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Cirrus888
15-09-2002, 22:26
Theres nothing for me to wake up for being the bum that i am ... :nuts:
Cirrus888
18-09-2002, 05:52
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies2/Oasis.jpg
Oasis
Earl Jolly Brown
18-09-2002, 12:16
Master director Brian De Palma is catching up with the Korean film buzz..
from 'LA Times'
"...While other directors here were ferried around in limos, accompanied by a phalanx of publicists, De Palma was largely anonymous, attending screenings by himself.
When I beseeched him to see "City of God," a Miramax film from Brazil that was my favorite festival entry, he brushed it off, saying he doesn't bother with films that he can eventually see at the theater around the corner from where he lives in Greenwich Village. Instead, he sought out obscure work from Iran, Israel and Korea.
"I can't get enough of Korean movies," he said, chastely sipping bottled water at the bar of the posh King Edward Hotel here. "There's lots of things happening in these Korean films. I want more--South Korea, here I come." :clap:
I look forward to elbowing him in the queue at the Pusan Film Festival :lol:
Cirrus888
18-09-2002, 13:26
Earl Jolly Brown - :D give him an elbow or two from me as well!
The new Keiket Adverts on the Popcorn2 site are good guys. :norty:
rumbletum
18-09-2002, 23:29
Originally posted by Ono
The new Keiket Adverts on the Popcorn2 site are good guys. :norty:
A slight understatement there Ono!! :shocker: :norty:
Cirrus888
19-09-2002, 05:30
Call me stupid but where the hell are these keiket adverts?? :( :notworthy :nuts:
10 mins later ....
Its OK I've found it through pure persistence and my need for Jeon Ji-hyun! :nuts: :D
http://www.popcornfor2.com/
Cirrus888
19-09-2002, 05:56
:shocker: :D :shocker: :notworthy
I don't know what the hell their selling but they make blooming great adverts in korea! :clap: :notworthy :D
Now all I need to do is to loop the adverts together and play them ad infintum ... :nuts:
wong fei hong
19-09-2002, 09:18
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Its OK I've found it through pure persistence and my need for Jeon Ji-hyun! :nuts: :D
http://www.popcornfor2.com/
Sob! I thought she was cute (and talented, and very funny) in My Sassy Girl, but I think I've just fallen head over heels in lust. Now, how can I explain a sudden need to relocate to Korea to my girlfriend...?
I love birds with long straight hair normally but she's even scrumptious with her hair tied back. :)
I see that DDDHouse now have My Beautiful Girl, Mari at HK$ 70 :eek:
Anyone know the specs of the HK release?
Cirrus888
20-09-2002, 18:34
Originally posted by Ono
I see that DDDHouse now have My Beautiful Girl, Mari at HK$ 70 :eek:
:eek: That is a serious bargain! First I've heard of it!
Originally posted by Cirrus888
:eek: That is a serious bargain! First I've heard of it!
Well, I need to know if it's bare bones or has the extras that the Korean R3 has before considering it.
Cirrus888
26-09-2002, 08:39
Christmas In August
Technical: Korean R3 boxset with CD soundtrack. Anamorphic 1.85:1 DD2.0. Great picture with good sound no complaints.
A romantic movie thats really about nostalgia, life and death.
I watched this expecting good things and within the opening few minutes the lead male captures your heart.
His very existence, his life and thoughts are the envy of us all.
The movie moves perfectly between scenes and characters ... always giving you time to admire and take in whats on screen.
I love the pacing found in Korean romance movies, this isn't the first korean film I've seen like this and I hope it isn't the last ... so different from HK and US movies and not slow and boring like UK romances.
Il Mare, Failan and Christmas in August are about the best "romances" anyone can hope to see.
A Simple yet touching film that never gets cynical or filled with cheesy dialogue and camera angles.
Korean Romances Are Brilliant! :thumbs:
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/xmasinAugust3.jpg
Female lead is a Traffic warden not school girl! ... its still uniform though ... :norty:
Many thanks for the review, Cirrus888. I've got "Christmas in August" sitting on the shelf waiting to see (along with "Sassy Girl", "Failan") and I'm thinking of going for "Arthouse by the Zoo" and "Il Mare" next!
The soundtrack to "Christmas...." is good (I've played the OST CD that came with the Korean edition DVD)....
Cheers
Steve
FS Cirrus!! :mad:
Don't go posting pictures of Korean birds in mini skirts anymore.
/mumbles to self.
/Gets credit card out. :/
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Christmas In August
Technical: Korean R3 boxset with CD soundtrack. Anamorphic 1.85:1 DD2.0. Great picture with good sound no complaints.
The HK version has DD5.1 according to DDDHouse so it looks like I will go for that one.
Cirrus888
26-09-2002, 18:24
Ono - don't buy the HK R3 version because the transfer is very bad according to many reports. It was a very early release (HK exclusive) for at least a year before the Korean version came out.
Also this film doesn't need a DD5.1 soundtrack and the price is almost the same too.
Cirrus888
26-09-2002, 18:27
Originally posted by Ono
FS Cirrus!! :mad:
Don't go posting pictures of Korean birds in mini skirts anymore.
/mumbles to self.
/Gets credit card out. :/
LOL :D - I posted this review with pictures on other websites but I specifically grabbed this screenshot for this forum as I knew members here have an appreciation for these sort of screen grabs! :norty:
Hmmm. OK.
I'll wait a bit then. :/
ps. you can keep posting those piccies if you want. :norty:
I've asked my sis to get me My Beautiful Girl, Mari (what will I do without her :D ).
My CC is gonna take a big bashing this month! Gonna be ordering Christmas In August from YesAsia.
bruce-leroy
26-09-2002, 21:05
2009 Lost Memories
What if the (alternative) outcome of one single event in history led to Korea being taken over by Japan? This is the main crux of 2009 Lost Memories.
I watched it last night and thought it was a excellent movie with a great plotline (no spoilers). I wouldn't say it has the most original plot, but the filmmakers approached it in a more novel way than usual. At the beginning, 2009 plays like a standard "Cops versus Terrorists" movie, but soon develops into something much more clever (which works a lot better if you have no idea prior to watching - like me). The well-worn themes of identity and friendship, and the conflict of interest caused when the two clash, are integrated very well into the story. I have heard 2009 being compared to Shiri, but it is a very different film plotwise, although sharing similar themes.
The acting by leads Jang Dong-Gun and Toru Nakumura are first rate (especially the former, who gives a very moving and emotive performance without ever going OTT)
All in all, an excellent movie, but not so great that you should immediately shell out £30 for the LE set (unless you are mad like me or are learning Korean) :D Wait for the normal special edition in October.
On a final note, I don't know if 2009 memories was well received in Japan, as the Japanese in this movie are portrayed as an arrogant bunch with a superiority complex!
Cirrus888
26-09-2002, 21:19
bruce-leroy - nice review ... of note is that the normal edition is only a few pounds less than the LE ... the expense lies in the weight of the book that comes with it ... what did you think of the book?
Scratch that it was quite popular :p
bruce-leroy
26-09-2002, 21:39
Originally posted by Cirrus888
bruce-leroy - nice review ... of note is that the normal edition is only a few pounds less than the LE ... the expense lies in the weight of the book that comes with it ... what did you think of the book?
Scratch that it was quite popular :p
Thanks Cirrus. :D Yeah, it cost me US $20 for shipping :eek: , on top of the $30 for the LE set with book from mrkwangs. The book is very lavish, with loads of great pictures from the movie. It would also help to know Korean. :p
Cirrus888
26-09-2002, 21:44
Korea Domestic 2002 Box office to date:
Figures show total tickets sold and release date, note some films are still running.
1. "The Way Home" 4,091,000 Apr 5
2. "Public Enemy" 2,987,900 Jan 25
3. "2009 Lost Memories" 2,263,800 Feb 1
4. "Phone" 2,182,915 Jul 26
5. "For the Glory of My Family" 1,937,140 Sep 13
6. "Champion" 1,770,000 Jun 28
7. "Break Out" 1,293,827 Jul 17
8. "Bet On My Disco" 1,273,035 Jun 6
9. "Crazy Thing Called Marriage" 1,148,736 Apr 26
10. "A Funny Movie" 1,041,500 Apr 12
Earl Jolly Brown
26-09-2002, 22:11
'A Funny Movie' (No.10) is, so I've heard, the first Korean spoof and quotes/parodies scenes from 'Shiri', 'JSA', 'Green Fish' and loads more. Requires a good knowledge of recent Korean film to 'get' it but you people seem to have seen more of 'em than I.
Cirrus888
27-09-2002, 00:15
Love Letter
Technical: Korean R3 Boxset with CD soundtrack of this modern day Japanese classic. Anamorphic 2.35:1 DD2.0. The picture is soft (the japanese version is better) and the sound is good.
This film came out in 1995 and I have been meaning to watch it since then. Hard to swallow that 7 years have gone by because I remember all the justified good hype about the movie like yesterday.
I don't know if I'm going soft in the 'ed with age but these foreign romantic dramas have been hitting home with me since Failan ... I absolutely adore this movie and the rest already mentioned above.
The music and flashback scenes to Love letter remind me of cinema paradiso one of my all time favourites. The 1st 30 mins were confusing at first due to the poor subtitling but once the twist was out of the way ... the movie ran down charm and endearing road all the way 'til it finished.
I Love it! :thumbs:
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Pdvd_001.jpg
Jap R2 Version
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/lovele1.jpg
Korean R3 Version
These are the only two versions available - a crime to say the least.
ADDED INFO:
It is also worth noting that the whole film is in colour storyboard format, found in the special features section.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Loveletter.jpg
Cirrus888
27-09-2002, 00:18
Funny Movie is already available on DVD but I will probably give it a miss ... too many Korean romances I want to see ;)
I find the Korean language quite weird really. Haven't managed to pick up a single expression whereas my Japanese could get me a slap on the face no problem. :norty: :D
Cirrus888
27-09-2002, 00:37
Ono - You need to go back to were Cecilia is learning it from the laundry lady in Failan ... ahh la ta taooo
Earl Jolly Brown
27-09-2002, 01:11
Originally posted by Ono
I find the Korean language quite weird really. Haven't managed to pick up a single expression whereas my Japanese could get me a slap on the face no problem. :norty: :D
Try "Ahma bek bogee" - should be enough to hospitalise you if you say it to any red-blooded Korean male :D
"Blumpkin jusayo" could work on the fairer sex, but you'd be relying on a girl's knowledge of US slang (I can't think of a short equivalent in Korean..) :lol:
How about if I just spouted out:
I LiEK JEON JI-HYUN!!!!1111 and continuously raised and lowered my eyebrow
You reckon they'll understand what I want?
:norty: :nuts: :smokin:
Cirrus888
29-09-2002, 10:19
My Korean Top ten Update:
1. Il Mare
2. Christmas In August
3. My Sassy Girl
4. Failan
5. Barking Dogs Never Bite
6. My Boss, My Hero
7. Last Witness
8. The Quiet Family
9. The Foul King (its a grower)
10. Ditto
Cirrus888
29-09-2002, 10:20
My Updated wants List:
A Day - Story About Failed pregnancy.
Take Care Of My Cat - Story about a group girls cntred around a lost kitten.
Bungee Jumping Of Their Own - Love Story using reincarnation as a twist.
Art Museum By The Zoo - Romance for the most unlikely of characters.
An Affair - Story in title
Kiss Me Much - Couple dealing with financial difficulties and how it affects on their love for each other.
One Fine Spring Day - Romance
I wish I had A Wife - Romance
An Interview - Romance
The Power Of Kang Won Province - Same story/ two perspectives
Wanee & Junah - Roamance
My Beautiful Days - More Romance
Green Fish/Peppermint candy/Oasis - waiting for decent DVD releases.
As you can see I'm really into the melodramatic stuff because when the koreans get it right ... they make the best in the world.
The Koreans indeed do melodrama very well. It's why I liked "Shiri" so much: the action was good, but the characters and their relationships as well as the overall theme of separation is what made it special.
I saw "Christmas in August" last night and enjoyed it as much as I hoped I would. It may be a tad unfair to label it "melodrama", though. The performances were note-perfect and volumes were spoken in a gesture or just a look. It is still a sweet film, but very understated....
Have now got "Arthouse by the Zoo" and "JSA" on order from yesasia! :)
Also have beady eyes on the Varied Colours of Korea boxset (no swimcap, though) and "Memento Mori".
Steve
Cirrus888
29-09-2002, 12:08
Christmas in August - left me feeling all jumbled up emotionally.
I guess when I say melodramatic I mean that the films really take a hold of your emtions and never lets go ... even after the movie has finished.
Its gonna take awhile for me to get over Christmas In August. I was surprised by its simplicity and beauty of it all.
First time directorial effort by Hur Jin-ho as well!
Originally posted by Cirrus888
As you can see I'm really into the melodramatic stuff because when the koreans get it right ... they make the best in the world.
seems like we're into the same genre, and seemslike I've got an expensive few weeks/months ahead.
Have you read the description of Take care of My Cat at YesAsia? (http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx?pid=1001835317&did=90&code=k§ion=videos&) :norty:
Cirrus888
29-09-2002, 14:32
Take of my cat is the release I am most interested to see first out of that list. :D
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Take of my cat is the release I am most interested to see first out of that list. :D
Ordered. :norty:
Should be here on Wednesday. :clap:
I LiEK TEH KOREAN SK00L GIRLZ AND PUSSY CATZ :nuts:
Cirrus888
29-09-2002, 16:01
Take care of My cat is getting a limited US release
Kino website has the details (http://www.kino.com/screen/screenframe.html) as well as trailers and synopsis.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/TakeCareofMyCat-2001-03-a.jpg
:)
unrealnils
29-09-2002, 22:00
:notworthy
Korean movies are vey cool, i have only seen 5 but 4 of them are absolute class
My Sassy girl
Must i say any more:p, this is one of the best love stories ever and happens to be so funny it cracks me up time after time.
Oh and a certain JJH helps :thumbs:
Shiri
This is a top class action movie that comes iwht a good twist storyline. I must admit the 2-disk Bitwin dvd is just great. the packaging and menus are tottaly cool
JSA
This is just a great drama, not as action packed as some would have liked but the story makes this movie great
Musa
Well what can i say, firstly the saound and picture of this dvd is just great. the story line is good and the action scenes are amazingly good . These scenes are only surpassed by the second hottest female on the planet Zhang Zi Yi who just looks great in this movie.
P.S the limited korean book that comes with it is just fantastic, i just wish i could read korean thats all :lol:
unrealnils
29-09-2002, 22:33
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Sorry its to big to email ... should have known :brickwall
Download it from here:
http://thaigamer.com:81/myjet.mpg
Watch it and weep :D
P.S. I'm gonna buy a samsung injet printer right now! :nuts:
:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy
Oh wow thats was so cool :p
Cirrus888
30-09-2002, 09:57
Originally posted by unrealnils
:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy
Oh wow thats was so cool :p
Don't forget the keiket ones as well! they're amazing too!
http://www.popcornfor2.com/
<<< oh, that was not me :D
Sis said a lot of korean vcds can be found cheap now (from $hk15), even the popular ones like one fine spring day.
Cirrus888
30-09-2002, 16:36
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/JJH1.jpg
JEON JI-HYUN iZ a MiNGeR!!!11 WTF??? :nono:
:nuts: :D
it was a certian 'splobs' that change my profile (i think) :|
nice pic :D
Was expecting Christmas in August to arrive this morning but not got it yet...
Originally posted by kcxdev
it was a certian 'splobs' that change my profile (i think) :|
Did he? Git. Surely you can change it back yourself?
Anyway, my Christmas in August and Take Care of My Cat were only just shipped this morning by DVDAsian. :(
Slackers.
Cirrus888
02-10-2002, 12:24
I ordered Take care of my cat today along with;
The power of kangwondo province
Junee nad Wanah
My beautiful days
I can't wait! :clap:
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/JJH3.jpg
Still not got mine Christmas in August, but my sis has got me One Fine Spring Day, Holiday in Seoul, and Love Wind, Love Song, plus those 2 TV series :clap:
My title will be changed.
My "Art Museum by the Zoo" and "JSA" (Korean edition) have shipped....
"The Isle" and "Mari" from HK will be the next order....
"Memento Mori" and "The Last Witness" are on the list of possible next purchases.
Lookign good all round, and thanks again to Cirrus888 for sustaining the interest in Korean films on the boards.
Steve
Got JSA and My Beautiful Girl, Mar from DDDHouse today.
No time to watch it but MBG,M comes in an amarray with nice slipcase. It has DD5.1, DTS and is Anamorphic.
There are a few extras like a music video and NG reel shots.
Well worth the very cheap price IMHO.
JSA came in a nice slipcase too. :thumbs:
Jimmyboy
02-10-2002, 19:10
whats JSA ?.
Cirrus888
02-10-2002, 19:15
JSA: Joint Sercurity Area - biggest South korean movie in 2001.
Its a north / south border conflict film set as a murder mystery.
Similar to The Last Witness which I think is better.
Cirrus888
02-10-2002, 19:56
Originally posted by mrsteve
... thanks again to Cirrus888 for sustaining the interest in Korean films on the boards.
Steve
I'm happy that I can share my love of korean movies with others. Its a lonely world outside these boards.
What I really want to see is more views on the movies that people have seen. Mr woo may disagree with a lot of my views but its nice to read someone elses POV.
rumbletum
02-10-2002, 20:06
Originally posted by Ono
Got JSA and My Beautiful Girl, Mar from DDDHouse today.
No time to watch it but MBG,M comes in an amarray with nice slipcase. It has DD5.1, DTS and is Anamorphic.
There are a few extras like a music video and NG reel shots.
Its a nice little movie IMO, well worth shelling out a few quid for.
I quite like the animation style too, all done by PCs IIRC but it has a nice clean look to it
Originally posted by Cirrus888
What I really want to see is more views on the movies that people have seen.
What I'd like to see is more pictures :norty: :nuts:
Cirrus888
02-10-2002, 20:12
The HK R3 Mari sounds exactly the same as the Korean version. Is it a DVD-9 Ono?
Originally posted by Cirrus888
The HK R3 Mari sounds exactly the same as the Korean version. Is it a DVD-9 Ono?
Single sided dual layer. So I guess that's a YES.
Received Christmas in August this morning :clap: That's my weekend sorted :o
Originally posted by Cirrus888
What I really want to see is more views on the movies that people have seen
Well, I've been lurking in and enjoying (not just the pics!) this thread for long enough, so better put in my 2p worth...
Prompted mainly by this thread, I've bought so far My beautiful girl, Mari, My sassy girl, Il Mare and Beijing Bicycle (all Korean) and have watched the first two:
My sassy girl - very funny, beautifully shot; I loved the non-Western pace and approach to this film, it seemed very fresh.
My beautiful girl, Mari - beautiful animation; story better than I expected. Although the fantasy parts were lovely to look at, what I really liked were the sea side scenes, including the village: these parts reminded me a lot of Miyazaki stuff in their sunny, natural detail.
Next ones on my list are Art museum by the zoo, Failian, Friend and probably many more...
:)
JayLunar
03-10-2002, 17:17
Originally posted by Cirrus888
What I really want to see is more views on the movies that people have seen
Here I go :rocker: ->
Failan 10 /10
The direction is flawless, the pacing and photography are wonderful. It's also a perfect mix of funny, dramatic and even violent moments. That, and the great performance by Choi Min-shik, which is why he's one of my favorite actors at the moment, makes this my no.1 asian movie and perhaps one of the best films ever made!!! IMO
No.3 7 /10
Although the strange structure and, sometimes overlong, scenes detract, this is a cool and entertaining and maybe even profound movie about crime. Well directed and fine performances by a great cast (before they broke through).
Barking Dogs Never Bite 4,5 /10
I didn't like this one at all. This film isn't funny or entertaining IMO, and the story isn't exactly interesting either.
Musa 7+ /10
The story is very simple, and I couldn't notice the epic-feeling I'd hoped for. There are also a few scenes that I found very pretentious, however overall it's pretty entertaining and the battle-parts are very excellent.
The Isle 7+ /10
Typical Arthouse movie, with careful pacing and a great tour-de-force performance by Suh Jung. Don't be expecting a horror-movie, although a few scenes are very intense. Recommended.
Shiri 7,5 /10
People find this a Hollywood-style action flick. I think it is way better than Hollywood! With a great story and excellent action scenes, I think this would be one of the best action movies in contemporary asian cinema!
One Fine Sprong Day 5,5 /10
I felt there was something missing. Maybe because the two main actors couldn't convince me, or the scenario was too boring, I don't know.
JSA 8+ /10
Excellent political thriller/drama. Great story, direction and performances (except for the English-speaking parts). One of the best asian films I've ever seen.
Oh, if we are marking things then:
My Sassy Girl - 10/10
Not just cos it features the best looking babe in the universe but also because it features the sexiest babe in the universe. :nuts:
Il Mare - 10/10
Not just cos it features the best looking babe in the universe but also because it features the sexiest babe in the universe. :nuts:
Failan - 9/10
It made me a better man after watching this. Oh, and Cecilia is kinda nice when she doesn't open her mouth much.
Musa - 7/10
Not just cos it features the second best looking babe in the universe but also because it features the second sexiest babe in the universe. :nuts:
There ya go. Ono's comprehensive Korean DVD review.
More will come, in a manner of speaking :norty: :nuts::o
Another thumbs up for Barking Dogs Never Bite....
Two hours filled with black humour, some great characters and performances, and Boiler Kim! It is perhaps the most European of the Korean films I have seen so far in terms of pacing, style and approach. Maybe it's the great jazz soundtrack that's leadiing me to think that!
An enjoyable and hugely likeable film. The HK edition is a DVD5 and I have seen better picture quality, but the anamorphic print is a good one. The audio is only 5.1 for Cantonese with 2.0 for Korean, but the sub-titles are excellent with only one mis-spelling I could see....
Oh, maybe not so good if you rilly RILLY like dogs!
Steve
wonderpants
03-10-2002, 23:25
I'm hoping to buy these in the near future, ive read above that the quiet family is good, but what about i wish i had a wife?? from also reading the above im interested in JSA!!!
The Quiet Family
I wish i had a wife
(im also gunna be buying my sassy girl for the second time as mine was ******!!)
Originally posted by wonderpants
(im also gunna be buying my sassy girl for the second time as mine was ******!!)
:nuts:
wonderpants
03-10-2002, 23:34
Dodgy double post!!!
wonderpants
03-10-2002, 23:35
It played OK on my cheapo player though! just wasn't so good on the one i have in my living room, so i traded it on.
I have 3 copies at the moment. :nuts:
One (similar to the one I sold you but not scratched) will be sold eventually.
The other 2 I keep. :p
wonderpants
04-10-2002, 00:25
How much do you want for it? and why do you need 2?
Originally posted by wonderpants
How much do you want for it? and why do you need 2?
One is the version you had (ie. the HK release) but now in an amarray case and not the crappy cardboard and the other is the Korean Director's Cut.
I'm holding onto the 3rd version for a bit Lee.
I suggest you get Cirrus888 to get you the Amarray version from HK - it's a lot sturdier mate.
wonderpants
04-10-2002, 00:37
Ive spoke to Cirrus888 and he suggest getting them myself as it will be cheaper and easier for me. Im going to ask my mum to pay on her credit card (i dont have one) for me, so ill probably get them from dddhouse.
(i sound like a kid having to ask my mum LOL im bloody 30 years old)
unrealnils
04-10-2002, 11:29
On the top of my Korean movie list is My wie is a gangster.
And on top of my korean dvd list is the 2-disk Ghost in the shell dvd.
Hopefully i'll get theses soonish:norty:
White Valentine
Anyone seen this yet? Does she have a big part in it or just a small role?
/oh, and is the film any good? :D
your addictions getting a bit serious innit :p
Originally posted by kcxdev
your addictions getting a bit serious innit :p
What addiction? :confused:
:D :nuts:
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 06:07
I have held out on White Valentine because the reviews in general are bad despite it being jeon ji-hyun's first film. She is the leading actress in this movie.
I saw "My Sassy Girl" for the first time last night.
This will not be news to any on this thread but I really wasn't expecting it to be that good. I'd enjoyed the last few Korean movies I'd seen hugley but this was in a class of its own.
Two hugely likeable and talented leads, and a romance that actually worked, dammnit! You believed in it, and that is so rare. It didn't put a foot wrong for me, complete perfection.
The Korean edition is good, although the subtitles are a little awkward at first (the option is for English in "hard of hearing" format only). I knew about this but wanted the longer director's cut . Not a big deal, you adapt to them quickly enough.
Steve
Welcome to the club mrsteve. :thumbs:
I got my Korean copies of Christmas in August and Take Care of my cat this morning. No time to watch - but was pleasantly suprised by how nice the packaging looked.
One was pastel green and one was pastel blue. Very pretty.:)
Cheers, Ono! I'm going to have to see "Sassy Girl" again real soon.... :D
The Korean edition of "Christmas in August" is packaged very neatly. Hope you enjoy the film, it's beautifully made and acted.
On a side-note, I think "Christmas in August" was playing on a TV in a scene in "Barking Dogs Never Bite"... It's the music that seemed to give it away.
I think "Take Care of my Cat" may be a future purchase, or even in the next batch. The lead from "Barking Dogs...." is in it.
Steve
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 14:08
Originally posted by mrsteve
... I think "Christmas in August" was playing on a TV in a scene in "Barking Dogs Never Bite"... It's the music that seemed to give it away.
I think "Take Care of my Cat" may be a future purchase, or even in the next batch. The lead from "Barking Dogs...." is in it.
Steve
Steve your quite right ... I spotted that on later viewings of Dogs ... :D
As for the actress in dogs being in cats ... that long interview with her on the dogs DVD is bloody brilliant and I don't understand a word of it! :nuts: :D ... she's prettier than you realise ...
Ono don't forget to tell us what Cat is like ... I don't get my copy until late next week ... :(
Cirrus888 - She's kinda intense in "Dogs" and I certainly want to see more of her (not in an "AV Girls" way, though). She's the actress who has probably impressed me most out of the few Korean flicks I've seen.
'Fraid I don't have the "Dogs" interview, only got the trailer on the HK disk....
But just off to order "Cat" and one other (wife picked "cat" over "A Day" - the latter may be a tad too gruelling). Choice between "Last Witness" and "Memento Mori" (Korean editions).
I'm just off to check your views on "Last Witness", Cirrus.... I know you're a fan!
Steve
Steve
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 15:13
Last Witness - I can tell you its a murder mystery with a silent love theme running through with heavy doses of north and south conflict much like JSA. I liked the intelligent pace and the ending of this.
You can also try sympathy for mr. vengence and Public Enemy which is both apparently quite good. The actress in dogs Bae Du-Na is also in Sym for mr. vengence. :norty:
I forgot you had the HK disc of dogs I have the korean version ... I'll show you a screen grab :norty: :D
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 16:01
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/dogs.jpg
Bae Du-Na
Her Filmography:
Geum-Sun (2002)
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)
Take Care of My Cat (2001)
Plum Blossom (2000)
Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000)
Ring Virus, The (1999)
Cirrus888 - I'd be much obliged for the screen-grab! :D
I've gone for "Cat" and "Memento Mori". I actually bought "Memento Mori" a year ago, but the e-tailer sent me the HK full-screen edition (having advertised the Spectrum edition) so I had to send it back un-opened and unwatched. The movie is meant to have been cut (by the Korean government because of the references to lesbianism) but is still meant to be an eerie and visually beautiful tale of tragedy with a supernatural edge!
Previous posters on this thread have recommended it highly....
"Sympathy...." sounds a little grim from the reviews, but I'll watch "JSA" first and take it from there. "Last Witness" is still in the pile to get, and many thanks for your recommendation....
Cheers! Now, do I watch "Failan" next or "Friend"? Hmmm....
Steve
Ah, posted mine just before yours arrived!
You're perfectly right, she does look good.... And "Ring Virus" too!
Many thanks Cirrus! :thumbs:
Steve
Jimmyboy
05-10-2002, 16:33
I don't suppose anybody wants to knock up a list of Korean films which have good HK releases so that people can go for the cheaper option ?.
Failan
Friend
Barking Dogs Never Bite
Mari
All the HK editions are anamorphic for these titles (I have the first three, and the fourth on order - Ono has confirmed Mari is anamorphic).
It's mentioned elsewhere on this thread that the HK Failan has a better transfer than the Korean edition, but not the extras.
"Barking Dogs...." had a perfectly adequate transfer, but 5.1 in Cantonese only (2.0 in Korean).
The Korean "Friend" has a luvverly Korean tinset edition but I haven't found any comparison reviews with the HK edition apart from a Dutch review (on-line translation wasn't quite good enough to work out their conclusion).
Guns & Talks
Hi, Dharma
Both are meant to be anamorphic.
Steve
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 18:10
The Ring Virus is actually the Korean remake of the Ring, I haven't seen it but I can't see it being much better than the original.
The HK R3 Foul King is also anamorphic.
dddhouse carries a full set of Korean films with HK DVDs and as you will see the cheapest ones have basically been mentioned by mr.steve already or in this thread.
I will be getting the HK R3 of;
Love wind Love Song
One Fine spring day (only version available with eng subs and is the follow up to the brilliant Christmas in August)
Happy End (only version Available)
Green Fish (4:3)
An Affair
... as soon as I can find them.
rumbletum
05-10-2002, 18:22
Damn this thread and its tempting ways!!
Barking Dogs & Last Witness just ordered.....
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 18:44
Wow a sudden burst of Last witness interest ... is there something I don't know about :confused: :nuts: :D
The Korea Herald review of The Last Witness. (http://wk.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2001/11/23/200111230023.asp) ... its not a glowing review but it gives you an idea of what to expect ... I also like to restate I found large parts of it very hitchcockian.
JayLunar
05-10-2002, 18:49
Originally posted by mrsteve
The Korean "Friend" has a luvverly Korean tinset edition but I haven't found any comparison reviews with the HK edition apart from a Dutch review (on-line translation wasn't quite good enough to work out their conclusion).
mrsteve
Maybe I can be of some help here :norty:
According to the review the picture quality is better than the Megastar, and the DTS soundtrack (with a lot of LFE goin' on during some scenes BTW) is the biggest improvement compared with the HK-release. The packaging is wonderful, with the character's names inprinted in the tin case, and their faces sort of painted on the inside. In the tin case you'll also find a booklet and a regular DVD-case.
If ya want to know more specific things just ask!!! I know the reviewer personally, so I might be able to drag him down here to answer yez questions :)
Cirrus888
As soon as the Green Fish, Happy End and Love Wind Love Song DVD's are delivered, could you tell me something about them qualitywise, cuz I'm also very interested in them DVD's!!! :notworthy
Anyway, last night I saw No. 3 again, and I liked it a lot better than the first time (probably cuz I knew what to expect storywise, and I wasn't confused anymore about what the hell was goin'on :nuts: ). Awesome movie, very cool, funny and entertaining. Memorable characters (like Ashtray :D ) played by some of Korea's finest actors -> Choi Min-sik (my favorite), Song Kang-ho and Han Suk-Gyu (all Shiri-actors as well). Very Highly Recommended!!! :thumbs: (avoid however the 4:3 HK-release which has bad sound)
Has anyone seen The Butterfly ( Nabi )?
Can anyone tell me if it's a good film?
Thanks
Ericf
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 19:33
Originally posted by Ericf
Has anyone seen The Butterfly ( Nabi )?
Can anyone tell me if it's a good film?
Thanks
Ericf
From Koreanfilm.org:
The DVD:
The film was shot in digital video so the picture isn't great but its presentation is anamorphic widescreen. The audio is DD 5.1 and DTS 2.0. It comes in a 2-disc box set with a scenario booklet (all in Korean) and negatives from the film. The extras are cast and staff interviews, trailers, music video, still gallery, making of, commentary making, interview in japan, and a short film with a documentary. In other words, its loaded.
Short review:
Here. (http://www.koreanfilm.org/kfilm01.html#nabi)
[QUOTE]Originally posted by JayLunar
[b]mrsteve
Maybe I can be of some help here :norty:
According to the review the picture quality is better than the Megastar, and the DTS soundtrack (with a lot of LFE goin' on during some scenes BTW) is the biggest improvement compared with the HK-release. The packaging is wonderful, with the character's names inprinted in the tin case, and their faces sort of painted on the inside. In the tin case you'll also find a booklet and a regular DVD-case.
If ya want to know more specific things just ask!!! I know the reviewer personally, so I might be able to drag him down here to answer yez questions :)
Jaylunar - Many thanks for the offer, I might just take you up on that. :)
I plumped for the HK edition for price reasons, but understood from the dvdtimes review that the sound on the HK edition was perhaps not so hot (focused on the center speaker). I don't have DTS capability but a groovy DD 5.1 audio track is always welcome!
If the movie is excellent and a keeper, I might just have to go for the Korean tinnie (before it sells out, omigosh).
Ta muchly for the info on the tin and the review!
:thumbs:
Cirrus - good news on Foul King being anamorphic! Stephen Chow on the Cantonese track, is it not? But the Korean edition comes with a swimcap! Decisions, decisions....
Steve
Cirrus888
05-10-2002, 19:53
Originally posted by mrsteve
Cirrus - good news on Foul King being anamorphic! Stephen Chow on the Cantonese track, is it not? But the Korean edition comes with a swimcap! Decisions, decisions....
Steve [/B]
Steve - Well the stephen Chow dub ain't much use to most people here so I didn't mention it but like all dubs its terrible.
JayLunar - I haven't bought those discs yet but as soon as I find them and watch them I will as always report in here! :)
Jimmyboy
05-10-2002, 20:45
Whats the HK releases of JSA, Xmas in August, & My Beautiful Girl Mari like ?.
I know theres 2-discs Korean releases of these, but bearing in mind the 2nd disc is nearly always close to useless with these Korean sets are the HK versions good for the money ?.
Originally posted by Ericf
Has anyone seen The Butterfly ( Nabi )?
Anyone seen Club Butterfly? :norty: :eek:
Club Butterfly, heh heh heh! Norty, norty....
Have just finished watching Friend, 3rd night of Korean cinema in a row!
Cirrus888, you're right, the world the four friends inhabit is painted with vivid realism (even though the colour palate on screen is quite muted - great cinematography, though).
But I did like the fact that the the circumstances of the friends and their lives is often suggested and not explicitly pointed out. I want to see it again and there's more I can get from the movie.
Great performances from the leads, quite a few parallels to Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America", and a real Ennio Morriconne moment. But do watch the movie before you see the trailer.
I really am tempted to upgrade to the Korean SE, but I may just invest in new movies and keep hold of the HK edition.
A great movie, and another keeper!
Steve
Cirrus888
06-10-2002, 05:39
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
Whats the HK releases of JSA, Xmas in August, & My Beautiful Girl Mari like ?.
HK R3 JSA is non anamorphic but is in DTS.
The HK release of Mari is anamorphic with DTS. Great DVD-9 disc fat half the price of the Korean counterpart.
The Korean version of Mari is only one disc.
Christmas in august however is a different story. Released on HK label Edko more than a year before the Korean release. Poor print despite the DD5.1 soundtrack, which matter little for a film like this. The korean version comes in a brilliant package with the CD soundtrack (excellent) and very good print and extras still worth watching even without subs. On top of that the HK R3 version is expensive infact only about 2-3 pounds cheaper i think.
To Conclude christmas in august is the most expensive but it is by far the better film. IMHO :p
Originally posted by Cirrus888
The HK releases of JSA and Mari are both anamorphic with DTS. Great DVD-9 discs for half the price of their Korean counterparts.
Interesting. The reviews I have read of the HK DVD of JSA all say that the DVD is letterbox. The Korean DVD is Anamorphic.
Mari is supposed to be anamorphic, though.
Ericf
Cirrus888
06-10-2002, 08:00
Ericf - yes your quite right HK R3 JSA is non anamorphic ... I forget my own reviews ... :p
Cirrus888
07-10-2002, 08:15
2002 Korean Movie Top 10 updated
Figures show number of tickets sold.
1. The Way Home 4,091,000
2. Marrying The Mafia 3,648,987*
3. Public Enemy 2,987,900
4. 2009 Lost Memories 2,263,800
5. Phone 2,182,915
6. Champion 1,770,000
7. Lover's Concerto 1,450,485*
8. Breakout 1,293,827
9. Bet on My Disco 1,273,055
10.Oasis 1,152,000*
* - still runnung
I think I might get public enemy next ...
Cirrus888
07-10-2002, 08:53
Top Korean Movies 1997 - 2002
Figures are tickets sold.
Friend (2001) 8134500
My Wife is a Gangster (2001) 5780900
My Sassy Girl (2001) 4852845
Kick the Moon (2001) 4353800
The Way Home (2002) 4091000
Hi, Dharma (2001) 3746000
Marrying The Mafia (2002) 3648987
My Boss, My Hero (2001) 3302000
Public Enemy (2002) 2987900
Joint Security Area (2000) 2509320
Shiri (1999) 2448399
2009 Lost Memories (2002) 2263800
Guns & Talks (2001) 2227000
Phone (2002) 2182915
Musa (2001) 2067100
Champion (2002) 1770000
Volcano High (2001) 1687800
Lover's Concerto (2002) 1450485
Breakout (2002) 1293827
Bet on My Disco (2002) 1273055
Oasis (2002) 1152000
Attack the Gas Station (1999) 962000
Bungee Jumping Of Their Own (2001) 947000
The Foul King (2000) 817870
Tell Me Something (1999) 740000
Bichunmoo (2000) 730300
The Letter (1997) 724727
A Promise (1998) 720000
Nowhere to Hide (1999) 687000
The Contact (1997) 674933
The Legend of Gingko (2000) 637000
Whispering Corridors (1998) 621032
Happy End (1999) 563000
Libera Me (2000) 542000
Yonggary (1999) 500000
Downfall (Ch'ang) (1997) 458916
Art Museum by the Zoo (1998) 450000
Christmas in August (1998) 422930
Ghost in Love (1999) 420000
The Soul Guardians (1998) 419201
Phantom the Submarine (1999) 365000
Beat (1997) 349781
The Quiet Family (1998) 343946
A Nightmare (2000) 341796
The Ring Virus (1999) 340000
City of the Rising Sun (1999) 329778
Ditto (2000) 326000
Lies (2000) 320000
Peppermint Candy (2000) 311000
Hallelujah (1997) 310920
An Affair (1998) 304666
Jakarta (2000) 300000
No. 3 (1997) 297617
Girls' Night Out (1998) 290502
If the Sun Rises in the West (1998) 220000
Spring in my Hometown (1998) 188000
Change (1997) 167235
Green Fish (1997) 163655
Mister Condom (1997) 157032
The Hole (1997) 141717
Figures are estimates and there are many films made in 2001 and 2002 that has outgross previous years but not enough to make their respective years Top Ten.
No Il Mare on that list? :confused:
Cirrus888
07-10-2002, 13:58
No Il Mare, this film is purely a DVD classic. :rocker:
Korean films made before Shiri in 1999, did very poorly at the box office whereas now Korean films will dominate at least half of the box office.
Ono where are you reviews for christmas and cat? :)
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Ono where are you reviews for christmas and cat? :)
Snowed under at work and at home mate.
Played both discs just to check out the quality yesterday night though and they look mighty fine.
The bird in Christmas is not all that though. :(
I watched xmas in august in the weekend, have to say I dunno what to make about how it ended though. I was expecting to be more 'touched' by it...
Cirrus888
07-10-2002, 17:20
The ending had exactly the same affect on me I didn't know how to feel about it either ... but that just made me even more emotionally "touched" by it ...
"Art Museum by the Zoo" and "JSA" arrived today, hoorah!
And Yesasia are doign free-shipping to Europe. Mixed feelings about that one. I will be very broke. Have to sell the family.
The end to "Chritsmas in August" is very understated indeed and I liked it all the more for it. I think it will be one that repays repeated viewings into the future....
Thanks for the box-office lists, Cirrus. "The Way Home" looks good (trailer over at Darcy Paquet's excellent site - www.koreanfilm.org ). And crikey, "Friend" did well!
Steve
Cirrus888
07-10-2002, 18:37
The Way home should be out on DVD this month or next and I plan to buy this too. Its presently showing on HK cinemas but its doing only so so ...
Originally posted by Cirrus888
The Way home should be out on DVD this month or next and I plan to buy this too. Its presently showing on HK cinemas but its doing only so so ...
I wonder how well its charm will travel, then. Perhaps it just touches the Korean soul.... Hmmm. Nah, I think I'll be picking it up along with you.
By the way, have you seen "Affection" (aka "My Heart" / "Jeong")? It looks and sounds good. Perhaps Amy Tan or "Wild Swansd" terriory but that is no bad thing at all....
"Public Enemy" also looks intriguing, plus a sequel already out!
Steve
Free shipping at YesAsia :clap:
Got Kick the Moon and a bunch of CD's, my CC is about to explode!!
just placed a second order...
:(
This is my 5000th post and rather than waste it on some pad fest in the General Forum I thought I would post in here and dedicate it to a certain babe:
http://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjh.jpghttp://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjh2.jpghttp://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjh1.jpg
Thank you Jeon Ji-Hyun - your films have bought me countless moments of pleasure. :clap: :norty:
:thumbs:
Hear hear!
Congrats on the 5000th.
Steve
PS - Am keeping away from Yesasia.
SWEEEEEEEEET :D
congrats http://members.lycos.co.uk/kcxdev/smilies/headshake.gif
wong fei hong
07-10-2002, 22:29
Free shipping at Yesasia! BALLS! Only just got a shipment dispatched from them (with My Beautiful Girl Mari and Il Mare within). Guess I'll be looking at another order then... :(
dysfunction
07-10-2002, 22:48
Congrats Ono!!!
Cirrus888
08-10-2002, 02:56
If its free shipping from yesasia, then its time to grab that 2kg 2009 Limited Edition lads! :nuts:
Originally posted by Cirrus888
If its free shipping from yesasia, then its time to grab that 2kg 2009 Limited Edition lads! :nuts:
Yikes! I was tempted, but the non-book edition is now available (about US$27) so I'll end up going for that....
Steve
rumbletum
08-10-2002, 07:28
Congrats on the 5000 Ono, what a way to celebrate :norty:
Originally posted by Ono
This is my 5000th post and rather than waste it on some pad fest in the General Forum I thought I would post in here and dedicate it to a certain babe:
http://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjh.jpg
http://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjh2.jpg
http://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjh1.jpg
Thank you Jeon Ji-Hyun - your films have bought me countless moments of pleasure. :clap: :norty:
:thumbs:
The first Forum stalker? :lol:
Cirrus888
08-10-2002, 16:04
Ahhh ... can see the pictures now ... I couldn't before!!
:norty: :nuts: :D :notworthy
Jimmyboy
08-10-2002, 16:18
Hyoree Lee is soooo much better !. :norty:
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
Hyoree Lee is soooo much better !. :norty:
The F.I.N.K.L fans are starting to appear I see! ;) :D
Hyori Lee (not Hyoree :p ) is admittedly VERY fine! :norty: :norty:
5 points for pictures! :D
Cirrus888
08-10-2002, 17:11
Yes pictures please because I don't know who the hell she is! :nuts:
Sticking to Korean movies I manage to find HK R3 versions of:
One Fine Spring Day
Love Wind Love Song
Holiday in Seoul
I also thought about Green Fish and No.3 but they were 4:3 ...
Reviews as soon as I see them ...
Jimmyboy
08-10-2002, 17:54
Originally posted by mr_woo
The F.I.N.K.L fans are starting to appear I see! ;) :D
Hyori Lee (not Hyoree :p ) is admittedly VERY fine! :norty: :norty:
5 points for pictures! :D
Hyori is just an alternative spelling for Hyolee but I made a typo went I wrote Hyolee.
http://members.tripod.co.uk/Jimmy0boy/Hyolee-pic_red_0464.jpg
Do I get 5 points ?. :D
unrealnils
08-10-2002, 18:05
Originally posted by mr_woo
The F.I.N.K.L fans are starting to appear I see! ;) :D
Hyori Lee (not Hyoree :p ) is admittedly VERY fine! :norty: :norty:
:lol: :lol: :notworthy :notworthy
Yeah she is very hot, there some fine Korean singers out there.
I reckon Coco Lee is at the top of the tree when it comes to asian singers :thumbs:
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Sticking to Korean movies I manage to find HK R3 versions of:
One Fine Spring Day
Love Wind Love Song
Holiday in Seoul
They're all the ones my sis bought me :D
unrealnils
08-10-2002, 18:19
Now i can't post these pics and don't have web space/to lazy to set some up :p
So you'll have to click on the links but heres some better Hyori pics.:norty:
( is it under the rules to post up url's from someones elses webspace ?!?!)
http://junijupiter.homestead.com/files/hyori_show.jpg
http://myhome.hananet.net/down3/08/60/22/01/99/autokiss375.jpg
http://myhome.hananet.net/down1/08/60/22/01/93/autokiss371.jpg
http://junijupiter.homestead.com/files/hyori_love.jpg
http://junijupiter.homestead.com/files/hyori_jazz.jpg
Cirrus888
08-10-2002, 18:30
unrealnils - Those pics are indeed very good, i would say she is a stunner too ... looks young though and I feel a little pervy ... :nuts:
kcxdev - romances leave you cold all the time ... I'm surprise you keep getting them :p ... Have you seen them yet?
Originally posted by Cirrus888
kcxdev - romances leave you cold all the time ... I'm surprise you keep getting them :p ... Have you seen them yet?
only failan :p
thought xmas was good, just waasn't too sure of the ending at first. I don't actually have them yet, parents are delivering them (I mean coming back from hk) in a couple weeks :D
unrealnils
08-10-2002, 18:48
Originally posted by Cirrus888
unrealnils - Those pics are indeed very good, i would say she is a stunner too ... looks young though and I feel a little pervy ... :nuts:
Well she's 23 so you can be assuered those "guilty little pleasures" won't get you in trouble with the law :p
Me thinks that i will order My Wife is a gangster from Yesasia since they have a no shipping costs at the moment :p
Originally posted by unrealnils
Well she's 23
ooh, perfect match ;) :norty:
Cirrus888
08-10-2002, 19:40
Off-limits mate! she's my 3rd concubine ... :norty:
no probs, I already have my 'baby' :p
unrealnils
08-10-2002, 23:01
Originally posted by mr_woo
Hyori Lee (not Hyoree :p ) is admittedly VERY fine! :norty: :norty:
Hyori Lee..............Hyolee...............Mrs Parmar It's all the same to me :norty: :norty: :norty:
P:S Coco Lee, Zhang Zi Yi and JJH are all off limits :nono:
or else :D :thumbs:
unrealnils
09-10-2002, 00:03
:p Only Joking
Has anyone seen the korean dvd of Ghost in the shell by any chance
Plus is My Wife is a Gangster (korean dvd) OOP
Jimmyboy
09-10-2002, 03:23
Originally posted by unrealnils
( is it under the rules to post up url's from someones elses webspace ?!?!)
Afraid not mate.
Important note to all forum members -
If you use images in your signatures or even your posts then PLEASE DO NOT link them to other sites. This causes a strain on their servers and is VERY easily linked back to us (server stats are wonderfull!). Doing so without their permission is effectively "stealing" resources that they are paying for.
Cirrus888
09-10-2002, 05:08
Originally posted by unrealnils
Plus is My Wife is a Gangster (korean dvd) OOP
My Wife is a Gangster is not OOP - it will cost you about 17.50p
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
Afraid not mate.
Important note to all forum members -
If you use images in your signatures or even your posts then PLEASE DO NOT link them to other sites. This causes a strain on their servers and is VERY easily linked back to us (server stats are wonderfull!). Doing so without their permission is effectively "stealing" resources that they are paying for.
I believe that is only for people who actually post pictures in their posts. (by linking to other sites and using the IMG tags in their post)
Nils has only provided links to the pictures, he hasn't actually forced the pictures to be displayed. You still have to click on the links to see the pictures
I do not think he has done anything against the T&C's. Plenty of other people post URL's to pictures - me included!
If a mod could of course clear up the confusion and tell me whether I am right or wrong I would be grateful! :)
[mod mode]You're right, leeching is only when the actual image is posted up, not linked to.[/mod mode]
unrealnils
09-10-2002, 11:28
:clap:
Thats cool cause i felt like a :dork: laast time i sweared and got told off by a mod :(
I'm used to swearing a lot :eek:
Cirrus888
09-10-2002, 22:17
One Fine Spring Day
HK R3 (only) DVD-5, Non-anamorphic 1.85:1, DD5.1, eng subs (good), barebones.
A very good clean non anamorphic picture no pixels evident, DVD -5 black levels. The DD5.1 is very good with active rears throughout the movie.
Film - From the director of x'mas in August we have another excellent picture which is very similar in style (if not identical) to x'mas. Beautiful to look at and very very understated in pace and execution. The only difference here are the two leads who are only a fraction as good as the two in x'mas. However, they still put in competent performances and the ending to this is very very good.
Left me feeling confused about my emotions just like x'mas did but invoked by the movie in a totally different way.
Recommended.
*The HK R3 universe disc is the only version available with English subtitles and seeing that this release is very cheap and of good quality you can't go wrong.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/OneFineSpringDay.jpg
Art Museum by the Zoo
A gentle romance that shares the autumnal colour palette of "When Harry Met Sally" and some of its themes. It is not as immediate as "My Sassy Girl" (and not as good), and I must admit I did not particularly care for the leads at first. My first disappointing Korean movie? Thankfully not.
Two unlikely people are thrown together and both moon after unobtainable or lost partners. But they begein to work on a romance film-script to win a prize and there begins the film within a film....
The Korean edition has an average anamorphic transfer and dolby 2-channel surround audio. The English subtitles are not always grammtaically correct but are perfectly adequate. One key extra is the original soundtrack present on the DVD itself (presented in a similar way to Morriconne's score on the US "Bird with the Crystal Plumage disk).
In conclusion, a slow-burn of a film that has won you over by the end of it, and it has a great soundtrack. Recommended.
Cirrus888
09-10-2002, 22:42
Originally posted by mrsteve
Art Museum by the Zoo
... One key extra is the original soundtrack present on the DVD itself (presented in a similar way to Morriconne's score on the US "Bird with the Crystal Plumage disk).
This seems to be a popular feature on Korean DVDs as the Korean version of Barking dogs also has the complete soundtrack as a special feature. There are other examples but I can't name them off the top of my head due to old age ...
unrealnils
09-10-2002, 22:52
I think Buchenmoo (sp?) had a sound track on it too
I actually quite like this feature. It's playing at the moment in the background! Interesting inclusion of a Beautiful South track and a Cardigans song.
Re-reading my capsule review-ette, I am actually much more positive about the movie than I sound. A grower, methinks and another keeper for the collection....
"One Fine Spring Day" sounds cool. Cheers for the heads-up on the subbies situation.
Steve
Just watched Il Mare again.
/wipes last tear from eyes.
Great film. :notworthy
wonderpants
10-10-2002, 01:01
Ono your turning into a fanboy mate.:lol: :lol:
unrealnils
10-10-2002, 01:59
Im curios what did Comet do to ****** you of so............??
:confused: :)
Cirrus888
10-10-2002, 03:33
Originally posted by Ono
Just watched Il Mare again.
/wipes last tear from eyes.
Great film. :notworthy
LOL :D - I can't remember if I told you guys this as I have been posting in this thread for so long and other forums about this movie but:
The original ending to this movie had the male lead die in that car crash where the film finished but a film festival audience hated it so much that they had to re-film and tack on a new ending
LOL Cirrus. I kinda thought that was the case anyway but I can see why peeps wouldn't like that.
Originally posted by unrealnils
Im curios what did Comet do to ****** you of so............??
:confused: :)
Lookie Here (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=118828).
There's another thread in the Bargains Forum as well.
Originally posted by wonderpants
Ono your turning into a fanboy mate.:lol: :lol:
Fanboy? think thats an understatement! :D
I have been watching a number of Korean films over the past few months so here's what I thought of the ones i've seen
MY SASSY GIRL - Well I don't really need to say anything about this film. Top film, sexy as hell girl and great story. One of my top 5 films ever and certainly the best romantic comedy I have ever seen.
MY WIFE IS A GANGSTER - Loved this film, thought it was very funny. There could have been more action but what was there was pretty stylish. The two leads were great and I really did feel sorry for the poor husband :D
GUNS 'N' TALKS - I enjoyed this film also but it is probably so far the worst korean film i have seen (ie it is still 10 times better than some hollywood films recently). Some parts dragged a bit but there were also some very funny moments and some stylish shots which I thought were great (especially the 'through the car windows' shot)
SHIRI - Well this was the first Korean film I watched and I love it. Despite what I have heard some people say I think it has a very touching central love story as well as some great action set pieces.
CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST - A great Korean melodrama, they certainly know how to do them. The two leads were very good but for some reason the end left me a bit cold.
even though I knew he was dying and the guy would have no future with the girl I wanted him to at least tell her he was dying or something! Or for him to at least give the girl the letter he had written!! I just really hated the way he never did anything to let the girl know he was sick! Maybe I am being a bit too soppy but goddamn it I wanted him to tell her!
Still, it was a fantastic film and another one to the list of korean films I like
WHASANGO (Volcano High) - This is probably one of my favourite films after My Sassy Girl. It is very much a hate it or love it sort of film but I love the anime influence over it. Some great special effects and I thought the performances by nearly all the actors was very good.
I also have Il Mare winging its way to me as I type this and I cannot wait to see it. My Korean friend also recommended me a film called Ditto. It has the same sort of story as Il Mare and she told me she likes it better than Il Mare. (but she doesn't drool over the lovely Jeon Ji Hyeon like we do :norty: :D )
here's a link to it
http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/11747.html?id=ogx5DvnZ
I was also wondering has anyone purchased the Winter Song tv boxset with english subtitles ?
Even if it was a crap series I am tempted to give the set a go. I have never seen a korean tv series before and this is the only boxset with english subtitles so I am very interested. (6 dvds! )
Goddamn Korean cinema! There's so many films I want to see from Korea it's unbelievable!
Looking to probably get 2009 Lost Memories next. I also want to see Resurrection Of The Little Match Girl when it comes out on dvd. I have read some bad and mixed reviews of the film but the fact it has a lot of videogame references makes me want to see it. You just have to watch the trailer to see the references :) (plus I am a fan of bad films, since I like the Police Academy films and the Super Mario Bros. film I can say that!)
My korean friend told me it was a bit of a major flop in South Korea so maybe it will come out onto dvd quickly ;) :D
Originally posted by mr_woo
I was also wondering has anyone purchased the Winter Song tv boxset with english subtitles ?
Even if it was a crap series I am tempted to give the set a go. I have never seen a korean tv series before and this is the only boxset with english subtitles so I am very interested. (6 dvds! )
My sis has bought me:
Meteor Gardens (series)
Hoilday in Seoul
Love Wind, Love Song
Another korean film (?????)
Winter Sonata (series)
Tale Of Autumn (series)
All the series have english subs and she said she bought them for just over HK$100 each (legit apparently). Will get them in a couple weeks.
Cirrus888
10-10-2002, 19:58
Take Care Of My Cat
Korean R3 (only) 1.85:1 Anamorphic dd5.1, eng subs (good), 2-disc feature laden DVD. 2nd Disc contains 2 short films.
Excellent picture and sound. Strong colours and blacks. Active rears.
Film - Been waiting to see this with anticipation, I wasn't disappointed although it dragged a touch towards the end. Beautiful Incheon Location shots (industrial seaside town, dreary) which is what the film is known for. The principal actresses hold the film together and I like them a lot. Be warned no real story to this movie ... its more a study of 3 girls dreams and hopes.
Refreshing and different ... recommended!
I like this summary of another review ... the 5 girls in the movie are:
Ji-Young has a direction that she cannot pursue; Haejoo is able to pursue her direction with abandon; Taehee is without direction; and Ohnja and Biryu landed long ago.
^v^
To those wondering what the hell the film has to do with taking care of a cat:
the cat, is passed on symbolically from character to character. The first pass is from Inchon to Ji-Young, underscoring Ji-Young’s poverty, (she can’t afford to buy Haejoo a gift), and representing Ji-Young as the stray of the group. Haejoo, later, refuses this gift as she refuses her past, passing the cat back to Ji-Young. Ji-Young passes the cat to Taehee as a gesture to Taehee to take care of her. Thankfully, Taehee fully receives this message, standing by Ji-Young through her trials. When it‘s time for Taehee to leave, she passes the cat onto the only ones in their group of friends who ever planned to stay, Ohnja and Biryu.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Takecarecat.jpg
Cirrus888
11-10-2002, 04:57
Updated Top Ten:
Essential Viewing:
1. Il Mare
2. Christmas In August
3. My Sassy Girl
4. Failan
5. Barking Dogs Never Bite
6. Take Care Of My Cat
7. One Fine Spring Day
Worth Viewing:
8. My Boss My Hero
9. The Foul King
10. Attack At The Gas Station
Cirrus888
11-10-2002, 17:57
My Beautiful Days
Korean R3 (All Region), Non-Anamorphic 1.85:1, DD5.0 Eng Subs (good), DVD-5 90mins (cover says 137mins).
Good sound and picture particularly for a DVD-5 Disc.
Autobiographical film about a man and 3 women, 1 older, 1 same age and 1 younger than himself. Disappointed with this meandering and very pointless movie. Uninteresting characters tries to be like other romances I've seen but fails completely. Never picks up your interest and a very unsatisfying ending.
Who wants my copy?
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/MyBeauDays.jpg
Originally posted by Cirrus888
My Beautiful Days
Korean R3 (All Region), Non-Anamorphic 1.85:1, DD5.0 Eng Subs (good), DVD-5 90mins (cover says 137mins).
Good sound and picture particularly for a DVD-5 Disc.
Autobiographical film about a man and 3 women, 1 older, 1 same age and 1 younger than himself. Disappointed with this meandering and very pointless movie. Uninteresting characters tries to be like other romances I've seen but fails completely. Never picks up your interest and a very unsatisfying ending.
Who wants my copy?
If I actually have to pay any money for it then no but if you want to send it for free I'll have it ;) :D :p
Well it doesn't hurt to try! :D
Cirrus888
11-10-2002, 21:33
Mr Woo -
Bart sees a sign in the Android's Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop window
Bart: (Gasps) 99 cents.
(Bart enters shop)
Bart: I want to buy a copy of Bonestorm, here's 99 cents.
ComicBookGuy: Huh. Allow me to summarise the proposed transaction. You wish to purchase Bonestorm for 99 cents, net profit to me, negative 59 dollars.
(CBG opens the till)
CBG: Oh, oh, please take my 59 dollars, I don't want it, it's yours.
(Bart reaches for the money)
CBG: Er, er, er. Seeing as we are unfamiliar with sarcasm, I shall close the register at this point, and state that 99 cents is the rental price.
Bart: Oh, then may I please rent it, please?
CBG: No you may not, I am all out, though I do have a surprising amount of Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge.
Bart: Aww.
:D
Originally posted by kcxdev
My sis has bought me:
Meteor Gardens (series)
Hoilday in Seoul
Love Wind, Love Song
Another korean film (?????)
Winter Sonata (series)
Tale Of Autumn (series)
All the series have english subs and she said she bought them for just over HK$100 each (legit apparently). Will get them in a couple weeks.
There are no VCDs with english subtitles available on the net of Tale of Autumn. I know that there is a 6 DVD set of Winter Sonata out in Korea but from what my research on the net says they are not available as VCD with english subtitles. I would really like to have the VCD collection of Tale of Autumn but as it is I may have to wait a long time before that happens. It's apparently available with different soundtracks but only with Chinese subtitles.
Ericf
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Mr Woo -
Bart sees a sign in the Android's Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop window
Bart: (Gasps) 99 cents.
(Bart enters shop)
Bart: I want to buy a copy of Bonestorm, here's 99 cents.
ComicBookGuy: Huh. Allow me to summarise the proposed transaction. You wish to purchase Bonestorm for 99 cents, net profit to me, negative 59 dollars.
(CBG opens the till)
CBG: Oh, oh, please take my 59 dollars, I don't want it, it's yours.
(Bart reaches for the money)
CBG: Er, er, er. Seeing as we are unfamiliar with sarcasm, I shall close the register at this point, and state that 99 cents is the rental price.
Bart: Oh, then may I please rent it, please?
CBG: No you may not, I am all out, though I do have a surprising amount of Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge.
Bart: Aww.
:D
:D :lol: :lol:
Originally posted by Ericf
There are no VCDs with english subtitles available on the net of Tale of Autumn. I know that there is a 6 DVD set of Winter Sonata out in Korea but from what my research on the net says they are not available as VCD with english subtitles. I would really like to have the VCD collection of Tale of Autumn but as it is I may have to wait a long time before that happens. It's apparently available with different soundtracks but only with Chinese subtitles.
Ericf
Could be from taiwan, I won't know till I get them, will let you know. I'm not bothered about english subs, I prefer to have a cantonese track.
Just re-read this entire thread again. Pretty good stuff in it - cheers guys. :thumbs:
One thing though. No one seems to have seen White Valentine :confused: - so I thought I would be the guinea pig and get it for research purposes.
Just ordered it along with Love Letter (Korean Version) - the Jap version is just too darn expensive.
:D
Well done, certainly interested in what "White Valentine" and "Love Letter" are like....
Too many to get, aaarrgh, but currently considering a spot of SF - "2009", "Whasango" and "Nabi"....
I saw "Failan" last night. The performances were excellent and I loved the locations, but it didn't quite draw me in. The whole point about movieland is to be manipulated by the film-makers, but on this occasion I felt I was being manipulated. A relative disappointment, but still a very good film in many ways....
"Christmas in August" is still the Korean drama for me....
As reported previously on this thread, the HK disk is perfectly adequate. The subtitles are smaller than usual, but not a problem. The anamorphic transfer is fair, and the Korean 5.1 mix is pleasing (great for the rain sequences - I love rain in movies).
Steve
Cirrus888
13-10-2002, 09:44
I didn't want to take a risk on White valentine but after watching My beautiful Days I certainly wished I did! :( :p :D
Originally posted by mrsteve
As reported previously on this thread, the HK disk is perfectly adequate. The subtitles are smaller than usual, but not a problem. The anamorphic transfer is fair, and the Korean 5.1 mix is pleasing (great for the rain sequences - I love rain in movies).
Steve
This was about Failan, right? Is China Star a new company or did it have another name before?
Ericf
Originally posted by Ericf
This was about Failan, right? Is China Star a new company or did it have another name before?
Ericf
Certainly was about "Failan". The DVD cover has an overlay card at the bottom with Chinastar Ent on it. The previous company seems to have been Tube Entertainment. Tube are named on the overlay, but Chinastar may now own them. Chinastar's corporate profile is that it is a holding company.
Not sure if that was what you wanted to know.
Steve
Cirrus888
13-10-2002, 13:40
China Star also produced and released Shaolin Soccer and The legend Of Zu. They now have a joint agreement with Mei Ah to co-produce and release DVDs.
A good company in my book.
Failan ChinaStar DVD is a very good release but I'm thinking about the 2-disc version especially with that film strip ... :nuts:
Added:
Tube entertainment is the original Korean Distributor.
Thanks, mrsteve and Cirruss888.
Does anyone of you know why Edko's releases are so expensive compared to other companies releases?
Thank you.
Ericf
Cirrus888
14-10-2002, 12:38
Edko are rip off merchants its as simple as that. They add nothing of value to the transfers they obviously secured elsewhere and then charge R1 prices (they are consistently non-anamorphic).
For my money I reckon Universe are about the best company in HK barebones and very cheap prices.
Universe' edition of "Barking Dogs Never Bite" certainly looks fine to me, even more so with the price. I would prefer the Korean edition (they are luvverly) but couldn't justify the extra cost....
Mega Star have just issued "Volcano High" on VCD and will release it soon on DVD (according to DDDhouse, at least). No further details.
Just ordered the Korean edition of that meself....
Steve
Well here's a turn up for the books! The new channel CNX on sky digital is showing Guns N Talks on Monday 28th October!!
I personally really enjoyed the film but I know it has had a mixed reception from a lot of people here. Still if you have sky it is certainly worth a watch!! :)
what number channel is this?
Originally posted by kcxdev
what number channel is this?
244 on the sky guide - shouldn't be hard to find :)
They are also showing anime and quite a few Hong Kong movies (the movies are shown everynight at 10pm and 3am)
This week they are showing -
SKYLINE CRUISERS
GOODBYE MR COOL
OPTION ZERO
BURNING PARADISE
HEROIC TRIO
HEROIC TRIO 2- EXECUTIONERS
2002
Next week they are showing:
PURPLE STORM
FIRST OPTION
2000 A.D.
They are showing both HK movies and Hollywood movies but thank goodness this first week is all HK movies! :D
Hopefully more korean films shall be shown on the channel as well. It would be great if they would get their hands on films like Shiri, Volcano High, JSA etc :)
unrealnils
15-10-2002, 11:06
DAMN you NTL :brickwall
:p
Cirrus888
16-10-2002, 07:21
Guns and Talks is certainly an odd choice to be the first Korean movie shown on sky digital. However, its certainly good news for all you guys in the UK and lets hope they show a few more.
Saw Joint Security Area last night. Great performances from the four leads (in the flsashback sequences), and I didn't mind the sections involving the investigation.
What the film does share with Shiri is the theme of the divided nation, the two Koreas seeking commonalities and a way to reunify. Along with the love-story, this is what made Shiri so special for me (my first Korean movie). So if you enjoyed those aspects in Shiri, I'd certainly recommend JSA. Hell, I'd recommend JSA anyway!
The Korean edition has a good anamorphic transfer and a fine DD 5.1 surround audio track. I'm not DTS-capable, so don't know if the DTS track is any better. But there are plenty of extras, and it comes in a nice digipak. It's from CJ Entertainment, the same people who did the excellent Musa SE but with better subtitles!
Steve
http://www.ono.barrysworld.net/images/jjhsig1.jpg
:nuts:
A good week for movies! Just saw Memento Mori, a film already recommended on this thread.
This is a special film, life loves and the supernatural in a girl-school. Won't say too much more about it, but one of the very best Korean movies I've seen.
The Korean disk has a good anamorphic transfer and active DD 5.1 audio, plenty going on in the surrounds. Extras are limited to the trailer and the OST audio-track on the DVD itself (this is a feature I'm really beginning to appreciate).
Steve
Cirrus888
17-10-2002, 14:02
Ono - Banned? poor boy how will he cope? :nuts:
Memento mori is something I want to see but the cheap HK version is 4:3 only ... forking out for the korean version is something I don't want to do yet.
The power Of kwangdon province is having problems on my pioneer 717 (it just doesn't read it) very weird as this is the 1st time anything like this has happened on my main player. However, it works fine on both my DVD roms and on my portable panasonic ... bummer as these players aren't hooked up to my big screen. :(
ya, he was a being n0rty :nono:
:nuts:
Cirrus888
17-10-2002, 16:54
Finally managed to find some time to watch a movie after playing Mafia and UT2003 to death for the past 5 days or so.
Wanee & Junah
Korean R3, Anamorphic 1.85:1 DD5.1. Eng subs on this are only so so. Good rear speaker sounds and clean clear picture. no complaints.
My faith in Korean romances has been restored after the disaster of My Beautiful days. Popular Kim Hee-sun and her leading man make for very attractive viewing and both pull off good performances which are essential for these understated Korean romances. Every facial gesture, every look speak volumes and the acting has to be just right.
The movie moves along pleasantly as both leads discover and question their love for each other.
Its above average and if you like romances like I do you will enjoy it.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Wanee%26Junah.jpg
Kim Hee Sun:thumbs:
Further reviews (http://www.koreanfilm.org/htdocs/dcforum/DCForumID2/263.html)
Cirrus888
17-10-2002, 17:01
Recently watched x'mas in august and my boss and my hero again.
I have to say that x'mas has now become my number 1 Korean movie ... it gets better and better, the director hur jin ho debut is a masterpiece.
My Boss, My Hero has not fared as well mainly because the violence and the jokes aren't so thrilling or funny the 2nd time round ... but I still think its better than the other gangster comedies I've seen.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/xmasinAugust.jpg
My Favourite scene in Christmas in August.
Cirrus888 - Ta for the review of Wanee and Junah, word on this has been very good elsewhere.
Go for Memento Mori when you can, even check out the HK version on rental if possible. It is similar in mood and tone (if not plot) to Peter Weir's "Picnic at Hanging Rock" (a superb film, IMO).
Steve
Jimmyboy
17-10-2002, 17:09
Memento Mori was cut by the Korean Government.
You might be better off waiting for an International version.
Certain scenes were indeed cut from "Memento Mori" (you can see a snippet of one in the trailer, funnily enough).
But I think I've heard that the cut footage may no longer exist. Can't for the life of me remember where, but I will check it up. I'll post back with a link if I find it.
Steve
Jimmyboy
17-10-2002, 17:30
Im tempted to give it a go.
So far I've found 1 positive and 2 lukewarm reviews for Mori.
I've found the mention of the cuts, it was in fact the KFCC review (great site!)
http://www.kfccinema.com/reviews/horror/memento/mementomori.html
The review suggests the footage was "destroyed", but I don't think its proof positive - might be reading too much into that.
The review is lukewarm but not inaccurate - I think its a case of whether or not it works for you. Again, I loved it.
Nice price from Yesasia on it, too. :)
Actually, a slight warning on that. My copy of "Memento Mori" had a mass of small surface scratch marks on the back of the disk even though it had been sealed.... Odd.
It played fine though, and to be honest I can't be arsed to send it back (its a keeper!). If I do decide to trade it later on these boards, rest assurred I will point this out....
Steve
Eeek! I just ordered Christmas in August from krdvd and they've emailed me to say it is out of print! Anyone else got a copy recently?
Earl Jolly Brown
17-10-2002, 20:45
Still some copies in the Korean shops - I'll be inflating the prices and putting them on e-bay later :lol:
This is presumably just a temporary thing to allow for restocking. Another recent release, Kim Ki-duk's 'Address Unknown', has just been deleted due to rights issues but the disc had problems on non-widescreen displays - a rerelease will hopefully solve that.
I saw Mr. Kim's 'Bad Guy' at the DVD-bong last weekend and loved it, the trailer for his next film 'The Coast-Guard' is playing in cinemas and I'll be sure to check it out next month.
Originally posted by SimonI
Eeek! I just ordered Christmas in August from krdvd and they've emailed me to say it is out of print! Anyone else got a copy recently?
Got mine a couple weeks back.
Got an email from YesAsia saying they couldn't source Kick the moon for me though :(
The Isle - Crikey!
Erm, uncomfortable to watch and not one I think I'd care to see again, but undeniably different and rather excellent. Total commitment from the actors, a unique setting, mist and rain, yellow paint and nice use of the long shot. A Korean movie from the outer edge and one that really should be seen, but I'd have to be careful who I would recommend this to....
Korean DVDs going out of print? Not good, must order more!
Steve
Originally posted by SimonI
Eeek! I just ordered Christmas in August from krdvd and they've emailed me to say it is out of print! Anyone else got a copy recently? Mine was shipped by YesAsia yesterday ($22.25 with free delivery). Of course, it could have been the last copy....... :D
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Wanee & Junah
Korean R3, Anamorphic 1.85:1 DD5.1. Eng subs on this are only so so. Good rear speaker sounds and clean clear picture. no complaints.
My faith in Korean romances has been restored after the disaster of My Beautiful days. Popular Kim Hee-sun and her leading man make for very attractive viewing and both pull off good performances which are essential for these understated Korean romances. Every facial gesture, every look speak volumes and the acting has to be just right.
The movie moves along pleasantly as both leads discover and question their love for each other.
Its above average and if you like romances like I do you will enjoy it.
Kim Hee Sun:thumbs: I've been thinking about getting this.
Cirrus, did you notice the problem mentioned in the DVD Beaver review (http://207.136.67.23/film/dvdcompare/waneeandjunahd-dvd-review.htm):
There's a problem though and that is that around every scene change the picture jumps up and down for about a second. And it's not just the film, the deleted scenes do the same thing. Very strange. I would given it 5/5 for pq if it wasn't for this pesky artifact. You do get used to it after a while though. If so, how bad is it?
Cirrus888
18-10-2002, 03:52
Joe91 - very interesting, I never noticed any jumping but I will double check. :confused:
Mrsteve - The isle :nuts: :D
Korean DVDs going out of print? Thats what I was told about bungee jumping of their own.
I reckon they are just out of stock and with korean movies gaining in popularity this doesn't help. Asian DVD suppliers have always been erratic they have an inability to guess a films popularity and DVDs of some stuff can sell out before they reach the shops.
Earl Jolly Brown - interesting about address unknown because I have been thinking about another kim ki duk film but I wasn't impressed by the isle. How do they compare?
Cirrus888
18-10-2002, 07:36
Joe91 - I've checked Wanee and Junah again and I have to say I can not see what the reviewer is talking about ... so at the very least its not noticeable ... I've seen jerky frames so i know what I'm looking for too.
I think you can buy with confidence not that you have any choice anyway ;)
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Wanee%26Junah3.jpg
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Wanee%26Junah4.jpg
Originally posted by mrsteve
The Isle - Crikey!
Erm, uncomfortable to watch and not one I think I'd care to see again, but undeniably different and rather excellent. Total commitment from the actors, a unique setting, mist and rain, yellow paint and nice use of the long shot. A Korean movie from the outer edge and one that really should be seen, but I'd have to be careful who I would recommend this to....
Where you just looking at CIII DVDs, picking a few out hoping that they all made your mate happy?! :lol: :nuts:
Sorry. Cirrus, get me me coat. ;)
Actually, I did mainly pick up The Isle for a friend who'd missed the film at a London fest a year or two back and wanted to catch up on it. Good opportunity to check it out myself, too....
Category III films? Me? Perish the thought. :)
Must admit, had seen a few HK CIII flicks back in me VHS days - Erotic China Dolls, Holy Virgin v the Evil Dead, Escape from Brothel all good stuff .... There was also a HK film involving ghosts, nudity and a loofah, but I've forgotten what it was called.
Cirrus888 - Nice screen grabs from Wanee and Junah. All the reviews mention the animation book-ending the film.
Sigh, another on my to-get list.
Steve
Originally posted by mrsteve
Category III films? Me? Perish the thought. :)
Steve
I should really buy some more of those. I love 'em, those wonderfully tasteless gems. Can't, though, for a bit - just ordered 30 DVDs from YesAsia!!
You actually sound like Inspector Fowler from The Thin Blue Line with that statement!
Cirrus888
18-10-2002, 08:51
I should mention that I like wanee & Junah but one fine spring day is better.
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/OneFineSpringDay2.jpg
dysfunction
18-10-2002, 11:56
Originally posted by Cirrus888
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/Wanee%26Junah.jpg
I work with Ono and all he says about the girl on the right is...
:norty: :norty: :notworthy :nuts: :thumbs:
And I agree!
Originally posted by Joe91
Mine was shipped by YesAsia yesterday ($22.25 with free delivery). Of course, it could have been the last copy....... :D
I hope not!! After telling krdvd to send me Art museum by the zoo instead I went over to YesAsia and ordered a copy of Christmas in August from them (timely) - - let's hope they have it!
Cirrus888
18-10-2002, 19:28
Mr woo - I just read your spoiler again for x'mas in august and I was going to reply earlier before but must have forgotten.
I think the conflicting feeling you felt about the ending is part of the magic that is x'mas in august. I did not know whether to cry or smile.
Earl Jolly Brown
19-10-2002, 08:59
I would ignore all this nonsense about Korean DVDs going out of print - I've seen countless copies of 'My Wife is Gangster' (sic) and 'Christmas in August' in the shops and they were only released a few months back FFS!
Korean DVDs, I suspect, are manufactured on a much smaller scale than Western releases. I don't know what the DVD-saturation in this country is but even among the Korean film-buffs I know it is very rare to actually own a player- almost everyone watches DVDs at the private projection-room/cinemas you can find in the main nightlife areas (shhh... don't tell the studios!).
These places - and they become much more common over the last year - have 2 copies of each film at the most. I'm not saying there isn't a sell-through market, a look in the Seoul electronic market will tell you otherwise, but I would wager that sales figures are rather small.
Add to that E-tailers underestimating the growing popularity of Korean cinema in the West - thanks greatly to the subtitle capabilities of DVD, e-shopping and word-of-mouth forums like these - and you'll have a few supply problems.
And if it doesn't get sorted out, I am available to buy and ship items for a modest fee :p
Cirrus, if you're asking for an opinion on 'Address Unknown' then I can't help - I haven't seen it and, having a 4:3 display, I won't be getting it until the current release is corrected.
bubbachups
19-10-2002, 12:44
Just got this e-mail from Yesasia:(
"Dear Bob Bakker ,
This is to inform you that our extensive search for the following items in your
order 2123714:
SKU Title Qty
1001819452 ---- My Sassy Girl (Yupki Girl) ---- 01
1001807160 ---- Attack The Gas Station ! ---- 01
has not been successful. These items are not available at this time.
Because it has been over two weeks and we are not able to bring the products to
you, we will cancel them for you at this point."
Ah well, I'll just get them when they're available again. This only means I have some extra cash to spend..... :nuts:
I go thtat as well
Dear KC,
This is to inform you that our extensive search for the following items in your order 2122507:
SKU Title Qty
1001817560 ---- Kick the moon ---- 01
has not been successful. These items are not available at this time. Because it has been over two weeks and we are not able to bring the products to you, we will cancel them for you at this point.
Does that mean its OOP or they can't get em?
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 14:27
Nah ... I don't think they are deleted they just need to restock like Earl Jolly Brown says. Its a bit like Criterion releases I ordered 8 1/2 from CDWow but they couldn't source it and refunded my money ... they are still selling/advertising it now on their website ... however I don't have the money to buy it now ...
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 14:29
Originally posted by Earl Jolly Brown
Cirrus, if you're asking for an opinion on 'Address Unknown' then I can't help - I haven't seen it and, having a 4:3 display, I won't be getting it until the current release is corrected.
Yeah good point, if its only 4:3 then let it get deleted :) ... however I have seen it advertise elsewhere at 1.85:1 ....
i ordered Attack the Gas Station (Korean release) on the 8th Oct and it shipped on the 10th...strange they couldn't get one for bubbachips as it sounds like you ordered before me. Unless you wanted the Hong Kong release?
Originally posted by Cirrus888
Yeah good point, if its only 4:3 then let it get deleted :) ... however I have seen it advertise elsewhere at 1.85:1 ....
Cirrus - this is something I spotted earlier over at www.HKflix.com (good for customer reviews and other info, but more expensive than Yesasia). It's about the "Address Unknown" disk.
Good news for w/s TV owners, bad for 4:3....
"URGENT NOTE: The picture from this DVD will appear to be full screen unless it is played on a 16:9 TV set. This is due to a problem in manufacturing, which should hopefully be corrected soon. Viewers with a 16:9 TV set have nothing to worry about."
Steve
PS - Ordered "Nabi" today.
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 15:58
mrsteve - Thanks for that info ... I'm still weary about kim ki duk however ... :)
Originally posted by Cirrus888
mrsteve - Thanks for that info ... I'm still weary about kim ki duk however ... :)
Heh heh, I know exactly what you mean. I really thought The Isle was very good, but I'd approach another from the director with trepidation - call it the Eraserhead factor.
Address Unknown is fairly gruelling by all accounts.
Anyone for Bet on my Disco?
Steve
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 19:37
Originally posted by mrsteve
Anyone for Bet on my Disco?
Not me ... I rather watch more Bae Doo-na movies, she is fast becoming my favourite little actress too ...
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/SympathyVengeance2.jpg
Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance ... will probably be on my next purchase list ...
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 19:38
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/SavingMyHubby-2002-02-b.jpg
Bae Doo-na in her new movie (looks like a comedy) Saving My Hubby (http://www.asiandb.com/news/news.pfm?code=review&num=95&mode=view) ...
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 19:46
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/takecareofmycatbdna.jpg
She is of course in Take care Of My Cat
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 19:47
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/barkingdogsneverbitebdna.jpg
... And Barking Dogs Never Bite ... :D :nuts:
Bae Doo-na in her new movie (looks like a comedy) Saving My Hubby ... [/B]
Darcy Paquet mentioned this on a thread on the moebius home video forum a little while back. Bae Doona has to rescue her hubbie from gangsters with a baby strapped to her back (as in the poster). Sounds good. My wife loved the idea....
Sympathy for Mr Vengeance is on then off my list of DVDs to get. I loved JSA by the same director and I like the cast he assembled for Sympathy for Mr Vengeance (including the actor who was the lead in JSA and the buddie from Shiri - forgotten his name), but the reviews - though positive - put me off a little.
Steve
I'm back guys.
Got let out early for good behaviour. :thumbs:
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 20:01
Ono - :lol: :nuts: :D
Earl Jolly Brown
19-10-2002, 20:09
I'm hoping to see 'Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance' on the big screen in the next month and Hong Sang-soo's newest one at a film festival next weekend.
Watched a couple of Korean movies recently - 'JSA' and 'Christmas in August' - both excellent, the latter almost completely lives up to the hype (as to whether Mr. Jur is the greatest director ever, I'll wait until I see his second film ;) ).
My local video shop only stocks about 40 DVDs and only a third of them are Korean but it'll be great for sampling titles that I don't think'll bear repeat viewings. At a pound a title I can't go wrong - I'll check out 'Funny Movie', 'Wanee & Junah', (rewatch) 'Kick the Moon', 'White Valentine' and 'Attack the Gas Station'.
Still to see some of the forum favourites - 'Yupki Girl' (aka 'My Sassy Girl'), 'Friend' (bought the tin though), 'Il Mare' and 'Musa'. In fact I compiled a list to see and it came to over 40 titles - Lord keep me away from the DVD store on payday...
My Korean favourites so far (no order)
1) Peppermint Candy
2) Nowhere to Hide
3) Christmas in August
4) The Foul King
5) Bad Guy
6) JSA
7) Green Fish
8) The Isle
9) Lies
The only genuinely bad one I've seen is 'Bichunmoo'
There're a few titles available in Hong Kong that haven't seen a Korean release yet so I might do a bulk order from there soon. Korean DVDs work out about a tenner each thanks to my location so I'm not bothered about price differences.
Will probably pick up 'The Isle' and 'One Fine Spring Day' - any others that aren't available here?
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 20:17
http://cirrus888.netmag.easyspace.com/Movies3/BetOnMyDisco-2002-02-b.jpg
Bet On My Disco ... I thought this was another kim ki duk movie ... I was mistaken ... :dork:
Added:
Comedy about a hard up family using Disco (music being a highlight in this movie) to make money ...
Hmm, I've been very busy this last month (even without the forums distracting me :nuts: ) and have a PILE of Korean films to get through:
My Beautiful Girl, Mari
Take Care of my Cat
White Valentine
Christmas in August
JSA
Love Letter ( I know it's Jap FFS!)
In fact the only new DVD I've seen this week has been Godzilla Mothra And King Ghidorah:Giant Monsters All-Out Attack :nuts: - which my kid insisted on watching. :nuts:
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 20:27
Earl Jolly Brown - Interesting list you have there ... I can see you like experimental/radical film making. The other forum favourites are much more conventional in flavour ...
I want to see peppermint candy (Korean DVD 4:3) and Green Fish (cheap HK DVD 4:3) but the cropping is a no no.
One Fine Spring day is very much like Christmas in August with another excellent ending ... the only difference being are the two leads don't quite pull it off.
Whats available in HK and not in Korea DVD wise?
The Quiet Family ...
.... actually dddhouse has a complete list of Korean movies in HK ...
Jimmyboy
19-10-2002, 20:33
I wish you could rent before you buy.
Theres so many Korean release I want but I've already spent too much and Im trying to talk myself out of buying anymore.
One Fine Spring Day is quite cheap on HK dvd, does anyone know if its worth buying ?. I wouldnt mind Barking Dogs Never Bite as well but the animal cruelty aspect is off putting. I know I wont be able to enjoy the film no matter how good it is if dogs are getting sliced and diced throughout.
I've got my eye on Attack the Gas Station Korean, Momento Mori Korean, Il Mare HK (cant find the the korean release), The Foul King, My Beautiful Girl Mari, Take Care of My Cat Korean, Xmas in August Korean.
I know Il Mare is rated highly but im not sure what kind of replay factor such a film has, and Take Care of My Cat and Xmas in August seem a tad too expensive to buy blind.
I wish you could rent these flicks first.
Tears looks like it might be interesting as well.
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
I know Il Mare is rated highly but im not sure what kind of replay factor such a film has
I've seen it 4 times since buying it in July. :nuts:
I lent it to my cousin who watched it 5 times in 10 days :nuts: :nuts:
Jimmyboy
19-10-2002, 20:46
Originally posted by Ono
I've seen it 4 times since buying it in July. :nuts:
I lent it to my cousin who watched it 5 times in 10 days :nuts: :nuts:
Yeah but Im sure thats partly down to a certain obsesion with a certain Korean skrumpet. :D
I usually find you have to be in the right mood to watch what is best described as 'slow burner' movies, if indeed thats what it is.
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 20:55
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
I wouldnt mind Barking Dogs Never Bite as well but the animal cruelty aspect is off putting. I know I wont be able to enjoy the film no matter how good it is if dogs are getting sliced and diced throughout.
LOL :D ... if your worried about that then you can buy with certainty ... there's nothing like that on display ... Its a black comedy not a sick comedy ... the end credits even state that no dogs were harmed in the making .... :nuts:
Earl Jolly Brown
19-10-2002, 20:59
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
I wouldnt mind Barking Dogs Never Bite as well but the animal cruelty aspect is off putting. I know I wont be able to enjoy the film no matter how good it is if dogs are getting sliced and diced throughout.
On this note, would you mind me telling you what I had for my dinner last night? :o
The Korean treatment of animals is one part of the culture that I can't quite deal with, whether it's seeing an old-guy pick and snack on a barely living squid on the subway or the, clearly unsimulated, live-sushi or dog-beating in 'The Isle'. Kim Ki-duk's 'Address Unknown' apparently features a bestiality scene too...
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 21:07
Jimmyboy - For the rest of the movies you mentioned it really depends how much the idea of the movie appeals to you ... all those movies you mention nail down exactly what they set out to achieve ... I see this as an indication of good movie making ... stick to the point and don't stray to far from the plot.
Cirrus888
19-10-2002, 21:08
Originally posted by Earl Jolly Brown
... the clearly unsimulated, live-sushi or dog-beating in 'The Isle'. Kim Ki-duk's 'Address Unknown' apparently features a bestiality scene too...
... you can see why I have reservations in buying or seeing another kim ki duk movie ... I can live my life without exposing myself to such horrors ... :nuts: :D
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
I wish you could rent before you buy.
Theres so many Korean release I want but I've already spent too much and Im trying to talk myself out of buying anymore.
One Fine Spring Day is quite cheap on HK dvd, does anyone know if its worth buying ?. I wouldnt mind Barking Dogs Never Bite as well but the animal cruelty aspect is off putting. I know I wont be able to enjoy the film no matter how good it is if dogs are getting sliced and diced throughout.
I've got my eye on Attack the Gas Station Korean, Momento Mori Korean, Il Mare HK (cant find the the korean release), The Foul King, My Beautiful Girl Mari, Take Care of My Cat Korean, Xmas in August Korean.
I know Il Mare is rated highly but im not sure what kind of replay factor such a film has, and Take Care of My Cat and Xmas in August seem a tad too expensive to buy blind.
I wish you could rent these flicks first.
Tears looks like it might be interesting as well.
The availability of these titles to rent would be a huge plus. But I must admit, I quite like the aspect of buying blind. A few months back I was picking up a few old favourites, and that was just becoming dull. And there's only two disks so far that I've either traded or will trade. The rest are more than likely longer term companions....
The Korean "Il Mare" disk goes under the title "Love Story", I think, which can make it hard to find. But I'm not sure how good the subtitles are meant to be - either the HK edition or the Korean has poor subbies....
I really believe "Christmas in August" has replay value. People and situations you want to visit again (whereas "Failan" didn't pass that test for me).
"Foul King" is on my (VERY long list). You can get it as part of a boxset called "Varied Colours of Korean Cinema". It comes with "My Heart" and "Nowhere the Hide". All three are the Korean editions ("Nowhere to Hide" is non-anamorphic but is the longer director's cut). Costs $43 (just under 30 squidlings) from Yesasia (free shipping)!
The animal cruelty in "Barking Dogs never Bite" is no worse really than "A Fish Called Wanda", but this is a very subjective area. There is a statement that no dogs were harmed in the making of the movie.
The treatment of animals in "The Isle" is certainly unnacceptable by UK standards, though - avoid if that is a concern for you.
Jimmyboy
19-10-2002, 21:30
Top of my list at present is probably -
Attack the Gas Station Korean
Momento Mori Korean
Il Mare
In that order.
Which version of Il Mare has bad subs then ?.
Theres a HK version of Mori but I don't know how good it is.
Earl Jolly Brown
19-10-2002, 21:35
Originally posted by mrsteve
I like the cast he assembled for Sympathy for Mr Vengeance (including the actor who was the lead in JSA and the buddie from Shiri - forgotten his name)
The wonderful Song Kang-ho - currently in the comedy 'YMCA' and at his very best in 'The Foul King'
Cirrus - I think the 'Green Fish' audio-synch problem should be sorted by now and it was only an issue with certain DVD-players anyway. The anamorphic picture is excellent.
The Korean 'Peppermint Candy' release isn't quite full-screen, more like 1.5:1, but the opening scene does seem to be very slightly cropped. There's a 1.66:1 Japanese version (probably no subs, and a Japanese price). Another option might be a French release in the coming months, it got a cinema release there earlier this year and Lee Chang-dong's success at Venice might spark further interest.
Kim Ki-duk eh? check out his website - www.kimkiduk.com. You'll be pleased to hear that it's only people being gruesomely treated in 'Bad Guy' (a nice paper-dart moment). His latest film sounds rather like 'JSA' but I expect it to depart in a more unorthodox direction..
Originally posted by Earl Jolly Brown
[B]The wonderful Song Kang-ho - currently in the comedy 'YMCA' and at his very best in 'The Foul King'
Thanks, Earl. That's the chap! His performance is at the heart of JSA (although all the leads are excellent), and I'm keen to see him again. Foul King and Sympathy for Mr Vengeance ahoy!
Just finished watching Take Care of My Cat which my wife chose over A Day.
Certainly a slowburn of a film, but truly engaging and much more involving than I had expected. And yet again, a peach of a cast with, yet again, another superb turn from Bae Doona. Hell, this is the kind of film that from it's description I would have crossed the road to avoid only a few month's ago. The storyline is also stronger than I had expected. This one is certainly not a melodrama (nothing wrong with a good melodrama, mind you) and doesn't hit a bum note.
The Korean SE has a second disk that contains two short films made by the director before the feature. Haven't seen them yet, but both feature English subbies.
Films on the changing and growing hit-list to get:-
Foul King
Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
Public Enemy
Bet on My Disco
Guns & Talks
Il Mare
Waikiki Brothers
Steve
Theres a HK version of Mori but I don't know how good it is. [/B]
The HK version of Memento Mori is full screen only, I believe, while the Korean features a pretty good anamorphic transfer. The Korean also has the OST on the DVD as an extra which, in the case of this film, is a very worthwhile extra indeed - very good soundtrack indeed.
Steve
Jimmyboy
20-10-2002, 01:35
Regarding Il Mare and the subtitles.
Does anyone know which is the better of the 2 ?.
The Korean seems to have more spelling mistakes and takes up more of the screen while the HK has missing words so it seems.
I don't know which is the better of the 2.
Edit - Just went double over budget and gone for Momento Mori and Attack the Gas Station Korean releases.
Hope they're both worth it chaps !.;)
Cirrus888
20-10-2002, 03:39
Jimmyboy I have done a comparison of the two IL Mare's on page 5 of this thread.
Basically they are struck from the same master but the HK version has tweaked the sharpness level for the picture. The HK version also has DTS sound and the subs are a lot more coherent. The korean DVD has some of the worst english subs known in DVD land.
Some info for Jim on 'Attack the Gas Station' that has already been posted in this thread, but I know something I said on IRC may have made you overlook it.
Now I have the DVD, I can confirm the image is incorrectly displayed as 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, when it should be 1.85:1 - unfortunately on a Widescreen TV the only way of fixing this is by using your ZOOM mode, so hopefully its nicely tuned otherwise you'll be seeing subs chopped off slightly at the bottom. I originally thought this would be a case similar to some DVDs I have that are anamorphic but stretched, in which case these are easily fixable on a WS set, but in the case of an anamorphic picture that is squeezed, its not so simple.
Its still a decent disc providing you can get the AR sorted.
Cirrus888
20-10-2002, 13:02
kanedaa - thanks for the info ... the same aspect ratio problem is also on the Korean IL Mare disc.
I fix this by setting the dvd to 16:9 or zoom in like you say.
Thread made sticky as requested :)
Edit - Oops, my powers do not work in here :o
I'm sure another kindly mod will be along shortly...
Originally posted by BrynJ
Thread made sticky as requested :)
Edit - Oops, my powers do not work in here :o
I'm sure another kindly mod will be along shortly...
:lol: Wimp!
;)
Stuck :)
Wow.
A sticky. :thumbs: :clap:
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