Making good chicken is not an expressionless pursuit of frozen poultry, cellophane wrap and robotic assembly. A true cook understands that preparing a dish is a sacred art, honorific in the exchange of life. Excellent preparation and strategically calculated ingredients make for a perfectly balanced marinate sauce over succulent (yet crispy) chicken. This chicken is neither over or under fried, the sauce isn’t too sweet, … Continue reading Extreme Job (2019)
It’s a generalization to be sure, but there are few things finer and more consistently entertaining than South Korean thrillers. From their focus on twisty narratives, knife fights, and frenzied fight action to their unrestrained tonal elasticity, their niche in the world of international cinema is more secure and reliable than most. The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil is the latest Korean export, and it’s a slick … Continue reading The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019)
Gongjak or The Spy Gone North is a spy thriller that looks at the complex political world of North and South Korea and relations during the late 1990’s. It is a mix of history and fiction in telling the story of a South Korean spy agent who goes to North Korea under the guise of a businessman through China in order to infiltrate North Korea … Continue reading The Spy Gone North (2018)
“Steel Rain” turned out to be a rather interesting movie, both in terms of story and also in sheer thrilling entertainment. It was a great story that really had some rather realistic elements to it. And the story line started out quite nicely and in great pace, and it never really lost its momentum along the way. The performances of the two lead actors Jung … Continue reading Steel Rain (2017)
The strong chin, sleek look and deep voice of Lee Byung-hun immediately make him a charismatic figure. Whether he is slinging guns in “The Magnificent Seven” or breathing down the neck of Kyle Reese in “Terminator Genisys,” Lee’s character traits in films have mostly been like his image: a man you do not want to mess with. This aura is shattered immediately in “Keys to … Continue reading Keys to the Heart (2018)
Dong-seok Ma: He looks fit and gigantic. It’s matching script to prove his performance and he did. Kwon Yul: Well supported to justify the role. Ye-ri Han: Involving. Screenplay: Smooth Cinematography: Clear Direction: Neat Champion (2018) is an emotional South Korean sports drama. It tells the story of Korean-born arm wrestler Mark who lives a solitary life in America where he has grown up in … Continue reading Champion (2018)
Moon-hee Na: Bold and beautiful performance. Je-hoon Lee: Topnotch acting. Story: It’s a story about a elderly woman who files complaint regularly with the local offices which she sees around her everyday and her bonding with a civil service officer who begin to teach English. Screenplay: Impulsive Cinematography: Cool Direction: Neatly done I Can Speak (2017): Heart Warming! Movie with a surprise fact towards the end. … Continue reading I Can Speak (2017)
