A struggling artist and a fraudulent writer collaborate on an adult comic book. Live action and graphic novel imagery combine within this genuinely funny and warmly romantic tale to ensure that Petty Romance both touches the heart and tickles the funny bone throughout, though not necessarily in that order [Read More]
Hangul Celluloid Korean film reviews (page 12)
Remember O Goddess (나를 잊지 말아요, 2011) review: lost in the city
Every now and then, a film comes along that from the very outset resolutely, and effortlessly, reminds you of the reasons you fell in love with Korean Cinema in the first place. Yoon-jung Lee’s short film Remember O Goddess (later remade as feature-length Remember You) is one such film… [Read More]
Sakwa (사과, 2008) review: love, deception and the weight of regret
A relationship drama shaped by small lies that grow into emotional rupture; a constantly twisting plot detailing one woman’s shifting romances, and the intricacies of human deceit, betrayal, social pressure, anger and regret. Sakwa is an astounding film, and there’s no deception whatsoever in that statement… [Read More]
Scars (흉터, 2011) review: trauma, identity, and the quiet struggle for selfhood
A dark, in-depth, nuanced dissection of the wounds that make us who we are and the resultant scars that prevent us from becoming the people we want to be, Scars grippingly details one woman’s journey of self-discovery and is guaranteed to leave viewers with thoughts of the scars that have affected their own lives. [Read More]
Sunny (써니, 2011) review: “it’s okay to cry”
In Sunny, director Kang Hyeong-cheol brings a freshness and vitality to a storyline that could easily have been clichéd and predictable. While it could never be considered deep, Sunny never tries to be, and instead successfully concentrates its efforts on mixing genuinely funny humour with truly moving drama, within an altogether engaging tale. [Read More]
The Chaser (추격자, 2008) review: relentless pursuit in a brutal serial killer thriller
An ex-cop turned pimp races to save a woman from a confessed serial killer before police incompetence sets him free. If Old Boy and Memories of Murder had an illegitimate love child it would be The Chaser. That said, the plot still grippingly supplants expectations. [Read More]
Yellow Hair (노랑머리, 1999) review – controversy, desire and rebellion
While Yellow Hair could never be described as subtle, and though its narrative depth is less involved than it could perhaps have been, this dark and twisted tale is nonetheless far more worthy of merit and discussion than the description “adult thriller” would suggest… [Read More]
Double Agent (이중간첩, 2003) review: loyalty, ideology and the cost of devotion
Set against Cold War tensions between North and South Korea, Double Agent examines absolute ideological loyalty, personal sacrifice and betrayal. Though flawed, Double Agent resolutely shows that it doesn’t need CGI pyrotechnics or secret agent gadgets to be an engaging spy thriller throughout. [Read More]
The Fox with Nine Tails (구미호, 1994) review: gumiho folklore meets modern melodrama
With the age-old Korean folklore of a fox spirit attempting to become human at its core, The Fox with Nine Tails merges fantasy, horror, romance and melodrama to create a tale with a moral worthy of the legend on which it’s based. Also notable as the first Korean feature to use CGI. [Read More]
The Yellow Sea (황해, 2010) review: Na Hong-jin’s visceral tale of desperation and chaos
The Yellow Sea is a fast-paced, violent and bloody rollercoaster ride which details its numerous narrative threads in such a heart-pounding manner that it virtually guarantees audiences will be left exhilarated and perhaps even breathless… [Read More]
The Trip (여행, 2009) review: three lives at a crossroads on Jeju Island
Set on Jeju Island, The Trip weaves three interconnected stories of love, loss and self-discovery. From tentative first love, to a daughter seeking her absent mother, to a woman reclaiming her identity, the film explores life’s turning points across generations against a striking natural backdrop. [Read More]
71 Into the Fire (포화 속으로, 2010) review: courage, sacrifice and the cost of war
Based on a true story, ’71 – Into The Fire’ tells its tale with gusto throughout, using breathtaking visuals within epic battle scenes to show the chaos and carnage of war and the ultimate price it demands, albeit in a slightly predictable manner in places. [Read More]
Natali (나탈리, 2010) review: a failed experiment in 3D eroticism
If you’re in need of a film with an engaging, heartfelt storyline, then watch an insightful drama; if you’re looking for a sex film, watch a sex film. Despite its marketing, Natali fits into neither of these categories, and the most positive thing that can be said is that it’s in 3D. [Read More]
Sad Movie (새드무비, 2005) review: when heartbreak becomes overkill
Interweaving four relationships with richly drawn characters and strong performances that invite empathy, Sad Movie initially succeeds as an engaging romantic drama with genuinely funny comedic elements, but ultimately pushes too many heartbreaks too far. [Read More]
Poetry (시, 2010) review: memory, moral awakening and the search for beauty
Poetry is the story of one woman’s search for meaning, beauty and expression in a life peppered with pain and long lost dreams. By the time the credits roll, viewers will have witnessed an utterly unforgettable, gentle yet gripping and poetic story which is equally as uplifting as it is poignant. In short, life is Poetry. [Read More]
The Servant (방자전, 2010) review: a Joseon-era love triangle with echoes of Untold Scandal
Billed as an “erotic rom-com”, The Servant serves its purpose as a sensual and funny romance relatively well, but character depth and audience empathy suffer as the myriad of layers begin to build, and even the sumptuous visuals cannot rescue The Servant from ultimately failing to live up to its early promise… [Read More]