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Reviews
Salinui chueok (2003)
Jarringly disturbing and haunting film
I have long since heard of the excellence of this korean movie on koreanfilm.org, but it was only after reading the review in detail and realizing that the score was written by Taro Ishiwaro ( a well known Japanese musician who also wrote scores for Shohei Imamura and Japanese TV serials, including The Inanimate World ), and that the DOP was Kim Hyung-gu (who also shot Musa, One Fine Spring Day and Chen Kaige's Together) that it stumped on me I was indeed missing a masterpiece.
And a masterpiece it is, one deeply haunting and disturbing asian crime thriller. The mood invoked during the last few minutes of the film is something you would probably never forget.
Watch this film not only for its cinematic brilliance, but also because of the mezmerising score written by Taro Ishiwaro, track no 29 on the OST the favourite on my list.
The Ring (2002)
PLEASE WATCH THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION !!!
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** I urge anyone who liked this movie ( or found it disappointing ) to PLEASE WATCH THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE VERSION because simply, this remake is not half as scary as the original. Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against the remake, I think it was decently done; but as a someone who appreciates good scare movies I think I should at least let the liked minded know if there's a better one out there - and there is.
There are many reasons, technically and in the storyline itself that makes the original stand out. *possible spoilers ahead* Firstly, the music and sound effects were absolutely chilling - written by Kenji Kawai ( who wrote the music for Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor series It was also very Japanese in flavour, which complemented very well with the other Japanese motifs that appeared on and off the movie ( ie, the japanese character Sadako inscribed on her eye, etc ). Secondly, the remake removes important plotlines from the original that strengthens the original story. For example, Sadako's mother ( and later herself ) were born with telekinetic/pyschic powers, which aptly explains why Sadako, even in her afterlife, continue to have devastating powers of curse ( in the form of the tape ). Also, the japanese versions of Noah and Aidan were also psychic, which explains why Aidan was able to communicate well with Sadako. In the original movie, Nanako ( Naomi's character ) becomes increasely desperate and worried for her son with each passing day to the coming of her death, ( in the final moments her love for her son puts her courage and strength to test ) but we see no such worry nor sense of urgency in the remake. Thirdly, THE ORIGNAL JAPANESE FOOTAGE OF THE TAPE SCARES LIKE S***. NO JOKE. There's a lot more I could go on about, but it'd be hard to explain unless you've seen both and did the comparison yourself.
So again, if you liked this movie or think you're the kind that can't be scared, get the Japanese version, sit up alone at night, and challenge yourself. You wouldn't be disappointed.
Yeopgijeogin geunyeo (2001)
Hilarious and touching movie, albeit draggy in parts
Yeopgijeogin is indeed one impressionable movie that have surpassed its genre not only as a madcap, slapstick comedy to that of a memorable romantic drama that is able to encapsulate the earlier, more lighthearted material to build on the character and personality traits of the protaganists. As such, the viewer is able to relate fairly easily and with considerable feel as the story progresses to a more sobering ending. My only complain is that some parts of the movie seemed largely irrelevant, for example the deserter at the fairground that wasted much precious screentime. By and large though, a really touching and romantic movie, coupled with excellent music.
On a side note, the director ( Jae-young Kwak ) of the movie appears in a cameo role as a patron at a roadside eatery sitting to the left of the main actor( Tae-hyun Cha ) as the main actress ( Ji-hyun Jun ) runs pass the camera. I spotted this by pure chance as I was watching the dvd of the movie.