Korean Films

Every few months I micro review three films. In the interest of the reviews making a little more sense I’m going to try and make them themed if I can. I don’t watch hundreds of films so a lot of the good stuff I come across is either word of mouth or good luck. Today I’d like to introduce you to three Korean films which are absolute must see. Each for different reasons and all thoroughly enjoyable. Old Boy was released in 2003 and I think became available in Australia in 2005. It’s directed by Chan-woo Park who’s been writing, producing and directing since the mid 90’s. His features are what I’d call cheesy thrillers but Old Boy is an absolute gem! I can’t say anything about this expect watch the movie.

Our beloved Bedeviled (not be confused with the 1955 crime feature of the same name), is a disturbing film. I don’t mind the occasional disturbing film but certainly can’t take too many in a row. Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fire Flies comes to mind for example.  The performances in Bedeviled are flawless and it keeps returning to me for so many reasons. I’m also really impressed with the fact that this is Chul-soo Jang’s first feature.

The Host is as good as a Monster film gets and it does not disappoint. It’s scary, believable and ridiculously funny at times. Give me the names and numbers of the team behind the CGI in this little baby! There’s a lot of filming in and around the sewers near the Han River which are all absolutely stunning shots. You don’t have to like Monster films to enjoy Bong Joon-ho’s The Host. Now… who’s up for some Korean BBQ? In my case it’s vegetarian barbeque but that works just fine.

Micro Review 1

Sometimes when you’re walking through a video store some poor dickhead is picking up a file that you’ve seen and know is shit but you told them. For me, it’s usually a case of  “well maybe you’re one of those dickheads that likes these kinds of films”. Or, I’m just scared of strangers. Whatever the case maybe, movies are worth discussing so I’m going to try to give to a shot from time to time.

BROTHER BLOOM

Directed by Ryan Johnson, Brothers Bloom combines feel good, borderline English chick flick aesthetic with brilliant cinematography and believe it or not, nonstop action. It’s the first film since Sexy Beast that I wanted to watch again the next day. Although I suspect I must be softening up in this department because I sat down and happily watched Sleepy Hollow again with Seven the next day only last week. But that’s Time Burton for you. If you like looking into a Director’s history then you’ll do what I did and get out Brick, Johnson’s first film. It’s a modern teen angst meets hardboiled crime. Very nice.

THE VINTNER’S LUCK

I just thought I should share my opinion on Keisha Castle-Hughes’s sophomore effort with one Niki Caro… Because you should avoid it at all costs. From whale rider to humping humpback whale, this movie brings together hard yakka, a gay angel, unconvincing accents (actually the actors stopped trying about 40 minutes into it), old school surgery from a time where your best bet for anesthetic with booze and a wallet to bit on and somewhere in amongst all that, wine. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t watch it. heck, even if you can pronounce it don’t watch it.

44 INCH CHEST

I mentioned Sexy Beast somewhere and I’ll mention it again because 44 inch chest was written by the same peeps. What’s amazing about this film is that the cover blurb couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not about gangsters nor a sordid underbelly. It is about love, hurt and passion and proves you can make a masterpiece with 5 people and two set locations. Ray Winstone is gold and John Hurt’s character’s name is Old Man Peanut. Need I say anymore?

Think you could better? Yeah well so do I so please go and start your own blog.

Considering the Art of Information

I’m the first to say that I’m a slow learner. Laggard even. If you look at the graph (that famous marketing graph that a friend once showed me), I’m in the last piece of the pie. But information technology has been on my mind. The freewheeling almost organic and complex aspect of the web has an appeal I can’t deny. In one week I was able to push my company DPM Creative Group into the first page of Google’s organic search with the terms design in Enmore and print in Enmore. No small feat let me tell you, but I think it’s an effort well worth the energy. From there I plan to extend to neighboring suburbs and nail design in stanmore, design in petersham, design in newtown and so on. This will take time and the effort (for I cannot share my newly found seo secrets), took its toll and a painting emerged. I exhibit once every couple of years with David Rex-Livingston under the pseudonym Ben Little. This beast is pretty different so I’m not sure if anyone will ever get to see it.