2016.2.5 Now Playing
Action, comedy/ 104/ Korean
Chang-ju, played by Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin, was enjoying a peaceful trip on Jeju Island. However, after he stopped to help a disabled car, things suddenly changed.
Inside the car, a woman, who later found to be Ji-yeon (Son Ye-jin), has fallen down on the steering wheel. The moment she wakes up, the sound of a gunshot is heard, and now Chang-ju is involved in a chase.
This movie was jointly produced by Korean and Chinese companies, with director Sun Hao at the helm.
Korean director Kang Je-kyu also participated in production along with Chinese director Feng Xiaogang. Kang is well-known for his films such as “Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War” (2004).
The whole movie was filmed on Jeju Island, where many Chinese tourists love to visit.
Also, the movie is gaining attention due to the appearance of actor Chen. He gained popularity in the Taiwanese drama “In Time With You” (2011), which later broadcast in Korea in 2015 with the title “The Time We Were Not in Love.”
Son and fellow star actor Shin Hyun-joon had taken long hiatuses so moviegoers are excited to see them in theaters again.
Kung Fu Panda 3 (All)
Animation, adventure/ 95/ English
The beloved panda and his animal friends are back on the big screen again in the third installment of “Kung Fu Panda.”
The first movie came out in 2008 followed by the second in 2011. The total domestic attendance for the first and second films was over 9.7 million moviegoers.
This time, Po, the kung fu panda, cannot resist the challenge of teaching martial arts to the pandas he met in the secret village of pandas.
After Po’s reunion with his biological father, he is living in the panda village hidden deep in the forest.
He confronts unexpected events which include the appearance of Kai, an evil spirit that has come back from the dead.
Jack Black, known for his acting in movies such as “The School of Rock” (2003), “King Kong” (2005) and the recent “Goosebumps,” plays the voice of Po, once again alongside the usual all-star cast of voice actors including Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan.
Kate Hudson and J.K. Simmons have joined the team for the first time.
Carol (19)
Romance, drama/ 118/ English
In the 1950s in New York, a sincere love blooms.
The film stars Cate Blanchett, who plays the role of Carol Aird, and Rooney Mara, playing Therese Belivet. The film features beautiful classic scenes of New York.
At the department store located in Manhattan, Belivet, a shopgirl, falls in love with Aird, who comes in to buy a Christmas present for her daughter.
Belivet feels ambivalent toward her relationship with her boyfriend, Richard. Meanwhile, Aird is having a difficult time with her husband and going through divorce.
Amid the difficult situation, the love between Belivet and Aird cannot stop; they feel all the more confident to each other as time passes by.
The film is based on the autobiographical book “The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith, published in 1952. The title was changed to “Carol” when republished. Because the lesbian content was not welcomed back then, Highsmith had to use a pseudonym.
The film has been nominated for five Academy Awards. Blanchett in particular been nominated for an Oscar for the seventh time. The awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 28.
Sori: Voice from the Heart (12)
Drama/ 117/ Korean
The one and only daughter of Hae-kwan (Lee Sung-min) has gone missing.
As a gruff father who has many regrets about behaving indifferently toward his little girl, Hae-kwan feels all the more frantic once his daughter goes missing.
There is no evidence or clues, but he searches everywhere to find his daughter, Yoo-ju (Chae Soo-bin), for 10 years.
At the point of giving up, he comes across a robot that can recognize any voice in the world.
This robot, which Hae-kwan names Sori - literally sound in Korean - is the desperate father’s only chance of finding Yoo-ju.
Sori is unlike other robots in that it judges and thinks with emotion. The combination of Hae-kwan’s paternal love and the sensitive robot will touch your heart.
The movie has been highly anticipated by movie fans thanks to its high-quality cast.
Lee has been well-loved by fans since his role in the hit drama series “Misaeng” (2014).
In addition, the cameo appearance by Ryu Jun-yeol, who recently played the part of Jung-hwan in the cable TV drama “Reply 1988,” is not to be missed.
The Assassin (12)
Action, drama/ 106/ Taiwanese
One’s destiny cannot easily be changed or held back. But at a certain point in life one must confront a challenge.
Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi) was born as the daughter of a governor, but after being separated from Lord Tian Ji’an (Chang Chen), she grows up to be an assassin.
Her task is to kill corrupt government officials. But among her assignments, she has to kill the lord who once was her fiance. It comes down to a moment of decision: her duty as an assassin or her love.
Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien did not make this film in the conventional style of martial arts movies. It defies preconceptions and goes beyond expectations.
There are only a few instances of bloodshed, less exaggerated sound effects to make scenes more emotional, and no cathartic triumph over evil.
In the film, there is a considerable number of female characters that seem to be minor players. But the director does not use them as mere filler.
He intricately creates a story with these characters that contain certain elements essential to the movie.
Also, Hou uses nature as another character in the film. Before the movement of the sword, the sound of leaves and wind blowing through the forest can be heard.
Alvin and the Chipmunks:
The Road Chip (All)
Animation, comedy/ 92/ English
The “Alvin and the Chipmunk” series is back after a four-year break. The fourth installment of the series is providing new adventure with even more humor.
A special mission is given to the three chipmunks - Alvin, Simon and Theodore - to prevent Dave from proposing to Samantha. The trio decides to go to Miami where Dave and Samantha are.
However, constant incidents prevent them from reaching Miami, and it will be difficult for them to stop the proposal.
Even though the destination is Miami, the trio takes a grand trip across the United States. Starting from their house in Los Angeles, California, they travel through Austin, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, and finally to Miami, Florida.
The series has been loved for featuring performances of chart-topping pop songs. The first installment featured “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter; the second presented “Single Ladies” by Beyonce; the third included Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.”
The new film decided to feature “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)