O.N.
Joined Apr 1999
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Reviews15
O.N.'s rating
Absolute Classic!! Accidentally found the first series of this one night after "At the Movies" on abc TV Australia and nearly wet myself laughing. Ended up watching the remainder of the series and then buying the DVD on mail order to see the episodes I missed.
With all the PC and Americanised crime dramas on TV, it's good to see something definitely Australasian on TV that's not afraid to bend the rules and deliver a few laughs at the same time.
Certainly could not be made in the US this stuff .... too much wit .... and sadly not sure us Aussies could either given the way our local television is going.
Hope to see series 2 on Aussie TV soon enough. BRING IT ON
With all the PC and Americanised crime dramas on TV, it's good to see something definitely Australasian on TV that's not afraid to bend the rules and deliver a few laughs at the same time.
Certainly could not be made in the US this stuff .... too much wit .... and sadly not sure us Aussies could either given the way our local television is going.
Hope to see series 2 on Aussie TV soon enough. BRING IT ON
I'd say like many people, Park Chanwook only came to my attention after "Oldboy" picked up the grand prix at Cannes and subsequently managed a theatrical release in Australia (which I unfortunately missed). After collecting the "Oldboy" DVD on a sale rack, I was mesmerised by how professionally and beautifully constructed this film was, and consequently went and tracked down all of Park's previous impressive works on DVD. Furthermore, my eyes lit up when "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" was worked into the local film festival program this year as a replacement film!! "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is a terrific film. It seems unfair that it will ultimately be judged against a masterwork like "Oldboy", which few films I have seen in recent years even rate remotely close to in beauty.
The third of Park's revenge films has Lee Young Ae (from JSA) as an antihero seeking vengeance on Mr Baek (the terrific Choi Min-Sik), who was responsible for her wrongful imprisonment and loss of her child to adoption. To tell much more would spoil the film but a complex non-linear plot which bears a certainly similarity to the framework of "JSA" gradually and grandly evolves. This is probably the only difficulty I had with this film, not from a complexity standpoint but in that it takes proceedings a little leisurely early on.
Plotting is not quiet as precise as "Oldboy" or even "Sympathy for Mr Vengeance" but in the end all the pieces fall into one coherent piece of bloody vengeance. Lee Young Ae is terrific (and stylish) in red eyeshadow as the film's centrepiece, while Oldboy's hero Choi Min-Sik and many other stars from the previous vengeance films fill many of the minor roles admirably.
From a technical standpoint, "Lady Vengeance" is as close to flawless as any film I have seen, and demonstrates why Park is one of the great directors in modern world cinema. The use of off-centre camera angles, piercing orange lights interchanging against dark snow-filled backgrounds, rapid-fire editing and a superb operatic music score with dark overtones in the harshest moments make "Lady Vengeance" a joy to behold. To see this in one of only 2 cinema screenings in my state I consider an absolute privilege. This is one film that gives life to Megaplex screens and sound systems! Now that his revenge trilogy is complete, I'm interested to see what venture Park Chanwook embarks on for his next feature. It will be difficult for anyone to live up to the talented productions Park has already directed, but heres hoping that he can continue to advance Korean cinema into our multiplex screens! "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" rates from me .......
8/10
The third of Park's revenge films has Lee Young Ae (from JSA) as an antihero seeking vengeance on Mr Baek (the terrific Choi Min-Sik), who was responsible for her wrongful imprisonment and loss of her child to adoption. To tell much more would spoil the film but a complex non-linear plot which bears a certainly similarity to the framework of "JSA" gradually and grandly evolves. This is probably the only difficulty I had with this film, not from a complexity standpoint but in that it takes proceedings a little leisurely early on.
Plotting is not quiet as precise as "Oldboy" or even "Sympathy for Mr Vengeance" but in the end all the pieces fall into one coherent piece of bloody vengeance. Lee Young Ae is terrific (and stylish) in red eyeshadow as the film's centrepiece, while Oldboy's hero Choi Min-Sik and many other stars from the previous vengeance films fill many of the minor roles admirably.
From a technical standpoint, "Lady Vengeance" is as close to flawless as any film I have seen, and demonstrates why Park is one of the great directors in modern world cinema. The use of off-centre camera angles, piercing orange lights interchanging against dark snow-filled backgrounds, rapid-fire editing and a superb operatic music score with dark overtones in the harshest moments make "Lady Vengeance" a joy to behold. To see this in one of only 2 cinema screenings in my state I consider an absolute privilege. This is one film that gives life to Megaplex screens and sound systems! Now that his revenge trilogy is complete, I'm interested to see what venture Park Chanwook embarks on for his next feature. It will be difficult for anyone to live up to the talented productions Park has already directed, but heres hoping that he can continue to advance Korean cinema into our multiplex screens! "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" rates from me .......
8/10
The Japanese film "Departure" is a timely reminder that a film about teenagers and their relationships need not be saturated with vulgarity to make an impression on viewers.
Three teenagers on the island of Okinawa are preparing to go their separate ways after finishing high school. The trio decide to split up on their last night together to tie up various loose-ends in their lives, mostly involving their partners/would-be partners.
What really makes this film work is the mature and honest manner in which director Yosuke Nakagawa portrays her teenage protagonists. Her three leads are genuinely concerned about the effects their life moves will have on those close to them. Unlike a large number of American films with similar themes, there are no high voltage hysterics, just a quiet sense of apprehension and fear, but at the same time hope and new opportunities. Also, at only 80mins of running time, "Departure" certainly does not overstay its welcome.
The most touching story of the three I feel is that of the young man with the older girlfriend. Despite their age and social gap (she is employed and pays for their holidays), both treat each other with a great degree of dignity and compassion. However, tonight he must break the news to her that he is dreading; that in under 24 hours he must leave her to go to Tokyo for further education for the next 4 years. The film's sympathetic viewpoint to both of these characters and their resolution is quite endearing.
Films like "Departure" are a real treat. A film involving youth which does not condescend to the typical stereotypes of teen film is a rarity in today's market, and for this reason "Departure" deserves a great deal of praise and wider recognition.
8/10.
Three teenagers on the island of Okinawa are preparing to go their separate ways after finishing high school. The trio decide to split up on their last night together to tie up various loose-ends in their lives, mostly involving their partners/would-be partners.
What really makes this film work is the mature and honest manner in which director Yosuke Nakagawa portrays her teenage protagonists. Her three leads are genuinely concerned about the effects their life moves will have on those close to them. Unlike a large number of American films with similar themes, there are no high voltage hysterics, just a quiet sense of apprehension and fear, but at the same time hope and new opportunities. Also, at only 80mins of running time, "Departure" certainly does not overstay its welcome.
The most touching story of the three I feel is that of the young man with the older girlfriend. Despite their age and social gap (she is employed and pays for their holidays), both treat each other with a great degree of dignity and compassion. However, tonight he must break the news to her that he is dreading; that in under 24 hours he must leave her to go to Tokyo for further education for the next 4 years. The film's sympathetic viewpoint to both of these characters and their resolution is quite endearing.
Films like "Departure" are a real treat. A film involving youth which does not condescend to the typical stereotypes of teen film is a rarity in today's market, and for this reason "Departure" deserves a great deal of praise and wider recognition.
8/10.