Films/DVD Asylum

Two disappointing Korean films: "The Scarlet Letter," and "Public Enemy."

4.235.207.224

tinear

The former seemed like a contrived murder mystery to cover a love story: it wasn't exciting or particularly original, i.e. philandering guy, confused girls. The scene in the trunk? Unnecessarily disgusting and contrived.
"Public Enemy" had nothing original to say: bad cop with a heart of gold goes after REALLY bad guy. Forgettable.
I know "Scarlet" has been favorably reviewed here but I can't help but think it's closely tied in to the fact that one of the actresses committed suicide, apparently in reaction to the outcry and outrage of her family.

Follow Ups:

I agree with the trunk scene..... - mr grits 15:47:15 08/24/07 (6)
That was Asian horror schlock but showed her passion for him. Eun-Joo showed the facial nuances of, say, Huppert which is something we don't see from American or British actresses. I still heartily recommend "Letter" for it performances, art direction, and cinematography.

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Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
- One problem with the film: three actresses, all black-haired (of course), - tinear 14:36:39 08/25/07 (5)
  young, beautiful, and slender.
  During some scenes, both my wife and I had trouble deciding who was who.
  Beyond that, I just thought that trying to tell so many love stories at once didn't work: it diluted the key relationship(s) to the point where the passion didn't seem justifiably intense.
  Not arguing here, it's a matter of personal taste. I've liked many Korean films far better.
  A very different film, but have you seen "Memories of Murder?"
  - The first fifteen minutes I was in a complete state of "they all look alike". - mr grits 18:26:09 08/25/07 (4)
    Seriously, I was. And the way the film was cut didn't help. I had my keeper copy come in and saw it a second time and still can't decide if the detective really had sex with the "widow" or if it was his wishful thinking. Opinion?
    
    .
    Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
    - Hey, I raised the point... there were many scenes in which my wife and I - tinear 08:22:51 08/26/07 (3)
      looked at one another in puzzlement over which beauty was which.
      If the director did this on purpose, which seems all but inevitable, it was a tad too clever and distracted and confused an already too complex love plot.
      The "Basic Instinct" part also seemed a tad gratuitous... I mean, such a clever fellow couldn't figure it out? It's not like people leave their true personas at the bedroom door or anything.
      - Actually, We were wrong not the director. Any Asian would be right with the film.... - mr grits 12:09:19 08/26/07 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Hey, I raised the point... there were many scenes in which my wife and I posted by tinear on August 26, 2007 at 08:22:51
        
        Afterall, it was made in Korea where not all Asians look alike. So, the problem is squarely ours. That's what's so interesting about foreign film is seeing how different cultures express themselves. They are probably some American films that are just as confusing to other cultures because we all look alike.
        
        .
        Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
        
        I don't know. My wife spent many years in Japan and doesn't have - tinear 17:38:20 08/26/07 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Actually, We were wrong not the director. Any Asian would be right with the film.... posted by mr grits on August 26, 2007 at 12:09:19
        
        the recognition problem we might.
        It's strange but after days of watching Asian films I think we look strange...
        
        "They" seem to share a uniformity of shape and feature..... - mr grits 11:10:13 08/27/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I don't know. My wife spent many years in Japan and doesn't have posted by tinear on August 26, 2007 at 17:38:20
        
        Or, is that my "all look alike" talking?
        
        .
        Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII

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