Local & Hollywood fare to hit screens before year-end
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Eddie Redmayne, right, as Stephen Hawking and Felicity Jones as Jane Hawking in a scene from “The Theory of Everything” / Korea Times file
By Jason Bechervaise
As “Interstellar” continues to dominate local screens having amassed over 7 million tickets in under three weeks, the final holiday season of the year is fast approaching with both Korean and Hollywood films seeking to attract moviegoers in the run-up to Christmas.
Hollywood’s Twentieth Century Fox kicks things off with the local release of Ridley Scott’s “Exodus: Gods and Kings” that hits screens in Korea on Dec 3. Rather tellingly, this release date is a day earlier than other territories thereby premiering in Korea first.
Based on the book of Exodus, this biblical adaptation shares much in common with Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah” that debuted in Korea in March. Although releasing major films in Asia first is a growing trend by the Hollywood studios given the size of the markets such as China and Korea, the large Christian population in Korea is perhaps another factor in its early release date.
Starring Christian Bale (famous for playing Batman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy), he plays Moses as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses played by Joel Edgerton as he leads 600,000 slaves in their escape from Egypt and its deadly cycle of plagues.
Christian Bale as Moses in a scene from “Exodus: Gods and Kings” / Korea Times files
The scope of the film is believed to be Scott’s most ambitious yet, but as with any biblical adaptation, much like “Noah” focus will be on how the story has been told. While “Noah” opened well here, and performed strongly in most countries, Aronofsky’s bold interpretation of Noah wasn’t a hit with most audiences in Korea, and thus ticket sales dropped significantly after its opening weekend.
From December 10, audiences will have a chance to see the biographical film “The Theory of Everything” by James Marsh that was well-received following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
Following the life of the renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking, the film looks at how he became a groundbreaking figure in his field while also having to deal with his illness after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The film has attracted particular praise for the performances including the lead Eddie Redmayne who has been tipped for an Oscar nomination earlier next year for his acclaimed role as Stephen Hawking.
Actor Hwang Jung-min, center, stars in Yoon Je-gyun’s “Ode to My Father” that is set in post-war Korea. / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment
The Christmas season then kicks into gear a week later on December 17 with the release of Peter Jackson’s concluding part to his latest franchise “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” along with CJ entertainment’s major end-of-year film “Ode to My Father” starring Hwang Jung-min.
Last year’s “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” had a disappointing theatrical run generating little over 2.28 million admissions marking a drop compared to the first film. However, this was in part due to the fee dispute between the film’s Hollywood distributor and some of the major exhibitors here that hurt the sales for the film because many theaters in Seoul couldn’t show the film, but this has since been resolved.
The latest Hobbit film based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel sees Middle Earth hanging in the balance where Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) finds himself along with the lives of his friends in the Battle of the Five Armies.
Going up against the final part of “The Hobbit” is Yoon Je-gyun’s new film “Ode to My Father” that takes viewers back to post-war Korea depicting the lives and difficulties of couple played by Hwang Jung-min and Kim Yunjin.
With a reported budget of 14 billion won ($13.1m) and shooting locations including Thailand, the Czech Republic, Thailand and Busan where the International market is located ― and hence the literal title of the movie, “Gukje (international) market” -- there is much riding on this film.
But with Yoon as director who also helmed the 2007 hit “Haeundae” together with an engaging storyline and historical backdrop, it could attract that all important wide demographic.
Also to hit screens in December is Lee Won-suk’s eagerly awaited period drama “The Royal Tailor” that stars Han Suk-kyu, Ko-soo and Park Shin-hye about the lives of those working within the Sanguiwon -- the Korean title of the film -- who are responsible for the attire worn by royalty during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
Director Lee attracted much critical praise for his feature debut “How to Use Guys With Secret Tips” in 2013 despite it failing at the box office. His latest will face some stiff competition, but given the popularity of period dramas at the box office and its strong ensemble cast and talented director, it should make a lasting impression once it hits screens.
Before the year-end “Unbroken” directed by Angelina Jolie is scheduled for release in local multiplexes (exact date TBA). Based on the novel “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand, the film follows the American Olympic distance runner and Second World War prisoner of war survivor Louis Zamperini played by Jack O’Connell after he survives a plane crash in the Pacific during the war.
With the Oscar nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (“Skyfall”) along with the Coen Brothers listed as screenwriters ― they rewrote the screenplay from earlier drafts ― also part of the production, it could be in solid contention when the Oscar nominations are announced in January.
Other films to be released in December include “The Con Artists” starring Kim Woo-bin alongside Lee Hyun-woo and Disney’s musical “Into the Woods” starring Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt that is also attracting some awards attention. Both features hit screens on December 24.