Charissa

“Roaring Currents”: Korean Propaganda?

October 29, 2014 by Charissa

The country that brought us Samsung and LG, Korea has been absolutely killing it when it comes to technological advances and modernization. The latest talk in the film industry is the 2014 Korean production Roaring Currents, whose trailer is below:

Directed by Kim Han-min, whose short films won many accolades in Film Festivals around the world, is getting much international attention because of this, his latest film on the 1597 Battle of Myeongnyang, which saw an important Korean naval victory against Japanese invaders.

It’s the kind of story with universal appeal, a David vs Goliath tale of Korea’s paltry 12 ships defeating Japan’s 330 ships. However, many of the film’s detractors are calling it anti-Japanese, with online commenters going so far as to call it Korean propaganda.

An understandable assumption; tensions between Korea and Japan are at an all-time high, centering mostly on the issue of comfort women- something which, ironically, Korea itself is fighting among its locals, with news of a group of US comfort women filing a lawsuit against the South Korean government for forcing them into sexual slavery for the American military based in Korea.

Roaring Currents reportedly had the highest weekend receipt in South Korean cinema history:

In the five days since it hit screens, it has earned around 36.8 billion won, according to the Korean Film Council’s official tally. On both Saturday and Sunday, more than one million paying customers went to watch the movie, the first time that level was broken. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

Actor Choi Min-sik won Actor of the Year at the Asia Star Awards as well as Best Actor at the Buil Film Awards this year. The film had its US opening last August.

Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor a Great Choice for ‘Gone Girl’ Soundtrack

September 23, 2014 by Charissa

Gillian Flynn’s wildly popular novel, Gone Girl, has been adapted by the author herself into a screenplay that will be making its way to theaters October 3^rd. David Fincher, the man responsible for directing the movie starring Ben Affleck, Rosemund Pike, Tyler Perry, and Neil Patrick Harris tells the story of a young married man who faces public scrutiny when his wife disappears from their home unexpectedly.

Nine Inch Nails front man, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross were responsible for creating the score used throughout the movie. Inspiration for the duo was “really terrible music you hear in massage parlors,” according to Pitchfork. The score was recorded while Reznor toured with Nine Inch Nails.

A small preview of “The Way He Looks at Me” was released to the public this week. To sum it up in one word, it’s eerie, and precisely the type of score you would expect from Reznor and a movie like “Gone Girl.” Anyone wanting a taste of what they’ll hear in the theaters in a couple of weeks can visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ3IYyv-lIg. The comments left on YouTube praise Reznor’s work and call it Oscar-worthy.

“Gone Girl” is getting a lot of hype. Fans of the book can feel the suspense mounting as new photos and teasers are released to the movie’s social media accounts. There’s even a Pinterest account for the fictional “Amazing Amy” for people to view. Each pinned item allows fans to get to know “Gone Girl” Amy Dunne more. There’s even a board titled For Nick that contains miscellaneous items including scotch, whiskey stones, and Mr. and Mrs. Burlap throw pillows. Everything on the boards alludes to a happy marriage, but looks can be deceiving as viewers later find out by watching the film.

“Gone Girl” Movie Poster Photo Courtesy of “Gone Girl” Facebook Page

“Gone Girl” Pinterest Account Photo Courtesy of “Gone Girl” Pinterest Page

Reese Witherspoon is ‘Wild’ About the New Role She is Playing

September 22, 2014 by Charissa

If a 1,100 mile hike up the Pacific Crest Trail isn’t enough to “clear your head,” nothing will. Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, knows this firsthand. After a series of disastrous events including a divorce, the death of her mother, and a brief stint on the streets, the twenty-something made the long journey from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State alone and without any experience or training. Her book, a New York Times Bestseller and Oprah 2.0 Book Club selection, was voted Best Nonfiction Book of 2012 by The Boston Globe and Entertainment Weekly.

Director Jean-Marc Vallee of “Dallas Buyers Club” fame joined forces with Reese Witherspoon to bring Strayed’s story to the big screen. Witherspoon plays the lead and co-produced the film. To prepare for the role, she spent time getting to know Strayed intimately. The two were together at the film’s premiere at the Telluride Film Festival. Witherspoon was quoted by Deadline.com as saying, ““I don’t know which one of us cried more watching this.”

“Wild” takes its toll on the emotions. Written with a female audience in mind, it pulls at the heartstrings. Witherspoon, an accomplished actress, is said to have given her best onscreen performance since “Walk the Line.” An Oscar nod is thought to be headed her way. Mixed reviews, however, question the film’s need to revisit the past. It is said the reason behind the journey is significantly less important than the journey itself. The hike and what it had to teach Strayed is what’s important. Only time will tell how others will view the film as it makes its way to Vancouver next.

“Wild” opens in theaters nationwide on December 5^th.

Wild Movie Poster Courtesy of FoxSearchlight.com

Cheryl Strayed Photo Courtesy of CherylStrayed.com