jooyoonchung Reviews

Windstruck (2004)

Doesn't live up to its potential

[5/10 · 5 December 2007]

All in all, the first-half (actually, the first third) of the movie was good, but it was all pointlessly downhill from there, with a very disappointing finish. One thing is that the movie didn't know what it wanted to be, and the other, that the movie didn't do anything with any of the bits of background that were provided. There were many chances for the movie to be brilliant, but it didn't capitalize on any of them. Certainly, it had its moments, but ultimately, it was disappointing.

If you're looking for a good tragic romance, avoid this movie and watch "A Moment to Remember" instead.

*****SPOILERS & COMMENTS BELOW***** The film became tragic before I started caring about the characters. After Kyung-woo's boyfriend is accidentally shot, the movie loses focus. Too many scenes showing, essentially, that the spirit of Kyung-woo's boyfriend is keeping her alive, despite her attempt at suicide, taking crazy risks, and getting shot in a ridiculous police chase. Then, more drawn-out scenes that drag on, scenes showing that the boyfriend's spirit, manifested as the wind (which he promised he would become if he died), is all around Kyung-woo. The last moments of the film, in which Kyung-woo says goodbye to her boyfriend's ghost, who promises that she will meet the right guy (that very day), led me to wonder if a satisfying closure was coming, but alas, the ending was disappointing. Early in the movie, Kyung-woo mentions to her (then new) boyfriend (still alive at the time), that she had had a twin sister, with whom she often secretly traded places. In her story, Kyung-woo mentions that, one day when she and her twin had traded places, her twin was killed in an accident. The incident seems to haunt Kyung-woo, who thinks that it should have (would have) been her that died that day. Now ... at least for me, an ending with closure would have had Kyung-woo discover that her boyfriend himself had a twin, and have had Kyung-woo and her now-dead boyfriend's twin meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. But the movie doesn't end that way - the real ending is a let down, almost pointless, especially after sitting through an hour of seemingly pointless action that occurs after Kyung-woo's boyfriend's death.

Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005)

To be an individual

[9/10 · 4 December 2007]

As another review put it, this movie takes no sides. Uniforms link soldiers to a nation, but each uniform is worn by an individual. In the film, we first see the main characters, as they fight each other for some abstract ideal, something they come to realize (or already realized) that they don't really believe in. During their stay at Dongmakgol, however, they come to realize what is truly worth fighting for, and ultimately trade their lives to preserve it.

To me, it seems that the movie yearns for the innocence that Korea lost during the Korean War. Dongmakgol, the village - exemplified by the young, exceedingly naive, and perhaps a bit crazy, but cute, woman - is sort of Korea's Eden. The villagers know nothing of guns, grenades, or even that there's a war going on. When one villager asks one of the soldiers who has attacked Korea, the soldier has trouble getting the villager to understand that it is Korea that has attacked itself. For the villager, it just doesn't compute.

There's a somewhat non-so-subtle theme of the hope of reunification (but, definitely a bias toward South Korea), which reminds me of Taegukgi.

This is the director Kwang-hyun Park's first film, I believe. For being so young, he is an adept director. I anticipate his next film with hope.

A Moment to Remember (2004)

Life, death, happiness, grief, come together in a magnificent production.

[10/10 · 15 November 2007]

"A Moment To Remember" is one of just a handful of movies that made tears come down my face. Life, death, happiness, grief, come together in a magnificent production, with brilliant acting, especially by Woo-sung Jung, splendid cinematography, and a wonderful soundtrack. Some criticism might be levied against the film for it taking some liberties with reality, but I'll leave those for the nit-pickers to gaggle over. As with any foreign film, there are small things that fill out the film for those familiar with the culture and language. This film was wonderful not only on its merits as a film, but also as a reflection of Korean culture. Excellent film - most-highly recommended.

National Treasure (2004)

Surprisingly funny, clever, and warm!

[8/10 · 26 February 2007]

Fans of the "historical treasure hunt" genre will undoubtedly note similarities to Indiana Jones, however, the way National Treasure refers to its venerable ancestor feels like a tribute, rather than a poor attempt at credibility or plot borrowing. The best part of this film are the characters. Aside from the bad guys, the characters feel quite natural - each with his/her idiosyncrasies, but not so much stereotyped that the character didn't seem real. The dialogue is a bit hammy every now and then, but not bad; the hamminess is tolerable given how clever the dialogue is otherwise. The characters' lines, in fact, their actions, not only do the job of moving the script along, but also implicitly help to make clear their intentions, and how they perceive the intentions of the others.

All in all, very well done!

Maid in Manhattan (2002)

Sincerely charming

[7/10 · 18 September 2005]

There's something refreshingly sincere about this movie. The lead actors seem to have a genuine connection. The lack of awkwardness Lopez's character displays as she tries to fit into high-society perhaps is not quite realistic; she seems to be able to transition back and forth a bit too easily. But realism, which seems to be the stylistic fad these days, especially among snobby "high-art" movie ... ahem ... FILM goers, is not really the point here. To criticize the movie on those aspects would be silly (just as silly as it would be criticize Cinderella on those grounds ... and it isn't pumpkin carriages that I'm talking about).

While the story has been told many times before, it's not alone in that respect. If anything, that only goes to affirm the universality of the rags-to-riches love story. If you're looking for a charming, funny, and sincere update to Cinderella, you could do worse than to watch Maid in Manhattan. 7/10.