The Villainess (2017) South Korea

She did not choose this life, but it did.

Original title:

Aknyeo (Korean)

Genre:

Action, Thriller.

Length:

Approximately 4-minute read.


Review:
     It's a woman centric film. Not a tale from the normal society. A complete action-thriller, but there were sufficient drama, especially in the middle part, where the pace slows down to build a new perspective. It never reveals whether it is a revenge story or not, except the opening event. Because there were full of twist and turns when it enter the third act. Having patience is a must for this flick.

     At first, for me it looked like 'Kill Bill' meets 'Salt'. But I had this kind of feelings many times for the Korean films. They reminds me some other films from other continents. It's only at the beginning or overall the basic platform, but when you finish watching them, you won't feel the same. This was a well developed story and the characters. Particularly the opening and end were strong. What comes in between them is where some viewers might think it let them down. For that, one of the reasons was it being two hours long narrative.

     That's fine for me. Because, there were too many things to accomplish. They had to use the variation in the pace to reach the other end very convincingly or close to that. When the first half ends, it kind of restarts like a new story in a new setting. Maybe that did not work. Because we all knew there could come a twist, but on the brighter side, we did not what was it. Certainly not something new we had seen in a cinema. Especially the possibility. In such a dark tale, that path was often used.

 I wish you two had met under different circumstances. 

     A woman, single handedly takes down a notorious gang. Following that, nabbed by the cops, she gets an offer that she can't say no to it, in order to save herself and her yet to born child. So it's her new identity, a new beginning, but surrounded by full of dangers. She has to play along to get along and that's when a twist comes in. The entire scenario changes. The remaining story till the conclusion intensifies and end with a bloodbath.

     Very well designed stunt sequences. If you are an action film fan, you would enjoy them. That East Asian traditional axe, hammer, sword/machete or barehanded fightings were the highlights. As I've mentioned, the opening and the end fights take our breathe away. Yet very rarely there were silly stunt shots. Maybe, technically failed. Viewing them from the unusual camera angles, with slow and fast motions gives hard time to get used to it. Overall, the film survived because of obviously the stunts.

     It was not among the best Korean films. But one of the decent action films that passes by every year. This film could possibly get a sequel. It has all those qualities to qualify. You would know it when you see the final shot, that it's not over yet. Because the front character was so powerful. Maybe going international in the sequel could get a worldwide attention. But anyway, I'm rooting for that. I'm not a big Korean film fan, but Japanese. Though 90-95 per cent of the time, they always delivers a good entertainment, instead of Japanese films' artistic appeal. It isn't a must see, but still I feel you should not miss it.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Kill Bill, Salt, Colombiana, New World, The Man From Nowhere, The Yellow Sea.


External link(s):

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Glory Day (2016) South Korea

Whose fault is it anyway!!!!

Original title:

Geulroridei (Korean)

Genre:

Drama.

Length:

Approximately 5-minute read.


Review:
     Here I'm back to review a Korean film. I have seen hundreds of Korean films, but seems I have never seen a story about youngsters like this one. Or probably not in a long time. An interesting storyline, written and directed by a debutant filmmaker. My first impression was the Korean version of 'Interrogation'. Well, almost looked like one. Only it was less violent. It is one of those films, some people could feel uncomfortable watching, because of the overwhelming annoyance of negativity or tortures. If you have seen 'Brokedown Palace', you will get it. But there are many other similar flicks that you could be familiar with a few.

     It was not a straight narration. Often revealed recent past events to make the story straight. It all begins when four friends chased by the cops on the foot in a late night street. That looked fun, but it was not. Because the story takes a twist on the earliest. One of them got into an accident. So their getaway ends there. Now being caught, the film set to reveal why they were running away from the cops. It was a slow interrogation. Meanwhile, the four boys' individual lives briefed. Where they were coming from, their family, the social status and why they have ended in another town.

     The film did not dig deep enough on everybody, except surrounding the mystery on what the film is dealing with. It shows the strength of their friendship. When one of them got seriously injured, how solidly they stood for him and each other. Well, that's what they wanted to do, but they have entangled with the complication in the police station. Their effort to make the cops to understand what really had happened, especially their parents intervene to free them, seems nothing's working. It went on like that, but at some stage, it's set to test their friendship bond. The bond of a very long relationship. From there, where it all heads were a little emotional conclusion.

 Stop avoiding the facts! We'll tell them what really happened. 

     No matter who's the filmmaker, even if he's a newcomer or a big shot, high or small budget film, or there any familiar faces around, the Korean films all are almost has the same vibe. I mean any story, any situation turned to be so hard hitting that would remain in our minds for a very long time even after finished watching. Take an example of this film, it had a simple story. The developments were nothing other than going back to just a few hours earlier to reveal important parts. There was no twist like that going to flip the entire event before the end. But still it had one twist, in the form of the other way around, which steered it towards the emotional side.

     When it comes the emotions, not a typical tearjerker I have been expecting. Because truthfully, I wanted it to be that way, ready to compromise with cliches. So they knew the viewers would expect it, hence the story ended differently. As for me, it is not just under-rated film, but also under-noticed decent film. If I meant decent, that's it was a much, much better film. Definitely slow moving, but that's the way it is and worked out well. All the lead actors were good, even those are in small roles. Surprisingly, for such an intentional drama, the film had been just a 90 minutes long. Why surprised? Because I have seen an usual Korean film's average length is very close to two hours or just above.

     I have read some negative remarks, but one should focus well enough to understand completely. It's not about tough platform, but watching it undisturbed could ensure there's nothing wrong with the film. Only they have failed to acknowledge it. There's nothing much movement in the narration like stunt sequences. Everything was conversation and/or interrogation. The drama. But major uncertain is every key event that could possibly solve the puzzle were kept locked away. Something they wanted to tell like from the real world perspective. Especially in the aspect of arrogant cops and self rescuing parents. It's totally hard truth that's depicted nicely in this cinematic version. If you are asking my opinion, I absolutely say go for it.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Midnight Express, Visaranai, Conviction, Brokedown Palace, Devil's Knot.


External link(s):

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Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned (2016) South Korea

When the time froze, but not one's growth.

Original title:

Garyeojin Shigan (Korean)

Genre:

Drama, Fantasy.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     There's nothing left to say about the Korean film industry. I've already praised highlighting all the best stuffs. One thing they lack is the awards winning capability, like perhaps the Oscars. Cinematically and entertainment perspective, they always give a top notch product. Particularly, the kind of emotions they use, is very closely appeals to my culture, probably for the rest of the world as well. All I have heard about this was a fantasy film. Beyond that, it was a little romance, a little emotional and a little thriller.

     There are a large number of people outside the South Korea follow the Korean films. Though this one is definitely an under-noticed a great piece of work. I don't know this director, but he wrote and made it pretty awesomely. This kind of tale very much suitable for anime. It's going to be just like another 'Your Name'. If they decide to make it with the small changes, I'm absolutely on to it.

     The title is not really enchanting for a fantasy film. But definitely makes sense on what it narrates. This is a fantasy film, though, since time involved in it, it automatically a small part of science fiction too. They had well covered all the loopholes and flaws. They did not detail out all minute things, but if you think little intelligently, you will get all the answers for your doubts. For instance, how that asthma boy had died.

     From a small Korean island town, the story followed a teenage girl, Soo-rin who recently moved in there with her stepfather. She was considered a weirdo in the school for being lonely. Then a boy named Sung-min befriends her and become girlfriend-boyfriend. One day they along with two other boys venturing to the nearby mountain forest, discovered a glowing object. In the next minute, everything has changed. All of them disappeared, except the girl. Now the town is enraged by her little story.

 Let me grow to 6ft. Earn $10 dollar before age 30. 

     Nobody knows what had happened, including Soo-rin, until a man who approached her telling some strange story. She finds a reason to believe that, but not anyone else. It goes on like they are fighting to tell the truth to the world, but it was beyond reality. Adds more complication every time they try to explain it. Without any options to solve it, where the remaining narration heads and ends were told quite nicely, emotionally.

     The story was simple, but the details makes is more complex. Easy to follow, there's always an explanation for everything you see. Contents wise, it is a well balanced for children's and the grown-ups viewing. Whenever a film theme involved messing with time, it has to be very clever. Because time naturally does not exist in the universe. It is the human's creation to understand everything's existence. I think they have designed this story with the characters so well. It could be a time travel theme too, if you take it from a different perspective.

     Two hours long film, but that did not bother me. Because I well merged with the story. The twist came early itself as the storytelling demanded it. But there were many turns in the later parts. Especially the entire second half is less excitement if you are a fantasy film fan. Though it gets tense for every scene, and creates curiosity about the conclusion. Not the best ending, yet very suitable one. What I am impressed with it was how smartly they used the graphics. They did not require higher end. Simple and believable visuals, compared to Hollywood's similar style flicks. One such interesting fact was, they wanted the story to lead the film than the colourful graphics.

     Nice performances. The locations were good too. There are some moments that reminds other films. Nothing like it stole from them, though for the similarity in the thematic and the situations. The overall film theme was not out and out fresh. It simply changed a few rules and with the kind of development, it created its own identity. As for me, this is one of the top ten fantasy films of the decade and top ten in all time Korean fantasy film. As I said, if you love this genre, then it is a must see. Highly recommended!



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Hwayi: A Monster Boy, Jumanji, Predestination, Your Name, The Beauty Inside.


External link(s):

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The Last Princess (2016) South Korea

The longest 10 minutes of the princess' life!

Original title:

Deokhyeongju (Korean)

Genre:

Biography, Drama.

Length:

Approximately 6-minute read.


Review:
     The story that sets in the 1961, but most of the film was a flashback narration that takes us to the 30 years earlier, in the 30s. This is a biographical film of the last Korean princess to be crowned. Though the film clearly briefs her power struggle over the foreign power. The entire tale was told from her perspective as she saw everything. So, it was real, but historical facts were compromised in places with additional characters or events that more cinematised. That's what the film declared at the opening. To be honest, any biopic would be the same. You can't expect a perfect, a flawless portrayal of a person or the event. Since films are just a recreation to spread the truth, whether they are good, bad or nothing important.

     There are lots of Japanese dialogue as the story required it. I have seen other Korean historical films, especially about freedom fight. In this too, you could see that phase of the history, but in a different angle. The 2 hour long film, most of it was drama, but there are some action sequences too. A little love story, but overwhelmed by the princess' own struggle throughout her adult life. Probably one of most misunderstood person for her actions by her own people. Because they have seen only from their own eyes, not the truth, what their princess had gone through. Sooner or later, the truth always comes out, and that's where the narration draws its curtain.

     While the Korean is being under the rule of Japan, the 13 year old princess, Deokhye witnesses her father's assassination for his objection over some matter brought by the Japanese officials. Now the grownup princess was forced to go to Japan for her higher studies. But she pledges to return home to her mother and people. That's not what happens, she sees many Koreans trapped in there as the slave workers. Her fight for their freedom becomes her next target, though things take twists and turns, leaving her in the tight spot. The remaining story is to reveal her rest of the life after a long struggle.

 Never give up until the end. Spring will come again to fields stolen from us. 

     Usually a good Korean film will be recognised well in the international stage. Especially for like this, having a wonderful cast and crew, I did not expect the under-notice. As I have seen it, definitely the film deserves more appreciation. Well, I did not like the film either in the beginning. I thought it was too slow, too long and the events were uninteresting. But the real value of the film came in the later part. Yes, the narration picked up the speed with all the sudden developments. Basically what we would call such film is: a slow start, but concluded strongly. So you have to wait till the end to come to any judgement.

     One thing I did not mention so far was the emotions. If I'm saying I liked it, that's mainly because of the sentiments. I did not anticipate that, it was like came from nowhere. As I always say, emotions are a big part of Korean films. In that, sometimes I hated for overusing it, though not in this case. Usually a film inspired by real do have such things strongly. The film did not cover any war events, except orally declaring the details for the viewers to get everything happening around.

     Son Ye-jin is the most familiar face from the Korean films and as usual her execution was amazing in this. She was the right choice to play the title role, along with the director that seems he's back in the action with this like his earlier films. Its nothing lesser than any kings and queens films you had seen from the west. Since it was about a princess, her movements were strictly restricted within the walls. Which was one the reason she had nothing big to accomplish than being a puppet, except when she stepped into the Japan. Her Japan visit changed her approach, despite it was done against her will. So there are many things about the princess that you could learn through this film. Definitely a must see if you like biopics and history.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
Kundun, Marie Antoinette, The Girl King, The King's Choice, Belle, Seven Years in Tibet.


External link(s):

WCA geolocation:
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