Written (2007) Movie Review

Korean indie “Written”, the second outing from writer director Kim Byung Woo is a brain teaser of a film which doesn’t blur the line between fiction and reality, so much as it jumps all over it, before proceeding to erase it completely. Needless to say, the film is one which requires a fair amount...

February 8th, 2010 | Read More

DVD Review: Thirst (2009) Movie UK R2

You know that bit in “Twilight” where Kristen Stewart walks in on Robert Pattison repeatedly soiling his pants (front or back is not clear) in the classroom? Well there’s a scene like that in “Thirst”, only it’s a lot more explicit. You know that scene in “Twilight” where Robert Pattinson...

January 31st, 2010 | Read More

Missing Person (2009) Movie Review

“Missing Person” is another slice of quality Korean independent cinema, which was written, produced, and directed by debut helmer Lee Seo, who previously worked as an assistant on Jeong Yun Cheol’s “Marathon”. A dark, disturbing and all too believable drama, the film takes a very bleak...

January 24th, 2010 | Read More

Possessed (aka Living Death, 2009) Movie Review

Korea has been churning out notably fewer horror films over the last year or so, perhaps as a result of film makers having finally exhausted their stock of stories about vengeful long haired female ghosts. Certainly, with “Possessed”, first time director Lee Yong Joo (who previously worked as an...

January 20th, 2010 | Read More

Haeundae: The Deadly Tsunami (aka Tidal Wave, 2009) Movie Review

Proving that its not only Hollywood that can produce big budget, topically themed disaster epics is the Korean “Haeundae”, which depicts the country being struck by an improbably large tsunami while an ensemble cast of famous faces struggle to keep their heads above water. The film was directed by...

January 18th, 2010 | Read More

Thirst (2009) Movie Review

Park Chan Wook, Korean director of two of the biggest cult hits in recent Asian cinema with “Sympathy for Mr Vengeance” and “Old Boy”, caused a great deal of excitement on announcing that his next project was to be a fresh take on the time honoured vampire tale – not least as it seemed to promise...

January 12th, 2010 | Read More

Boat (2009) Movie Review

“Boat” is a Korean Japanese co-production charting the experiences and cross cultural friendship of a couple of smugglers, and was directed by Kim Young Nam, whose indie feature “Don’t Look Back” won awards back in 2006. The film is certainly a pan-Asian affair, with a script by Japanese...

December 6th, 2009 | Read More

A Million (2009) Movie Review

Taking its inspiration from the reality television survival shows that continue to be popular across the world, “A Million” notches things up by putting its characters in real danger as they compete for the titular sum – though there seems to be some number confusion, as the DVD box art refers...

December 6th, 2009 | Read More

Chaw (2009) Movie Review

The monster movie returns to Korean screens in the unlikely form of a giant killer pig with “Chaw”, directed by Shin Jung Won. Perhaps unsurprisingly, rather than taking itself seriously the film aims for a mixture of laughs and scares, something which Shin had dabbled with previously to some success...

November 29th, 2009 | Read More

Thirsty, Thirsty (2008) Movie Review

“Thirsty, Thirsty” is a Korean independent production which marks the directorial debut of Hong Hyun Ki, who had previously worked as an assistant to Lee Chang Dong on the superb “Oasis” and “Peppermint Candy”. Balancing humour, humanity and bittersweet realism, the film earns extra points...

November 24th, 2009 | Read More

4th Period Mystery (2009) Movie Review

Since the release of “Whispering Corridors” over a decade ago, high schools have been fertile ground for suspense in Korean cinema, as director Lee Sang Yong again shows with “4th Period Mystery”. The film’s alternate title, “Detectives in 40 Minutes” gives a pretty good indication of its...

November 24th, 2009 | Read More

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