Sseommeotaim

SUMMERTIME is probably too explicit in the sex department. It doesn't have to be, but there you have it. If plenty of skin and simulated sex doesn't turn you off, then SUMMERTIME offers up an interesting take on South Korea's road to democracy. The movie itself is a thin allegory to South Korea's turbulent late '70s and early '80s, as the democracy movement gained steam and was finally able to tear free from the restraints of their military dictators.

The film itself could have used some subtlety, and most people unfamiliar with South Korea politics and history would not "get" this part of it. Still, for those who know, SUMMERTIME gives a good microcosm of the events of the time.

But again, the movie is rather sexually explicit, so be warned.

7 out of 10

(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie or reviews of other foreign films)

Unlike the original film Scorpio Nights, this remake actually makes sense, have some logic and motivation and the allegories work. The original was just an amateurish attempt at softporn that tried to look like something better. This one also goes to the territory of softporn but with some solid base. Even though the acting is sometimes terrible and the narrative is sometimes confused and could have been better in so many ways it does have an authenticity that lacked in the original.

Yojimbo999 is the one that "doesn't know what he's talking about!" He obvious has never seen Scorpio Nights! From the moment that Summertime came on, I noticed it! The young peeping tom dude is living directly above the married couple with the sexy wife, and the abusive security guard husband. The peeping tom pervert that lives upstairs watches them nightly through a hole in the floor, and learns of the husband's routine: He comes home, sits down at table, which always has his dinner automatically spread out for him, all nice and neat. The hot wife is fast asleep (supposedly) on the bed. When the husband finishes eating, he goes behind the mosquito net, and has sex with his woman. If I recall correctly, she doesn't even open her eyes, but just lets her husband get off, then rolls over and goes back to sleep. Same precise routine, night after night, after night. Meanwhile, outside, there are a bunch of Filipino unemployed losers drinking and singing (this is every night also). One night, the peeper comes downstairs early, moves the dishes around the table like he's eating, then does the nasty with the security guard husband's wife. The only thing that I can't recall about Scorpio Nights exactly, was was it the "first" time, or the "second" time that the peeping tom screwed her, that she revealed to him that she was only "pretending" to be asleep and unawares, but realized the entire time that she was aware that it wasn't her husband doing her, but the handsome young peeping tom from upstairs! The wife, and the young peeping tom become lovers. Now, when I'm watching the Korean remake, "Summertime," I noticed that the ENTIRE film is one big rip off of Scorpio Nights: Same upstairs peeper, same sex routines, same seduction method by the peeping tom, same unemployed losers drinking and singing outside (this time they're Koreans), and same revenge by the cuckold husband! SOMEONE in Korea, who was involved in the making of this film ("Summertime"), most certainly deserves to be sued for copyright infringement! Anyone doubting this (this includes you, Yojimbo999), can log on to the official website of Regal Films, which I believe is www.regalfilms.com, and if it isn't, just do a web search for "Regal Films" (they made Scorpio Nights), and order a copy of Scorpio Nights on DVD (don't order Scorpio Nights 2, which is a separate film), and watch the Filipino original, Scorpio Nights first, then watch that Korean rip off, Summertime, next, back-to-back. There is no refuting this! Yojimbo999 is either in denial, or he's a liar!

This movie is apparently a tribute or a remake of the Filipino movie Scorpio Nights. The original directed by Peque Gallaga that have reached cult status.

Many of the film aspects were originally retained like the protagonists and supporting characters, scenes with some variation from the original and location/setting of the house is alike but only in a different country and also the character's story arc were different.

The main character was silent, reserved and a bit mysterious. Compared with the lead from Scorpio Night that was more stoic and not lively. The supporting characters or the neighbors here has only a minor role unlike the original which can be a representation of the society back then.

Overall it was a good remake and it has great perspective in varying certain scenes but the ending was so-so.

"Summer Time" is an erotic drama with lots of nudity and sex scenes. They are beautifully shot. But what goes on around the sex is nothing of interest. It's basically the story of a young man who watches his neighbors in bed, gets aroused and has sex with the wife by imitating her husband. When she discovers that the guy sleeping with her is not her man, she doesn't push him away. They become lovers. An adultery movie. I guess we had that before.

There is a certain edge to you average adultery movie though: "Summer Time" is pretty rough. For example, the first shot and the finale are bloody. And you see a shot of sperm. Those offended by such a depiction should best avoid "Summer Time". Everyone else is not really urged to watch it neither - because it's not very good. There are way better ways and films to kill 104 minutes.

Rating: 5/10