![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
= Watch at your risk
= 5/5 - classic = 4/5 - must watch = 3/5 - decent = 2/5 - few redeeming qualities = 1/5 - just terrible 미녀는 괴로워 (200 pound beauty) - Comedy - 2006 - - Background Information and Plot Summary
I was disappointed by this rather unique sounding romantic comedy. The premise is delightfully quirky and the setting is uncommon enough that this could have been the showstopper of the year. It was highly successful financially, but then again, so was D-War... For me, the movie lost its originality after the woman loses all her weight. It then fit snugly into a predictable mold that begged to be fast forwarded. The first half is enjoyable, though, so treat yourself to that as much. The music is pretty catchy though and will be stuck in your head for at least a week. Disappointing.
엽기적인 그녀 (My Sassy Girl) - 2001 - Romantic Comedy - - Background Information and Plot Summary
This isn't totally a waste of a movie but it certainly falls short of a good movie. It's pretty juvenile but has some cute moments. Otherwise, it's a showcase for a good looking actress to play out a shameless teenage fantasy. The one surprisingly and yet, at the same time, confusing part was the decision to cast a man in his mid forties as a high school student. This did make me laugh a bit but definitely not enough to recommend this poorly sequenced, slow-to-start, bad teen movie. In the end, it's forgettable.
주유소 습격 사건 (Attack the gas station) - 1999 - Comedy - - Background Information and Plot Summary
It's not the worst movie ever, but definitely not recommendable. Again, like 200 Pound Beauty the premise is unique but the execution is inconsistent and underwhelming. it has many humorous elements as well as some twists and turns that are, indeed, quite enjoyable, but ultimately the movie misses the point as it comes to a close. It vainly attempts the senseless destruction of the gas station but fails far too short for it to make any sense. Too bad too, because the over-the-top moments are my favorite in this film. It's quirky but leaves a lot to be desired. It's rough but not in the way that the director meant.
두 번째 사랑 (Never Forever) - 2007 - Drama - - Background Information and Plot Summary
This gawdy art house film stars the cute Irish psychiatrist from The Departed but make no mistake - she's neither cute nor good in this film. The story sounds decent enough - a Korean-American man wants to start a family with his American wife but cannot. Out of desperation, she finds a Korean man down on his luck to impregnate her but ends up falling for him instead. Now, where was the logic in this plan? For that matter, where was the logic in this movie? Save for a select few scenes, this was 101 minutes of my life that I will never get back.
미스터 로빈 꼬시기 (Seducing Mr. Perfect) - 2006 - Romantic Comedy - - Background Information and Plot Summary
Let me just say that I'm like everyone else that likes Daniel Henney. For that matter, 엄정화 is very easy on the eyes, so I'm not complaining about the cast so much as the chemistry between the two. In short, the film is borderline abysmal and barely watchable save a few scenes. In any case, it does a predictable job well done at showcasing Henney's lack of acting skills. There's even some script issues that make you stop and wonder what was someone thinking. It's a shame, too. I want to like Daniel Henney's work. But come on, man you can do better than this, right? 화이팅!
내 사랑 싸가지 (100 days with Mr Arrogant) - 2004 - Comedy - - Background Information and Plot Summary
Goofy, hard to follow, unnecessarily cheesy,and aimed at a teenage audience. It's slightly redeemable moments of humor are few and far between. There's bathroom humor. There's pop culture references. It's just awful. Go walk your dog, reorganize your closet, anything. Just don't watch this film. This movie sucked an hour and a half away from my life parading as a light-hearted comedy. I want my time back.
화산고 (Volcano High) - 2001 - Comic Book/Modern Fantasy - - Background Information and Plot Summary
This one is tricky. First off, this is a Korean movie. You might have seen the film on the shelf with American hip-hop stars on the cover. Let me explain: It was reedited and overdubbed with English dialogue in an attempt to target an American audience. The "American" version is worse. Moving on, the "Korean" version is pretty bad. It's comic booky but not in the good Constantine way; more like lower quality style in the vein of Wanted. The special effects are admirable but it's just too little too late; remember, this was produced when The Matrix was popular. I can't help but see this is a poor emulation of what made The Matrix popular. In the end, you just feel bad for the cast as the ywere probably expecting more out of the final product.
I am way too old to enjoy a movie like this. I have no idea who recommended it to me but this is way too lewd for me. Let alone it's way more graphic than American Pie - a movie that this film gets compared to frequently. The film does attempt a serious position towards the end but by then you've already forgotten the plot. If you're old enough to drive, avoid this steaming pile of garbage at all costs. I'm sure legions of young Korean teenagers hail this movie for reasons that are too graphic to mention here, but it's wasted on anyone who can legally buy alcohol.
디워 (Dragon War) - 2007 - Modern Fantasy - - Background Information and Plot Summary
Holy. crap. this. movie. is. terrible. So terrible, it is almost fun to watch. No, not like Starship Troopers where it is actually enjoyable - I mean this might be the worst movie I have seen in my adult life. It's that bad. First off, it is a Korean-produced film with over 70% of the dialogue in English. The film was aimed at a Western audience primarily although it did quite well in South Korea. The script is horrifyingly unnatural (but at least it is in English, right?). The special effects are outstanding, actually, but that's it. The lack of on-screen chemistry between to the two leads is enough to make you cringe for two hours straight. I did. For that matter, the female lead seems fresh out of acting class - or at least playing hooky. The only redeeming value to watching this dreadful attempt to capture a Western audience is the supporting role played by none other than Craig Robinson (Darrel from NBC's The Office). I have yet to hear his comments on just how bad this movie is.
