National Security (2012) Korean
Movie inspired from real events based on the Brutality of Prison Torture and interrogation methods carried out at Prison Facility in Namyeong-dong Korea during year 1985. This movie closely follows life of one innocent individual who is been cruelly tortured to make him agree to all false accusation made on him and to accept that he is a spy from north Korea.The way movie carries itself makes us feel our-self in victims place as he suffocates at various interrogation methods and its heart wrenching to even think of what these people went through in such Camps while they been tortured to death. Movie is very disturbing and heart throbbing yet luckily movie ended much better then a sad ending. Watch it if you are strong hearted but be sure it will stay in your mind for ever.
The Berlin File (2013) Korean
Movie is about a North Korean agent whose loyalty is been doubted by his own people when few agents frame him up as a betrayer and they begin to eliminate him in the process. Knowing how he is been treated by his own people , he starts to make the slate clean by joining his hands with South Korean official to bring the wrong people down. It becomes a huge manhunt when other countries CIA agents and secret services also get involved in it and it becomes a run for life till the end. Will he survive from all the attacks and will he be able to tackle the plans in which he was setup and framed from the beginning will be the rest of the story. Movie runs so fast and engaging till the end , A perfect action packed thriller keeps you at your toes till the last minute. Definitely a must watch movie for all action movie likers.
The City of Violence (2006) Korean
Story about five close friends from childhood , in which four of them happen to meet after 10 years in a funeral of one of their friend who had been murdered by local thugs. One of the four being a detective in nearby city , he along with his other friend starts to investigate the crime to identify the real killer who murdered their close friend. At-last when they did find out the murderer, things would be no more easy for them as battle erupts in vengeance while bringing the killer to justice. Did all survive the battle and whats the fate of the killer forms the rest. This film is a complete action entertainer with too many action sequences and definitely worth watching it.
Election (2005) | Election II (2006) Cantonese
Movie is based on Life of Gangsters under organized crime society called Triads and also about how their Elections take place every 2 years for the position of Chairman. A perfect godfather kind of film but a Chinese version and a very engaging one too. The way these crime family operates were captured in this movie in detail and how one steps over the other to gain the title yet sticking to the tradition and rules of triads were wonderfully portrayed. Movie is not that bloodshed gory like in other gangster movies yet this also has its chilling moments. Second part was more brisk then the prior as it had to buildup the foundation for the film and the sequal was much engaging , still one has to see both parts to understand this film. Definitely a worthy watch for sure.
Broken (2014) Korean
A small family with just a father & daughter living a peaceful calm life gets shattered when few school students kidnap his only daughter committing rape and murder. When he happens to see a video torturing his only girl , he couldn't take it more and goes on a killing spree with vengeance on those guys who committed this act. From then on it becomes a cat and mouse game for him and the police after every kill following which he manages to track down others in motive of punishing everyone responsible for this crime. Did he succeed killing everyone or did he call himself in to the police custody, what happens to the justice if its served forms the other part of it . Movie is so deep and emotional , which allows us to understand the feelings of a broken father irrespective of fact that he is committing a crime. Last few scenes are so melancholic and touchy but yet a wonderful movie all along. This is a perfect revenge drama definitely not to be missed.
The Client (2011) Korean
A person gets convicted on Charges against murdering his wife and brought to trail in-front of Juries. There is no evidence present or even dead body of the victim but circumstantial evidence all points to his husband killing her on basis of suspecting her character and also the same person was suspected for another serial killing in nearby city. This shortly becomes a battle between Defense Attorney and Public Prosecutor to prove if he is guilty or Not , whether a person can be convicted without evidence and with reasonable doubts. Did he kill his wife , Is he a psychopath as all say or if he didn't then who killed his wife are answered in remaining part of the movie. Though the movie might look predictable yet the way events flip flop each time keeps us guessing till the end. Last few minutes with some stunning surprises as we may usually expect was excellent and this movie is a wonderful court room drama cum thriller all together. Worth watching.
Breathless (2009) Korean
Story about a Loan shark Sang-Hoon who is sent out every day for money collection by his boss cum close friend. Sang-Hoon is known for his short temper and anger but he also gets job done which are given to him. Though he has a father , sister and a nephew yet he leads his life so careless and enjoys his life one day a time until a girl comes into picture. Slowly when he realizes that the girl is a suitable match and at same time he starts to care for his family , he decides to quit his job to lead a peaceful and normal life and conveys the same to his friend. Did things go well for him , did everything fall in place as he wished forms the rest of the story. Movie is slow paced yet a wonderful drama with mixed emotions and screenplay is so good that we wont feel sluggish at any instance. This movie also won many awards in many film festivals and unlike other action oriented Korean films this movie stays unique and good. Definitely worth trying but with little patience.
The Unjust (2010) Korean
A perfect battle between Cop vs Public Prosecutor over the verge of gaining Power and inturn providing support their rich client as needed. But things get messed up when a long pending case of a murderer targeting elementary school students comes to their table. Lot of false play , tampering of evidence , Perjury happens in course of time to save their own department reputation yet costing so many innocent life in this process. How injustice is a two sided knife is beautifully portrayed in this film. This is not a action packed movie but definitely a very good crime thriller.
Hwayi: A Monster Boy ( 2013 ) Korean
A movie with Yun-seok Kim as Lead role who is well known for movies like The thieves , Chaser , Yellow sea and few more. This movie is about a boy raised by a Family of ruthless killers who are well known as Day breakers for their Robbery attempts followed by ruthless murders making the crime scene victim-less. This boy starts to call everyone as dad and they in-turn care him so much and at same time they train him so hard as a killing machine. Things goes complete south when this boy gets to know the true identity of his birth and about his real parents following which leads to a battle between family. How things gets totally messed up at the end with complete blood shed forms rest of the story. Movie is quiet gruesome yet it still keeps us on our toes. Though the family is so sadistic yet they are awkwardly caring towards the boy and Last few minutes of the movie exactly proves that n its quiet emotional too.This is definitely one best movie not to be missed but be sure this is for strong hearted. Don't Miss it.
Fate (2008) Korean
Four friends plot a heist to hijack a club owned by their boss for money but when plans go wrong one person takes the fall and goes to Prison while others are let free in return. But when he gets released from jail , things are no more the same as his other friends are scattered in different direction and one of them who actually betrayed him in the heist becomes head of a gang which run in that place. So how our protagonist try to take the life back with control becomes the core plot yet the ending is total chaos towards destruction which we can very much expect from a Korean film. But overall a perfect high octane action movie not to be missed and will sure entertain till the end.
Four friends plot a heist to hijack a club owned by their boss for money but when plans go wrong one person takes the fall and goes to Prison while others are let free in return. But when he gets released from jail , things are no more the same as his other friends are scattered in different direction and one of them who actually betrayed him in the heist becomes head of a gang which run in that place. So how our protagonist try to take the life back with control becomes the core plot yet the ending is total chaos towards destruction which we can very much expect from a Korean film. But overall a perfect high octane action movie not to be missed and will sure entertain till the end.
Killers (2014) Japanese
Two killers at different location form a strange bond over Internet because of their obsession over killing. How their fate end up when they meet together at last forms the core plot of the film. How one manipulate the other and how killing becomes a passion for them slowly is perfectly captured in this movie , though its not that gruesome as other slasher films yet there was much a content into this and how their life leads to destruction was portrayed perfectly here. Lead character role was apt and perfectly played out and overall this is one other engaging thriller movie not to be missed.
Two killers at different location form a strange bond over Internet because of their obsession over killing. How their fate end up when they meet together at last forms the core plot of the film. How one manipulate the other and how killing becomes a passion for them slowly is perfectly captured in this movie , though its not that gruesome as other slasher films yet there was much a content into this and how their life leads to destruction was portrayed perfectly here. Lead character role was apt and perfectly played out and overall this is one other engaging thriller movie not to be missed.
Tough as Iron ( 2013 ) Korean
Yet another Korean action film were our hero is a known street fighter now leading a reformed calm life because of his sick mother and things stay well for him till a point were he needs more money for his mother treatment for organ transplant. So how this leads him back to his past life getting himself under a gang-lord and how he manages to come from their clutches at the end forms the core plot. This is not all in out action flick but there is a bit of emotional side with mother sentiment and other side with romance , friendship forming itself a beautiful package all-together. Ending was quiet good unlike other film and fights , action sequences were better too. Definitely a worthy film to watch and enjoy but with little patience.
Friend: The Great Legacy ( 2013) Korean
Sequel to a great Film Friend ( 2001 ), this film Part 2 which released on 2013 is no less then its predecessor & sure a worth watch. Movie is about a person who gets locked up in Prison for 17 years and when he gets released , his reputation is no more and as he comes to realize the plot to overthrow him to capture the power over his region , he takes things in his hand handles it in his own style to get the control back. What matters is how well story gets moved every frame giving a perfect gangster movie feel at every minute. Adding to that is the uniquely placed Style quotient for every Korean gangster film and this movie does it pretty good in that department too. Flash back portion of his dad becoming head of this gang and connection over a Rolex watch was too good. Last 5 min of the film could have been little different though but i believe its a clue for sequel.Overall a must watch flick not to be missed.
Gangnam 1970 (2015) Korean
Story of Two friends who were orphan n homeless once but now are a key members of two important gangs in South Korea. They manage their friendship irrespective how their gangs each other so much and till a point were things go miserably wrong were they had to end up facing each other in a life or death situation. Will they still remain as close friends till the end forms the core part of the movie. Action sequences are very impressive though gory at most. Movie is very confusing initially as identifying people by their faces becomes much difficult but as movie progress , it becomes more clear. This is not pure all in out action film because it adds more drama to it , yet action movie freaks will not be disappointed by it. Another worthy Korean film to try.
Triad (2012) Cantonese
A perfect Chinese Gangster film about rise and fall of three childhood friends who rise to high position within Triads and their downfall soon after. Movie is so brutal brings the true nature of politics within Gangster Organization and how Elections are held with so much blood shed everywhere. Film is quite engaging though as it also touches friendship , love and care , Brother Patrick role was very good in the film and sure to be a character which will stay in our memories. Overall a worthy movie to see.
Yet another beautiful film from Kang-ho Song who is known for movies like Host , Thirst , Memories of Murder etc.. Movie is about a Tax attorney Woo-seok who decides to fight against injustice done to few teenagers who are arrested under National law for no reason and Tortured to get their confession for the crimes they didn't commit. Though Woo-seok knows its a very dangerous path to take yet he abides by law and upholds his stand in support to the innocents till the end. Movie also portrays Woo-seok struggle in his early life and how he reached to a good position with great commitment and hard-work makes a good balance to this story. Though movie sound like a court room drama its rather gripping and quiet interesting till the end. Definitely yet another very good Korean film to my collection. Have fun watching.
Suspect X ( 2008 ) Japanese
A perfect mystery-thriller movie right from the start !! How far one would go to protect someone he loves , this movie is exactly that. A brilliant mathematics teacher Tetsuya Ishigami falls in love with a beautiful girl next door who is a divorcee. But she had to kill her ex husband accidentally , how Tetsuya Ishigami handles the situation to protect her and keep her away from investigation falls the rest of the film. At one point we might even think at a psychopathic angle but last few minutes would blow up our minds with all but just love. The way this movie ended was brilliant instead of regular cliche ones and more to that it was very emotional and touchy. A very good romantic tale yet a brilliant Crime investigation thriller not to be missed. A bit on a slower side but must watch for sure.
A perfect mystery-thriller movie right from the start !! How far one would go to protect someone he loves , this movie is exactly that. A brilliant mathematics teacher Tetsuya Ishigami falls in love with a beautiful girl next door who is a divorcee. But she had to kill her ex husband accidentally , how Tetsuya Ishigami handles the situation to protect her and keep her away from investigation falls the rest of the film. At one point we might even think at a psychopathic angle but last few minutes would blow up our minds with all but just love. The way this movie ended was brilliant instead of regular cliche ones and more to that it was very emotional and touchy. A very good romantic tale yet a brilliant Crime investigation thriller not to be missed. A bit on a slower side but must watch for sure.
Unbowed (2012)
Excellent movie based on true story , on how one man stands against an Illegal prosecution in court unbowed and how he uses law against his favor to win his trails in court room. Though its kind of a court room drama it still keeps you engaged till the end especially considering the fact its all based on true events. A worthy Korean film not to be missed.
Take the Lead ( 2004 ) :
Could dance express more things then we see...well this movie would say it all...!! Based on true story about how a dance teacher prepares a high school students for a ballroom dance competition making them understand this form of out while Hip Hop was dominating everywhere. This might not appeal for many if you dont understand this form of art but still there is a hidden beauty within it especially the way Antonio Banderas express it to us . His performance is a catchy factor in this film .Overall a good film to be experienced especially if you are a dance lover who can understand the soul behind it. For others watch it for Antonio Banderas performance.
Yet another wonderful film from colors trilogy director Krzysztof Kieślowski. Movie travels on two directions covering the life of two women in different continent and how movie reveals itself on how their life coexist with circumstances giving a deep meaning to life itself. Unique concept but such a appealing one supported by a breezy Background music. Definitely a movie not to be missed which can give you a different experience at the end and its kind of mind bending too. Must watch for film lovers.
