Spare (2008) - 스페어 (Seu-pe-eo)

'Spare' offers plenty more than fist-fights

2008/08/19 | Source | Permalink |

The domestic box office has yet again succumbed to the influence of Hollywood and its penchant for world-saving heroes embellished with CGI and special effects.

That makes it all the more refreshing to see Lee Seong-han's debut film "Spare", which provides not only an alternative but a bold antithesis to the typical American blockbuster.

"Spare" boasts what it calls "100-percent real action" free of stuntmen, CGI and wires. So, those walking into the cinema expecting high-flying kicks and gritty fistfights will be surprised to find that the film actually relies little on action to enthrall the audience.

With the use of self-reflexive post-production effects, discontinuity editing and an endearing aloofness, "Spare" resembles a Korean incarnation of Guy Ritchie's "Snatch". complete with its McGuffin in the form of a liver donor.

The story begins when a yakuza boss survives an assassination attempt but remains in critical condition. Given his rare blood-type, only a Korean st...| More

[ChanMi's movie news] "Spare" new action film!

2008/08/14 | Source | Permalink |

Another press conference for the release of a new action film, "Spare" has taken place.

This action film is a real film with no use of CG (Computer Graphics). ...| More

New York Korean Film Festival this August

2008/07/18 | Source | Permalink |

The seventh edition of the New York Korean Film Festival is set to run August 22 – 31. Sponsored by KOFIC and The Korea Society, the event will screen more than 15 recent Korean features, of which 14 have been finalized for the line-up.

Highlights include one of the top-grossing Korean films of 2008, "Forever the Moment", a sports-redemption-themed film directed by LIM Soon-rye and starring MOON So-ri and KIM Jeong-eun. Other 2008 releases in the line-up are "Hellcats" by KWON Chil-in, "Once Upon a Time" by JEONG Yong-ki, "Open City" by LEE Sang-gi, "Spare" by LEE Seong-han, and the Korea-Japanese co-production "Virgin Snow" starring LEE Joon-ki and Aoi Miyazaki.

Films in the program from 2007 include such high-profile films as the Chosun-set popular tale, "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", starring SONG Hye-kyo, the Kwang-ju-set historical tragedy, May 18th, a Chosun-set tale of high stakes cooking, "Le Grand Chef", and Daniel Henney vehicle and tear-jerker, "My Father".

Othe...| More

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

2008/05/29 | Source | Permalink |

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood-only party, roped in plenty of movie tickets sales.

The bombardment of Hollywood films dragged down the share of Korean films to a record low. But the bleak development was widely predicted since only a couple of new Korean releases were made. June might be slightly different, as eight Korean movies are set for release.

"Girl Scout", directed by Kim Sang-man, will hit theaters on June 5, featuring well-known actors such as Kim Seon-ah, Nah Moon-hee, Lee Kyeong-sil. The film will test whether the audiences still have an appetite for a chase-the-money drama with fewer funny moments than publicized.

Waiting in line for the June 12 release are four Korean films: "Life is Cool", "Beyond All Magic", "Spare" and "Like Father, Like Son". ...| More