Haunting me

So bad it's good
This movie is pure camp. It's ridiculous and it's meant to be. So, buyer beware. I thought it was hysterical, once I got past the bad makeup, horrible acting and bizarre storyline, the ending is....there are no words. I mean it's a haunted boarding house run by retired Drag Queens with a little kick boxing thrown in, what's not to love?

Definitely R-rated though.





Click to Editorial Reviews

Green Chair

Jung Suh(Seo Jeong) steals the show, a moving erotic drama...
Green Chair is a tale of forbidden love between a 32 year old divorcee and a 19 year old college student. Based on a true story, GREEN CHAIR is the first film in four years from controversial director Park Chul-Soo, best known for "301,302". Seo Jeong (THE ISLE, Spider Forest) plays Kim Mun-hee, a nice 32-year-old woman who's making whoopee with a 19 year old boy, Hyeon ( Shim Ji-ho). Unfortunately for them, 20 is the age of consent in Korea, and she's arrested, locked up and sentenced to community service.

Upon her release, Mun-hee tries to ditch the handsome young 19 year old, but he just won't go away(looking at Korean bombshell Seo Jeong, I wouldn't want to leave either). Instead they shack up in a motel and have a few more days of exhausting sex(who wouldn't). Eventually, doubts start to creep into Mun-hee's mind, and even though she is in love with him, she decides to end the affair. However, Mun-hee couldn't resist Hyun's persistence and their relationship enters a...

Age of consent
An affair between a 19 year old man and a 32 year old divorced woman doesn't seem so shocking to most Americans. It is even the kind of thing that would be applauded on a show like Sex and the City, and the woman would probably get little more than a few snide looks and maybe pats on the back. But apparently it is a jailing offense in Korea, where stricter laws bind the morality of a country.

This is where "Green Chair" ("Noksaek uija") begins. A passionate encounter is consumated and ends abruptly, with the older woman, Mun-hee, jailed and the young man, Hyun, confused and longing for his lover. Soon released, what Mun-hee thought was just sex and youthful desire becomes more as Hyun refuses to let her go, and pursues her with a passion she thought long lost in her jaded world view.

Even though it is based on a true story, "Green Chair" is not the most original of films. This kind of...

Interesting
Warning, many sexual scenes,. But the movie touches upon double standards and what used to be considered when a person is of legal age and punishments for sexual crimes, The two main leads are a divorced housewife of 30 and the young man who falls in love with her at 19. After she does prison time for being with him, It follows them over a weeks or so time as he hits the magic number of 20 and is no longer "underage". Wonderful movie.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Too Young to Die

My Review Of Too Young To Die
This 2002 documentary-drama is about two South Korean senior citizens who meet, get to know each other and fall in love. During their relationship, they take part in various sexual positions(there was one moment where the lady performs oral sex on the gentleman). Altough it was banned in Korea, this film won plenty of praise from critics and film festivals alike. This is a good film to watch.

Real life but sexually overdone
The old guy still has it, but should that be the theme of a story? Well, you decide. I was hoping for more value in this story.

Sweet & poinant
Not my cup of tea but very sweet. I loved the old guy but reading subtitle while someone is doing it is not really cool

Click to Editorial Reviews

Heartbreak Library

Broken then Mended
Who wouldn't be angry to discover a patron ripping pages from library books. Gentle soothing compassion takes over and Miss Librarian discovers the reason behind the 193 page being ripped. Of course it didn't hurt that I love the main actor.

Checkout something else
Starts off good and involving, turns into a cute romance. Nothing original, but cute. Unfortunately, after the first hour it just loses all momentum and becomes really boring and flat. It's not that it is horrible, there's just a lot better romantic movies out there.

Good film and dvd
The DVD was brand new considering it's affordability. Only thing about it is the quality seemed a bit off as if watching a movie on your computer with slow(?)Otherwise it was clear and the subtitles could've been larger.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Innocent Steps

Inncent Steps
Really good movie over all, pulls on a few heart strings and highly recommended if you like romance, there are hints of comedy throughout the whole movie too.

unlike alot of other Korean movies, in a good way !
I've seen a few other Korean movies that had alot of over the top slapstick humour that made me want to cringe. This movie really surprised me as it had a very light touch of humour added to the serious story line making it a sweet endearing movie. No the story isn't that unique, but I liked the performances, they seemed believable & I also liked that the characters were likeable. Some Korean movies have the characters crying for alot of the movie...which gets a little old and bogs down the movie. This had the right amount of sadness and gave the viewer a nice ending. The writers were smart & didn't add unnecessary sex into the story, which once again proves that characters in love don't have to have sex or even kiss to show an enjoyable romance.Also, there wasn't alot of foul language(though they do drop a few 'F' bombs).

Yay
I was so excited to get this :) I love this movie so much which is why I bought it :D It's a very sweet and romantic love story than anything else. The title is perfect for what the story is about :)

Click to Editorial Reviews

Maybe

Sweet story
This is rather a slow to develop story. It's quiet and thoughtful, but it's worth it to get to the end to find out what happens. I liked it - it's sweet. If you feel like watching something that doesn't hit you over the head with violence or heart-pounding action, then you might like this. Take a chance on it and enjoy.

MAYBE
I loved this story. It was different and well done. I love anything Jang Hyuk does as he takes each role and embodies every thing about it. You forget it is him as he becomes the charactor portrayed. This is a different story...gritty but tender. I have seen it twice on Netflix and now will purchase it as I know I will watch it many times more.
Mary

This...was not good.
i love jang hyuk and and have watched tons of korean movies, but despite the other decent reviews, i'd have to say this is not good at all. the female character, may, is very underdeveloped and annoys you because she's constantly pissed over nothing. both characters are actually very underdeveloped, which makes all of the exaggerated emotions seriously irritating. also, i am a second generation korean and there's NO way that an adopted korean child living in the US with american parents would speak korean very well, let alone be intensely angry about being put up for adoption 20-some odd yrs ago. just very unrealistic and a bad premise for a story, in general. i would pass this one - super slow and the "surprise" ending is really nothing to hold your breath for.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Antarctic Journal

Pretty Good Thriller/Horror
This movie was pretty good. It is about a team of 6 Korean explorers going to the Point Of Inaccessibility in Antarctica. One question I had through the movie, if it is so inaccessible why is there so much debris from previous groups in the area? I can understand the debris from the British expedition but why the fishing camp or whatever it was? Also why the marker over the spot of the POI? How many expeditions had already been there? I did like that you never were sure what was reality and what was the past seeping through. And that the Koreans were never able to really deviate from the trail of the British. I did wonder how they went from having only 1 week worth of food to having enough for 3. Overall it was a good movie and I do recommend it.

I liked it.
I liked Antartic Journal. The movie is a very creepy and suspenseful Korean horror flick. Six Korean explores go on an expediition in Antartica. But the team finds a journal and a dead body from a British expedition back in 1922. And things just get creepier from there for the team of explores.

Antarctic Journal
It was okay, although I doubt realistically anyone would allow themselves to be led to their destruction by someone as obviously disturbed as their leader. The acting and graphics in this movie were good. It also managed to hold my interest from beginning to end.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Shotgun Love

Nice Guy May Finish Last, Yet He Lands On Top!
This is your typical man is in love with woman, woman loves someone else, yet uses the nice guy in order to save face. Ultimately, the nice guy wins in the end being a hero and great love of the woman who has his heart. She knew she could count on him and she ultimately walked into love with him.

fun and lighthearted
story is predictable however i enjoyed the actor and the girl is a beauty. rooted for him and held my interest to learn how he wins her heart...or does he? a lot of fun to watch.



Click to Editorial Reviews

April Snow

Two Thumbs Up!
This film was impossible to find so I was delighted to see it offered here on Amazon. The price was very reasonable for an imported foreign language film so it was worth a try - and I wasn't disappointed. Excellent picture and audio quality. I personally don't care about fancy packaging and extras, I only care that the film itself is complete and a good quality transfer - and this DVD performed excellently!
I'm a Bae Yong-joon fan and bought this because I loved the drama Winter Sonata (2002) so much. The story is about two strangers, a man and a woman, each of whom had been contacted regarding their spouse having been in a terrible auto accident. They happen to be at the police department at the same time when they learn that their spouses had been travelling in the same vehicle. Later they learn that their spouses had been having an affair together. The story is about their response to the shocking and painful news.
I highly recommend this film and I wouldn't...

pretty good. I think it meet my requirement and the price is reasonable.
pretty good. I think it meet my requirement and the price is reasonable. I don't know what else I need to say.

Soft romantic drama
This drama has an interesting plot very well developed,some may find it slow moving, but it is that kind of film. Good to enjoy in a cozy rainy or snowy day. As usual, Bae Yong Joon in another excellent performance.

Click to Editorial Reviews

To Catch a Virgin Ghost

Funny, nutty ghost story/mobster flick/black comedy from South Korea!
TO CATCH A VIRGIN GHOST (also known as SISILY 2KM) is a fun, enjoyable black comedy-thriller set in a small village in South Korea. It'd be difficult to explain even the story without giving much away, but suffice to say the film opens with a thug on the run from the mob (after stealing a cache of diamonds), who accidentally crashes his SUV near a remote village. Walking to the village, he finds about a half-dozen country bumpkins, men and women working the fields, who he cons into letting him stay the night because he's stranded. When a practical joke gone bad results in the not-too-bright gangster's death (he cracks his skull on the toilet in the john), the villagers find one of the diamonds on him (he swallowed the rest; long story), and instead of calling the police they decide to bury the dead crook and sell the diamond to make their lives prosperous again. When the dead guy's ex-buddies from the mob come looking for him, the guy's crashed vehicle leads them directly to the...

Very Funny
I read the other viewers results and thought that I would check this movie out for myself and they were spot on with their comments. It was a very funny and enjoyable movie with a sweet ending. It didn't take me to long to figure out who the bad guys were. The ghost was cute even with her scary eyes. I think people should check this movie out its worth the whole hour and a half of time. Trust me I have seen worse. SHARKNADO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need I say more.

Another excellent Korean movie
A lot of people do not realize how accomplished the Korean movie community has become. This movie is a prime example of this. A little wacky, some dark humor, some violence... all you can ask for in this type of movie.
While this and most other Korean movies have the same conventions as US movies the Korean movies approach them differently. That is one of the main reasons I like both Korean and Japanese movies.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Marrying the Mafia 3

entertaining
entertaining movie. Although some parts predictable, like most Korean movies there were still some parts that are unpredictable, funny yet serious at times.





Click to Editorial Reviews

Naked Kitchen

Good Date Night Movie
it is a very good movie nice story line to it. This movie is perfet for a date night movie.

Sad ending
Good movie but I didn't really like the ending. I really wished it was longer. Also the title of the movie was like wha?!?!

키친
Absolutely adored the visuals of this film, wardrobe, interior, color correction, camera shots and all. I also loved the soundtrack, which matched the movie quite well. But the film disappointed in outlining its most important component which is the storyline. I enjoyed the mellowness and the style of this project; but the plot altogether didn't click for me, and probably didn't for many others. All in all, this is an enjoyable film to watch during a lazy summer afternoon.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Once Upon a Time in Seoul

Poignant, touching
This was a very touching tale of loyalty between kinfolk. Typical, modern Korean drama genre--well done, moving, emotive. It is not in any way a martial arts film, although there are a few fairly realistic brawl scenes. The characters were well cast and extremely believable in their roles. Not your typical Hollywood ending.





Click to Editorial Reviews

The Righteous Thief

Righteous fun
The Righteous Thief is our first Korean martial arts action comedy. It will not be our last. Pokes fun at Hollywood cliches along the way and gives Oceans Eleven a run for its money.

Fun Robin Hood Thief Movie...
I don't understand a lick of Korean (My origon post I said Japanese and was kindly corrected) (the subtitles were perfectly paced) but regardless, this was a fun, fast paced movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. Great set up with the "Robin Hood" family of thieves. Terrific villain with a penchant for toys and comic book characters. Absolutely loved the birthday singers! If you step out for foregin movies, you'll enjoy this one a bunch...

A Family of Robin Hoods
The 18th generation descendant of Hong Kil-dong (famous Robin Hood like character) works as a high school music teacher, but by night works with his family team to rob the rich and distribute to the poor, sometimes through a telethon. When his girlfriend questions his actions she is confused by gender issues, but pushes her way in to the next heist. Cleaver dialog, good character development. Tongue in cheek for reality

Click to Editorial Reviews

Punch Lady

Excellent film takes an unexpected turn to a satifying conclusion.
The film starts as a brutal story of domestic violence. It then takes a sharp comedic turn which is needed after the brutality of the first half. The beauty of this film is how these two disparate sections are seamlessly brought together to conclude this gem.

Domestic Violence Classic
This movie is one of my favorite domestic violence movies to date. The revenge that reaped on her ex-husband was too good. Though I lost hope in her towards the end she really turned it around and the movie is truly a gem. I would defintiely recommend buying it. It took Enough to a whole other level. Though I wish her husband's character was more developed and dimensional, this movie was just awesome. I loved the fight at the end and her belief in herself. A true jewel this movie is.

she's gonna be a star
there's only one reason to watch this ridiculous movie - Choi Seol Ri - or as she is now better known as - F(x) Sulli

why ridiculous - the film starts out with ugly scenes of a horribly abusive marriage - with their beleaguered teenage daughter - then becomes a comedy as the wife is forced to learn martial arts in 3 months - after she challenged her professional mixed martial artist husband to a duel

the actors are mostly too good for the story - but none are better the Seol Ri as the teenager - during every scene of hers - i kept saying to myself - "this kid's going to be a star" - she had incredible screen presence - the camera loved her - and she communicated the girl's angst clearly to the audience

i had seen her before in another Korean film called BA BO - which i happened to rent a few days after the girl group F(x) debuted in Korea - and i was stunned to learn that the pretty girl in that film was now the tall and cute Sulli singing and dancing...

Click to Editorial Reviews

A Little Pond

Compelling and Powerful
A Little Pond tells of the scarcely mentioned U.S. massacre of innocent South Korean refugees during the Korean War. A Little Pond is a compelling and powerful drama.

The story in A Little Pond is interesting. It's a story that I've never seen on film, and a story that I've never heard in detail. The first half of the film, or so, takes the time to introduce some characters and the setting, while hauntingly setting up the inevitable. What I mean is: the villagers constantly praise the U.S. army and feel safe, all while the audience helplessly waits for the atrocities we know will eventually happen. The second half of the film shows the horrendous massacre and briefly explains why it happened. The acting was amazing in this film, and South Korean film fans will see many familiar faces. I also enjoyed the music in this film, which complimented the setting and storyline. My complaint lies in the very short runtime; this film introduces many characters, and this group of...

Sad... but true!
July 26 - 29 1950, an undetermined number of South Korean villagers were killed by the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, as well as an air attack at a railroad bridge near the village of No Gun Ri, where the reports, as of 2005, listed an estimated 163 dead or missing and 55 wounded (mostly women and children)- U.S. Army reports casualties as "unknown"... Both the South Korean Govt., and the U.S. Army covered up the event, and denied it happened until 1999...

"A Little Pond" is that event... and it is not for the faint of heart... This is truly a heartbreaking film with good performances... The film is rather short, for the subject at hand... it does not go into a lot of character development, nor does it deal with the cover-up and the eventual realization that this event even took place... This film gets right to the point, and builds up to the tragic event...It is slightly bloody, but not excessive... may be a little slow paced for some viewers, but a worthy and memorable...

There is hope after the storm
I watched this film twice because my heart was moved by the cruelty that was imposed upon the lives of innocent people. I hope that their legacies and memories will never be forgotten. There still is hope when we turn to prayer and trust God to avenge those who harm others.

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Executioner

"Can one life compensate for another?" Though-Provoking and Compelling Drama...
The Executioner tells the story of a prison that is ordered to execute three prisoners on Christmas Eve- the first executions in 12 years. This event shows the true characteristics of the correctional officers and the prisoners, and asks several significant questions. The Executioner is a thought-provoking and compelling drama.

The story in this film is deep and powerful. It uses drama and some light humor to create an emotional experience. We witness the lives of the correctional officers, some that are conducting their first executions, and how they change throughout the experience, including the chilling executions and haunting aftermath. It really focuses on the relationships between characters, from loneliness to hardships in a relationship to officer-prisoner friendship, as well as addressing the issues that surround executions; on that note, I didn't feel like the film ever preached because it leaves you thinking about the issues instead of simply agreeing or...

Strong anti-capital punishment film
This film takes a strong stand against capital punishment in S. Korea. S. Korea is one of 5 industrially developed democracies which still have capital punishment. The other 4 are the US, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. S. Korea has not administered the death penalty since the 1990s and this is the background to the movie. A serial murderer is captured and sentenced to death. His crimes were so heinous that public opinion is demanding his death now, not later. Under this pressure the govt. decides to proceed with his execution and those of 9 others who have been on death row since at least the 1990s. The film focuses on the prison guards reaction. A few have been there since the last executions took place and generally want no part of resuming them again. Death is by hanging and the guards selected to perform the hangings must clean up and prepare the place where the executions are performed. The main characters are seen struggling with their consciences as the day of...

A surprise to me
The reviewer OH noted elsewhere that the film can be a touch "heavy handed" and agreeing with that critique, I found the rest almost flawlessly well done.
The background of the situation isn't as well presented in the movie as it is by a reviewer, but if one allows oneself the experience of accepting the cultural norm of the film, it is a very powerful exploration of the moral, psychological and ethical ambiguities involved in the experience of the State killing of prisoners.
The effect on all involved is the focus of the film and the scene of Officer Kim carrying out his duties while he accompanies his inmate friend, "shrimp eyes" to death, is as powerful emotionally, and as deeply affecting, as any scene you are likely to see on film.
For my taste, any film that makes you think and moves your imagination and emotions to a good extent, is A-OK as they say.

Click to Editorial Reviews

The Art of Seduction

Absolutely cute and entertaining.
The movie looks like a cliche, and it absolutely is. However, unlike many other copies this movie is actually entertaining, and the female protagonist is not an absolute doormat. "The Art of Seduction," does include mentions of sex and actual condoms- I really appreciate that the director did not focus on the tired, "pure," girl.Plus, it shows two intelligent adults engaging in protected, consensual sex! Consent and the use of protection is always a positive thing.
The male protagonist is also very clever, and both protagonists know that this is a game. They're very adept at playing on each other's expectations, which draws out the whole plot.
While this isn't mind-blowing and amazing, it is very entertaining, and lends itself well to a girl's night-in.

I really like this movie.
Highly recommended. This movie kept my attention. I loved it. I should not have to have a word required status to rate a movie!

disappointing
I bought this movie because i saw Song il-kook in Jumong and am a very big fan. I was very disappointed in the "silly" plot line. He also was not that believable as a "playboy". He was much better in Jumong and Emperor of the Sea.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Black Night

A Low-Budget, Yet Creepy and Scary Anthology... (3.66/5)
Black Night is a horror anthology. In "Next Door", Jane returns to her boyfriend, presumably after running off on him, but finds out he's being seeing the girl next door. In "Dark Hole", Yuki has been suffering from the same nightmare for awhile and begins to see a young boy in a yellow outfit; she eventually visits a psychiatrist that reveals the nightmares of her past. "The Lost Memory" follows a young, single mother, Prang, as she believes she's being stalked by a mysterious man; she begins to see visions of her past, some that are nightmarishly vivid. Black Night is a low-budget, yet creepy and scary anthology.

"Next Door" is a creepy story. It uses ghostly images and a closed setting (mostly in an apartment building) to create a great horror atmosphere. There are plenty of creepy scenes, and a few great jump-scares; and a disturbingly realistic death scene. The acting was great from the small cast. The pacing was fantastic as time flew by, partly due to its immersive...

I love most Asian Horror
The film must be truly awful in every way for me to not enjoy it. Black Night was very good and I loved every minute of it. Can't get enough of scary ghostly films and no one does them finer than the Asian directors and actors. Highly recommend it to hardcore Asian Horror lovers!

Not A 4 Star Movie
But I can't give it 3-1/2. Somewhat entertaining but its like I've already seen these before. Sure the plots differ slightly
and maybe there's a twist or two but it seems to me that the Asian horror genre relies on one or two basic scare tactics.
In this case, a little can't go a long way.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Traces of Love

Korean Romantic Tearjerker Travelogue!
Two strangers touched by a tragedy find themselves repeatedly meeting at various scenic spots in Korea. Why? It can't be just co-incidence can it? That's the background of the plot, and the answer is surprisingly satisfying.

There are a lot of reasons to like this movie... it has a happy ending to a sad story... good character development, and the movie highlights some of the most scenic spots in Korea...

Make sure you have a tissue or two on hand
I didn't expect this to be as sad as it was. Not all the way through, but in places it was. I don't want to give anything away that might spoil it for anyone, but if you get emotionally involved in movies, you should have some tissues handy for this one.

I'm finding, with these Korean movies, that I prefer the slower, more thoughtful ones, like this one. I've watched others that had characters who were just too jarring and annoying and loud...and for me, I can't stand that. But, none of that in this one.

It might be a little too slow for some, as the story does take awhile to develop, but I found it to be more reflective of real life in that way.

I also thought the subtitles were good, as sometimes I find them confusing or they're not on the screen long enough. I thought these were just right. Of course, the dialogue isn't flying around really fast, so perhaps that's why. :) Not that I can't read fast, it's just that with some of them the subtitles...

Touching fictional film based on a real tragedy
For those like me who prefer to have the DVD, this does come with the spoken Korean and the subtitles in English.

I first want it realized that a large part of my interest in this film is that I lived in Seoul when the true tragedy took place. In 1995, a large department store did cave in and a colleague of mine survived.

With that preface in mind, I would recommend the film to someone who is interested in Korean culture. Otherwise, it might be difficult for some viewers to get through the exposition of the first 20-30 minutes.

However, once the main character starts his journey to reconnect with the love he lost, I feel most viewers will be drawn in. I don't want to give away too many spoilers but the young man's journey starts out alone. He feels solitary in his grief.

It is through following his vacation itinerary that he meets a woman with whom he connects. Her life intertwines with his in a way neither would have expected...

Click to Editorial Reviews