Month: June 2014

THE FACE READER ‘Gwansang izle‘ (2013)

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Song Kang-ho is the future.
If you’ve read any of my previous posts you’ll know I have a great regard for this actor.
A performer of such sensibilities that make him one of the most interesting screen actors of this century.

Here he plays Nae Kyung, a Face Reader, one who is adept at physiognomy, the assessment of a person’s character or personality by the study of their outer appearance especially the face.

Set in 1455 in the political world of the King and his potential usurpers, Han Jae-rim directs this historical tale of intrigue and conspiracy

Nae Kyung is lured into the employ of a Madame working in the city and is noticed by the Vice Premiere to the King, Kim Jong-so (Baek Yun-shik) and consequently finds himself working for the palace, getting involved in the political web that disgraced his father years before.

This film begins very light-heartedly and gradually progresses toward drama and tragedy. I recently read that this is quite a staple of period pieces from Korea, the only period piece I saw before this was the excellent Untold Scandal (also scored by this films composer, Lee Byung-woo).
It is a very enjoyable piece yet it lacks that bit of extra magic to elevate it to the heights it could have reached.

The cast are all on point and although Song Kang-ho is billed as the lead this is very much an ensemble piece.
Lee Jung-jae (The Housemaid, The Thieves, New World) is subtle in his snake-like portrayal of the King’s brother, Prince Suyang. Jeung Jo-suk is brilliant as Nae Kyung’s brother in law and provides all the great comedy moments early on, working as a great double-act with Song Kang-ho. Kim Hye-su takes on the challenge of being the only major female character in an ostensibly male dominated film (war usually is on screen) and relishes the opportunity.

This film is an historical epic that takes the viewer on a journey into territories unknown (especially non-Koreans) and that is all good.
An above average experience filled with wonderful moments and dastardly intrigue.

3.1/5

BUY THE BLU-RAY DVD HERE

SIDE BY SIDE (2012)

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The evolution of cinema; the battle between celluloid and digital.

The old wise master and the young padwaan upstart.

This is a new world, as it changes and technology grows the facilities become clearer, improved, maybe not with the exact quality as the original but with freedom to do more, just differently.
Can film survive our digital future?

The death of the old master.

Keanu Reeves produces and acts as the interviewer in this fascinating documentary about the birth of digital film technology and the experience and artistic possibilities that celluloid film has.

One can see the many benefits of this new technology that is taking over and shoving celluloid out of the way. The new alpha. There is a certain look that shooting on film gives that digital has yet to fully emulate.

It is like the difference between the beautiful, spacious delivery of music played on a piece of vinyl to the compressed, generic sound of the cd format. Sure, the higher the quality of digital used (FLAC) the more sounds you will hear but it will never be the same as sticking Miles Davis’ A Kind of Blue on your turntable and hearing it with all that space.

The same can be said for digital film, especially for purists, for most, as long as it looks good then no problem. There will always be the vinyl/celluloid pimps out there flying the banner high for their religion of choice and that is a good thing.

Change will happen whether one likes it or not. The world is in a constant state of flux, so as it twists and turns it is becoming increasingly futile to try and hold onto the old without acknowledging or even embracing the new.

Lots of big directors are featured here, George Lucas and James Cameron obviously but also Martin Scorsese (3d Hugo), Richard Linklater, David Fincher, David Lynch, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez as well as a plethora of lauded cinematographers (Walter Murch, Roger Deakins), editors and colourists all eschewing their wonderful, informed, expert opinions on the subject in hand.

Ultimately, if you are a fan of cinema, this will surely educate and enlighten you on the ways of the cinematic technology.

Film or Digital…you decide….you decide.

3.5/5

BUY THE BLU-RAY DVD HERE

DOWNLOAD THE FILM ON iTUNES HERE