야수 (Running Wild) Theatrical Trailer Released

Reader Comments

1. logboy 12/01/2005 @ 1:43am

   becoming more familiar with ji-tae now… seen him around a little. this film does look to be really interesting… like these criminal dramas / gangster films, and korea seems to do them especially well.

2. x 12/01/2005 @ 1:55am

   big trend now. There’s a ton under production.

3. logboy 12/01/2005 @ 3:23am

   would like to hear more about specific examples out there…

4. x 12/01/2005 @ 5:46am

   hmmm… crime dramas. Here’s some recent stuff on DVD:

   -2005

   박수칠 때 떠나라 (Murder, Take One) - Jang Jin

   Weird (if you’re not used to Jang’s films, that is) mix of genres, but still great fun. The most ‘theater’ like of Jang’s films except his first. Lots of smart comedy, but also some powerful drama and tight storyline. Great production values (there’s an amazing first shot going from the feet of the victim to a Sims 2 like panoramic of the whole building. Stunning stuff).

   -2004

   범죄의 재구성 (The Big Swindle) - Choi Dong-Hoon

   Almost unanimously praised as the best script of the year, tight as hell; in love with genre tropes but never making fun of them or letting them obscure the focus of the film. Great wit and snappy dialogue… and the acting! Park Shin-Yang basically was reborn with his Doppelganger in this film, and Yeom Jung-Ah is supersexy as the femme fatale. Then there’s some guy named Baek Yoon-Shik. He’s so cool here I was rooting for the ‘bad guy’. ^_^

   썸 (Some) - Jang Yoon-Hyun

   People expected another Tell Me Something, so many were disappointed. But I still think this is very solid genre Cinema. Anything making Go Soo look like a good actor cannot be bad, can it? It’s obsessed with gadgets, and some of the plot developments are a bit too convenient, but very expertly made and interesting. As always, great car chases and accidents, Jang is the master of this in Korea.

   -2003

   이중간첩 (Double Agent) - Kim Hyun-Jung

   More of a political thriller, but this is top notch, and sadly underrated. Han Suk-Gyu plays a spy from the North who.. well, seemingly acts as a double agent. But then things become complicated. Technically magnificent, with great dialogue and excellent acting (except Go So-Young, but that’s no surprise). Finale has been done many times before, but it’s handled with so much panache and love for the genre it’s still powerful. Top notch soundtrack from Michael Staudacher.

   와일드 카드 (Wild Card) - Kim Yoo-Min

   Still tremendously underrated, in my book. Yang Dong-Geun and Jung Jin-Young go around the usual cliche of the cop and robbers/buddy flick, with touches of nice, subtle comedy, and a really tight script. Great car scenes (almost on par with Jang Yoon-Hyun), and the last twenty minutes have so much power it’s scary. Starts low key, then builds fire. I love this.

   -2002

   피도 눈물도 없이 (No Blood No Tears) - Ryu Seung-Wan

   From the director of Arahan and Crying Fist. Still his most stylish film, lots of cool action. Looks and feels like a more genre-savvy Guy Ritchie, but it’s actually much smarter. Really tough women in here, despite first impression. Jeon Do-Yeon and Jung Jae-Young are fantastic, and there’s hilarious comedy, especially with the older cast. Tons of references and ‘tributes’ to older Korean films, but if you don’t catch them it won’t be a big deal. Tough as nails, brutal action, good music… top notch.

   공공의 적 (Public Enemy) - Kang Woo-Suk

   Vastly superior to the sequel. A mix of gangster comedy with more realistic police Drama. Seol Kyung-Goo is let loose in this and he completely runs the show, although Lee Sung-Jae is quite good as well. Lots of great comedy with Yoo Hae-Jin and Sung Ji-Roo. Perhaps a little too long, but batches of fun.

   Some films up for release:

   미스터 소크라테스 (Mr. Socrates)

   Supposed to be a Korean take on the main theme of Infernal Affairs. Didn’t get great reviews, but no pans either. Not a huge fan of Kim Rae-Won, but the rest of the cast makes up for it.

   사생결단 (死生決斷, Bloody Tie)

   Hard boiled thriller with Hwang Jung-Min and Ryu Seung-Beom. Director Choi Ho is an interesting choice, since he’s mostly been doing (good) urban romantic dramas in the past. Can’t wait for this.

   홀리데이 (Holiday)

   Based on a real event from the late 80s. Stars Lee Sung-Jae and Choi Min-Soo in his first real badass role in a while. Posted the teaser trailer on the main page.

   열혈남아 (Hot Blooded Boy)

   Crime thriller with Seol Kyung-Gu. Still sketchy with details, but sounds interesting.

   비열한 거리 (Mean Streets)

   From Yoo Ha, who directed ‘Once Upon a Time in High School’. Sounds really good, even though the cast might be a little ‘green’ to handle roles like this. Will cover this in depth in the next few months.

   There’s also another half dozen in pre-production, and who knows how many in the writing process.

5. mrmarzo 12/01/2005 @ 10:19pm

   looks fucking awesome
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