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1987 (2017)
The greatest cinematic depiction of modern Korean history
For the past decade, South Korea has steadily presented motion pictures based on real life figures and events in its modern history. May 18 (2007) and National Security (2012) were solid movies, well-intended and meaningful, but generally deemed too serious to reach a large audience. A Taxi Driver (2017) was a huge commercial success, grossing $88 mil/12 mil admissions in the domestic box office. Still, many regretted that the movie left something to be desired in terms of cinematic quality.
And here at the end of the year that commemorates the 30 years of the June Democratic Uprising came a motion picture that delivers both an accurate account of history and ample entertainment value. Despite a complex plot with a large ensemble cast (K-movie fans will have a blast recognizing those faces!), the movie never loses its focus--not a single scene redundant or wasted. Opening with a death of a college student during a police interrogation, the movie spends the first half of its running time as a well-crafted political/crime thriller. Then more characters appear and more things happen...which all culminates in that fateful day in June 1987.
To those that are not familiar with contemporary Korean history, the plot may seem contrived. But almost all speaking roles in this move are based on real life figures, with their motives and actions intact, which I believe makes the whole story even more astonishing.
E. H. Carr defined that history is an unending dialogue between the past and present. I would say that this movie is a superb example of how a motion picture can facilitate such a dialogue.
10/10
Oechul (2005)
Hur Jin-ho film overshadowed by 'Yon-sama'
With only two feature films, director Hur Jin-ho has won quite a huge following in Korea. Slow and quiet, his characters and stories gently let us the audience take a good look into the "things" of ordinary life. Actors and actresses in his films, no matter what level of movie-star status they may enjoy in the showbiz world, get to look and sound like your next-door neighbors in Hur's films...until this one.
Mr Bae Yong-jun or 'Yon-sama' as they call in Japan these days, should probably be a good actor, capable of leading an average romance movie. Unfortunately, however, his 'larger-than-life' fame as 'Yon-sama' makes it almost impossible for me (at least) to empathize with the character he plays, which is supposed to be an ordinary man going through a life's ordeal in this movie. I couldn't help feeling very sorry about the casting choice they had to make. Throughout the movie, I kept wondering what if such and such played this role (anyone else would have been better for that matter). What I expected to see was a Hur Jin-ho film but alas...'Yon-sama' overshadows it way too much.
Maid in Manhattan (2002)
Could have been better with some chemistry
Just as I suspected when I first heard about the project, Ralph Fiennes is NOT cut out for romantic-comedies...No matter what he does, he's just not funny. And to make matters worse in this case, the movie doesn't give enough room for its leading male character to develop since he appears so little! I like Jennifer Lopez (as an actress) but still I think there should be some balance between leading female and male characters in screen time, character development, etc. And PLEASE let there be some chemistry between them! My imagination is not limitless...Overall, a good rom-com.
Musa (2001)
What it takes to be a real warrior...
Director Sung-su Kim once said that he got this vision of a tall, lean man with a long spear, standing alone on a vast field. It was years ago, even long before his first box-office hit 'Beat (1997)' was made, and it seems that he has worked a LOT to develop that one image into this epic called 'Musa (2001)';.
'Musa' is a Korean word based on Chinese characters, meaning 'warrior', 'soldier', or 'knight' as opposed to 'literary man'. However, those who are familiar with Chinese martial art films would know, Korea also has a long tradition of considering a 'musa' as a man who is not only good at fight using his favorite weapon but also knows and understands what it takes to be a real warrior - loyalty, honor, fairness... are integral parts of a genuine musa.
Some friends of mine told me this movie reminded them of films by Kurosawa, John Ford, David Lean and even Wong Kar-wai. It's true that it has all those aspects plus some tragic Korean beauties, all very well photographed and edited into a wide screen. I think this is basically a war epic, full of wonderfully staged battles and breath-takingly choreographed sword/spear/arrow fights. Superb performances by Sung-kee Ahn (the most renowned Korean actor), Rongguang Yu (terrific as a last general of the falling Yuan Dynasty), Ziyi Zhang (in another role of a arrogant young lady who learns the true meaning of sacrifice) and last but not least, Woo-sung Jung (YES, I'm a huge fan of his!) as a main protagonist.
Check this out if you have a chance. It's a bit long (158 m) but worth seeing!
Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
We're not worthy...we're not worthy...
I just saw them in person here in Seoul!!! Hurray!!!
Well, the moment I pressed the PLAY button on my VCR with BVSC tape inside, I fell in love with all those wonderful Cuban senior citizens.
Their hopes & dreams, sorrows & despairs, pasts & futures are all beautifully mingled into their music. I loved them in the movie, loved them on stage last night and will love them forever on CDs...
This documentary by world-famous German director Wim Wenders is very well put together. I liked it very much when he shows musicians playing their songs to a couple of musical instruments in the recording studio or in their room, and then suddenly on the stage with a full-scale band surrounded by thousands of fans.
Whether you know BVSC just from CDs or the concerts, this wonderful film is a must-see to fulfill your Cuban nostalgia.
Wo hu cang long (2000)
Absolutely beautiful piece...a must see!
I've seen quite a few Chinese martial art/sword-fighting movies before but none like this one ever! Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is something very different, unique & breath-takingly beautiful.
Even if you're not interested in all those scenic beauties of China, wonderfully composed & played scores, great acting from talented Chinese actors, or a meaningful ending, you'll definitely find the skillfully & artfully constructed fighting sequences absolutely beautiful!!! (Forgive my countless adverbs...just can't help it)
Relax and watch this film. Human movements can be this graceful with swords sometime.
Areumdawoon sheejul (1998)
One of the most beautiful films ever made in Korea!
Korean War can be an out-of-date topic for most Koreans by now, especially for younger generations. The story of two boys during those hard years sounds quite familiar, even somewhat boring. However, when this story is portrayed in such a masterful way, it suddenly gets whole new aspects! Filmed at remote country villages, the movie shows stunning beauties of Korea's four different seasons. And only through this breath-taking scenery, the theme itself obtains its deepness. It's just unforgettable!