Il Mare 시월애 Year: 2000 Director: Lee Hyun-seung Writer: Yeo Ji-na, Kim Eun-jung, Kim Mi-yeong, Won Tae-yeon Starring: Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae Running Time: 96 mins Country: South Korea
Il Mare is the Italian translation for "The Sea" which is the name of a beautiful house which both protagonists live in but tragically they are separated by two years in time.
Eun-joo (Jun Ji-hyun) moves out of her house "Il Mare" on the lead up to Christmas in 1999. She leaves a Christmas card in her mailbox for the future owner, asking them to forward any of her mail to her new address in the city. Sung-hyun (Lee Jung-jae) is the original owner of "Il Mare", he moves into the house in 1997 and discovers the Christmas card in his mailbox from Eun-joo, it is signed with the date 1999, Believing it to be a joke, Sung-hyun writes her back telling her so and reminds her that it's actually 1997. The two eventually realise that they live in the same house but are separated by two years of time, after discovering that they can communicate through the mailbox, they start to bond through the letters they send each other.
Jun Ji-hyun has superstar written all over her in this performance but she actually didn't become a megastar until a year later with the release of My Sassy Girl. Il Mare surprisingly did poorly at the box office but later developed a big following among Korean film fans after the home release and Jun Ji-hyun's popularity explosion. It's now regarded as a bit of a classic! Lee Jung-jae and Jun have great chemistry even though they hardly spend any screen-time together. You really believe in both characters and root for them to overcome their obstacles to meet and be together.
Il Mare is a stunning film with exceptional cinematography and stunning locations. The beach and the house sets are breathtaking and inspiring. It really makes you want to live in a location similar to this. The locations for the film were Ganghwa Island's Sukmodo and Jeju Island's Udo, I'm not sure if these are popular locations for movie-fans to visit, but if they aren't then they should be.
The beach setting and calm pacing, topped with a beautifully relaxing piano musical score give the film a tranquil feeling and peaceful vibe. The story and subplots also develop organically at a slower pace which allows viewers the time to piece together clues and absorb every little detail. That being said, the story involving two different timelines can be puzzling at times and a second watch really does the plot justice!
For fans of modern Korean dramas, there is plenty to keep you entertained and plenty of familiarities. The story has many dramatic moments and tears will be shed. Il Mare has similar beats, ideas, acting and pacing. It also has an engaging plot from beginning to end which will keep you emotionally invested.
In 2006 Hollywood attempted a remake of Il Mare titled The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. It really doesn't come close to the original, especially by simplifying the ending. Avoid it and seek out the far superior original!
Back in 2013, I wrote an article highlighting 3 of my favorite Asian Christmas films from Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. After rewatching
more this year, I figured a follow up was due with 3 more of my
favourites! So sit down in front of the TV with your family, grab a
Christmas KFC and some mulled wine and let the holiday festivities
begin.
すべては君に逢えたから It All Began When I Met You Year: 2013 Director: Katsuhide Motoki Writer: Atsuko Hashibe Cast: Hiroshi Tamaki, Rin Takanashi, Fumino Kimura, Masahiro Higashide, Tsubasa Honda, Miwako Ichikawa, Saburo Tokito, Nene Otsuka, Nenji Kobayashi and Chieko Baisho Running time: 106 minutes Country: Japan
In 2013 Japan released their Love Actually inspired romantic Christmas film. Following 6 different semi-interlinking stories focusing on 10 different characters in the lead up to Christmas. The film revolves around the location of the magnificent Tokyo Station which was used in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
The characters and their stories feature a wide range of diversity. A train driver has received the news that his illness has left him with only 6 months left to live and he is faced with the difficult decision of telling his son. A long-distance relationship between a fashion designer in Tokyo and a construction worker in Sendai is facing some real tough issues. Will they be able to resolve their schedules and meet each other for Christmas? A miserable company president with severe trust issues meets a woman at a restaurant in Tokyo Station. He believes all women are only after his money but that accusation doesn't sit well with the woman. A 7-year-old girl who lives at an orphanage hopes and prays that her mum will come back to pick her up for Christmas. The owner of a cake shop at Tokyo Station is reminded of a promise she made to her partner 49 years ago while she watches one of her part-time workers nervously try to approach her crush.
The romantic element of "It All Began When I met You" is actually more suited for the Japan setting than it is for the British setting of Love Actually. In Japan, Christmas not being a national holiday, is actually more about couples and dates than it is about family. Many singles desperately try and find someone they can date and spend Christmas with.
While the film may play out like a romantic comedy. The film is actually far from it. Some of the stories are sad and others are downright tragic. Plus some of the "love" stories feature some characters acting like jerks. Some of the stories don't quite touch the heart as much as they should, but still does a fair job of feeling Christmassy and some of the stories shine on their own!
A solid Christmas film with great performances and a beautiful setting. You will laugh, you will cry and probably cry again.
타워 The Tower Year: 2012 Director: Kim Ji-hoon Writers: Kim Sang-don, Heo Jun-seok Cast: Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Sang-kyung, Son Ye-jin Running time: 121 minutes Country: South Korea
2012 saw the release of the surprise Christmas disaster film, The Tower, inspired by The Towering Inferno(1974). Set on Christmas Eve in Seoul and released on Christmas Eve across South Korea on Christmas Day. It's not exactly your everyday standard festive film, think of this one as more of a Die Hard or Batman Returns.
It's Christmas Eve at Tower Sky, a luxury twin-skyscraper in central Seoul as the staff and president prepare for a massive Christmas party. Dae-ho the maintenance manager has a crush on the restaurant manager Yoon-hee, which often causes him to screw up in her presence. Dae-ho's daughter arrives for the Christmas party, but he has to leave her in the care of Yoon-hee as he is forced to deal with security issues including a faulty sprinkler system. While everyone is enjoying the party, the Sky Tower manager dazzles the guests with fake snow being dropped from above from hired helicopters. However, strong winds cause serious disaster as one of the helicopters loses control and crashes into one of the towers. Raging fires soon begin to spread across the building, engulfing floor by floor. Veteran firefighter Young-ki leads the fire department to the scene to try and stop the disaster.
The Tower is easily one of the best disaster films in years. While most disaster films struggle to hold the viewer's attention in the opening act while they patiently wait for the action and chaos to start, The Tower manages to be entertaining from the very start. All of the characters are intriguing and their stories as captivating as you try to suss out who will become the heroes and who will be the victims. The pacing is frantic with none of the acts really dragging out or leaving you bored.
For being a lower budget film than Hollywood counterparts, all of the visual and special effects are brilliant. The scenes with the fire spreading are genuinely scary as are the exploding flames. The film often leaves you feeling on edge and tense and almost claustrophobic as the fire surrounds all the poor guests.
The film definitely has it's Christmas moments. From the party setting, to the Christmas music to the family drama and romance. The first half hour introduces you to the characters and makes you care for them. The next hour and a half is an adrenaline rush and those characters you now care about trying to survive. If you are looking for a 2 hour no-nonsense gripping thrill-ride this Christmas then this one is for you.
MIRACLE デビクロくんの恋と魔法 Miracle: Devil Claus' Love and Magic Year: 2014 Director: Isshin Inudo Writers: Kou Nakamura (novel), Tomoe Kanno Cast: Masaki Aiba, Nana Eikura, Han Hyo-Joo, Toma Ikuta, Hitori Gekidan Running time: 115 minutes Country: Japan
The most original film on the list is easily Miracle: Devil Claus. Not being based on or inspired by another movie but based on an original Japanese novel, this makes Miracle feel all the more uniquely Japanese.
A bookshop worker Hikari(Masaki Aiba) is extremely kind and reserved, not really getting himself out there, his kindness often makes him look pathetic to others. Hikari dreams of becoming a successful manga artist and he spends his free time spreading mysterious flyers called "Debikuro Communication" around the city. He meets a girl one cold winter night that he immediately falls for. Anna(Nana Eikura) has been Hikari's best friend ever since they were children but she secretly wants more from him. It turns out she works with the girl that had the chance encounter with Hikari, a successful lighting designer So-Young(Han Hyo-Joo). Meanwhile, Kitayama(Toma Ikuta) who was friends with Hikari is back in town, he is now a popular manga writer and his life is just about to cross with Hikari once again.
The Devil Claus from the title is actually a fictional character that Hikari creates for one of his manga comics. The character pops up from time-to-time as an animated cartoon character in a real-world setting, looking like a similar effect to Roger Rabbit. It is only Hikari that can see him like an imaginary friend, offering wisdom and often added to scenes for great comic effect.
While not being as cliche as you might first think, it is still a somewhat familiar story of misunderstood love and finding your way, set to the backdrop of Christmas. The story has just enough Christmas and romance to be in that genre without becoming to sickly-sweet. Pretty predictable from start to finish, it never pretends to be anything more than a fun Christmas drama. This is one that will certainly leave you feeling in the Christmas spirit and maybe even hoping for a Christmas miracle. 7/10
So there we have it. Another Christmas is nearly upon us. But there is still some time to sit down with a few festive films and get into the spirit of the holidays.
Han Gong-Ju 한공주 Year: 2013 Director: Lee Su-jin Writer: Lee Su-jin Cast: Chun Woo-hee, Jung In-sun, Kim So-young Running Time: 112 minutes Country: South Korea
Lee Su-jin directs a powerful and brave coming-of-age story based on real life events of an infamous crime that happened in Miryang, South Korea.
17 year old girl Han Gong-ju is forced to change schools after being involved in a scandalous incident. Her previous school teacher takes it upon himself to help her out by arranging a place for her to hide out, in his mother's home. After starting a new school, Han Gong-ju tries to move on from the incident while keeping to herself but when her new friend Eun-hee discovers that she is a talented singer, she records her and uploads it to the internet on a fansite. Just as Gong-ju's life is starting to come together, her past begins to catch up.
Surprisingly Lee Su-jin tackled such a controversial subject for his directorial debut while also serving as the screen-writer. It proved to be a rewarding choice as the film went on to win numerous top awards around the festival circuit including the Tiger Award at the 2014 International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Golden Star at the 2013 Marrakech International Film Festival and Best New Director and Best Actress at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards.
The story is told through a non-conventional narrative and plot structure. Jumping subtly between past and present, it often catches you off guard before you realise what time frame the story is currently in. This adds to the viewers confusion as the mystery starts to unfold leaving you desperate and anxious to know what transpired. The storytelling and pacing is handled expertly as the film reaches it's nail-biting conclusion. With each new flashback, the horrifying incident gets more and more shocking as the viewer discovers exactly what occurred. Although these scenes can be hard to watch, credit to director Lee Su-jin, he never delves in to shock tactics to get a reaction.
Chun Woo-hee at the age of 26 plays a character ten years her junior with finesse and believability. Starring as the traumatised teen she delivers a subtle, yet often highly emotional and convincing performance which encourages you to root for the character as she tries to adjust and move on with her life. Chun Woo-hee's award winning performance would probably net her an Oscar nomination if this was a Hollywood picture.
The story is helped along with some humour and beautiful music and although the film is very dark, it still often feels upbeat. Gong-ju takes up trying to learn to swim once she moves school which adds some light-hearted comic relief moments. As does her new friendship with Eun-hee, which is sweet and adds some much needed charm to the film. Overall the film and story is bold and powerful, and even though it can be a hard watch, it deserves to be seen.
Hang Gong-Ju is a low budget film which went on to receive critical acclaim and break box office records in South Korea for an independent release. The films also elevated two new stars in the lead actress and director who are certainly people you should keep a close eye on.
Windstruck 내 여자친구를 소개합니다 Year: 2004 Director: Kwak Jae-yong Writer: Kwak Jae-yong Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Jang Hyuk Running Time: 123 minutes Country: South Korea
Windstruck is a Korean Rom-com/Drama that's a spiritual companion piece to My Sassy Girl, featuring the same lead actress and same director. In it's own right, this is still a very good film.
Myung Woo(Jang Hyuk) is a mild-mannered teacher who gets mistaken for a purse snatcher while chasing after the real culprit. An off duty tough as nails police officer Gyeong Jin(Jun Ji-hyun) ends up catching and arresting him to his suprise.
Although this hilarious case of mistaken identity is eventually sorted out, Myung Woo has to return to the police station only a few days later in order to carry out some "community service" by accompanying a police officer while he walks his day-to-day beat. However, Myung Woo is shocked to learn that he's going to be following Gyeong Jin! After spending the entire night handcuffed to his sexy, but dangerous partner as she chases down no-good criminals, Myung Woo begins to discover that he's falling for the brassy, and yet, sassy law enforcement agent!
Windstruck is definitely a film of two halves. The first hour is so entertaining and laugh out loud funny. It's directed so well, that even though many scenes are rom-com cliches the hour passes so quickly that you want the story to just continue you like this, although deep down you know that it can't. Jun Ji-hyun(My Sassy Girl) is brilliant in the lead as usual. Maybe a bit of a stereotypical character for her to play, but she plays the part of the sassy girlfriend so convincingly. She also really gets to exercise her acting chops with some heavy emotional scenes and even a bit of action! Jang Hyuk(Volcano High) is perfectly fine as the love interest in this story. His facial expressions and mannerisms are a little over the top, but they are extremely funny and charming and add to his dim-witted likability.
However, the second hour marks some drastic changes to the film as the whole story gets flipped upside down. Gone are the light hearted comedy and fun montages and instead we get some heavy melodrama and scenes that will deliberatley tug at your heart strings until you almost feel like you can't take it anymore. The second half is still great, although the change of pacing and direction can be quite jarring. The film also goes in to genre-busting territory as we end up with some quite dark action scenes as the police are involved in some bloody shoot outs with criminals. These scenes might seem out of place for a Rom-Com but I actually found it quite refreshing, especially to split up all the tears and dramatics. The second hour doesn't flow as well as the first, and certain scenes feel like they could have been omitted to help the story flow more organically.
A real highlight of Windstruck in the stunning soundtrack. Whoever chose the music for this film deserves big praise. The use of the classic song Stay by Maurice Williams is used very effectively in a few scenes that will melt your heart and make you fall in love with the characters. There is a sweet cover of Knockin' On Heaven's Door by Youme which sets up the whole film. The use of X Japan - Tears is so perfectly placed it almost feels like it was written for this scene. Another brilliant song on the OST is BK Love by MC Sniper, no idea what the song or lyrics are about because it's Korean rap, but the style, the beat and flow fits perfectly with some of the later darker scenes.
All in all, problems aside, Windstruck is a very good film. Ultimately it doesn't live up to My Sassy Girl, but then again, how many films can? It deserves to be watched and admired in it's own right. But if you are a superfan of My Sassy Girl there are many connections, scenes and easter eggs relating to it. One scene in particular caught me off guard on my first viewing, and it nearly broke me. If you try hard enough, and ignore the plot holes it would create, you could almost link Windstruck and My Sassy Girl together, which is a fun and rewarding task.
This film is definitely worth a watch, especially for fans of Korean romantic dramas
A Better Tomorrow 무적자 Year: 2010 Director: Song Hae-sung Writers:Kim Hyo-seok, Lee Taek-gyeong, Choi Geun-mo, Kim Hae-gon Cast: Joo Jin-mo, Song Seung-heon, Kim Kang-woo, Jo Han-sun Running Time: 124 minutes Country: South Korea
This South Korean remake of the original Hong Kong classic is a dramatic action thriller which sadly lacks the charm of the John Woo original.
A Better Tomorrow tells the story of Hyuk (Jin-mo), who lives the fast life as a high-ranking mobster in Busan, South Korea with his closest pal, fellow mobster Lee Young-Chun (Seung-heon). Hyuk is haunted by the memory of leaving behind his younger brother Chul (Kang-woo) and mother as they attempted to flee into South Korea from North Korea. In a set-up, Hyuk by the police and jailed. Three years later, he is released and travels back to Busan to find his younger brother Chul now a high-ranking police officer. Hyuk tries to earn back the trust of his brother, but rejection and betrayal are hard to forget. Things come to a head when Young-Chun pulls Hyuk into doing one last gig. It happen to be the case that Officer Chul is in charge of, and the three brothers meet again one final time.
The first thing you'll notice about this film is how great it looks. The remake is very aesthetically pleasing, with stunning cinematography and exciting locations. In terms of Korean budgets, it looks very well accomplished and a big step up from the original which was produced with a very tight budget.
While it's not a direct shot-for-shot remake, the story still focuses on the themes of loyalty and brotherhood. The theme of 'heroic bloodshed' is still there. But as it's Korean there is a lot more emphasis on the dramatics, even during the wild action scenes. There is actually too much emphasis on the drama without any of the fun and laughs of the original, which helped balance out a violent and somber tale.
To keep the storyline feeling fresh, the writers have changed some elements and plot points and also added in many Korean traits. Most of which works in it's favour. The brothers now have an origin of being North Korean defectors who fled to South Korea for a better life, and in turn, got wrapped up in the world of gangsters. Another plot point which helped the story progress was rather than being counterfeiters like in the original, they now work as arm traffickers. While this doesn't make the characters any more likeable or relatable, it does explain why they have easy access to guns for the shoot outs... and believe me, there are an abundance of guns to go around.
The shoot-outs are all filmed extremely well and the choreography is great. The action is fast paced and relentless. And the hits are violent and bloody. It's everything you really want, only with a bit too much drama sometimes placed in the middle of them, especially in the lead up to the finale when it crosses over in to melodrama territory.
Each of the main actors did a fine job in their roles. But a big issue is that none of them really stood out or seemed that different from each other. They were all a bit samey. Except of course, Lee Young-choon. He really is a bad-ass character and comes across as tough as nails. Easily the coolest character in the film, but unfortunately he doesn't have the charisma of Chow Yun-fat's Brother Mark. There is a plenty of exposition and character development throughout but you really don't start to care for characters until around the final third of the film, and by then, it's almost too late. But what a bloody exciting finale!
In it's own right, A Better Tomorrow 2010 is a decent enough film. It doesn't ever feel like a waste of time watching it. But the problem is, there are better Korean action films already out there, like The Man From Nowhere and A Bittersweet Life. And, it doesn't have to compete with just them, it also has to match up to the original. Which is ultimately fails at equaling.
2016 has been a brilliant year for Asian Cinema with big hits coming from everywhere! Records have been shattered and some of films have went on to become international hits! South Korea had an extremely strong year and have actually dominated this top 10 list.
As always, there are many films from 2016 I haven't had a chance to check out, because of release schedules many wont be out till later this year in the UK... if at all!
China kicked off a great year of Asian Cinema with the wildly original and at times completely bonkers fantasy romantic comedy The Mermaid.
Shan, a mermaid, is sent to assassinate Xuan, a developer who threatens the ecosystem of her race, but ends up falling in love with him instead.
Directed by Stephen Chow, The Mermaid was always going to guarantee laughs but I don't think anyone expected it to turn out as hilarious as it was.
Laughing it's way to bank, The Mermaid went on to become the highest grossing Chinese film of all time!
Read my full review here.
Surprise hit from Korea is disaster movie The Tunnel. Directed by Kim Seong-hun(A Hard Day - 2014) and starring Ha Jung-woo(Berlin File/Yellow Sea) and Bae Doo-na(The Host/Sympathy For Mr Vengeance)
Lee Jung-soo (Ha Jung-woo) drives home for his daughter's birthday. While driving through a tunnel that goes through a mountain, the unthinkable happens. The tunnel collapses. When Lee Jung-Soo regains consciousness, he finds himself trapped inside his car. The car itself is buried under tons of concrete and debris. All he has inside the car are his cellphone, two bottles of water and his daughter's birthday cake. He forms a kind of special bond with the head of the rescue team, Dae-kyung, who teaches him how to survive in the tunnel.
What makes The Tunnel so gripping is rather than using the tried and tested formula of character development and story until about midway when the disaster hits, directed Kim Seong-hun has the disaster happen very early on, then we get to know and understand the character as he tries to survive. The film falls heavily on Ha Jung-woo as the films 2 hour running time is mainly focused on him being trapped underground in a car, luckily his strong performance anchors it. Throw in some social commentary undertones about politicians trying to make themselves look good and large companies and media running the country and you have a very interesting disaster film.
8. Lowlife Love (Japan)(IMDb 6.5 - Rotten Tomatoes NA)
Lowlife Love in an independent Japanese film which also happens to be the debut production for UK Asian cinema distributor Third Window Films and directed by Eiji Uchida (Greatful Dead)
Tetsuo is a lowlife. As a film director, he had an indie hit many years back, but refuses to go against his artistic integrity. One day, two new students come to his school: Minami, a naive girl from the countryside who wants to be an actress, and Ken, a scriptwriter. Tetsuo thinks Minami could be a real star, and Ken has a brilliant script that could relaunch his career as a director. With the help of an unsavory film producer, they strive to turn this project into something tangible, but Minami's ability starts to impress others, and Tetsuo's world soon falls apart.
A brilliant tale exploring the dark seedy side of low budget film making in Japan and the 'lowlifes' involved. A great cast with many familair faces popping up that Third Window Films fans will recognise. Kiyohiko Shibukawa shines as Tetsuo, playing a mixture of admirable and a complete sleezeball. Although unfamiliar with her previous work Maya Okano is breathtaking as the innocent Minami and gives off a great sense of vulnerability. An incredibly fun yet also disturbing picture.
Trivisa is an excellent example of the classic Hong Kong cinema of yesteryear and gives you hope that the future of Hong Kong cinema could return to what it once was.
In early 1997, mobsters Kwai Ching-hung, Yip Kwok-foon and Cheuk Tze-keung, whom have never met one another, known in the underworld as the "Three Kings of Thieves", are plotting together to score a final hit before the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. However, none are initially aware of the rumour. Yip is living as a fugitive after a gunfight with the Royal Hong Kong Police. He now makes his fortunes by smuggling counterfeit electronics. Kwai is very cautious and uses several pseudonyms to hide his identity. Although the scale of his crimes is nowhere as large as Yip's and Cheuk's, but he has managed to commit repeated robberies that are totally unknown to the police. Cheuk has recently abducted the son of a rich tycoon and successfully extorted a ransom, all while under police surveillance. Wanting to raise the bar for himself, he hears about the rumour and becomes obsessed with the idea, going to extreme lengths to seek out Yip and Kwai.
Produced by legendary HK director Johnnie To and directed by 3 up and coming directors from Milkyway Image, Trivisa is full of energy and has a lot to say. Full of metaphors for current Hong Kong life from dealing with the effect of the Hong Kong and Mainland divide. Each one of the Three Kings of Thieve's stories gets their own director and although the stories intertwine they are all very different. Jordan Chan really shines as the flamboyant Cheuk Tze-keung and although all of the stories are great, his isn't as devolped, but that's balanced out by his outstanding performance.
The one film on the list that I urge everyone to go in blind with. No trailers. No reviews. Nothing. See this film without any of it being ruined, the experience will be worth it.
Himeanôru depicts the story of co-workers where one of them is gunning to make a cafe's waitress his. When the co-worker visits said cafe to see the waitress his friend is yearning for, he also meets an old class-mate he has not seen in some time. In a twist and transition the waitress tells the visiting co-worker that she is being stalked by a man. That man is none other than the old class-mate.
That's as much as one can say without ruining any of the surprises. Gaku Hamada(Fish Story/Sake Bomb) delivers another great performance in his typical awkward but lovable role, I have become a big fan of his work over the past few years even if he does tend to play similar characters. Again, I really don't want to kill the effect this film can have on you, it really caught me off guard and I'm glad I went in blind. You should too!
5. Inside Men (Korea)(IMDb 7.1 - Rotten Tomatoes - NA)
Inside Men has 2 different versions on release. The theatrical version is 130 minutes, while the directors cut is 180 minutes. It was the longer version I viewed, so I can't comment on the theatrical version, but I personally believe the 3 hour length is justified.
Lee Kang-hee, an editor at an influential conservative newspaper, raises congressman Jang Pil-woo to the position of leading Presidential candidate using the power of the press; behind this is his secret deal with the paper's biggest sponsor.Ahn Sang-goo, a political henchman who supported Lee and Jang, gets caught pocketing the record of the sponsor's slush fund, resulting in a dismembered hand. Woo Jang-hoon, an ambitious prosecutor, starts to investigate the relationship between Jang and the sponsor, believing that it's his only chance to make it to the top. While getting down to the brass tacks of the case, Woo meets Ahn, who has been methodically planning his revenge. Now the war between the one blinded with power, the one hell-bent on vengeance, and the one eager for success begins.
This is easily one of the best political thrillers to be made in years. Lee Byung-hun is back in Korea and doing what he does best, act. One of the greatest actors working today and he delivers another stellar performance as gangster Ahn Sang-goo. The film has an extremely tight woven intricate plot which keeps you on your toes as the story unravels and the 3 hours flies by.
Inside Men went on to sweep the Grand Bell Awards(South Korea's Oscars) by winning Best Screenplay, Best Planning, Best Actor for Lee Byung-hun, Best Director and Best film. Incredible!
Park Chan-wook is back on top form with a very unique and peculiar film.
Helmed by acclaimed director Park Chan-wook (Oldboy), this period drama set in 1930s Korea explores the relationship between a Korean handmaiden and a Japanese heiress. The handmaiden (Kim Tae-ri) is secretly a pickpocket who is working as part of a scheme to swindle the heiress (Kim Min-hee) out of her fortune, but that plan takes a backseat when the two women begin to fall in love. The Handmaiden was adapted from the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, although the setting was changed from Victorian England to Japanese-occupied Korea.
Fantastic performance all round from the entire cast. The cinematography is stunning. The story is mesmerizing, although a little baggy and confusing in places. It's essentially told in 3 parts, from different points of view with many twists and turns. Just when you think the story is going one way, it goes the complete opposite.
If you don't like your movies to have sexual content then probably best avoiding this one as some of the sex scenes can be a little startling. But if you don't mind... then fire away!
One of the very best zombie films ever made. It's just that damn good!
Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo) is a fund manager in Seoul. He is separated from his wife and lives with his daughter Soo-An (Kim Soo-Ahn). Seok-Woo doesn't spend much time with his daughter or show affection to her. On the night before Soo-An's birthday, Soo-An insists on seeing her mother for her birthday. Seok-Woo has no other choice, but to take her to Busan. Early the next morning, they board the KTX train for Busan at Seoul Station.Before the KTX train leaves Seoul Station, a zombie like girl jumps onto the train. The girl is infected with a horrific virus that is spreading like wildfire. Seok-Woo, Soo-An and the other passengers on the KTX train must now fight for their lives.
This is a brilliant edge of your seat thrill ride. That may be an over used metaphor but it is extremely appropriate for Train To Busan. When all hell kicks off, the film is incredibly exciting and tense. I just about chewed all my nails off as I prayed for my favourite characters survival.
The setting of the train adds to the dramatics as they are stuck fighting for survival against the odds with no weapons. Trying to navigate between each carriage is nerve wracking viewing as their luck gets worse and worse.
The strong point of the film is the cast. Every character is important and fleshed out. The father is a bit of an asshole, but he goes on a great character journey throughout. One of the passengers on the train is almost the real villain of the story and is probably actually the most hated character I have seen since that old crazy Christian women in The Mist. You really do care about the well-being of all the characters on this wild train ride which is commemorable.
You have probably heard all of the hype surrounding this film. Believe it all.
2. Your Name (Japan)(IMDb 8.7 - Rotten Tomatoes 97% - 8.3)
The only animated film on the list, and it is simply a beautiful work of art.
Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl, yearns to live the life of a boy in the bustling city of Tokyo—a dream that stands in stark contrast to her present life in the countryside. Meanwhile in the city, Taki Tachibana lives a busy life as a high school student while juggling his part-time job and hopes for a future in architecture.
One day, Mitsuha awakens in a room that is not her own and suddenly finds herself living the dream life in Tokyo—but in Taki's body! Elsewhere, Taki finds himself living Mitsuha's life in the humble countryside. In pursuit of an answer to this strange phenomenon, they begin to search for one another.
Kimi no Na wa. revolves around Mitsuha and Taki's actions, which begin to have a dramatic impact on each other's lives, weaving them into a fabric held together by fate and circumstance.
Your Name has owned 2016. It came around at the right time and everything just fell in place and felt perfect. It has went on to become the highest grossing anime film of all time. And it has got so popular the director has asked people to stop seeing it because he is worried it has became too big and he doesn't think it is healthy. Ha!
Your Name is more than just a body swap drama. It's a moving sci-fi fantasy melodrama with a compelling story that also examines current Japanese youth culture.
It is one of the most stunning animated movies ever made, the backgrounds and scenery are incredibly accurate and the animated time lapses might trick you in to thinking you are actually watching a 4K recording of a genuine time lapse.
The musical soundtrack is upbeat bouncy rock composed by J-Rockers 'Radwimps' which suits the theme and image of the film perfectly. Their songs accompany some great montages which are real highlights of the film and their hit song Zen Zen Zense is unbelievably catchy.
Your Name will tug at your heart strings and in the end will leave you feeling like you have just witnessed something truly special.
The Chaser. The Yellow Sea. The Wailing.
Na Hong-jin is now 3 for 3 with films. Each one is a masterpiece!
Within a seemingly peaceful village, a plague of mysterious & violent deaths suddenly take place. The police conclude poisonous wild mushrooms are the cause of the deaths. Police Officer Jong-Goo (Kwak Do-Won) hears a rumor from a coworker about a mysterious Japanese man (Jun Kunimura) living nearby. The rumor points to the Japanese man as the man causing these mysterious & violent deaths. Jong-Goo, while on duty, meets Moo-Myeong (Chun Woo-Hee). She tells Jong-Goo that she saw the Japanese man where the last deaths took place. Jong-Goo's doubts about the man begin to waver.
What an incredible piece of cinema!
The Wailing has everything going for it. It's a genre blend starting off as a mystery thriller with some comedy elements mainly delivered by the incompetent bumbling police force. But when the film shifts, it turns in to an incredibly haunting and compelling horror.
There is an unbelievable 3 way inter-cut scene with the Shaman performing a ritual, the girl contorting in pain and the Japanese man performing his own rituals that will leave you feeling uneasy and stressed.
The small Korean town is a perfect backdrop for The Wailing with a slew of stunning locations to suit the story and mood. The cinematography is wonderful with every frame delivering it's purpose.
The Wailing has one of the most suspenseful endings of any horror film, it literally leaves you on edge as you try to put the pieces together and figure out what is about to happen. It is truly extraordinary.
The Wailing is easily film of the year for me. It stays with you. It haunts you. You will think about it nonstop afterwards. You might even go on the internet to read peoples interpretations and opinions of the film afterwards... That's what I done anyway.
The Wailing has the power to go on to become the new Oldboy, the next cult film that's so good it crosses over and introduces the mainstream audience to great Korean cinema. That is, if it doesn't get overshadowed by the popularity of Train To Busan.
Phone is a solid slice of Asian horror which was released during the wave of popular horror exports from The Ring to The Grudge to Dark Water to A Tale of Two Sisters. But does Phone live up to the hype of it's counterparts?
Stylish Korean horror starring Ji-Won Ha as an investigative reporter who, having recently published a controversial article about sex scandals, has begun receiving a series of menacing phone calls. In an effort to escape the calls, she changes her number and moves house. But the calls keep coming - and when her friend's young daughter innocently answers the ringing phone, she starts to scream in terror and goes on to exhibit increasingly crazed behaviour. As she tries to unravel the mystery behind the phone calls, Ji-Won uncovers the terrible secrets that lie behind her new phone.
Something that is always striking yet refreshing about Asian horror films is that the vast majority of them play out like a mystery thriller. The frights are there. The tone is creepy. But your interest is usually kept until the very end because you are waiting for the unveil. And Phone is no exception.
The real strong point of Phone is the story which is actually clever and complex. Full of twists and turns, it takes you till the end to figure out exactly what is happening and why. And just when you have pieced it all together... They throw another twist at you!
Don't know if cute... Or creepy...
Ha Ji-won is a great lead who is likable and convincing with her desperation of trying to help her friends daughter and solve this mystery. But the little girl Young-ju played by Eun Seo-woo delivers the best performance of the film. For a child, her acting and delivery is brilliant. She can change it from cute to creepy half way through a sentence., which is remarkable.
Going in to Phone, as a horror, you are going to want to be scared. In all honesty the film doesn't fully scare you. The tone and setting is definitely creepy. But there are no real moments that will leave you feeling terrified. There is also no real "jump scares" so don't go in expecting any of those modern Hollywood scares. Phone isn't as scary as Ju-On, but it is a completely different breed of Asian horror.
All in all, South Korea did deliver another good horror film with Phone. Some of the plot and story feels similar to other Asian horrors, and maybe it wasn't as scary as it could have been. But it's a fun film with a compelling story and a stand out performance from the young girl that's definitely worth checking out.
Director Kim Han-min’s(War of The Arrows) 16th century historical epic is one of the greatest naval battle films ever made. And it now happens to be the biggest grossing South Korean film of all time. Starring Choi Min-sik(Oldboy/Lucy), Ryu Seung-ryong(Blades of Blood), Cho Jin-woong(Nameless Gangster), Jin Goo(Mother), Lee Jung-hyun(Juvenile Offender) and Kim Myung-gon(Masquerade).
South Korean war drama based on the Battle of Myeongnyang which took place in 1597. After being disgraced and demoted Yi Sun-shin (Min-sik Choi) is reinstated to Admiral and commands the last 12 ships of the Joseon Navy in a battle against the invading Japanese forces and their fleet of 200. Against the odds, can Yi lead his men to victory?
Spectacular looking film based on the true battle led by revered Admiral Yi Sun-shin. Domestic audiences are well aware of the history and facts of this legendary battle, but international audiences are in for some surprises and a real treat.
Squad Goals.
Yi was known for his strategies. Using unorthodox tactics, “turtle” ships and even the current to win battles. The story is interesting from beginning to end, but it's the battle scenes were things really get compelling and exciting. You never know exactly what Yi has up his sleeve, and some of his tactics are rather surprising.
Visually the battle scenes are spectacular and intense. A fine blend between CGI and replica ships, the scenes look extremely realistic with only a few sketchy CGI moments. The ships look fantastic, especially up close, and especially while they are being blown to pieces sending woodchips and bodies flying everywhere.
Stunning costumes in The Admiral.
The 2nd half of the film is action filled, but the first half is filled of backstories and character development. This causes some issues as there are too many side stories and characters being introduced from both sides that it gets complicated and hard to keep up.
Minor issues aside. Choi Min-sik delivers another stunning performance. A reserved but still charismatic, intimidating performance. The Japanese characters(played by Korean actors) are also extremely interesting in their methods and the costume designs are stunning with the Samurai-esque outfits,
A great war film from South Korea which is extremely different from their usual North Vs South war story. Highly recommended.
Top 10 Asian Films of 2015 It's always hard to do a top 10 list of Asian films for a certain year, with release dates varying worldwide. A Japanese film that comes out in Japan in 2014, might not be released in the UK or USA until 2015... If at all. So, allow me some freedom with the release year. Some films on this list might have came out in their home country in 2014. Anyway, on to the list!
Hou
Hsiao-Hsien's The Assassin is a stunning film. With beautiful costumes,
sets and exquisite fight scenes, packed with a wild original
soundtrack. Unfortunately the confusing plot and lack of emotion causes
the story to drag and almost feel like a chore at times. Nie
Yinniang(Shu Qi) is a deadly female assassin who has been raised and
trained as a killer by a nun Jiaxin. After failing to kill her target
out of sympathy during a mission, Yinniang is punished by receiving the
ultimate test from Jiaxin. She is sent to Weibo to kill the military
governor Lord Tian Ji'an(Chang Chen) and send the region in to chaos.
This is no easy task as Yinniang was originally arranged to marry Lord
Tian before her disappearance. This
sounds like a basic plot, and it should be. But with the story telling
and dialogue that HHH uses in his film, the story ends up extremely
muddled. Rather than flashbacks, we are treated to more dialogue of
characters explaining previous events, which doesn't make the story any
clearer. There
are a few great fight scenes in this film. Excellently choreographed.
With an interesting style which sometimes is so quick it takes you a
second to release who has the upper hand or dealt the last blow. This is
not a Kung Fu film, and don't expect House of Flying Daggers.
This
is one that I think everyone has to see for themselves and make up
their own mind. Many love it. And many hate it. It won best director at
Cannes which is a high accomplishment!
9. Yakuza Apocalypse
Takashi
Miike goes back to his roots with the Yakuza genre. Only this is no
ordinary Yakuza film, this is a Yakuza Vampire Martial Arts Comedy. And
it is completely Barking mad!
When Kageyama is bitten by his dying vampire boss, he must get used to his new powers before seeking revenge.
This
is one of those films where you have to be on Miike’s wave length to
really get it. It's crazy and chaotic but it's also a well made film.
The
action is great, some well executed fight scenes. And Mad Dog(The Raid)
really shines as a skilled Fighter who disguises himself as a geeky
tourist. The main villain, the toughest opponent, the person everyone
fears…. Wears a giant frog mascot costume. This really has to be seen to
be believed.
A
wild fantasy film from Miike, which may not be accepted by everyone.
But if you let your guard down and accept the craziness, you are in for a
highly entertaining ride.
8. Wild City
Ringo
Lam is back with his first feature film in 12 years! It's not his
greatest film, but it's a solid entertaining action flick
reminiscent of the Golden age of Hong Kong cinema.
A
cop-turned-bar owner befriends a drunken woman at closing hours and
finds himself pursued by her former lover and the thugs he employs. The
chase turns deadly when the bar owner's deadbeat brother and a suitcase
full of cash enter the picture.
The
streets of Hong Kong have never looked better in Ringo’s City Trilogy.
Stylishly shot with beautiful cityscape backgrounds, visually Wild City
is a treat for the eyes. And for something to keep your eyes on the
screen, can you spot the giant UK boyband poster in the background of a
serious fight scene?
Louis
Koo and Shawn Yue are both excellent leads, and believable as half
brothers. Koo always brings the charm and has great star appeal. While Yue is
still fresh and cool as a representative of a modern Hong Konger.
Full
of great action, from chase scenes, to fight scenes, to shoot outs and
some stellar car chases which are equally gripping and stunning.
One
of the great Hong Kong directors is back, not with the loudest
bang we had hoped for, but a bang nonetheless. And now we can be
optimistic in what Ringo’s next film will be.
7. Assassination
The
latest big blockbuster hit to come out of South Korea, becoming the 8th highest grossing film in Korean cinema
history.
Assassination
is a highly enjoyable espionage action film directed and co-written by
Choi Dong-hoon who gave us 2012’s big hit The Thieves.
While
Korea is occupied by the Japanese Army in 1933, the resistance plans to
kill the Japanese Commander. But their plan is threatened by a traitor
within their group and also the enemies' forces are hunting them down.
A
fun historical drama that has elements of a western film with a bit of
John Woo chucked in. Fantastic action from the stylish shoot outs to car
chases. The costumes, sets and locations are all excellent in painting
the picture of 1930’s Korea.
The
story can be somewhat complex as it unravels. Full of twists, some you
see coming and some that surprise you. Double crosses and Triple crosses
are present so be sure to give this film your undivided attention.
The
only really downfall is the length, at 2 hours and 20 minutes it felt a
little bloated and could have done with about 15 minutes taken off.
A very fun enjoyable film which will satisfy the fans of Korean cinema and the fans of Hollywood period adventure films.
6. SPL 2
A great new Hong Kong action film starring Wu Jing, Tony Jaa and Max Zhang.
A follow up to the 2005 hit film SPL(released Internationally as Kill Zone), this is a sequel in name only.
A undercover cop attempts to find the mastermind of a drug syndicate. When his cover is blown, he winds up in a Thai prison. Surprisingly, he is a bone marrow match for a guard's daughter.
The storyline can be a bit confusing, and gets a bit muddled near the end. But that takes a back seat to the action, which is superb.
Think of the classic SPL fight scenes but add in a bit of The Raid and you'll know what you are in for. Some great bone crunching fight scenes with some in your face brutality. A highlight is a massive prison riot with Kit (Wu Jing) trying to get a phone signal while taking on Jaa!
The story may drag a little but it's worth it for the insane fight at the end, which might get a little silly, but it is fantastic. One of the better Hong Kong action films of recent years, highly entertaining.
5. Saving Mr Wu
A surprisingly sharp, intelligent thriller from China. Directed by Ding Sheng who brought us The excellent Little Big Soldier and Police Story 2013 and starring Andy Lau and Liu Ye.
Saving Mr Wu is based on the real case of a TV actor Wu Ruofu being kidnapped and held for ransom.
Police race against time after criminals posing as cops kidnap a Hong Kong movie star (Andy Lau) and threaten to kill him.
Told in an interesting way with flash backs and shot handheld, this is a fun fast paced thriller which never gets dull.
Andy Lau basically plays himself, the character Wu has been changed to suit Lau more, and it works well with some charming moments. Andy again shows just how great an actor he is in this one.
But it's Qianyuan Wang that steals the show. Wang plays the villain, the brains of the operation, the main guy behind the kidnapping. And he is superb! He plays the psychopath brilliantly and his last scenes are chilling.
Very enjoyable film which probably hasn't received the recognition it deserves.
4. 100 Yen Love
100
Yen Love is an independent Japanese sports drama. Directed by Masaharu
Take and starring the wonderful Sakura Ando(Love Exposure).
Ichiko
(Sakura Ando) lives at her parents' home. She rarely hangs out with
other people. Ichiko and her sister's relationship goes bad, causing
Ichiko to move out and live alone. What brings happiness to Ichiko is to
watch a middle-aged boxer (Hirofumi Arai) practice at a boxing gym. The
boxing gym is located between the 100 yen shop where she works and her
home.
The
real selling point of this film is the lead actress, Sakura Ando. She
delivers a stunning physical performance as a 32 year old slacker who
discovers herself through boxing and embarks on a drastic life
journey.
100
Yen Love isn't full of clichés and doesn't play similar to other big
sports and boxing dramas. The story and characters develop in such a way
that you never quite know where the story is going and make the result
hard to guess.
A unique blend of drama, tears and comedy will have you hooked on this acclaimed Japanese film which certainly packs a punch.
3. Black Coal, Thin Ice
Released in 2014 but it's UK cinema release was 2015.
A very dark Detective thriller, Black Coal, Thin Ice. A great mainland Chinese film which surprisingly made it past their censors. An ex cop and his ex partner decide to follow up on investigation of a series of murders that ended their careers and shamed them, when identical murders begin again. Fast paced Noir filled with twists and turns and some truly gobsmacking shocking moments. Excellent performances from all the leads especially Gwei Lun-Mei who is really incredible.
Winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Black Coal, Thin Ice is actually getting better reactions from the critics than the viewers.
Brilliant film! Tense and exciting start to finish.
2. Veteran
Veteran went on to become a huge hit for South Korea in 2015, and ended up making it as the 3rd all-time highest grossing film in South Korean cinema history.
Detective Seo Do-cheol is tough and merciless when it comes to crime. But while investigating a high-profile case, Seo finds out that arrogant young millionaire Jo Tae-oh the third-generation heir to powerful conglomerate Sinjin Group is pulling some strings behind the scenes. However, no matter how rigorously Seo's team pursues him, Jo always escapes with the help of his wealth and connections.
Made by successful director Ryoo Seung-wan who gave us hits such as Crying Fist, The City of Violence, Arahan and The Berlin File and starring Hwang Jung-min(A Bittersweet Life/A Man Who Was Superman) and Yoo Ah-in(Antique/Tough As Iron).
Veteran is a great Action Comedy which is reminiscent of some Koreans films from the late 90s and early 2000s. It's a solid flick helped along by the lead performances. Seo Do-Cheol is a great badass Detective who is likeable and lights up his screen with his excellent fight scenes. And Jo Tae-oh is one of the most memorable film villains I have seen for a while, he is pure evil and completely smug which will have you eagerly waiting for him to get what he deserves.
Extremely fun film!
1. Ip Man 3
Donnie Yen is back as Master Ip, the role which really propelled him globally as a mainstream martial arts star. Director Wilson Yip returns to team with Donnie for their final Ip Man installment.
When a band of brutal gangsters led by a crooked property developer make a play to take over the city, Master Ip is forced to take a stand.
Ip Man is the grandmaster of Wing Chun martial arts. But if you aren't aware of this then go watch Ip Man 1 and 2 immediately.
Legendary fight choreographer Yuen Woo-ping takes over from Sammo Hung who choreographed the previous 2. This doesn't make a drastic change in the fighting style as it comes off very similar and with many returning signatures such as the quick chain punches.
Ip Man 3 is first and foremost a Martial Arts film. And it definitely delivers with fantastic Kung Fu and some of the best fight scenes you will see all year. There is a fight in a lift against a Muay Thai fighter which is exhilarating!
But, the final fight scene against Max Zhang(The Grandmaster/SPL II) steals the show here. Not only is it the best fight scene in the film, but it's on the best in the Ip Man series. The style, the moves, the weapons, the speed. It's hard to think of any recent martial art scenes that are so crisp and accurate.
A large bulk of the story focuses on Ip Man’s relationship with his wife Cheung Sing-wing(Lynn Hung). Previously she hasn't had a large role and more just watched from the sidelines. But in Ip Man 3 the pair have to deal with something which brings them closer together and gives the film more of an emotional boost than the previous outings.
Mike Tyson also delivers a great role as a villain. Not the best actor, but he suits this role very well. And the fight scene is handled nicely with Tyson using his powerful punches for an up close hard hitting fight.
Fantastic film. Better than Ip Man 2 but not as good as the first. But that's still good enough to make it my top Asian film of the year.
So there we have it, my top 10 of the year. Some surprises in there! And some which have probabley been left out. There are also some I haven't got to see yet and some haven't been released English friendly. So let me know if I am missing anything!
