Blog Archives

The Ghost (2004)

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Posted on March 11, 2007 by Ben Jennings

The Ghost, also known in English speaking parts as Dead Friend (its Korean title is Ryeong) isn’t just unimaginative in title: it’s an arrestingly shameless combination of Ring and Dark Water, with a cheesy M. Night Shyamalan ending tacked on for good measure. The “references” to Ring in particular are as unsubtle as the ones in Scary Movie except it seems to be played straight. You almost have to admire that.

You also have to admire that … (read more)

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Foul King (2000)

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Posted on March 11, 2007 by Alison

How many Korean wrestling movies have you seen? If the answer was “none”, then you’ll have to do something about that. The Foul King is easily the best Korean wrestling movie I’ve seen, and I say that with confidence.

For those who doubt, let me try to convince you. First of all, we’ve got Song Kang Ho in the lead role, as a bank clerk who’s bullied by his boss and can’t bring himself to talk to the girl of … (read more)

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Duelist (2005)

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Posted on March 4, 2007 by Alison

It’s rare to see a film that fetishises the male lead as this one does. Plenty of films do it for the female lead, by giving her lighting and camera angles that make her more alluring, or writing a character free of flaws yet still intriguing. But this time, it’s the man: an assassin known only as “Sad Eyes”.

This might sound odd, but if you watch the film you’ll see what I mean. A mysterious character clad all in … (read more)

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Blood Rain (2005)

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Posted on March 3, 2007 by Deni

Blood Rain was introduced at the Brisbane International Film Festival as a cross-genre film, and it turned out to be an accurate assessment. A little bit period film, a little bit classic detective thriller, a little bit slasher film, a little bit rock and roll. Okay, not so much with the rock and roll (unless you count the numerous and nasty ways people die), but this mix bag of genres is far from confused, taking features from each and making … (read more)

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Arahan (2004)

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Posted on March 3, 2007 by Alison

If you like movies with secret masters, ancient villains, fearsome fu-skills, and buckets of butt-kicking action, then look no further: Arahan is here.

The film opens with five of the Seven Masters, bemoaning the fact that they’ve got no new disciples to learn the hidden arts. You can tell the tone of the movie immediately: several of the Masters are wearing daggy tracky dacks, and one smokes continuously. This movie does not take itself too seriously.

When we meet the … (read more)

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Full House (2004)

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Posted on September 23, 2006 by Christian

Figuratively riding the “Korea Wave” (or Hallyu) that saw a dramatic rise with the hit TV drama Winter Sonata in 2002, Full House is another Korean TV drama that became a major hit throughout Asia. Its success also launched the acting and singing career of Jung Ji-hoon, better known under his musical stage name of Rain (or “Bi” in Korean), whose immense popularity has seen him to be included in Time Magazine’s Top 100 list of Most Influential People … (read more)

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A Moment To Remember (2004)

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Posted on July 24, 2006 by Alison

This is one for the girls, and no mistake. If you don’t end up sobbing like a baby some way through the film, then you’re a better man than I. Err, make that “a better woman”. This is a quintessential weepie romance, with all the necessary attributes.

First up, Su-jin is a little unsure of herself, and slightly dippy. That makes her a perfect romantic heroine, since the audience (ie women) can see themselves in her. Son plays her role … (read more)

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Sad Movie (2005)

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Posted on June 4, 2006 by Ben Jennings

Don’t say the title didn’t warn you. Provided you are willing to give yourself over to this shamelessly manipulative fluff, you’re in for a very emotional experience indeed. But, surprisingly, even if you’re too cynical to take it seriously (and for that you wouldn’t need to be very cynical at all, to be honest) there’s still much to love about Sad Movie.

I’ve heard once or twice from individuals better travelled than I that Koreans are the best looking … (read more)

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