MEMORIES OF THE SWORD reviewed; streets today

Well Go USA

Presents

Memories of the Sword / Hyeomnyeo: Kar-ui gi-eok

Directed by PARK Heung-Sik

South Korea, 2015, 120 minutes

Memories of the Sword  is a fine swordplay revenge tale that makes its home video debut on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD today, Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from Well Go USA Entertainment. I watched the Blu-ray version.

Directed by PARK Heung-Sik Children of Heaven) the film is set during Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), when "tea, riots, and swords ruled the land." Hong-yi (KIM Go-eun (Coin Locker Girl, A Muse) is a young woman with a mission, namely to avenge the deaths of her parents years earlier.

Pung-chun, her father, was one of the Three Great Swords who led a revolt on behalf of the people. His sword set goals. The other two leaders were Duk-gi (LEE Byubg-hun, War of the Arrows), whose sword gave protection and helped achieve the goals, and Sul-rang (JEON Do-yeon (Secret Sunshine), whose sword fought injustice. Duk-gi and Sul-rang also were dear lovers.

In a fierce battle, Pang-chun captured LEE Jon-bok, the son of the local governor. When the Three Swords confronted the governor with their petition on behalf of the commoners, an act of betrayal resulted in the death of Pung-chun and his wife, and the apparent death of Hong-yi.

But she survived and was raised in the martial arts by a blind woman who, besides being a master tea brewer, was also a swordmaster. Hong-yi, unable to resist an opportunity to demonstrate her martial prowess, disguises herself as a man and enters a competition. This brings her to the attention of General Yu-baek, formerly known as Duk-gi. He has suspicions about this mysterious warrior, suspicions that threaten to reveal Hong-yi's true identity and prevent her from achieving her goal.

There are several fine action scenes, some of which employ wire-work. At times these approach the graceful elegance of similar wire-work in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and at other times they resemble classical wire-fu from Hong Kong martial arts films of the '60s and '70s.

Disc Specs:
-- Audio Options
   -- Korean 5.1 DTS HDMA
   -- Korean 2.0 Stereo
-- Subtitle Options
   -- English
   -- Off
-- Extras
   -- Trailer
   -- Previews
      -- The Assassin
      -- Assassination
      -- Kundo

AsianCineFest Rating: 3 out of 4 stars, a good, solid swordplay revenge tale with a nice surprise twist at the end.

Home video debut of MEMORIES OF THE SWORD on January 12, 2016

Well Go USA

Presents

Memories of the Sword / Hyeomnyeo: Kar-ui gi-eok

Directed by PARK Heung-Sik

South Korea, 2015, 120 minutes

From PARK Heung-Sik, the director of Children of Heaven, and starring LEE Byung-hun (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, I Saw the Devil), the lavish epic Memories of the Sword will debut on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The action-packed film blends tragic historical drama with thrilling swordplay and martial arts. Memories of the Sword also stars JEON Do-yeon (Secret Sunshine and Jibeuro Ganeun Gil/Way Back Home), KIM Go-eun (Coin Locker Girl), and LEE Kyeong-yeong (War of the Arrows).

Synopsis:
As the greed and excess of a corrupt Monarchy threatens to destroy the once-glorious Goryeo Dynasty, three legendary warriors lead a revolt to overthrow the empire and save its people. But when deceit and betrayal costs the life of a master swordsman, a plot for justice and revenge is set into motion, raging for decades between the two survivors.

Look for a full review here at AsianCineFest on, or just before, the January 12th release date.

BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES playing at New York Asian Film Festival

 Brotherhood of Blades / Xiu Chun Dao

Directed by Lu Yang
 China, 2014, 112 minutes
Language: In Mandarin with English subtitles

When: Saturday, July 11 at 5:45pm
Where: SVA Beatrice Theatre
333 W 23rd Street, NYC
Map
Tickets

Brotherhood of Blades, is a period action film directed by Lu Yang (My Spectacular Theatre) that is set in China in the 1620s during the late Ming Dynasty. It is being shown this Saturday afternoon as part of the 14th New York Asian Film Festival.

Wei Zheongwian, the Head Eunuch and Head of the Imperial Assassins had effectively ruled the Imperial Court for eight years because he was supported by seven out of ten of the Court's highest officials, the so-called "Eunuch Clique." Young Emperor Chonzhen relieved Wei of all official duties and banished him to the remote outpost of Fengyang.

Three Imperial Assassins are tasked with arresting all members of the clique and killing Wei. Shen Lian (Taiwanese actor Chang Chen, who played the bandit Lo, or 'Dark Cloud,' in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) is the main character of the three. Lu Jianxing (Wang Qianyuan, The Golden Era) is the most mature and self-sacrificing, but he is also eager to be promoted. Jin Yichuan (Li Dongxue) is the youngest and is vulnerable because of a secret in his past. He is also sickly, with a persistent cough. These three Jinyiwe, as the Secret Police of the Imperial Guard are known, have a close bond. Together they form the Brotherhood of Blades. In corrupt times, when betrayals and corruption among seemingly all officials are rampant, they steadfastly stand by one another and try to achieve their individual goals.

As stated, Jianxing wants to be promoted. Shen Lian wants to buy the freedom of Miaotong (Liu Shishi), a courtesan, for reasons that eventuality are revealed, but he cannot afford to do so on his meager salary. Yichuan is extremely fond of Zhang Yan (Ye Qing), the comely daughter of the doctor who is treating him.

I felt that there were some weaknesses in the plot, which is also a bit convoluted. But that's not all surprising when eunuchs, corrupt officials, and betrayals are involved. The action scenes are pretty decent all-in-all.

I think the main problem for me, aside from the plot issues, is that I didn't really care that much about any of the three members of the Brotherhood. I mean, they're just not nice people, they do some really bad things, and the good that's within them -- at least as depicted by the script, of which director Lu was a co-writer -- just didn't redeem them sufficiently in my eyes, mind or heart. It's much like the problem I had with The Guillotines.

AsianCineFest Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars; fairly decent, but nothing to rave about.

For a more positive take on the film, check out the review by Ric Meyers, my former fellow-columnist at Asian Cult Cinema magazine, at the end of his post Martial Arts in Media Winter 2015.

Korean action film KUNDO: AGE OF THE RAMPANT is now available

 Well Go USA

presents

Kundo: Age of the Rampant / Kundo: min-ran-eui si-dae

Directed by Yun Jong-bin

Starring Ha Jung-woo, Kang Dong-won,

Lee Sung-min and Ma Dong-seok
South Korea, 2014, 138 minutes

Kundo: Age of the Rampant (also known simply as Kundo) debuts on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital today, Tuesday, October 21st from Well Go USA Entertainment. This review is based on a screening I went to this past September and on watching a Blu-ray screener.

Kundo: Age of the Rampant is another great action film from South Korea. It delivers not just exciting action, but also has a great story, fine acting, and a delightful sense of humor. It's a terrific period film set in the 1860s, near the end of the Joseon Dynasty. Commoners are beset by famine and plague as well as unrelenting exploitation by corrupt official and noblemen. The Chusal Clan, a large group of righteous bandits, have set up a base on Mt. Jiri,  From there they steal from the rich and powerful and give to the poor and weak. The story line clearly bears a strong resemblance to Robin Hood.

Dae-ho (Lee Sung-min)

The bandits are led by Dae-ho (Lee Sung-min). The other significant members are:
- a fearsome monk (somewhat analogous to Friar Tuck in the Robin Hood saga)
- Tae-gi - who is good at impersonating a nobleman
- Chan-bo -  a heavy-set and fierce fighter
- Ma-hyang - she is skilled fighting both unarmed and with a bow and arrows

Dolmuchi (Ha Jung-woo)

The protagonist of this tale, however, is Dolmuchi (Ha Jung-woo), a lowly butcher. After tragedy befall his mother and sister, he joins the clan, where he is renamed Dochi, meaning "inversion." After a lengthy period of training, he becomes the most feared fighter in the clan. He's particularly adept at wielding two short and broad swords, which he spins in his hands much like a cowboy twirling a pair of six-shooters.

Jo Yoon (Kang Dong-won)

The villain of the film is Jo Yoon (Kang Dong-won). His mother, a courtesan in a brothel, sold him as a child to his father Jo Won-suk, a corrupt former governor of Jeloa province. Won-suk's wife had produced only four girls, and he desperately wanted a male heir. Jo Yoon is a natural born martial artist and fanatically determined to be named family heir, despite the belated and unexpected birth of a son, Jo Su-in, his step-brother, to Won-suk and his wife.

Disc Stats:
 - Audio Options:
   - Korean 5.1 DTS HDMA
   - Korean 2.0 Stereo
- Subtitle Options:
   - English
   - Off
- Extras:
   - Kundo: Age of the Rampant trailer
   - Preview trailers for three other Well Go USA releases

Kundo: Age of the Rampant opened in theaters in the U.S. this past August 29th, and there was a free screening of it at the Korean Cultural Service's Korean Movie Night this past September 9th, which is where I first saw it. The film is set to open this year's London Korean Film Festival on November 6th. (Read about the LKFF here.)

Having seen it twice, I can attest to its repeat viewing value. If anything, I enjoyed it even more the second time I watched it, and I look forward to seeing it again. It's got great action and real heart. The combination of the Robin Hood-like theme regarding the Chusal Clan's acting on behalf of the poor and Dolmuchi's personal quest for revenge for what had befallen his mother and sister dovetail perfectly.

AsianCineFest Rating: 4 out of 4 stars; most highly recommended.

Free screening of KUNDO: AGE OF THE RAMPANT in NYC on Tuesday

Korean Cultural Service New York

presents
Korean Movie Night 2014

Series Five: Blown Away by Korean Blockbusters!

Kundo: Age of the Rampant / Kundo: min-ran-eui si-dae

Directed by YUN Jong-bin

South Korea, 2014

When: Tuesday September 9, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Where: Tribeca Cinemas 54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal, NYC

Near the A, C, E @ #1 Canal Street subway stops

Map

Admission: FREE!!!

GREAT NEWS! Two days ago, Korean Cultural Service announced on Facebook that they will be holding a special DOUBLE SCREENING of Kundo: Age of the Rampant on September 9th! This means, both screens at Tribeca Cinemas will be open to the public for Korean Movie Night showing, allowing DOUBLE the number of people that can be accommodate for this event! This translates into a total of roughly 260 lucky people, 130 in each theater.

Still I suggest getting there as early as you can.

Synopsis: In 1859, The Joseon Dynasty era is plagued with natural disasters, poverty, and death. The rich nobles only care about their own wealth and will stop at nothing to keep the poor held down under their tyrannical rule. Life is an utter nightmare, and the people need a savior. Then, like a light pouring through the darkness, “Kundo” appears! A courageous shadow organization dedicated to protecting the weak and taking back the nation soon begins making a bold change. And as the ranks of Kundo continue to expand, the corrupt nobility realizes that their rule is at an end. It is now… The Age of the Rampant!

KUNDO: AGE OF THE RAMPANT opens tomorrow, August 29th

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents a
Showbox/Mediaplex
Production

Kundo: Age of the Rampant / Kundo: min-ran-eui si-dae

Directed by  YOON Jong-bin

South Korea, 2014, 100 minutes

South Korean martial arts action adventure Kundo: Age of the Rampant will have its North American opening tomorrow, Friday, August 29th in fifteen cities in the U.S. and in Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. For the list of the cities & theaters that will be showing Kundo, and to buy tickets, click here.

Synopsis: 1859. The last days of the Joseon Dynasty, where the wages of greed bring poverty and death. A pack of bandits – calling themselves KUNDO - rise against the tyrants, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. In an era where status is decided by birth, this band of thieves risks their lives for honor, in the name of the poor and oppressed. But for one man, a debt of bloody revenge is owed to the aristocrat that robbed him of his family and his name.

THE FATAL ENCOUNTER opens today in over 25 N. American theaters

CJ E&M America

presents

The Fatal Encounter / Yeok-rin

Directed by LEE Jae-kyoo

South Korea, 2014, 132 minutes

South Korean period film The Fatal Encounter is set to begin a limited run in over 25 North American theaters today, May 23rd. Check local listings to find out if it is playing in your area.

Hyun Bin as King Jeong-Jo

The film is set in 1777, when King Jeong-Jo (actor Hyun Bin, in his first film since completing mandatory military service) is in the second year of his reign. His father had been killed by the powerful Noron faction when he sided with their opposition. Jeong-Jo also is threatened with assassination. In fact he became nicknamed the King of misfortune because of the numerous attemps on his life.Those in opposition to him include Queen Jeongsun (Han Ji-min), the young widow of his grandfather (she actually appears to be roughly Jeong-Jo's age), and General Koo, who has the support of the vast majority of the military. Assisting them is Gwang-baek, a mysterious figure who kidnaps young children of both sexes and trains some of them to serve in the court as moles, others to be outright assassins.

Hanji-min as Queen Jeongsun, the young widow of the king's grandfather

The king's support comes mainly from three people. Duchess Hae-kung (Kim Sung-ryung), his mother, will do anything to protect and preserve her son. Hong (Seong-Woong Park) is the king's loyal Chief of Guards and wants to kill General Koo, a rash act that the king prohibits because he recognizes that it would be fatal for himself as well. Finally there is Sang-chaek (Jung Jae-young, Moss, Our Sunhi), a royal eunuch who is the king's favored clerk. 

 

Jung Jae-young as_Sang-chaek, a court eunuch and the king's trusted clerk

Intelligent and benevolent, King Jeong-Jo also lives in fear. He tends to isolate himself as much as possible by working alone and long into the night. But will all his precautions suffice or will they come to naught as the forces aligned against him, including the spies who long ago penetrated his court, prepare their attempt on his life in order to enthrone a more malleable prince as king?

The Fatal Encounter is yet another outstanding South Korean period film. It has done very well in its home country,where it topped the box office for the first and second weeks of its run, which began on April 30th.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars; highly recommended.

South Korean period drama THE FATAL ENCOUNTER opening in North America on May 23rd

CJ E&M America

presents

The Fatal Encounter / Yeok-rin

Directed by LEE Jae-gyu

South Korea, 2014, 135 minutes

South Korea’s highly anticipated period film The Fatal Encounter is set to be released in over 25 North American theaters on May 23rd. The film is already on course to record 3MM admissions in its 1st week of release -- and is currently beating The Amazing Spider Man 2 in Korea.

The Fatal Encounter is a historical drama about venomous palace intrigue during the Joseon Dynasty - focusing on the story of politically embattled King Jeong-Jo (nicknamed the King of Misfortune), his dedicated servant Sang-chaek, and nefarious courtiers and assassins.

Synopsis: As the year 1777 opens, King Jeong-jo enters the second year of his reign, which is consistently under threat from the opposing Noron and Soron factions. To successfully defend his royal power, Jeong-jo draws upon his stores of courage and relies heavily on his loyal servant Sang-chaek. In a shocking twist, Sang-chaek turns out to be an assassin who was sent into service in order to kill Jeong-jo. After witnessing King Jeong-jo's capacity to justly rule the people, however, Sang-chaek comes clean about his true identity, and is banished from the court. As he leaves the palace, however, his eye catches sight of Sal-soo, the deadliest assassin in Joseon. Sang-chaek frantically returns to the court, only to find Sal-soo locked in combat with Jeong-jo.

South Korean hit MASQUERADE available on Blu-ray tomorrow

CJ Entertainment

presents

Masquerade / Gwanghae, Wangyidoen namja

Directed by CHOO Chang-min

South Korea, 2012, 131 minutes

Masquerade is a marvelous period film set during the rule of Gwanghae, one of the Joseon Dynasty kings. CJ Entertainment released a single disc DVD version in June of 2013. A Blu-ray edition will become available tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11th. So this seemed like an ideal opportunity to review the film and compare the DVD and Blu-ray versions.

The story is one of assumed identity. In this it is related to such literary works as Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper (1881) and Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and to Akira Kurosawa's film Kagemusha (1980).

LEE Byung-hun as King Gwanghae. (Or is it as Ha-seon?)

King Gwanghae (LEE Byung-hun) knows that there are powerful ministers in his court who are plotting against him. Fearful of assassination, he commands Chief Secretary Heo Gyun (RYU Seung-Ryong) to locate an identical double who can pretend to be the king certain evenings. One is found in the person of Ha-seon (LEE again), a commoner and jester who is given to performing lewd impersonations of the real king.

However, Ha-seon's role is expanded to one of actually pretending to be the king when Gwanghae falls into a mysterious coma and is secreted away in the hopes that he will eventually recover. Ha-seon, who can impersonate the king's voice and manner of speaking, is coached in his "royal" duties by Ho Gyun and by Chief Eunuch Jo (JANG Gwang), the only two people who know of the switch.

Although instructed to "stick to the script" and to stay away from the queen, Ha-seon cannot resist his natural impulses to do good. This behavior threatens to undo the precarious scheme and to reveal that Ha-seon is an impersonator.

HAN Hyu-jo as the Queen

Masquerade was one of South Korea's most successful films in 2012; its box office attendance that year was over 10 million, second only to The Thieves. Besides wins and nominations at other ceremonies and festivals, it was a huge winner at the 2012 Grand Bell awards, South Korea's equivalent of the Oscars. Among its wins there were those for best picture, director, actor (LEE Byung-hun), supporting actor (RYU Seung-Ryong), screenplay, cinematography, lighting, and editing.

While everything about the film is outstanding, it wouldn't be nearly as great as it is were it not for the performances of LEE Byung-hun as the king and as the jester. In addition to the Grand Bell Award for best actor, he received several other wins and nominations in that category elsewhere, most deservedly so.

Both the DVD and the Blu-ray disc offer the original Korean soundtrack with English subtitles and an English dubbed soundtrack. The inclusion of the latter seems clearly intended to broaden the potential audience to include those who are "subtitle-aversive." Personally I rarely enjoy dubbing of an Asian film, basically because of the disconnect from hearing what almost always is a Caucasian voice coming out of an Asian's mouth. (Can't good Asian voice actors be found for such work?) Others, to be sure, may feel differently about English dubbed soundtracks.

Ha-seon is assisted with the royal clothing by Chief Eunuch Jo

The Blu-ray disc comes with no extras whatsoever. I found this quite surprising since the DVD included featurettes on "Lighting and Cinematography" and on "Production Design" as well as some deleted scenes. On the other hand, while the video transfer on the DVD is quite good, that of the Blu-ray is absolutely spectacular. The reds and golds are just brilliant. If you're only going to buy one version, I'd say go with the Blu-ray disc.

ACF Rating: 4 out of 4 stars; highest recommendation. This is a film that deserves a place in your collection, whether it's the DVD or the Blu-ray version, or both.