The Day After Review

The Day After

Year: 2009

Director: Lee Suk Gyung,

Writer: Lee Suk Gyung,

Starring: Kim Do Young, Ji Jeong Nam, Kwon Ye Rim, Lee Chan Yeong, Park Hyeok Kwon, Jang Myeong Gap,

Divorce isn’t exactly the hot topic is once was, although in Korea it still holdsa much more negative connotation than in the west. As such, the central theme to The Day After is one that isn’t particularly riveting for audiences outside Korea, although it does have a positive outlook that may appeal to many people. The Day After is the sole (as of now) offering from Lee Suk Gyung, and there’s really no particular reason as to why their career hasn’t progressed much further. This is very much an independent film, in that it purposefully finds ways to restrain itself to make for an easier and more cost effective shoot, as demonstrated by a lack of locations and an overall focus on dialogue.

The Hovering Blade Review

The Hovering Blade

Year: 2009

Director: Shoichi Mashiko

Writer:  Shoichi Mashiko (Based on the novel by Keigo Higashino)

Starring: Akira Terao, Yutaka Takenouchi, Shiro Ito, Miki Sakai, Hatsuo Yamaya,

Novelist Keigo Higashino has been dubbed as “the Japanese Steig Larson”, because every country now needs a crime writer compared to the Swedish master. Although that belittles the incredible work of Higashino, who has a voice of his own, it has helped to put him on the worldwide map. The man’s book have resulted in brilliant adaptations, with South Korea adapting 3 of his novels and there also being a range of Japanese films and TV series. The Hovering Blade (also recently adapted in South Korea as Broken) has yet to be translated into the English language, but judging by this film I bloomin’ well hope it will be.

The Story Of Mr. Sorry Review

The Story Of Mr. Sorry

Year: 2009

Director: Kim Il Hyun, Kwak In Keun, Lee Eun Mi, Lee Hae Young, Ryu Ji Na,

Writer: Kim Il Hyun, Kwak In Keun, Lee Eun Mi, Ryu Ji Na, Kim Yeong Chan, Seon Kyeong Hee,

Starring: Eom Sang Hyeon, Jo Hyeon Jeong, Jeong Jae In, Lee Jang Won,

Korean animation isn’t exactly widely known across the globe but whenever one does surface it’s usually an inventive an interesting affair. The Story Of Mr. Sorry is one such film. It’s a fascinating and bonkers experience, compiled from the minds of many creative individuals. This isn’t your run of the mill animated cinematic experience by any stretch of the imagination. The animation is different, the artistry is unique, and the story is plain weird. But it all works. Not only does it work, but it manages to convince you of its own believability. This is a film where you chuckle at the absurdity at first, but by the end you realise that you’ve been going with it despite the many surreal twists and turns.

Woochi Review

Woochi

Year: 2009

Director: Choi Dong Hoon

Writer: Choi Dong Hoon

Starring: Kang Dong Won, Kim Yun Seok, Yu Hae Jin, Lim Su Jeong,

Woochi became the 3^rd biggest film in its home nation of South Korea back in 2009. No surprise really, given that the film mixes a whole host of elements found in big Hollywood productions and then some. It’s a fantasy, a romance, has action, contains martial arts, special effects, and comedy. All those elements combined mean that the film is certainly aiming for a wide audience, which is exactly what it got. Choi Dong Hoon is no stranger to box office gold and has topped himself with The Thieves, a film which remains the second most attended South Korean film in South Korea.