The Korean film industry is making really serious inroads in world cinema. Many of its directors are considered darlings of the critics and while some even manage to bring that elusive balance of critical and box office hit.
Director Bong Joon-ho, is one of those rare directors that have managed to create a movie that made tons at the box office but was also listed as one of the better movies made in that year. His movie, The Host, expertly melded the creature feature with that of a very touching story about family.
Three years after the release of that film, Bong Joon-ho is back with a movie with Mother. This is movie is a return to his earlier roots – specifically, his old movie Memories of Murder. The story deals with an old woman whose dim-witted son was accused of murdering a girl. The mother goes on a quest to find out what happened so she can get her son back. Mother has parallelisms with Memories of Murder in that a murder and memories pay pivotal roles in developing the story.
This is a movie that’s really worth checking out.
Gaspar Noe’s Enter The Void in glorious 3D?
I’ve mentioned to my friends a few weeks ago that the success of James Cameron’s Avatar would only mean that filmmakers will now consider the 3D format their newest toy and will attempt to find ways to use it. I even believe that, as far as big studios are concerned, it will replace traditional film.
But if there’s one auteur who I would consider as one of the least likely to use 3D, it would be Gaspar Noe. The guy’s ouevre is not something that you would even imagine on 3D. But apparently, I am wrong. There is now talk that Gaspar Noe is working on a “joyful porn melodrama”, and this is going to be shot in 3D. A porn movie in 3D? Now that is outside the box thinking. I can’t even begin to imagine how Noe is going to fully exploit the technology and how 3D will help propel his story. Are penises coming right at you from the screen and copious amounts of bodily fluids splashing about and making you feel that it’s going to bathe you in a sticky mess going to make for good cinema? I’m not really sure. But, one thing I know for sure though, this is going to be an event movie like no other. I bet the guardians of morality are already painting their signs as we speak.
Lee Jun-Ik prepares Zatoichi-inspired film
Director Lee Jun-Ik’s historical film The King and The Clown was a big commercial hit in Korea when it was released in 2005. Critics also raved over the film. It would go on to break box office records in South Korea and also be included in many critics’ lists for that year. Even though his subsequent work has failed to match his creative and financial success with The King and The Clown, his involvement in that movie has ensured that he remains one of Korea’s most highly watched directors.
Almost five years after The King… Lee Jun-Ik is returning to period movies, this time in a more action oriented fashion. Lee’s new movie, entitled Gureumeul Beoseonan Dalcheoreom or roughly “Like The Moon That Escaped the Cloud,” features Cha Seung Won as a revolutionary and Hwang Jun-Min, who will play a “legendary blind swordsman.”
Say what?
Doesn’t “legendary blind swordsman” describe a very famous character in Japanese legend and film? Based on a promo shot of the blind swordsman, it does look like Lee has taken inspiration from the legendary Zatoichi. I won’t be surprised if Lee’s movie will also borrow some elements and plot points from the Zatoichi story.
I still look forward to the movie though.
Zebraman 2 spin-off to pave way for Zebraman sequel
Takashi Miike’s Zebraman is highly regarded as one of the best cult movies to come out from Asia. It’s one of those movies that polarize people but also a great showcase for the wonderful directorial chops of Miike.
With Zebraman’s popularity, it’s not surprising to know that a sequel is already made, after all, there’s a big clamor from fans of the movie for a continuation of the story presented in the first Zebraman.
What’s unusual is having a spin-off that will serve to “complement” the upcoming sequel. But it’s there and it’s real. The straight to DVD spinoff is directed by Miike’s assistant director Nishiumi Kenichiro. The sequel, with the title “Revenge of teh Zebra Miniskirt Police” will feature three pretty women who will be the members of the police squad. Their role in the sequel are bodyguards to the main character . They will all be wearing Zebra miniskirts, which just brings the weirdness factor up a notch.
British Academy Awards
Contrary to a lot of people’s opinions, there is life outside America. And even when it comes to films, there is a lot of life in existence in other parts of the world. If all you know about are the Oscars and the Golden Globes, then it might be time for you to expand your horizons a little bit. Like, take a look at other awards such as the British Academy Film Awards. The nominations were done on Thursday and here are some of the most notable nominees, courtesy of a report by the Associated Press:
Underdog-turned-favorite “Slumdog Millionaire” picked up 11 nominations Thursday for the British Academy film awards, Britain’s version of the Oscars.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages backward, also was nominated in 11 categories, including best film, best actor and best director for David Fincher.
Double Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet is competing against herself in the best-actress category, with nominations for both “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road.” She is up against Angelina Jolie for “The Changeling,” Meryl Streep for “Doubt” and Kristin Scott Thomas for the French film “I’ve Loved You So Long.”
The best-actor nominees are Patel of “Slumdog”, Sean Penn for “Milk,” Frank Langella for “Frost/Nixon,” Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler” and Pitt — who also was nominated in the supporting-actor category for the Coen brothers’ spy comedy “Burn After Reading.”
Batman thriller “The Dark Knight” received nine nods, including a best supporting actor nomination for the late Heath Ledger.
Clint Eastwood’s L.A. noir “Changeling” is nominated in eight categories, including best director, while political drama “Frost/Nixon” has six nominations including best actor for Frank Langella and best director for Ron Howard.
In addition to “Slumdog” and “Benjamin Button,” the best-picture contenders are “Frost/Nixon,” inspirational biopic “Milk” and Nazi-themed drama “The Reader.”
In the separate category of best British film, the nominees are “Slumdog,” ABBA musical “Mamma Mia!” hit-man comedy “In Bruges,” Irish hunger-striker drama “Hunger” and tightrope-walking documentary “Man on Wire.”
One thing to note – there are a lot of duplicates from the Golden Globes. But that is to be expected. The BAFTA winners will be announced on February 8 at the Royal Opera House in London. You can also visit the web site for more information.