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Reviews
Gukjesijang (2014)
This film hits you strong
There are not many films that have been successful in making my eyes water; this one definitely crossed that line. This is a generational epic of a film that shows the entire life of a tragedy-struck protagonist, from war and separation, to being a migrant worker and brushing close to death. In the midst of all this, he finds moments of humor and finds the love of his life.
I have always believed that blending comedy with tragedy is one of the most difficult genres in cinema, but when a director is able to pull it off, it also becomes one of the most beautiful pieces of art. This film manages to do that.
I am not from Korea and I have never witnessed a war like the Korean war, but I come from a family who did find themselves as refugees in wars and had to navigate situations shown in this film. That is perhaps a reason that this film resonated a lot. Without spoiling the film, I will just say that towards the end of the film, it gets really hard to hold your tears back.
This is one of the most beautiful films I have watched in the last few years.
Taeksi woonjunsa (2017)
A beautiful blend of comedy and tragedy
This is Song Kang-ho's beautiful performance long before he rose to fame for Parasite. The movie starts of as a comedy centered around the quirks of a taxi driver who has a tough personal life but who still somehow manages to make everyone around him laugh. The undercurrents of tragedy are always there with him even during the comedy scenes. However, soon, the film takes a darker turn as him and Peter - the German journalist - start their journey towards Gwangju. The last half of the film is intense and emotional, and everything from the script to the acting is phenomenal. As a viewer, you find yourself glued to the screen and cannot help but feel a rise in tension within yourself. In recent years, Korean cinema has come up with a handful of films covering the Gwangju massacre but this one has by far been one of the best.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
An Epic Par Excellence
One of the Best Epics I've Seen! 7 Stars to it. I think Ridley Scott has surprisingly struck us all. After having seen Gladiator, obviously we were in no doubt of his production qualities, but the historical truth that the movie portrays, and the generosity in depicting the exact account of history has really pleased me. As history is witness, fanatics have been on both sides, in fact on every side of the fence. Such minority never represents the whole stature of any religion in most of the cases. KOH maintains this truth and shows both the good Christian (Bloom) and the converse. Religious activities, prayers, accents and the military strategy of the Muslim army has almost, if not completely, been flawless, which is not the case usually. Saladin's discipline and integrity for which his name lives to date is shown to almost an accuracy. Although i would have liked to see both Bloom and Ghassan with more flaming speeches and majesty, specially Saladin, as history has penned. The end sequence depicting the entrance of Saladin in Jerusalem with the Arabic Background song, when he lifts his head to see the Hilal (Islamic emblem of Cresent) posted on the minaret and when he finds a Cross lying on the floor and picks it up with honor and places it on the table was excellent. It portrayed the honor of a dignified man. It was these little details of truth which are usually a scarcity in most Hollywood movies.
The surrender at the end was a bit awkward though. Orlando Bloom was a brave man but his statement to Saladin saying:
" You'll destroy your army here and never raise another. I swear to God that to Take this city will be the end of you"
And on the very next sentence, agreeing for terms, and surrendering the city was a bit inappropriate.
But nevertheless, the characters were well catered. All in all, an epic par excellence. If anyone thought Scott could not level Gladiator again, he was wrong! Slpendid Cinematography, Screenplay, an almost up to the mark research work, and with the exception of effective script, the movie is a 10/10 !!