Korean Movies On DVD (1 Viewer)

[Kin Ho]

Resurrection Of The Little Match Girl
In a word - Good!
Not as confusing as your led to believe the film is very much a linear film until the end where it goes a little 2001.
However it maybe a linear film but its completely unconventional as it changes from scene to scene without explaination (or maybe because it doesn't have subs ).
The first 20 minutes sets up the main characters and for the following 20 mins another 10 characters from the "game" are introduce.
The characters are all 2-dimensional but its irrelevant as they all add colour and spice to a film that is never boring and visually stunning.
The film is described as Cyber Fusion Action and you get exactly that ... bringing in a HK team to design a multitude of wire-fu enhanced action is a big plus because if there is any proof that HK action cheorographers do action scenes (particularly with guns and fists) the best then its all in here.
I haven't seen 2009 : Lost Memories or Volcano high but I would gamble my left nipple that it won't be as exciting or visually stunning as this Korean Sci-fi.
The DVD by the way is excellent sound and picturewise. Contains a very good 15 min documentary on the making of the film that lets you jump into extended making of scenes ala follow the white rabbit ...

RESURRECTION OF THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL approaches the world through a combination of technology and Taoism; the great master of Taoism, China's Chuangtzu's teachings virtual reality. What we may call Technotaoism.. In the film, the cyber/game world will not be distinguished from the real world. Whether it is virtual reality or reality, both could be reality or a non-reality/pseudo-reality/virtual reality which in the film will be represented by a yellow butterfly quoted from Chuangtzu's famous literature.
Characters
The Little Match Girl/Hee-mee
They are the same person yet could be of different personalities...Hee-mee is the cashier who exchanges coins or cards at the Game Room. She does menial work, cleaning ashtrays and other things as well...
Ju
He is among the many teenagers who hang out in the Game Room because they don't have nothing important to do. However it is true that he is a first rate game player, perhaps not as good as his friend, Yi. In fact quite a few levels below. He has a crush on Hee-mee of the Game Room. It may be more correct to say that he is always at the Game Room because of her. For Ju it is better than being depressed all the time at home. Everything, his physical, mental....and especially financial level is almost hitting bottom, but he hang in there because of his passion and affection for the Little Match Girl. Futhermore, he also finds good samaritans on the way...
Yi
He is a close friend of Ju's but is hired by the System after winning a game tournament. He becomes a henchman of the System and shoots Ju and kidnaps the Little Match Girl. In the end he is terminated for being unable to ignore his friend, Ju.
The System
It cannot be seen. It just sends out its orders through mobile phones or monitors.... It could be disclosed in the end...but because it(?) is connected to the System...it doesn't die...as its death means the destruction of the System...
Bangjang
The master who developed the System. He is betrayed by the System and is in hiding now, fishing...waiting for his day to come, to recover the System. However, by helping the Little Match Girl escape, he eventually contributes to the System's destruction...
GA Juno
The cyber musician of the cyber cafe. He is a just a ghostly entity now, the ex-lover of the Little Match Girl, perhaps her first love. He is murdered by OH Bee-ryun which is why he has turned cyber now as a wandering spirit. From time to time he becomes the messenger of Bangjang. Meanwhile, the Little Match Girl cannot erase him from her memory. That is why she roams the streets. It is he who appears to the Little Match Girl as the ecstatic image she sees before freezing to death. This is why it is so difficult for the game players to win her love. Almost impossible. But sometimes things can happen ... like true love...
Lala
Think of Angelina Jolie, the warrior woman of Tomb Raider. But in this scenario she is a lesbian, sometimes competing and other times cooperating with Ju...over the Little Match Girl. At first, she despises Ju...like a real lesbian, she opposes to his every move, yet in time she begins to relate to him. Her mobility and agility level is excellent, yet she is easily distracted...her her striking power is inefficient...when she gains momentum, she is great...but when she lags, she is hopeless.
The Gang of Five
Under the banner of constructing the greatest form of organized crime, five muscles have come together as a team, one problem though is that none of them are that intelligent...They kidnap the Little Match Girl...and decide to gang rape her...until their boss appears out of nowhere and saves her, but this only the beginning of a series of failures. They waste most of their time at the fish cake shop. As game players, they are a disgrace...
The Fish Cake Man
He is the owner of the Fish Cake shop, he sells fish cakes and pig intestine sausages. But he also blackmarkets in firearms. A man of true abilities, there are rumors that he was under apprenticeship of Bangjang. At first, he is at the mercy of the gang of five...until he proves he is way above them...
OH Bee-ryun
The boss of the Bee-ryun Gang. His love for the little match girl drives him to murder GA Juno. He is despised by the little match girl, but continuously desires for her by kidnapping and imprisoning her, thinking this is his way of protecting her. He is the henchman of the System. He is protected by the System, and he provides loyal service in return. He tries to blame the System for GA Juno's death and this eventually brings about his death by the System Guards. He transmits a dangerous song.
The Rehab Center Men
They manage the 'House of Angels'...They are another group protected by the System...the range of their powers are actually quite enormous...wearing their uniforms, they kidnap the little match girl and imprisons her.
The System Guards
They are the private guards of the System...The vanguards...made up of the best men...a team for special missions, masters of martial arts, ace snipers etc. they are a group of terrorists with incredible powers. Yi is the middleman who is ordered to assassinate Ju. The leader, Scarface who resembles the Nazi leader , Goebbels. All street inspections and body searches are conducted by this group. Yi is shot to death by them.
Synopsis
To Chinese restaurant delivery boy 'Ju', the only joy in life is spending time at the electronic game room. One day, 'Ju' who was engrossed in an electronic game as usual, is advised to log-on to a game called RESURRECTION OF THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL. The match selling girl of Andersen's fairytale is revived through the game, and 'Ju' is drawn into the little girl's virtual reality.
As reality and cyberspace interchange, 'Ju', like in the famous fairytale, is given the mission to save the little girl from danger and lead her to a peaceful death. However, the two are not only confronted by a gigantic force called the System, that attempts to stop them, but other obstacles that place their lives in danger...
Production Note
If one were to present a story of a system and the conspiracies, various forms of oppression, conformity, violence and domination by the system and the attempts to challenge, attack, destroy and transgress it, RESURRECTION OF THE LITTLE MATCH SELLER as a type of conceptual mythology, a product of [social] conventions, is a challenge to escape from the ties that bind it and gain happiness in the end.
Assuming that the system is a type of matrix, too difficult to find a way out, RESURRECTION OF THE LITTLE MATCH SELLER is an attempt to observe how the system is presented, how it is developed and maintained, and generate profit for the privileged. It is also an examination of status quo whereby a system which used to be controlled by institutions, power and ideology now created it own mythologies of Technology, a world where technology and finance rules and people have not choice but to accept it and denounce it at the same time.
The film will maintain a simple storyline: the Little Match Girl who freezes to death in the Andersen's fairy tale is revived in an electronic game. She does not freeze to death, and eventually escapes the system that originally controls her fate, to a happy ending along with a good-for-nothing Ju who spends most of his time at the game room.
Although the film aspires to be an experience of sheer entertainment, RESURRECTION OF THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL will probably refrain from the conventions continuously reproduced in Hollywood and Hong Kong cinema.

 

[mike_frontier]

Is there any good Korean Horror movies on DvD that you or anyone highly recommend?
Thanks
Mike
Oh my dvd player is region-less

 

[Donnie Eldridge]

If you want horror check out The Eye. Just don't get the special edition.

 

[Kin Ho]

Lover's Concerto
Directed by 1st timer Lee Han and starring Cha Tae-Hyun (My Sassy Girl), Lee Eun-Ju (Bungee Jumping Of Their Own), Son Ye-Jin (Chihwaseon and The Classic), the film is marketed like another teenage romantic comedy which it largely is. However, Korean romances are leaps and bounds ahead of any others I have seen and this is another excellent example.
The film works its magic right from the start and I will admit to blubbing not once but twice in the movie the ending is very special ... good word of mouth should carry this film to greater heights and I whole heartedly recommend this to everyone.
Excellent!

 

[Gary Tooze]

Cover

Insert

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I was totally seduced an spellbound by 'Memento Mori' last night... the Spectrum DVD is magnificent and R0-NTSC... Film-sourced it reminded me of the care put into Shunji Iwai films by Norman's Nose...
I have never seen a film like Memento Mori. It captured the difficult topic of the adolescence in the young women of an all girls school with a totally unique expression. Absolutely beautiful cinematography and imaginative focal points fill dynamic scenes of gorgeous eye candy... creepy and horrific at times as well as romantic and melodramatic it takes you on a ride that I am anxious to revisit and few who see it will forget. Almost hypnotically I had trouble turning away and although the narrative was
difficult to follow it didn't seem to matter. The points were being made about life, conforming, acceptance, peer pressure, identity, love, fear, desire, cruelty, selfishness. This romantic-horror film (a unique genre right there) is a magnificent viewing experience. I only wish I could see it again for the first time. First-time directors Tae-Yong Kim and Kyu-Dong Min prove to be the 'real deal'. Watch this soon!
My Full Review
http://207.136.67.23/film/DVDReview/mementomori.htm ( lots of images )
Visually this is pretty demanding but the Spectrum DVD has done the film proud. Sharp detail and bright colors fill many scenes. Soft focus and multiple camera effects are visibly recognized where there subtlety could easily be masked by a poorer presentation. Anamorphic and with great contrast, this is worthy of a Norman's Nose production. The sound is likewise good, a balanced 5.1 brings a wonderful soundtrack to high levels of suspense. The extras aren't much but its nice of them to include the soundtrack. Needless to say, I loved this DVD!

 

[Steve_Ch]

Guys, this is totally "marvelous", .

 

[Donnie Eldridge]

Is, Resurrection Of The Little Match Girl going to be re-released with English subs?

 

[Kin Ho]

Saving My Hubby - Bae doo-na is a super actress and the film relies solely on her talent ... See it for Bae Doo-na.
Wet Dreams - Juvenile sex comedy but has a certain charm to it.
Marrying The Mafia - Commecial comedy with a terrible ending ... I liked the actress though
Jailbreakers - A solid comedy film from the makers of attack the gas station. Recommended.
Chiwaeson Its like Andrei Rublyov but with more art work ... run of the mill film about artists but very interesting as a period piece on Korean history.
Bad Guy - Liked this much better than The Isle ... has a hani-bi feel to it but plot makes no sense ...
Sorry for short reviews but I've started work and I don't have the time to post reviews like I did ...

 

[Adam_S]

I'm working on a research Paper on new Korean Cinema and was wondering if anyone here could point me towards any well known journal or magazine articles (or books/writings in general) dealing with the stylistics of the movement as a whole. I've watched quite a few Korean films recently and absolutely loved two of them, the rest just weren't my type of film.
My rankings:
1. Failan - knocked my socks off and I really, despartely want the dvd, could be an all time fave on subsequent viewings. I love the circular structure and utterly brilliant performances. Definitely a film that DOESN'T play to the lowest common denominator
2. Chihwaseon - A very enjoyable film, as an artist myself I probably enjoyed it more than most. However it seems that Im Kwan-taek didn't fully get at a fully Korean style of filmmaking(it does seem to have a token non-linear structure), much like his protagonist in the film. I'm not going to level the charge "too Western" at the film, because I don't believe that its valid to criticize any film for adhering or not adhering to the stylistics of their region. But the film is quite western in style, it's very accessible, and quite enjoyable with stunning performances.
3. Gojitmal (Lies) - For me it was pornography. It was difficult to watch, I managed in two sessions though. This simply is not my type of movie, I'm glad that it managed to say something by the end, though I had no idea what it had said (or what the film's purpose was) until I read the director's note. For me it was a filmmaking failure, but I respect the director's audacity in making it, and it had some genuinely good to excellent moments. Definitely a film that cineastes should see to get an idea for the breadth of Korean cinema.
4. Chorok Mulkogi (Green Fish) - a gangster film, it was okay, with an interesting way of 'showing' a death near the end. But mostly it was fairly uncompelling and average.
Happy End - This film absolutely did not work for me at all: The dvd I saw is whatever version Greencine.com has, its only cantonese and mandarin dubs that are horrible and the image quality is unbelievably worse. Extremely poor image quality. It's also non anamorphic widescreen with the subtitles overlapping the screen and bars. The translation is slightly above average, but definitely not high quality and has minor grammer and tense flaws--these occur only occasionally. Most important of all: THE ORIGINAL KOREAN SOUNDTRACK IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE DVD. The DVD only contains two dubbed soundtracks, one in Cantonese and one in Mandarin. print quality also suffers, and despite this being a recent film, it has reel markers burned in (I think), and occasionally color seems to be quite off.
I found the film to be of very poor quality as well, it's the sort of 'film' I would equate with a made for cinemax midnight movie. The film opens with an extended and gratuitios softcore love scene between two of the principles. I wasn't counting, but there were at least three or four other love scenes throughout the first half of the film (the second half is thankfully free). These would not bother me except that they seem to be meaningless inserts that are so poorly concieved they seem to have been put in the film to please the 14 year old boy audience. One or two do forward the plot, but only in an abstract way, since they set up the dichotomy between the female-principle's lovemaking to her husband and to her beau.
The plot is extremely dull and rather predictable. This is pure pulp, the sort of thing Quentin Tarentino would glory in, but really isn't my sort of film. There are better Korean films out there. The film gets points for beautifully and creatively shooting quite a lot of the film, and the camerawork is perhaps one of the film's highlights--as was the soundtrack which often was used for a knowing wry or cynical effect.
It's a solid film with good performances, and sheer cult-movie pulp material. This would be hysterical on the big screen with a crazy midnight audience with one of the terrible Chinese dubs playing (the Cantonese was worse). I would be willing to give the film a second chance if I could watch it in its original language in better visual condition, I'd just fastforward through the extremely boring sex.
And if you click in my sig to my 2003 film list you can see how I ranked these films compared to other American films.
I'm really getting into Korean cinema and my next goal is to track down Sympathy for Mr Vengeance and Shiri, oh yes they will be mine eventually...
I hope someone will chime in with some pointers towards scholarly work on the movement.
oh and btw, Kin Ho, I read your Hero review and you're the first person I've met that felt exactly as I did about it (didn't help I saw it on a really bad bootleg dvd though unfotunately projected so that every problem with the dvd transfer from pixelating to ghosting was readily apparent).

 

[Mark_Wilson]

Very interesting read Adam_S.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is probably my favorite Korean film so far this year.

Why Shiri? Because of all the hype? This is one film I couldn't get into. It had some nice moments but overall I felt I was watching an HK cop flick, and not a very good one. If you're looking for more 'western' type movies try JSA (joint security area). Very appropriate considering whats going on there right now. MUSA has also become one of my all time favorites even though the english subs on the current dvd aren't very good.

 

[Gary Tooze]

The Way Home
Paramount Home Video DVD
Release May 6th, 2003

(aka 'Jibeuro' or 'The Way Home')
directed by Jeong-hyang Lee
South Korea 2002
A pleasant if hollow experience, "The Way Home' followed similar patterns to other Korean films I have seen recently. Starting from an exaggerated premise of character portrayal; in this case a young, superlatively spoilt and mean-spirited child overcomes his selfish demeanor... and we the audience are left to say collectively sigh "ahhhhh" in the conclusion. Other modern Korean films I have seen recently ('Peppermint Candy', 'Failan', 'Oasis' etc.) start very similarly with an unsavory male character that appears beyond redemption, and then quite expectantly we are eventually given signs that they are not all that bad after all. This usually occurs through interaction with a kindly innocent member of the opposite sex. Although I enjoyed much of "Peppermint Candy" and "Failan", I am also wondering when this trend will turn or how far it will extend while stuck in this current groove. There were some positive moments to "The Way Home" and at times reminded me of films by Chinese director Zhang Yimou. There were some beautifully photographed scenes and the storyline involved a young child. The plot was simplistic with a limited narrative. Unfortunately though, unlike Zhang Yimou films that leave a myriad of interpersonal interpretations, "The Way Home" was quite empty having really no place for your thoughts to go in its conclusion. A film should do more than extract sympathy from the audience and for myself, personally, this hardly did at all. No, I don't recommend this film. out of

DVD:
Not unlike my interpretation of the film, this DVD looks great, but has no guts. The image quality and sound are both excellent, but there are NO extras at all... not even a filmography or some similar static text pages. Very impressive photography is detailed well with excellent contrast levels and adequately sharp detail. This is a good disc if you only want the film. To appreciate this film, something else should have been included. out of out of Gary W. Tooze

Cheers,

 

[Kin Ho]

Only recently watched The Way Home myself and I have to say it is very watchable with lots of attention to detail to prevent it from slipping into cliche foreign folk tales. Yeah its not original but it is well observed and enjoyable.

 

[Kin Ho]

Adam_S - I would say the biggest advantages that Korean cinema has over everyone else is in their romances and their comedy which has unversal appeal despite being korean in flavour. Comedies from around the world just doesn't travel, I think its mainly because most comedies are just too juvenile. Comedies have always been my favourite genre and I've seen hundreds but none would feature in my top ten favs because I try to stay objective in my views.

 

[Kin Ho]

Korean Movies on SALE!!!
Bet On My Disco [dts]
Director Kim Dong-Won,
Cast Lee Jeong-Jin, Yang Dong-Kun, Lim Chang-Jung, Chae-Young Han,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Oollala Sisters SE(Special Edition) [dts]
Director Park Je-Hyeon,
Cast Lee Mi Suk, Kim Won-Hie, Kim Min, Kim Hyeon-Soo, Kim Bo-Sung,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Wani and JunHa
Director Kim Yong-gyun,
Cast Ju Jin-Mo, Kim Hyee-Sun, Cho Seung-ooh, Choi Kang-hee,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
R. U. Reasy?(Are You Ready?) [dts]
Director Yun Sang-Ho,
Cast Kim Jeong-Hak, Kim Bo-Kyung, An Seok-Hwan, Lee Jong-Su,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Resurrection Off The Little Match Girl [dts]
Director Jang Sun-Woo,
Cast Lim Eun-Kyung(Little Match Girl), Kim Hyun-Sung(Ju), Kim Jin-Pyo(Lee),
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
My Beautiful Girl, Mari [Mari iyagi] [dts]
Director Lee Seong-Kang,
Cast Lee Byeong-Heon, Kong Hyeong-Jin, Bae Jong-Ok, Ahn Sung-Kee, Jang Hang-Seon,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Road Movie SE(Special Edition)
Director Kim In-Shik,
Cast Hwang Jeong-Min, Jeong Chan, Seo Rin, Bang En-Jin,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Hi Darma
Director Park Chol-Kwan,
Cast Park Sin-Yang, Park Sang-Myun, Kang Syung-Jin, Kim Su-Ro, Hong Kyung-In, Jung Jing-Young, Lee Won-Jong, Lee Moon-Sik, Roo Sueng-Soo, Kim In-Moon,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
I Wish I Had A Wife... Too
Director Park Heung-Sik,
Cast Jeon Do-Yeon, Sol Kyung-Gu, Jin Hee-Kyung,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Take Care of My Cat SE(Special Edition)(2 Disc)
Director Jeong Jae-Eun,
Cast Bae Du-Na, Lee Yo-Won, Ohk Ji-Young, Lee En-Sil, Lee Eun-Ju,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Marriage is a Crazy Thing [dts]
Director Yu Ha,
Cast Gam Woo-Sung, Um Jung-Hwa,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
2009 Lost Memories(2 Disc) [dts]
Director Lee Si-Mmyung,
Cast Jang Dong-Kun, Toru Nakamura,
Price $13.00 US [Preorder]
Its a CJ Entertainment sale so its available everywhere ... if not the website is ripping you off ... starts in August!!

 

[Kin Ho]

Korean Movies on SALE!!!

Are U Ready should be Jungle Juice!

And its actually an Enterone Sale ... shouldn't believe E-tailers without double checking :p

 

[Sean*O]

Thought I might bump this thread up so that new members might see it.

 

[Eric.]

Korean movies totally rock,my fave by a long way is Oldboy.The next best i have would be A Tale Of Two Sisters & My Sassy Girl but there are so many good ones.

 

[LorenzoL]

Thanks for resurrecting this old thread. Good reviews.