BANAL SOFT PORN

Chan Wook Park gave us some really powerful and quality movies in the past and his every next flick is the one being closely monitored. And so ist the story about the Korean con trying to hussle his way into a wealthy Japanese family with the help of his protege, a handmaid.

Besides deceit, love will form the second backbone of „The Handmaiden”, this time focusing on the emotional relationship between two women. Unfortunately, that lesbo moment will overtake the entire flick and almost completely diminish Park's trademark mystery twists.

„The handmaiden” is just too erotic and banal for a mystery movie.

THE HANDMAIDEN – 4/10

FOTO: hancinema.net

DEVASTATING STORY

Child abuse is always a heartbreaker of a subject. If you add the fact that the molested children are deaf and dumb, the resulting movie script will be just devastating. Devastation would be somewaht easier if it weren't for the fact that this actually happened in Korea, and that the following court case was tracked by general public.

„Silenced” will bring heartwrenching performances by the children involved and will leave you sobbing with the outcome of the entire affair. And you can forget „Spotlight”, because the truth is in fact so much more frightening.

„Silenced” is one of those must see dramas that can be watched only once in a lifetime.

SILENCED – 7/10

FOTO: wildgrounds.com

ALMOST COMPLETELY ORDINARY

Korean history flicks often tend to deal with the subject of monarch's doubles, as does „Masquerade”. The plot has already been seen in the Western cinematographies. Small time crook gets the opportunity to switch places with the poisoned king and passes the road from utter ignorance to a enlightened ruler over the period of just a couple of weeks in the palace.

And all of this would soon be forgotten if it weren't for the very end of the movie that reflects the deep traditional connections with the Asian film through depicting honor, loyalty and courage.

„Masquerade” is just an ordinary story, but with some strong finishing.

MASQUERADE – 5/10

FOTO: s630.photobucket.com

CLASSIC KOREAN

FOTO:twitchfilm.com 

Koreans sure know how to make a good thriller and a credible crime story. This time, the subject is a accidental hit and run case that comes to haunt the messed-up detective. Elements of the comedy are there, but drama and deviant segment is getting more serious as the script unwinds.

The twist itself is pretty decent, but that can’t  be always said about the acting of the main male roles. Suspension is pretty strong and there are some unmemorable action sequences (i.e. crane and the car).

All said and done, ”A hard day” is one good and fun action-packed thriller for a Sunday afternoon.

A HARD DAY – 6/10