:57 pm by James Mudge

“Muoi: Legend of a Portrait” is the latest of the 2007 batch of Korean summer horror films to make it to DVD. As any fan will sadly admit, the genre has of late become rather stale, with directors all too often content to simply recycle the same old tales of vengeance seeking female spectres, and as such it is somewhat of a relief that Kim Tae Kyeong, best known for his 2004 hit “The Ghost”, has at least attempted to try something a little different. This is mainly through the fact that the film is a joint Korean-Vietnamese production, with the hook of being shot mainly in Vietnam, potentially offering up the opportunity for exotic locales and shocks. Interestingly, although having performed well enough in the domestic Korean market, the film has run into some trouble in Vietnam, where the tough censors tend not to look too kindly on productions with supernatural themes.


My Father (2007) Movie Review

Saturday, September 29th, 2007 at 12:36 am by Guest Movie Review

(By Evan McKinney)

In South Korea, if you bring up the topic of actor/model Daniel Henney, you’re sure to cause a girl to faint from a wave of desire. He is well-known for starring in Korean dramas, and because he is not fluent in Korean, he earns further recognition from his fans when he speaks. His most recent venture into the motion media realm is the South Korean film “My Father.”


The Evil Twin (2007) Movie Review

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 11:04 am by James Mudge

The first of the summer 2007 wave of Korean horror films to hit DVD is “The Evil Twin”, marking the directorial debut of Kim Ji Hwan. Thankfully, for those fans who have understandably grown somewhat disillusioned with the genre of late, tired of directors’ reluctance to stray from the confines of the done to death ‘teens menaced by vengeful female ghost’ formula, the film does offer something at least a little different in the form of a historical setting, with the action taking place in a rural village during the Joseon period of Korean history instead of an all girls’ school or haunted apartment building.


Mr. Lee vs. Mr. Lee aka Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2006) Movie Review

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 10:58 am by James Mudge

“Mr Lee vs. Mr Lee” (a.k.a. “Long Day’s Journey into Night”) from director Shim Kwang Jin is a dysfunctional family drama based upon the play “Happy Family” and loosely inspired by the life experiences of lead actor Lee Dae Geun. The film is certainly a very personal affair for Lee, whose soul-searching performance won him a Best Leading Actor nomination at the 44th Daejong Awards in a role which is a real departure for the former screen sex symbol.


Beyond (Across) the Years (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, August 19th, 2007 at 3:03 am by James Mudge

2007 has been a landmark year for Korean cinema with the release of “Beyond the Years”, the 100th outing for director Im Kwon Taek, one of the country’s most accomplished and acclaimed film makers who has won praise around the world for works such as his 2002 Cannes hit “Chihwaseon”. The film is a follow up, or perhaps more accurately a continuation of his 1993 classic “Sopyonje”, being based upon the same novella by Lee Cheon Joon. Sadly, and indeed strangely, the film was not a box office hit at home, and didn’t make many waves at festivals, which is a real shame as it sees the director still at the top of his game with a career that has now incredibly spanned over 45 years without any sign of winding down.


Unstoppable Marriage (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, August 19th, 2007 at 3:00 am by James Mudge

Korean director Kim Seong Wook makes his debut with “Unstoppable Marriage”, having gained experience working on the hits “Lovely Rivals” and “My Teacher, Mr. Kim” as well as the hip cult favourite “Attack the Gas Station”. The film is a romantic comedy, with the emphasis firmly on humour rather than melodrama, and he certainly shows a deft touch for this kind of thing, orchestrating a top ensemble cast of newcomers and industry veterans, and managing to milk plenty of laughs out of the classically farcical setup.


Small Town Rivals (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, August 19th, 2007 at 2:58 am by James Mudge

“Small Town Rivals” is the latest offering from director Jang Gyoo Seung, who previously scored commercial hits with the likes of “Lovely Rivals” and “My Teacher, Mr. Kim”. He continues here in the same broad vein with a comedy about one of the most popular subjects in modern Korean cinema, namely small town life. The film proved to be yet another success for the in-form Jang, performing well at the box office and winning a nomination for Best Screenplay at the 44th Daejong Awards.


Little Brother aka Hello Brother (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 4:10 pm by James Mudge

Based on true story, “Little Brother” marks the debut feature of Korean director Lim Tae Yong and is another in the ever popular family melodrama genre. This time around the film focuses on the familiar subject of life threatening illness, as a twelve year old boy called Han Byeol (Seo Dae Han) is hospitalised with a brain tumour, leaving his aggressive and mischievous younger brother Han Yi (talented young actor Park Ji Bin, also in “A Family”) to try and cope in his absence. With his parents (played by Bae Jong Ok and Park Won Sang) all but ignoring him, the poor lad makes his best efforts to get their attention, while slowly coming to terms with the sad situation.


My Son aka A Day with My Son (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 4:07 pm by James Mudge

“My Son” sees the return of the ever versatile Korean director Jang Jin, previously noted for genre blending films such as “Guns and Talks” and “Righteous Ties”. This time he turns his attentions to family drama, a well-worn and overly familiar form desperately in need of a fresh take.


Meet Mr. Daddy aka Shiny Day (2007) Movie Review

Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 4:06 pm by James Mudge

“Meet Mr Daddy” is an unashamedly sentimental comedy about a sick young girl who is reunited with her incompetent though wacky criminal father - pretty much the last kind of film to be expected from Korean helmer Park Kwang Su, best known for his politically charged works such as “Chilsoo and Mansoo” and “Black Republic”. Thankfully, the acclaimed director, returning to the screen for his first feature since 1999, hasn’t completely abandoned his trademark gritty approach, and he adds somewhat more substance to the film than might have been expected given the rather lightweight sounding premise.


Miracle on 1st Street (2007) Movie Review

Saturday, July 21st, 2007 at 1:39 pm by James Mudge

“Miracle on 1st Street” sees the return of director Yoon Je Gyun, previously responsible for the two Korean comedy blockbusters “Sex is Zero” and “My Boss, My Hero”. Sticking to what he knows best, he delivers another slice of wackiness, putting a farcical spin on the ever-topical subject of forced land reclamation. Returning to help him are Lim Chang Jung and Ha Ji Won, both of whom worked with him on “Sex is Zero” during the early years of their careers, and who have since gone on to become two of the most popular Korean performers.


Big Bang (2007) Movie Review

Saturday, July 14th, 2007 at 2:02 pm by James Mudge

Judging by the DVD cover, “Big Bang” is yet another Korean film which seems to have been mis-advertised as a wacky comedy. This is a real shame, as although it certainly has its fair share of laughs, it is a far more cynical and violent affair than the box art would suggest. Directed by Park Jeong Woo, a helmer noted for his sharp depiction of modern Korean life in “Dance with the Wind” and his witty screenplay for the cult hit “Attack the Gas Station”, the film is a dark satire which lays bare the sad fact that in a corrupt society, nice guys tend to finish last. In the lead roles it features the talented team of “Vampire Cop Ricky” himself, Kim Su Ro, along with Gam Woo Sung, who recently won the Best Actor statuette at the 43rd Daejong Awards for his excellent performance in the home-grown box office smash “King and the Clown”.


Wanderer in Winter (1986) Movie Review

Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 at 2:38 pm by James Mudge

Originally released in 1986, “Wanderer in Winter” was the debut film from noted Korean new wave director Kwak Ji Kyun, who had previously worked as an assistant to the likes of Im Kwon Taek and Bae Chang Ho. The film was actually written by noted scribe Choi In Ho, who also wrote some of Bae’s most famous works during the 1980s, including “Whale Hunting”,” Deep Blue Night”, and “Do the Right Thing”. As might be expected, the film is a gritty human drama inspired by what was a turbulent time in Korean history, following the dashed dreams of youth and the daily struggle to survive.


Highway Star (2007) Movie Review

Friday, June 15th, 2007 at 12:05 am by James Mudge

“Highway Star”, the debut film from directors Kim Hyun Soo and Kim Sang Chan, is based around the unlikely subject of trot singing, which for the uninitiated is a much mocked melodramatic Korean folk music tradition enjoyed mainly by the middle-aged. Although this might not seem like a good idea on paper, there has been of late a trend of musically themed films in Korean cinema, and so perhaps trot was one of the few remaining genres to be tackled. Furthermore, the practice itself has been enjoying a resurgence in Korean popular culture, and as such the film can be seen as a timely means of introducing the masses to its flamboyant charms.


A Devilish Homicide (1965) Movie Review

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 at 8:22 pm by James Mudge

Although when thinking of Korean horror the most obvious examples which spring to mind are modern efforts such as Park Ki Hyung’s “Whispering Corridors” and Ahn Byeong Ki’s “Phone”, both of which have become known the world over, the country actually has a long and rich history of genre film making. One director who has been responsible for his fair share of scares is Lee Yong Min, who began his career back in the 1940s before turning his hand to horror in the 1960s with the likes of “The Gates of Hell”, “Bride from the Grave”, and of course “A Devilish Homicide”, a macabre classic now the subject of a welcome DVD re-release.


Three Kims aka Master Kims (2007) Movie Review

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 at 8:21 pm by James Mudge

“Three Kims” is a film which attempts to put a comic twist on the time honoured martial arts genre, as well as marking the debut proper of director Park Sung Gyun. Given the usual predilection for first time Korean directors to add to the endless number of painfully earnest gangster thrillers, this brave choice alone surely earns Park bonus points, though he goes one further in assembling a top notch cast of talented comic actors in an all-out bid for laughs.


The Restless (2006) Movie Review

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 at 5:10 pm by Nix

Dong-oh Jo’s “The Restless” is easily described as an earnest Korean version of Hong Kong director Tsui Hark’s nonsensical “Legend of Zu”. Both films employ top-notch visual artists to render their fantasy elements, and the abundant action are orchestrated with high-flying wire-fu and large doses of impressive CGI. And like Hark’s “Zu”, at the end of the day “The Restless” must admit that it is an empty exercise in style over substance, with a script that lacks depth and shallow characterization that requires every character to have a singular personality that distinguishes them from the masses, which in turn doesn’t really distinguish them at all as real characters. This is not heady stuff, despite what writer/director Dong-oh Jo would have you believe. But approached from the right angle, it can be amusing stuff.





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