S. Korea | Wildside Cinema

Film Review: Song’s ‘A Better Tomorrow’ (2010) Remake Respectfully Spins Woo’s Masterpiece into Successful South Korean Crime Cinema

Action, Asian Cinema, B. Harris, B. Woodell, Bollywood, Crime, John Woo, S. Korea, Thriller No Responses »

Nov 222011

Throughout the years, there are a handful of films that are made that are truly game changers. Films that not only stand the test of time, but also redefine genres and how future filmmakers hone their own craft. John Woo’s 1986 masterpiece, A Better Tomorrow is one of those films. So much of the way we see action films nowadays is because of this film. So to take a film such as this and remake it, the filmmakers have to not only love and understand the original, but also know how to make their own film and relevant to the world around them.

Hae-sung Song, and his team of six writers set out to remake this classic and not only did Woo’s original justice, but they exceeded in making the film completely fresh and Continue reading »

Film Review: Jeong-beom Lee’s ‘The Man From Nowhere’ (2010) Demolishes Korean Box Office Numbers

Action, Asian Cinema, Crime, J. Felton, S. Korea, Thriller 2 Responses »

May 052011

DVD Artwork

When it comes to exciting new releases in the world of cinema it seems that Korea is right up there with the best of them. Year after year we are treated to wonderful movies that just demand to be seen. From the Vengeance trilogy (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy and Lady Vengeance) and Memories of Murder kicking the thriller genre in the ass through to movies such as A Tale of Two Sisters which is an incredibly good horror movie, there always seems to be something coming that demands to be seen. I will admit to not having seen more recent releases such as Mother or I Saw the Devil, but I know I will and I fully expect to enjoy them. Even the slightly less impressive movies such as Death Bell Continue reading »

Film Review: Memories of Murder (Salinui chueok – 2003)

Asian Cinema, Crime, Horror, J. Felton, S. Korea, Thriller No Responses »

Oct 052007

DVD Artwork

Every so often a serial killer flick comes along that adds a much needed shot of adrenaline to the sometimes stale sub-genre. In recent(ish) years we’ve had such movies as Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Man Bites Dog, Silence of the Lambs and Se7en, all of which have taken a more visceral approach to the subject matter, but still managed to show that there is still room for a good and original new take on serial killers.

You can now add Memories of Murder to that list. Although nowhere near as graphic or violent as the aforementioned movies, it is a breath of fresh air and will certainly make you think as you watch the events unfold on screen. The fact that it is based on true events that happened between 1986 and 1991, only adds Continue reading »