There was a time when any great international actor tended to be reduced to their perceived Hollywood counterpart whenever they were discussed in the U.S. press. Under this outmoded prerogative, Korean screen icon Song Kang-ho easily could be described as his country’s simultaneous answer to both Marlon Brando and Tom Hanks, such is his seemingly contradictory blend of sardonic physicality, fearsome technique, lyrical humanism and overwhelming likability. Today, thankfully, it is sufficient to simply describe Song Kang-ho as Song Kang-ho: “One of the protean greats of world cinema — a master, end of,” as Tilda Swinton, a co-star with Song in Bong Joon Ho’s Snowpiercer (2013), once summed him up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
For global movie buffs, arguably one of the most exciting stories of the past 30 years has been the renaissance and growing global reach of Korean cinema — and no figure has been more...
For global movie buffs, arguably one of the most exciting stories of the past 30 years has been the renaissance and growing global reach of Korean cinema — and no figure has been more...
- 12/3/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The murder-mystery renaissance really is in full effect right now. The likes of Only Murders In The Building, Poker Face, and Apple TV’s The Afterparty have been making armchair detectives of us all on the telly side of things, but it’s the big screen sleuthing boom that’s had genre fans flocking to the multiplexes with their magnifying glasses and (presumably) deerstalkers most recently. With whodunnits as wildly varied as Park Chan-wook’s sensual Decision To Leave, the superbly silly See How They Run, Rian Johnson_ – which leans hard into the ‘D’ of DC Comics – on offer, it’s not exactly hard to see why, either.
Now, as we prepare to take enough champagne to fill the, erm, canals of Venice with us to see Kenneth Branagh_, we at Empire HQ have put our tan raincoats on and launched an investigation into the very best the genre has to offer.
Now, as we prepare to take enough champagne to fill the, erm, canals of Venice with us to see Kenneth Branagh_, we at Empire HQ have put our tan raincoats on and launched an investigation into the very best the genre has to offer.
- 9/15/2023
- by Jordan King, James White, Beth Webb, Sophie Butcher, Nick de Semlyen
- Empire - Movies
Since the wake of the 21st century in 2000, there have been several movie releases globally, with a few hits and misses. The film industry has progressed much, but some intermittent drawbacks have occurred. And as we draw near to the first quarter of the 21st century, we find it quite thrilling to look at some of the best movies of the 21st century so far.
Related: 10 Best Movies of All Time, Ranked by Viewers
What is the yardstick for this sort of selection? A few articles are already online ranking either the top 50, 75, or 100 greatest movies of the 21st century, but we thought to go with the viewers’ voice. Therefore, this result is compiled based on two IMDb articles listing the top 75 greatest and top 50 movies of the 21st century. We picked the 25 best movies that viewers consider the best through their votes and ratings.
That way, this is not our list per se.
Related: 10 Best Movies of All Time, Ranked by Viewers
What is the yardstick for this sort of selection? A few articles are already online ranking either the top 50, 75, or 100 greatest movies of the 21st century, but we thought to go with the viewers’ voice. Therefore, this result is compiled based on two IMDb articles listing the top 75 greatest and top 50 movies of the 21st century. We picked the 25 best movies that viewers consider the best through their votes and ratings.
That way, this is not our list per se.
- 8/23/2023
- by Dee Gambit
- buddytv.com
The co-writer of the crime investigative drama ‘Kohrra’, Gunjit Chopra has opened up on how the Korean movie ‘Memories of Murder’, left a lasting impression on him, and influenced some of his ideas, for the writing of this series.
One of the key aspects that Gunjit sought to explore through ‘Kohrra’ was the private lives of police officers, a realm rarely depicted in crime dramas.
He revealed how the characters he met during his work on another project in Punjab, became a source of inspiration for him.
“I thought, why not blend elements from various lives into cop characters and see how it unfolds? The Korean movie ‘Memories of Murder’ also left a lasting impression, influencing some of my ideas,” said the creative mastermind.
‘Memories of Murder’ is a 2003 South Korean crime thriller film directed by Bong Joon-ho. It is based on the 1996 play ‘Come to See Me’ by Kim Kwang-rim.
One of the key aspects that Gunjit sought to explore through ‘Kohrra’ was the private lives of police officers, a realm rarely depicted in crime dramas.
He revealed how the characters he met during his work on another project in Punjab, became a source of inspiration for him.
“I thought, why not blend elements from various lives into cop characters and see how it unfolds? The Korean movie ‘Memories of Murder’ also left a lasting impression, influencing some of my ideas,” said the creative mastermind.
‘Memories of Murder’ is a 2003 South Korean crime thriller film directed by Bong Joon-ho. It is based on the 1996 play ‘Come to See Me’ by Kim Kwang-rim.
- 7/26/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
In true Hong Sang-soo fashion, “Hahaha” is riveting in its surface level simplicity, with a remarkable amount of underlying depth. Featuring fantastic performances from Kim Sang-kyung, Yoo Jun-sang and recent Oscar winning Youn Yuh-jung, “Hahaha” is a must watch for any arthouse enthusiast.
“Hahaha” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
“Hahaha” tells the intertwined story of two men, movie director Jo Moon-kyung (Kim Sang-kyung) and writer Bang Joong-sik (Yoo Jun-sang), who catch up while having a drink, both narrating the story of their recent travels to the same town of Tongyeong, South Korea. Unbeknownst to both of them, their stories are heavily connected, with each interaction having an impact on the other’s story, and characters overlapping.
If you enjoy Hong Sang-soo, there is no reason you shouldn’t love “Hahaha”. It ticks all the Hss boxes, and it does so in an incredible way. When watching “Hahaha...
“Hahaha” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest
“Hahaha” tells the intertwined story of two men, movie director Jo Moon-kyung (Kim Sang-kyung) and writer Bang Joong-sik (Yoo Jun-sang), who catch up while having a drink, both narrating the story of their recent travels to the same town of Tongyeong, South Korea. Unbeknownst to both of them, their stories are heavily connected, with each interaction having an impact on the other’s story, and characters overlapping.
If you enjoy Hong Sang-soo, there is no reason you shouldn’t love “Hahaha”. It ticks all the Hss boxes, and it does so in an incredible way. When watching “Hahaha...
- 5/22/2021
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
In the procedural genre, where “bad cops” frequently reveal themselves to be law-enforcement geniuses, it remains shockingly refreshing to see a film where the bad cops are, in fact, bad cops.
Of course, this isn’t the only way in which Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder distances itself from the Hollywood standard—not even close. Imbued with the mercurial, melancholic tones and indignant social consciousness of the Korean New Wave superstar’s finest work, Bong’s 2003 masterpiece remains a haunting chronicle of impotence, frustration, systemic dysfunction, and unfathomable injustice wrapped up in a rain-slick neo-noir coat. Loosely based on the real-life serial murder case that shook South Korea during the late 1980s, the film follows a task force of baffled detectives, led by schlubby everyman Park Doo-man (longtime Bong collaborator and Korean New Wave mainstay Song Kang-ho), as the bound and violated corpses of young women begin turning up...
Of course, this isn’t the only way in which Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder distances itself from the Hollywood standard—not even close. Imbued with the mercurial, melancholic tones and indignant social consciousness of the Korean New Wave superstar’s finest work, Bong’s 2003 masterpiece remains a haunting chronicle of impotence, frustration, systemic dysfunction, and unfathomable injustice wrapped up in a rain-slick neo-noir coat. Loosely based on the real-life serial murder case that shook South Korea during the late 1980s, the film follows a task force of baffled detectives, led by schlubby everyman Park Doo-man (longtime Bong collaborator and Korean New Wave mainstay Song Kang-ho), as the bound and violated corpses of young women begin turning up...
- 5/4/2021
- by Eli Friedberg
- The Film Stage
Bong Joon-ho’s “Memories of Murder” is one of those rare films where great quality combines with commercial success. In that fashion, by the end of its domestic run, more than 5 million people have watched it, making it the most watched movie for 2003 in South Korea, and the fourth most watched of all time. “Memories of Murder” received screenings at several international film festivals, winning a number of awards while domestically, at the Grand Bell Awards, it won for Best Actor (Song Kang-ho), Best Director, and Best Film. Director Quentin Tarantino named it, along with Bong’s “The Host”, as one of his top 20 favorite movies since 1992.
Based on the true, unsolved case of the first serial killer ever to appear in South Korea, the film begins in October 1986, when the deceased body of a raped woman is discovered in a ditch next to a field. A little later,...
Based on the true, unsolved case of the first serial killer ever to appear in South Korea, the film begins in October 1986, when the deceased body of a raped woman is discovered in a ditch next to a field. A little later,...
- 4/3/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
— — Memories of Murder (2003) Video Movie Review, a Neon movie directed and co-written by Bong Joon Ho, co-written by Sung-bo Shim, and stars Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, Jae-ho Song, Hee-Bong Byun, and Seo-hie Ko. In this video review, I talk about Bong Joon Ho’s classic crime drama Memories of [...]
Continue reading: Video Movie Review: Memories Of Murder (2003): A Fantastically Crafted Detective Story...
Continue reading: Video Movie Review: Memories Of Murder (2003): A Fantastically Crafted Detective Story...
- 11/1/2020
- by Alex Srednoselac
- Film-Book
It's Towering Inferno South Korean-style as VIP guests at a Christmas party in a luxurious high-rise find themselves trapped when a fire breaks out. It's up to manager (and single dad) Dae-ho (Sang-kyung Kim) and fire chief Young-ki (Sul Kyung-gu) to summon all their strength and courage to save the lives of thousands... but at what cost to themselves and their loved ones?...
- 4/11/2013
- Sky Movies
The Tower Trailer. Kim Ji-hoon‘s The Tower (2012) movie trailer Seol Kyeong-gu, Son Ye-jin, Kim Sang-kyeong, Kim Seong-oh, and Park Cheol-min. The Tower‘s plot synopsis: “Mr. Jo is making plans for a “White Christmas” party for tenants and VIPs at Tower Sky, the super-luxurious landmark building complex he owns in Seoul. Part of [...]
Continue reading: The Tower (2012) Movie Trailer: Kim Ji-hoon, Seol Kyeong-gu...
Continue reading: The Tower (2012) Movie Trailer: Kim Ji-hoon, Seol Kyeong-gu...
- 12/1/2012
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The Best of Korean Cinema is a running series of articles that comes out every two weeks, in which I take a look at the best 21st century Korea has to offer, cinematically speaking, whether that means big names like Park Chan Wook and Kim Jee Woon or unknown curios that deserve the coverage. This is the first director-themed entry; the director in question is Joon H0-Bong, whose first two theatrically released features are tackled.
****
Barking Dogs Never Bite
Directed by Joon-ho Bong
Written by Joon-ho Bong and Ji-ho Song
2000, South Korea
Director Bong’s debut is a strange film, and an ambitious one at that. The initial set up sees an out of work part-time college lecturer, Ko Yun-Ju (Lee Sung-Jae) annoyed by the barking of a nearby dog. He elects radical action, in which he decides to kill the dog, choosing to leave it abandoned and locked...
****
Barking Dogs Never Bite
Directed by Joon-ho Bong
Written by Joon-ho Bong and Ji-ho Song
2000, South Korea
Director Bong’s debut is a strange film, and an ambitious one at that. The initial set up sees an out of work part-time college lecturer, Ko Yun-Ju (Lee Sung-Jae) annoyed by the barking of a nearby dog. He elects radical action, in which he decides to kill the dog, choosing to leave it abandoned and locked...
- 10/20/2012
- by Rob Simpson
- SoundOnSight
South Korean comedy Hahaha (no, we’re not laughing, that’s the title of the winner!) received the top prize during the Un Certain Regard section of the 63rd annual Cannes Film Festival!
Hahaha
So, Asia picked up its first Cannes honors on Saturday, and director Hong Sangsoo has a lot of reasons to be satisfied. That’s why we’re here today to have a little chat about his interesting project, and to share the rest of winners in this category….
The latest film by Hong Sang-soo is about “old buddies Mun-kyeong and Jung-sik who reunite after a long time. They realize that they both recently travelled to Tongyeong, where they each got involved in a series of romantic mishaps. It turns out however that they crossed paths with the same people”.
Official Hahaha synopsis: Filmmaker Jo Munkyung plans to leave Seoul to live in Canada. So days before his departure,...
Hahaha
So, Asia picked up its first Cannes honors on Saturday, and director Hong Sangsoo has a lot of reasons to be satisfied. That’s why we’re here today to have a little chat about his interesting project, and to share the rest of winners in this category….
The latest film by Hong Sang-soo is about “old buddies Mun-kyeong and Jung-sik who reunite after a long time. They realize that they both recently travelled to Tongyeong, where they each got involved in a series of romantic mishaps. It turns out however that they crossed paths with the same people”.
Official Hahaha synopsis: Filmmaker Jo Munkyung plans to leave Seoul to live in Canada. So days before his departure,...
- 5/24/2010
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
The 63rd Cannes Film Festival is just over two weeks away as I'll be touching down in Nice on May 11 and will be staying in Cannes through the 23rd. In preparation I am slowly beginning to piece together the films and have recently added a few images from three of the festival's films and thought I'd share the information as I go along.
Takeshi Kitano in Outrage
Photo: Celluloid Dreams
First off is Outrage from Zatoichi helmer Takeshi Kitano. I have only seen Kitano's Zatoichi and Sonatine as I reviewed the double feature DVD back in 2004 is Miramax used the release of Kill Bill to build awareness. Sonatine didn't impress me much, but Zatoichi was solid, though the CG blood was a bit of a distraction. However, Kitano is a big name and I am anxious to check out his latest feature.
Along with the image above I was also...
Takeshi Kitano in Outrage
Photo: Celluloid Dreams
First off is Outrage from Zatoichi helmer Takeshi Kitano. I have only seen Kitano's Zatoichi and Sonatine as I reviewed the double feature DVD back in 2004 is Miramax used the release of Kill Bill to build awareness. Sonatine didn't impress me much, but Zatoichi was solid, though the CG blood was a bit of a distraction. However, Kitano is a big name and I am anxious to check out his latest feature.
Along with the image above I was also...
- 4/26/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
In Depth Look: Un Certain Regard's Godard, Hong Sang-soo, Dolan, Schmitz, Fund & Loza and Vega Bros.
The latest from Oliver Schmitz, who contributed to Paris, Je T'aime. For the time being, info is sparse on Schmitz's Life Above All, Daniel & Diego Vega's Octubre and the Ivan Fund & Santiago Loza tandem seemed to have released Los labios nationally prior to what would be an international premiere. - Among the half dozen titles we find here, we've got a pair of filmmakers who featured their works in last year's Director Fortnight section and are "graduating" to the official Cannes sidebar. Un Certain Regard will also be the home of Jean-Luc Godard's latest film and sticking with the notion of world cinema, we have films from Peru, Argentina and the latest from Oliver Schmitz, who contributed to Paris, Je T'aime. For the time being, info is sparse on...
- 4/16/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
In Depth Look: Un Certain Regard's Godard, Hong Sang-soo, Dolan, Schmitz, Fund & Loza and Vega Bros.
The latest from Oliver Schmitz, who contributed to Paris, Je T'aime. For the time being, info is sparse on Schmitz's Life Above All, Daniel & Diego Vega's Octubre and the Ivan Fund & Santiago Loza tandem seemed to have released Los labios nationally prior to what would be an international premiere. - Among the half dozen titles we find here, we've got a pair of filmmakers who featured their works in last year's Director Fortnight section and are "graduating" to the official Cannes sidebar. Un Certain Regard will also be the home of Jean-Luc Godard's latest film and sticking with the notion of world cinema, we have films from Peru, Argentina and the latest from Oliver Schmitz, who contributed to Paris, Je T'aime. For the time being, info is sparse on Schmitz's Life Above All, Daniel & Diego Vega's Octubre and the Ivan Fund & Santiago Loza tandem seemed to have...
- 4/16/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
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