Korean and Japanese Movie

Into The Mirror

2009-07-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

It was Sunday when my board mates and I decided to watch this Korean horror movie. The title of this Korean film was "Into The Mirrors", of 2003, a debut film by Director Kim Sung-ho. What I find it most interesting is that, this is the Korean version of the 2008 film by Alexandre Aja, and stars Kiefer Sutherland, entitled "Mirrors". Though the Into The Mirror was the first to be released, the Mirrors was not it's remake. Anyways, let's not talked about the "Mirrors" because I'm here to review the "Into The Mirror".

So, "Into The Mirror", starring Yu Ji-Tae, Kim Myeong-min, Kim Hye-na, and Gi Ju-bong, is a Korean horror film was about some series of horrible deaths of a department store, Dreampia. And this series of death events was caused by haunting soul of a woman murdered and trap into the mirror. She began to find her revenge by murdering each one that caused her death.

The series of murder called the attention of Woo Yeong-min (Yu Ji-Tae) the newly hired Chief Security of the building, which his uncle, happens to be the Chairman of the company. Yeong-min believe that the deaths was not actually suicide as what the police have thought. As a police detective from his past job, Yeong-min tries to find out whats behind this vengeful deaths.

The film actually has many twist-and-turn that you'll definitely enjoy. Together with it's heart pounding creepy effects, it is also interesting because you'll be able to see how mysteries were solved. You'll also be interested in how the movie explicate the concept of parallel worlds within the mirror and the reality. Plus, it's not all horror but also a detective film. I too enjoyed solving the puzzles of the film. Generating possibities of what was the cause, and what will be the next. Although there are some scenes that you'll find it hard to understand, in the end, the movie is truly one of a kind.

Windstruck

2009-05-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah... Another Korean movie, a romance of two people, you might find this boring because like any other story, the girl meets the guy (or the other way around); they fell in love and end a tragic story. But wait! See the movie deeper and you'll find that this is different. You'll find yourself laughing and then find yourself cries. So here's a little preview for those who haven't seen this Korean movie.

Kyungjin (Jeon Ji Hyun, My Sassy Girl), a kicking-ass female cop who meets Myungwoo(Jang Hyuk), a soft-hearted teacher. Their first meeting was a comedy; Myungwoo was chasing a thief, and was hit by Kyungjin’s shoe, which happens to be the store, and arrested Myungwoo by mistake. As the two became friends, Myungwoo would assist Kyungjin chase after criminals. They fell in love with each other but as their romance flourished, a tragedy will change their lives forever.

What to expect from the movie, there’s a scene in the movie that “it” appears at the start and you’ll see “it” in the end. You have to figure it out. You will be amazed of how the characters expressions and emotions changed from time to time. It is also amazing how the scriptwriters used the wind to portray the presence of the guy in a scene. Knowing that Myungwoo is always at the side of Kyungjin, she could feel him but it’s painful for his not touchable. The story is tragic but still, you’ll be satisfied on the ending. Find it out yourself.

Death Note The Movie

2009-05-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

One Japanese movie that I saw that made my mind work like a madman is the Death Note. From its anime origin, Death Note was the story Light Yagami, a simple and intelligent university student who have seen the crimes and corruption of the world to its ultimate. Until one day, finds a mysterious notebook that change his life forever, "the Death Note". On it was the instructions that, if a human's name is written within it, the person dies. Skeptic of the notebooks authenticity, Light experimented and tried it, killing two criminals in an instant. And now light believes that the book is real. Until Light will meet the true owner of the notebook, Ryuk, a shinigami. With his new power, Light tried to seek justice by passing judgment to criminals and creates a new world where he is god. He will then be called "Kira" , which is derived from the English word "killer", with the Japanese pronunciation.

The number of criminal deaths caught the attention of the International Police Organization and the mysterious detective know as "L". L quickly finds out that the serial killer is from Japan, and concluded that Kira can kill people without laying a hand on them. This brought L as Kira's greatest enemy. And their race to prove mental superiority has just begun.

I found this Japanese movie very interesting because it could make you think as what would happen next. The intelligence of the two main characters brought this movie very unique. As its not like the usual battle like we seen in action movies, but a battle between minds. Guessing what will be the next move of their enemy and how to make a counterattack. For sure, this movie will make your brains come out.

My Little Bride

2009-05-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

My Little Bride is a Korean movie of romantic love story made by a curious arranged marriage. Sang Min (Kim Rae Won), is a handsome college student known to be as a legendary playboy. But his single ways of living college was about to end as a 16-year-old Bo Eun (Moon Geun Young) arrives. The girl's grandfather was best friends with Sang Min's grandfather, whose dying wish is to see Sang Min and Bo Eun married.

No one is interested with each other as Sang Min wants to attract college girls but could not fine a way because of his ring in his finger. And Bo Eun is in love with a local high school hunk. But Bo Eun's grandfather is determined that the two would go to the altar.

This movie could make you laugh your heart. But as the story goes, you'll find the romance, as how the two get along and fall in love with each other. Couples who have been in early marriage can relate to this movie.

Shinobi

2009-04-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

A story of two hearts trap in face of war. Shinobi is a Japanese movie of action, love and drama. Happens in the early part of the Tokugawa era, it centers on the drama resulting from the war between two great ninja clans.

Oboro (Nakama Yukie), granddaughter of Ogen (matriarch of the Iga clan) and Gennosuke (Odagiri Jo), son of Danjo Koga (leader of the Koga clan), fill in love with each other. Because their love was forbidden, they met secretly.

The two ninja clans possesses different skills of superhuman levels and are forbidden be the imperial decree from sharing their techniques. These skills viewed by the Tokugawa empire as a threat to their scheme for total domination. Nankobo Tenkai (Ishibashi Renji) planned to intensify the rivalry of the two clans and create a contest in which the clan are to choose five of it's greatest ninjas. Oboro was choosen leader of the Iga clan while Gennosuke on the Koga clan. The contest was not just an ordinary contest but a game till death.

Joint Security Area

2009-04-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

A Korean movie of a tragic friendship made by four people of different opposing countries. Joint Security Area is a story of friends separated by culture and difference of principles.

The story happens on a small strip of land, the DMZ or Demilitarized Zone, located between South and North Korea. Two North Korean soldiers, Lieutenant Choi and Private Jung are seemingly murdered by a South Korean soldier, Sergeant Lee Soo Hyuk (Lee Byung Hun), at the North Korean outpost in the DMZ.

To avoid nation conflict and war, a neutral officer from Switzerland, Sophie Jean (Lee Young Ae) is called to investigate of what really happened. The simple case of political intrigue turns out to be more tragic. Sophie's investigation founds out that the four soldiers, Sergeant Oh, Private Jung, Sergeant Nam, and Sergeant Lee were actually friends.

The dialogue between the four soldiers is friendly. They would talk about their lives, what's going on between their countries and girlfriends. The four soldiers enjoys every moment of their friendship, in spite of the fact that it's extremely prohibited. Until one night, that tragic moment that happen.

It's for you to find out what happened. All I can say is that, it's a movie worth watching!

My Sassy Girl

2009-04-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

My most favorite love story of all time. My Sassy Girl is a romantic-comedy South Korean film directed by Kwak Jae-yong. The story is about a male college student, Gyeon-woo (played by Cha Tae-Hyun), and the Girl,who's never named in the movie (played by Jun Ji-hyun), who wanted to get over her ex-boyfriend. Gyeon-woo couldn't find a romantic relationship that even her mother tries to help him and said to visit his aunt for two reasons, she reminds her of her son who was drowned and there is a girl his aunt wants to introduce to him.

It's funny how the two met on a subway station, the Girl was drunk and vomitted on an old man and called Gyeon-woo "honey" and fainted. The old man thought that the Girl was the girlfriend of Gyeon-woo and said to him agressively that he should take care of her. As a gentleman, Gyeon-woo help the Girl, try to leave the Girl in the station but changed his mind and took her to a motel and slept together. And that was the beginning of there comedy-love story.
Gyeon-woo would read scripts that she will write, exchanged her high heals to Gyeon-woo's shoes, and play games that Gyeon is always the losser.

Despite all the horrible things Gyeon-woo endures all and determine to help cure the pain of the Girl.
Best scenes to watch out for: The scene where Gyeon-woo gave a flower for the Girl on their 100th Day and Gyeon-woo telling the 10 rules for the Girl.

For me, the best part of the movie was Gyeon-woo saying the Ten Rule for the Girl. It almost made me cry.

Here's The Ten Rules from "My Sassy Girl" -

1. Don’t ask her to be feminine.

2. Don’t let her drink over three glasses. She’ll beat someone.

3. At a cafe, drink coffee instead of coke or juice.

4. If she hits you, act like it hurts. If it hurts, act like it doesn’t.

5. On your 100th day together give her a rose during her class. She’ll like it a lot.

6. Make sure you learn fencing and squash.

7. Also be prepared to go to prison sometimes.

8. If she says she’ll kill you, don’t take it lightly. You’ll feel better.

9. If her feet hurts, exchange shoes with her.

10. She likes to write, encourage her.

A Moment to Remember

2009-04-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

For those who hasn't seen this movie yet, you should try this!

The story is about about Chul Soo (played by Jung Woo-sung) and Su-jin (played by Son Ye-jin). What I found about this movie was it has a little comedy from the start. The two accidentally met in a convenient store where they were confused over a can of soda. Then later Chul Soo works on the company on Su-jin's father then their love story begin.
Later in the story, Su-jin founds out the she has Alzheimer's disease in spite her young age. Su-jin was heavily burden for her to know that she will forget about her husband and hides it from his at first until Chul Soo try to find a way of what was happening to his wife. Until Su-jin left her husband because of the burden she carries. Chul Soo finds his wife in a hospital and every visit, he would use sunglasses to hide his sad eyes from her.
The ending was the best part of the story, Where Chul Soo replays the first day they met at that convenient store. Ready your tissues and handkerchief cause your tears might fall!

Korean and Japanese Movies

2009-04-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

This blog is more on like reviews of Koreans and Japanese movies. The best movies I have ever seen. Movies that made me cry, laugh, and scream. Here you can find resources about this movies, where to find downloads, wallpapers, soundtracks and many more!