The Bronze Medalist (2009) Movie Review

Its inspirational sports time again with “Bronze Medallist” (a.k.a. “Lifting King Kong”) from Korea, marking the directorial debut of Park Geon Yong, who had previously worked on the blockbuster “Typhoon”. Although its themes are common enough, the film earns extra points both for having...

November 15th, 2009 | Read More

Running Turtle (2009) Movie Review

The rather oddly titled “Running Turtle” sees Kim Yoon Seok following up his award winning role in “The Chaser” by playing another down and out cop working outside the law to track down a murderer. The film was written and directed by Lee Yeon Woo, who was previously responsible for “2424”,...

November 7th, 2009 | Read More

Sisters on the Road (2008) Movie Review

“Sisters on the Road” marks the debut of female writer director Boo Ji Young, and as the title suggests, is a drama following two sisters on a voyage of discovery and an exploration of their shared pasts. The film has an impressive cast, with the two siblings in question being played by actresses...

November 7th, 2009 | Read More

Whispering Corridors 5: A Blood Pledge (2009) Movie Review

The landmark Korean ghost series “Whispering Corridors” returns for its fifth instalment with “A Blood Pledge”, marking the debut of director Lee Jong Yong, an interesting choice for the helm, given his previous work under Park Chan Wook on the likes of “JSA” and “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”....

November 7th, 2009 | Read More

Like You Know It All (2009) Movie Review

The cinematic medium can make for a fascinating subject, especially in the hands of a director willing to explore it through personal insights. This is certainly the case with “Like You Know it All” from Hong Sang Soo, one of the current champions of the Korean independent film scene, whose previous...

October 24th, 2009 | Read More

Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells (2008) Movie Review

“Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells” is the latest effort from noted Korean independent director Jeon Soo Il, who previously won praise and prizes for his “With a Girl of Black Soil”. This time, he heads to the wilds of Nepal for a minimalist, yet grand tale featuring some truly breathtaking scenery...

October 24th, 2009 | Read More

Secret Couple (aka My Girlfriend is an Agent, 2009) Movie Review

“Secret Couple” (a far better title than the rather familiar and misleading “My Girlfriend is an Agent”) is basically a Korean take on the recent Hollywood action couple comedy thriller “Mr and Mrs Smith”. Strangely enough, the film was directed by Shin Tae Ra, whose previous efforts were...

October 9th, 2009 | Read More

Cyborg She (2008) Movie Review

“Cyborg She” sees Korean director Kwak Jae Yong of “My Sassy Girl” fame switching to Japanese for a genre blending romantic comedy that adds a science fiction, time travelling twist to his usual formula. Also known as “My Girlfriend is a Cyborg”, the film is not to be confused with “Oldboy”...

October 1st, 2009 | Read More

Private Eye (2009) Movie Review

“Private Eye” offers a twist on the recent trend of modern noir detective stories by adopting a period setting, making for a change from the usual tortured cops, car chases and neon alleyways. The film marks the debut outing for Korean director Park Dae Min, and was a high profile production, boasting...

September 12th, 2009 | Read More

Breathless (2008) Movie Review

Brutal Korean indie “Breathless” was obviously a personal project for Yang Ik June, who wrote, directed, produced and starred in the lead role. Certainly, the film is a very brave and raw one, being a partly autobiographical tale of an extremely aggressive and violent man, himself the product of...

September 12th, 2009 | Read More

The Housemaid (1960) Movie Review

Fans of Korean cinema have a real reason to be excited with the long awaited release of the 1960 classic “The Housemaid” on DVD. The film was directed by Kim Ki Young, who was known for his controversial features, which often tackled head on themes of sexual obsession through horrific subjects. Although...

August 27th, 2009 | Read More

Boy Director (2007) Movie Review

The Korean independent cinema scene continues to thrive with “Boy Director”, written and directed by documentary filmmaker Lee Woo Yeol. Here, he tries his hand at narrative form, whilst still keeping to his realist sensibilities, with a film about film making as seen through the eyes of a child....

August 23rd, 2009 | Read More

Scarlet Letter (2004) Review

Originally released in 2004 and now being re-issued on DVD, “The Scarlet Letter” is sadly best known for having been the last film to feature actress Lee Eun Joo, who took her own life shortly after production had been completed. Bearing no relation to the famous novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne with...

August 10th, 2009 | Read More

The Hypnotized (2004) Movie Review

Originally released back in 2004, “The Hypnotized” was the second outing from writer director Kim In Sik, who made his debut with the much praised “Road Movie”. Sadly, it also marks his last film to date, a real shame since it clearly showed him to be one of the more interesting and creative...

August 5th, 2009 | Read More

Marine Boy (2009) Movie Review

“Marine Boy” marks the debut of writer director Yoon Jong Seok, and has nothing to do with the famous Japanese anime of the same name. Instead, the film is a crime thriller set in the shady world of maritime drug smuggling, and is very much in the continuingly popular modern noir form. The title...

July 8th, 2009 | Read More

Hand Phone (2009) Movie Review

Mobile phone related films have been pretty popular of late in both Hollywood and Asia, with the likes of “Connected” and “Cellular” manipulating the modern over-reliance on technology for tense thrills. Thankfully, Korean director Kim Han Min, previously responsible for the offbeat mystery “Paradise...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

More Than Blue (2009) Movie Review

Although many films rely upon misleading advertising or false hyperbole, viewers can be assured that “More Than Blue” (a.k.a. “A Story Sadder Than Sadness”) delivers exactly as its title suggests. Directed by former poet Won Tae Yeon, the film is an unashamed tearjerker, offering a tale of true...

July 7th, 2009 | Read More

Oh! My God 2 (2009) Movie Review

With the original “Oh! My God” having been a surprise box office smash, a sequel was always going to be a distinct possibility. Now, viewers can get another comic dose of lovable rogue Im Jung Hwan as the follow up arrives, with director Kim Jung Woo having handed the reigns to newcomer Hwang Seung...

July 5th, 2009 | Read More

Kick the Moon (2001) Movie Review

“Kick the Moon” was originally released back in 2001 and was directed by Kim Sang Jin, an eclectic director known for his cult hit “Attack the Gas Station”, as well as offbeat comedies such as “Ghost House” and “Mission Possible: Kidnapping Granny K”. The film is another in the very Korean...

June 25th, 2009 | Read More

The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (2008) Movie Review

“The Good, the Bad, the Weird”, the latest film from Korean master director Kim Ji Woon sees him delving into yet another genre, having tried his hand at horror with “A Tale of Two Sisters” and gangster melodrama with “A Bittersweet Life”. As can probably be gleamed from the title, the film...

June 21st, 2009 | Read More