Hey Khitch... - Page 3

Dang, and here I was, waiting on pins and needles too!

CT, I've got good news for you and other LA based Chewers who are into the Korean cinema scene.

CGV, the biggest theater chain in Korea (similar to Edwards or AMC) is planning to open a 3 screen multiplex in Koreatown, near Wilshire and Western in 2004. Naturally they'll be showcasing the latest Korean releases, with English subs, and the occasional Hollywood releases with Korean subs (for the local English-challenged crowd).

We might run into each other there, you'll never know.

It's right across the street from the famous Wiltern Theater, so it's pretty busy, and usually bustling with people and activities during most of the days and nights.

I think it'll do super. Up until recently the only LA venue for regular Korean film programming was the Korean Cultural Center on Vermont. Which sucked, in terms of facility and parking. Plus the films lacked English subs which alienated 99% of non-Korean speaking film enthusiasts. But they were always busy. The demand is there, and with the recent booming interest in the Korean film and DVD market, I think it'll keep growing.

And CGV's got some deep pockets. This will work out for them, no doubt in my mind.

Yes Madam, directed by Corey Yuen and co-starring Cynthia Rothrock from way back in 1986. Stellar.

Available at Best Buy and most online retailers.

Bichunmoo is not that good in my opinion. Some decent scenes, and 1 standout one (with the black clad assassins) but nothing that hasn't been done better in CTHD or Swordsman 2. I got it cheap, so I'm not complaining, but I doubt I'll be playing this over and over again. If you do decide to get it, get the Korean Region 3 (which is anamorphic widescreen) and not the HK Full-frame edition.

Chaos, I haven't seen yet and I'm saving it to watch it with the wife when she gets back from Korea next week. I'll let you know then.

Hell no. Keep 'em coming, CT

Might as well add my own question. I saw you wasn't much a fan of Fulltime Killer. It's released theatrically here in December, is it worth checking out in a theater or shall I just wait for DVD?

And I have Swordsman on VHS. Started watching it, fell asleep 5 minutes in (it was 4 in the morning) and haven't got around to watching it again, even though it showed promise.

Swordsman or Swordsman 2? the Jet Li one is great

you can already get Fulltime Killer on DVD, the disc is Region 0. i enjoyed it quite a bit, but i'm a Johnny To fan

i liked Bichunmoo but it does tend to drag somewhat. i thought Chaos was a mess though

and Yes Madam is really fun. but if you're looking for Yeoh kicking much ass, Wing Chun is the way to go

CT, sometimes fanboy reviews have the best perspective and knowledge on Asian cinema, and from reading several on Aznfilms, I think those guys can be trusted. I mean, they even ragged on The Touch, which some other sites almost seemed to praise for its blandness. I haven't watched it yet, so I can't say.

Sorry to hear that about Chaos, Dave. I assumed it would at least have some merit to attract Deniro and Del Toro for the US remake. I'll see it in the next week or 2.

Blunt, I'd only watched Fulltime Killer on DVD, and it was OK/Enjoyable to me. Didn't really boost my interest up enough to watch it again in a theater, but most movies play better on the big screen, so maybe you'll dig it.

If it was Johnnie To's The Mission, on the other hand...

It should be suitable enough, as it's the original HK Region 3 edition.

But it's not anamorphic, and the pic quality isn't up to the standards of Tartan's or the Korean 2-disc set.

If you're just fleetingly curious it should suffice.

Let's start with Korean:

Guns and Talks (hitman comedy, not necessarily action)
Hi Dharma (gangsters hiding out in Buddhist temple)
My Wife is a Gangster (fun fluff)
Phantom The Submarine (low rent but fairly intense Crimson Tide wannabe)
No Blood No Tears
Public Enemy (corrupt cop vs. sociopath thriller/comedy)
2009 Lost Memories
Failan (great tear-jerker about low-level gangster and his Chinese bride)
Friend (awesome coming of age/gangster tale, based on director's childhood)
JSA (terrific military mystery/unlikely friendship tale)
Ditto (Similar to Greg Hoblit's Frequency, quite a charming, bittersweet love story)
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (brutal, but if you can stomach the graphic violence, quite unforgettable)
Beat (shot WKW style, decent early Korean gangster tale)
Musa (no explanation necessary)
My Sassy Girl (see above)
Volcano High (quite enjoyable)
My Boss My Hero (comedy/action/social commentary/gangster drama)
Attack the Gas Station (comedy/social commentary)
Nowhere to Hide (interesting cinematic experiment using action film formula and cliches by reknowned arthouse director)
Il Mare (splendid love story with a fantasy angle)

A lot of these are reviewed in more detail at KFCC, and I more or less agree with them.

BTW, if you're going to write a column on the recent growing popularity of Asian cinema, no doubt you'll be covering the onslaught of Hollywood remakes of many of these films.

Hi Dharma (MGM), My Sassy Girl (Dreamworks), My Wife is a Gangster (Miramax), Ring (Dreamworks), Kairo (Dimension), Il Mare, Chaos... just to name a few.

I think Dave, Dellamorte, and a few other Chewers can give you much more detail regarding other Asian output (Japan, HK, China, Thai, India, etc.) than I could.

Looking forward to that column, CT.

You know what, CT? I went back to read KFCC's review of Failan and it's pretty dead-on perfect.

I'm gonna watch it again tonight as soon as I get home, even though I had originally planned to watch my Netflix rental Mother's Day.

I could use another soul (not to mention tear-duct) cleansing about now.

Check out these 2 books if you get the chance.

<strong>Tokyoscope</strong> - Patrick Macias (classic and contemporary Japanese cinema)
<strong>Hong Kong Action Cinema</strong> - Bey Logan (mostly classic and some early 90's HK films)

Excellent reads, both of them.

Have yet to find a good book that introduces Korean cinema, but here's another worthy website, chock full of news and reviews:

<a href="http://www.koreanfilm.org" target="_blank">www.koreanfilm.org</a>

Darcy Paquet (the creator/author) is based in Seoul, so he's right at the source. He apparently also does translation work on some new release titles.

The book that Asian Cult Cinema put out, oddly titled "Asian Cult Cinema" is also really good.

Tony, you got mail.

Which reminds me, the latest ACC mag is right up your alley, T. Special Miike issue. Pretty good info, if a bit outdated.

Nice. I'll be sure to pick that up, thanks for the heads up.

And I got your mail, and many more thanks. I'm going to go broke soon . I'll reply soon, have to run now. But many, many thanks.

Most Borders Books, Tower Videos and Virgin Megastores in the West Hollywood area should have either an Asian Cult Cinema or Damon Foster's Oriental Cinema magazine in their racks.

Music Plaza in K-town's got some posters, but they're mostly Music or TV related. You can probably ask the employees there or at any Korean video rental store for some older DVD or video posters, but no guarantee that they'll accommodate you

that kid is great in Volcano High. i loved the "other" sword girl too. was just a little disappointed in the movie, but it's pretty wild

I have the Region 3 SE of Volcano High, which is great, but the new HK Region All DTS disc sounds bloody marvelous as well. Cheaper too, by about $6 at aznfilms.com, so you might want to give that one your attention, CT.

That bleach blond kid in the picture, Jang Hyuk, originally started in the biz a few years ago getting Korean TV commercial gigs for the sole reason that he looked like the shorter twin brother of Jung Woo Sung (spearman YeSol from Musa), who was biggest star in Korea at the time. Now due to this film, Jungle Juice (another recent action comedy), and a couple of wildly popular TV dramas, he's surpassed Jung in recent popularity.

She's adorable, isn't she? She was also great in Guns and Talks (the student who wanted her teacher killed) and she stars in Emergency!, apparently a Korean version of Cool As Ice, which is the greatest indication to stay the hell away.

I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this, CT.

Perhaps I should state that the HK version is the International Cut, which is slightly shorter than the Korean cut.

Don't worry, the International Cut has been getting the better reviews from those who've seen both versions. I haven't watched the International Cut myself, but Lord knows there were some slow moments that nearly put me to sleep in the Korean cut.

All the action scenes should be intact, however.

i really liked Guns & Talks, particularly the lead guy's attempted impersonation of Jean Reno's "Leon" performance.

i will say that the DTS audio of Volcano High is among the more impressive i've ever heard

Hmm... I just assumed he was super-dense

Did you crack up as much as I did during the toll gate scene, Dave?

Try calling their store at (562)926-3755, if it's not too late.

If it's not shipped out yet there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to cancel the order.

Or you could just drive out there and demand they cancel it, as their office is in La Mirada. They don't sell the DVDs in-store though, last I checked.