Seen in Jeonju

Archive for January, 2011

Korean Box Office 2011: January 28-31

31st January 2011

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Large shifts occurred this past weeked many new films hit theaters in time for the Lunar New Year holiday.  Joseon Myeongtam Jeong, Pyeongyang Seong (neither of which have received official English names as of this writing) and Gulliver’s Travels pushed the former number one movie, Glove, down to fourth place. Oddly, there are only two new movies opening this week, neither of them likely to have any influence on the box office at all.  These movies are listed below.

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1. Big Bang Live Concert: Big Show 3 D (kr)– d. Song Seok, starring G. Dragon, T.O.P 

2. The Secret Lives of Pippa Lee (us)– d. Rebecca Millar, starring Robin Wright, Keanu Reeves

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New DVDs: Jan. 30-Feb. 5

30th January 2011

no dvd

There are no new DVDs being released this week. This is due to the holiday. No shipments are being made to distributors. It’s the Lunar New Year (aka the Chinese New Year) and the start of the Year of the Rabbit. The official holiday starts on Wednesday, but most people I know are not working from Tuesday afternoon. Happy New Year^^

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Brainwave (2006)

28th January 2011

brainwaveIf I had to predict what films would never make it to DVD, Brainwave would have been near the top of my list. But now five years after it was originally released in theaters, the DVD has been released It’s not that this debut film of Shin Tae-ra is bad, it’s just that it is such a low budget production. I remember seeing it years ago at the Jeonju International Film Festival and I rated it favorably on Koreanfilm.org’s main page when we were using the goldfish ’star’ ratings. I also remember another critic giving it just one star..er fish..citing the low budget as a problem.  I think the fact that Shin was able to craft an entertaining story without funds is one of the things that I actually like about the movie. Watching it now, I couldn’t help but calling to mind the this past summer’s, big-budget science fiction fare, Haunters (formerly known as Choin — KOFIC recently posted a new English name for it), which is somewhat similar in plot to Brainwave, and Brainwave compares quite favorably.

Telepathy is one of the least visually interesting super-powers to choose to make a film about. Flying or super-strength, claws or weather-control can all be rendered dynamically. But with telepathy, you get to watch someone thinking really hard. Do you remember watching horror movies as a kid that had invisible ghosts or aliens. I don’t know about you, but I always felt cheated. Telepathic powers can be a lot like that, but Brainwave, even with its limited budget, was able to make the ESP powers of Jeon Joon-oh and Min-woo interesting, if not consistant. And they do merely have ‘thought’ powers, they are also telekinetic which adds some interest to their fight scenes.

Joon-oh and Min-woo are both products of a lab accident. Scientists for an evil corporation were attempting to boost the brain levels of people who seemed to possess mild ESP abilities and empathic natures. Although the experiment was successful, the accident in the lab erased all the memories of the test subjects. Min-woo wants revenge for this and is now tracking down the people responsible one-by-one and using his powers to painfully murder them. Joon-oh is unaware of anything about this, or himself, and spends his time drawing. A blow to the head gradually awakens his powers though apparently at the price of his hearing. Oddly, he finds that he is able to hear when Min-woo is around and a connection between the two becomes apparent. Kim Do-yoon does a good job portraying Joon-oh but Brainwave was his last film to date.

The number of mysterious deaths do not long go unnoticed by the police. Two detectives are assigned to the case. I have to admit I did not like how they were written at the beginning of the film, particularly Detecitve Park Gi-soo. While violent policemen are not uncommon in Korean films, Detective Park Gi-soo is more like a thug when we first meet him than a law-enforcer. And really…how many policeman, after finding a cache of low-grade drugs on a possible thief, stuff half of the pills into the thief’s mouth? Very unrealistic, but his character is toned down as the story goes on. His partner, Detective Park Seong-min is much better, as is the actor who plays him. Song Byeong-wook has gradually been getting larger parts since this movie and definitely shows potential as an actor.

Shin Tae-ra also showed his potential as a director in this film. While there are some amaturish moments–especially with the gimmicky camera tricks– he does a good job on his first feature-length film. Shin would later go on to helm Black House (in which he gives most of the actors in this movie bit parts) and the box office hit, My Girlfriend is a Secret Agent.

If you have the chance to watch this movie, do not go into it with the expectations of flashy special effects or a seamless plot. You will be disappointed. However, if you can appreciate low-budget film-making with heart, then this is a movie for you.

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Index of 1973: 16-30

24th January 2011

Here are the next 15 films produced in Korea in 1973. Click the thumbnail to see the full-sized image. The films can also be viewed by director by clicking the tab at the top of the page marked ‘Movies of the 70s’. 

73-016, 73-017, 73-018, 73-019, 73-020, 73-021, 73-22, 73-023, 73-024, 73-025, 73-026, 73-027, 73-028, 73-029, 73-030

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Korean Box Office: January 21-23

23rd January 2011

With the new year, I have decided to change what information I report in these weekly box office posts. Since 2007, I had been including the box office results of Jeonju along with the national totals.  In the past, there was often a significant difference between the two however, more recently, this difference has all but disappeared. By eliminating the Jeonju list, I can expand what information I can show in the limited space I have. Therefore, along with the rank, movie title, percentage of sales in the current week, and total tickets sold to date, I can now add the number of screens, and the opening date of the film for a clearer and more accurate comparison.  The change from week to week is listed last.  I will still mention Jeonju’s box office results from time to time if there is something noticably different from the national trend.  The photo in the background of each chart I post  will continue to be from a still from that week’s number one movie. Below are this weeks results.

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As I have only been back in Korea for two days after a month of travelling, I have not seen any of these films.  I will have to work on that during this week.  Below is a list of other movies that will be in theaters this week.

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1. Election (hk)–d. Johnnie To, starring Tony Leung, Simon Yam.

2. Garfield’s Pet Force (us)– d. Mark Dippe, voiced by Gregg Berger, Cathy Cavadini www.garfield-3D.co.kr

3. Green Hornet (us)– d. Michel Gondry, starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou www.greenhornet.co.kr

4. Gulliver’s Travels (us)– d. Rob Letterman, starring Jack Black, Jason Segel www.gulliver2011.co.kr

5. Joseon Myeongtab (kr)– d. Kim Seok-yoon, starring Kim Myeong-min, Oh Dal-soo  www.tamjung2011.co.kr

6. Pyeongyang Seong (kr)– d. Lee Joon-ik, starring Jeong Jin-yeong, Lee Moon-shin http://comic-battle.co.kr

7. Shanghai (us)– d. Michael Hafstrom, starring John Cusack, Gong Li  http://shanghai2011.co.kr

8. Town (us)– d. Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall www.thetown.kr

9. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (us)– d. Woody Allen, starring Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins

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Bystanders (2005)

23rd January 2011

207231Detectives Choo Ja-yeong and Kim Dong-wook are assigned to a case that seems like an open-and-shut murder/suicide. However, further investigation leads them to the conclusion that both deaths were murders and that the killer will strike again. The victims were both middle school students in the same class and the detectives link their deaths with that of Jin-mo who was the victim of a hit-and-run (likely a suicide) months earlier. Jin-mo had been bullied to the point of no return and even the people whom he ought to be able to turn to, namely his parents and teachers, had failed to protect him from his merciless classmates. The detectives quickly work out who is killing the youngsters in Jin-mo’s name, but knowing who is plotting the murders and catching the perpetrator are two different things.

The identity of the murderer is revealed quickly but, unlike my DVD cover, I will not be revealing it to you. Even though the killer is known within the first thirty minutes of the movie, I would have appreciated not knowing that information before going into the film. The movie is really less of a mystery than it is a character study, and there seems to be four characters that the movie wants to explore. Shin Eun-yeong gets first billing, so I’ll start with her character, Detective Choo.

While I generally liked the movie, I have to admit that the way Shin portrayed Choo was the thing I disliked most in the film. I will also admit that 1999 was the last year I feel she was in a film I liked.  Shin grimaces and snears are almost buffoonish, suited more to a still comic book or a detective spoof than a mystery. Her character is interesting though, especially as we learn more about her background. In her childhood, she was indirectly responsible for the death of a classmate by not helping when she had the chance. She has spent the rest of her life making up for this. Her past also contributes to her tough, abrassive demeanor. That in turn makes it difficult to connect with her nephew to whom she is acting as a surrogate mother after the death of her sister.

Her nephew is another character worth exploring although he gets far less screen time than the others. Jang Joon-ha is played by Maeng Se-chang, a young actor who had been in five films before this one but has not appeared in anything since. Joon-ha is somewhat withdrawn and quiet at school preferring art to study. At home, however, he is openly hostile to his aunt. For her part, Choo does not know how to relate to him and her beligerent attitude does not help in forging any bonds. Almost all their interaction is confrontation without resolution. It is not Jang spells it out for her that Choo realizes her nephew is still a frightened child traumatized by the death of his parents.

Detective Kim Dong-wook tries his best to bridge the gap between Choo and Jang but, for the most part, fails. Kim is played by Moon Jeong-hyeok formerly known as ‘Eric’ of the defunct singing group Shinhwa. Whereas his partner, Choo, approaches suspects every case rather coldly, Kim seems to bring a more sensitive side to his dealings with people. This does not mean that he is a pushover. On the contrary, he is an exceptional fighter and tolerates no backtalk during interrogations. Nevertheless, he is heart of the partnership even as Choo is the logic and the movie treats both detectives as equally important.

Finally there is the best thing about this movie–Kim Yoon-jin as Seo Yoon-hee. Her performance alone is worth seeing the film for. She plays the mother of Jin-mo and lifelong friend of Ja-jeong. She gives an amazing performance, particularly in the last scenes–after the conclusion of the movie. In this portion of the film, we are shown a woman who is at her wits end. She does not know how to deal with her son whom she mistakenly believes is acting up after her husband abandoned them and left them with crushing debt. She witnesses the death of her child immediately after a terrible argument wherein she tells her young son to go–anywhere–just for her to be away from him for awhile. But it is when she watches video clips of what has been happening to her son at school that we are treated to some great acting simply through facial expressions as shock, abhorance and then a terrible understanding play out in turn across her face. It is a great moment that elevated my estimation of the film.

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New DVDs: January 1-29

22nd January 2011

I am back from a month-long vacation/business trip to the USA and I am very happy to be home. A month is too long.  It is now time for me to play catch-up. What follows is a list of all Korean DVDs released since the new year began up until the end of this current week. Oh, and as it is a new year, this seems like a good place to remind people that the ‘Recommended Prices’ shown with these DVDs are only what the manufacturers suggest. Most online shops and stores (at least in Korea) probably are selling them for less.  Also, unless otherwise stated, these DVDs are Region 3 releases.

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NORWAY WOODS–  d. No Jin-soo, starring Jeong Kyeong-ha, Park In-soo.  No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 82 min./ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,000 KRW/ Available: January 5

ACOUSTIC– d. Yoo Sang-hyeon, starring Shin Se-kyeong, Im Seul-ong.  No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 88 min./ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: January 5

MAN OF VENDETTA– d. Woo Min-ho, starring Kim Myeong-min, Uhm Gi-joon. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 min./ Special Features: 90 mins. of special features on the second disc/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 12

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TREELESS MOUNTAIN– d. Kim So-yeong, starring Kim Hee-yeon, Kim Seong-hee. This movie had previously been released on DVD in 2009. The difference between this and the earlier release are the special features.  No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 89 min./ Special Features: 30 min. of features icluding Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Audience Reactions from the New York Film Forum and Trailer/ Recommended Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: January 14.

OKI’S MOVIE– d. Hong Sang-soo, starring Jeong Yoo-mi, Lee Seon-gyun No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 98 min./ Special Features: Trailer, TV Spot, Press Conference/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: January 18

THE RECIPE– d. Lee Seo-geon, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Dong-wook No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 105 min./ Special Features: optional commentary by director, producer and actors (Ryu Seung-ryong and Lee Yo-won/ Recommended Price: 25.300 KRW/ Available: January 19

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MAGIC CHEONJA– d. Yoon Yeong-gi, voiced by Jeong Seon-hye, Park Shin-hee. No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 85 min./ Special Features: Trailer, TV Spot, Postcards/ Recommended Price: 25.300 KRW/ Available: January 19

NATALIE– d. Joo Kyeong-joong, starring Lee Seok-jae, Kim Ji-hoon.  Promotional material for this DVD calls Natalie Korea’s first 3D film and the world’s ‘first 3D adult film.’  It is not the former–there were at least two Korean films in the 1970s that I am aware of that were filmed in 3D.  It would be better to say Korea’s first 3D film on DVD. As for the latter claim, I cannot comment although I suspect that it is also inaccurate. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 88 min./ Special Features: 2 discs–First disc in 2D, the second in 3D. Glasses included/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 20

HE’S ON DUTY– d. Yook Sang-hyo, starring Kim In-gwon, Kim Jeong-tae No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 110 min./ Special Features: 84 minutes of extras on second disc/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: January 21

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CYRANO AGENCY– d. Kim Hyeon-seok, starring Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Man-jeong. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 121 min./ Special Features: Second disc includes all extras such as Pre-Production, character profiles, trailer/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 21

MY NAME IS KIM SANG-SOO– MBC TV-drama  d. Kim Yoon-cheol, starring Kim Seon-ah, Hyeon Bin. No. of discs: 6/ Subtitles: No subtitles/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Recommended Price: 55,000 KRW/ Available: January 21

TROUBLE SHOOTER– d. Kwon Hyeok-jae, starring Seol Kyeong-gu, Lee Jeong-jin. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 100 min./ Special Features: Second disc contains 110 minutes of extras/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 21

bedevilledBEDEVILLED– d. Jang Cheol-soo, starring Seo Yeong-hee, Ji Seong-won. No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 130 min./ Special Features: Commentary, Making, Trailer, TV Spot/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: January 26

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