In 'Professor,' Johnny Depp performs interesting one-man show Johnny Depp plays English literature professor Richard Brown, in film “The Professor.” Courtesy of JOYNCINEMABy Lee Gyu-leeJohnny Depp, usually known for his flamboyant and oddball characters, returns to the big screen with the comedy-drama “The Professor.” Only this time, he appears without makeup and fancy costumes to play a privileged middle-aged academic who makes a new start in life as he approaches the end of it. He is dying, and his days are numbered. The movie written and directed by Wayne Roberts tells the story of Richard Brown (Johnny Depp) ― an English professor ― diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer. He would have a year-and-a-half left to live if he chooses to receive treatment. If not, he will die within a year. He chooses to live the last days of life to the fullest with no treatment. He plans to break the news to his family at dinner but this fails as other family members have their own secrets to share, despite that his is the saddest. His daughter Olivia ― played by Odessa Young ― comes out of the closet, and his wife Veronica ― played by RAug 2, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Film pays tribute to forgotten freedom fighters From left, actor Jo Woo-jin, actor Yu Hae-jin, director Won Shin-yeon and actor Ryoo Joon-yeol pose during the media conference of the film “The Battle: Roar to Victory,” held at Lotte Cinema in Eastern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of ShowboxBy Lee Gyu-leeThe film “The Battle: Roar to Victory” is set to land in local theaters just in time for Liberation Day, Aug. 15, which celebrates Korea's independence from Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. This historical blockbuster, directed by Won Shin-yeon, tells the story of the first victory of Korean independence fighters who were part of the massive battle against the Japanese army at Fengwudong in Manchuria, China, in 1920. “I wanted to remind and show (viewers) that Korea had some victorious moments and acts of resistance during the Japanese colonial rule, not just defeats,” Won said at the media conference held in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, Monday. The Battle of Fengwudong was a military clash between Korean independence militia fighters and Japanese forces that were charged with cracking down on Jul 31, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
'Lion King' roars, 'Aladdin' rebounds This image released by Disney shows characters, from left, Zazu, voiced by John Oliver, and young Simba, voiced by JD McCrary, in a scene from "The Lion King." AP-YonhapDisney movies continue to dominate box officeBy Lee Gyu-leeTwo live-action remakes of Disney animations ― “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” ― have topped Monday's box office, indicating moviegoers' unwavering fascination with Disney films. Remaking the long-loved 1994 and 1997 animated films into live action, the two films not only aimed to entertain children but also became a source of reminiscence for adults about their earlier years. Directed by Jon Favreau, “The Lion King” uses photorealistic computer graphics to make the characters from the musical cartoon look realistically alive. Remakes of original songs by pop diva Beyonce ― playing Nala ― and singer-actor Donald Glover ― playing Simba ― made the movie more colorful. It has sold about 3.9 million tickets with a total grossing of 35 billion won ($29 million), securing its top spot at the weekend box office for the two consecutivJul 30, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
'King's Letters' director denies history distortion allegation From left, actor Park Hae-il, director Jo Chul-hyun, and actors Jeon Mi-seon and Song Kang-ho pose during a news conference to promote “The King's Letters” at Mega Box Dongdaemun in Seoul, June 25. / YonhapBy Kang Hyun-kyungJo Chul-hyun, director of “The King's Letters” which deals with the backstory behind the invention of the Korean alphabet_ Hangeul_ denied accusations that his film distorted history.In the film which premiered in local theaters July 24, Buddhist monk Shinmi ― not King Sejong ― is depicted as a key figure behind the creation of the distinctive alphabet.“We never attempted or tried to belittle or downplay King Sejong regarding his role in the creation of the Korean alphabet,” Jo said in a statement released on Monday. “Rather, our film has put an emphasis on the process of how the Korean alphabet was created. We tried to dramatize King Sejong's toil, pain and determination to invent Hangeul which came at the expense of his health, particularly later on his life. We focused on portraying him as a pioneering monarch who exploJul 29, 2019By Kang Hyun-kyung
Exhibition shows 100-year history of women in film Each of the six sections of “The Bad Women, The Weird Women, The Dope Women” exhibition shows movie clips compiling different concepts of female characters in Korean cinema over the past 100 years of history. Courtesy of Korean Film ArchiveBy Lee Gyu-leeA special exhibition on female characters in Korean cinema breaking the norms of the male-dominated film industry over its 100-year history is being held at the Korean Film Museum.“The Bad Women, The Weird Women, The Dope Women” is the Korean Film Archive's second special exhibition of the year and centers on movies with females as protagonists.“In Korean cinema, women have a limited stance and are somewhat excluded,” curator and organizer of the exhibition Cho So-youn said, during a curating session at the museum in Sangam, western Seoul, July 19. “I felt uncomfortable to see how women were illustrated in past films, especially in the 1970s and '80s, females were seen through male-oriented and distorted views.”A poster for the exhibition “The Bad Women, The Weird Women, The Dope WJul 26, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
7th 'Animal Film Festival in Suncheonman' to kick off on Aug. 22 K-pop group EXO's Suho, center, has been tapped as honorary ambassador of the "7th Animal Film Festival in Suncheonman." Suncheon city Mayor Heo Seok, left, Festival Director Park Jeong-suk, right, pose for a photo with Suho during a press conference. YonhapBy Anna J. ParkThis year's “Animal Film Festival in Suncheonman” will kick off its five day program on August 22 and showcase 71 films from 21 countries under the slogan of “Happy Animals.” Since its beginning back in 2013, this year marks the 7th installment of the annual festival.During a press conference held in central Seoul Wednesday morning, Festival Director Park Jeon-suk said the annual animal festival has expanded its spectrum this year, to further embrace the theme of peaceful coexistence of human kind and nature.“This year's program focuses on endangered animals through the 'Close Up' section of the festival. We will also plan to run various lectures and seminars on those environmental issues. These programs show our efforts to suggest viewers the larger theme of coexistence of human kind, Jul 24, 2019By Anna J. Park
Ma Dong-seok to star in Marvel Studio's 'Eternals' Actor Ma Dong-seok, left, also known by his English name Don Lee, and Angelina Jolie participate in the Marvel Studios panel on day three of Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 20, 2019, in San Diego. / AP-YonhapBy Kang Hyun-kyungActor Ma Dong-seok, also known by his English name Don Lee, will appear in the Marvel Studios film “The Eternals” which will premiere in November 2020. With this, he has become the first Korean actor to play a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.His agency BIG PUNCH ent said the Korean American actor will make his U.S. debut with the film where he will play the role of hero Gilgamesh. The cast of the film, which will be directed by Chloe Zhao, also includes Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Richard Madden.His name initially surfaced in May as one of the possible actors for the Marvel film. In a news conference to promote the film “The Gangster, The Cop and The Devil” which premiered on May 15 in local theaters, the actor mentioned that he was informed of the news that Marvel Studio was then considering him. He said he was &Jul 22, 2019By Kang Hyun-kyung
'Parasite' tops 10 mln admissions in S. Korea "Parasite," the winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, has surpassed 10 million admissions in local theaters, data showed Monday.The comedy-thriller film by Bong Joon-ho drew 10,000,249 moviegoers as of Sunday, the 53rd day of its run, according to the data from the Korean Film Council.It became the 26th film that reached the 10 million milestone in ticket sales in South Korea. This year alone, four films have achieved the feat: "Extreme Job," "Avengers: Endgame," "Aladdin" and "Parasite."It is the filmmaker's second flick surpassing the 10 million threshold, with the first being "The Host" in 2006. "Parasite", a crossover between a comedy and thriller, deals with the striking economic class division between two families in a dark but hilarious manner. (Yonhap)Jul 22, 2019
US film puts wartime victims, deniers together Miki Dezaki, director of “Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of The Comfort Women Issue,” speaks at a media conference held on Monday in Gangnam, Seoul. YonhapFilmmaker says info gap is source of lingering disputeBy Lee Gyu-leeJapanese American filmmaker Miki Dezaki's film “Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of The Comfort Women Issue” will hit local theaters next week amid escalating tensions between South Korea and Japan over a trade dispute that has gone from bad to worse. Dezaki said he hopes to provide an impartial introduction to one of the most controversial issues ― Japan's sex slavery during World War II ― between the two countries, and that a third-party standpoint can help the two sides narrow the information gap to make progress toward a constructive solution. “Being Japanese American I think gave me the privilege to interview the people that I interviewed,” Dezaki said at a media conference, Monday, held in Gangnam, Seoul. He added that if it weren't for his background, he would not have been able to meet the core figures to discuss the issuJul 20, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Universal to release 2 new films in its 'Halloween' saga In this April 4 file photo, Jamie Lee Curtis, recipient of the CinemaCon vanguard award, poses at the Big Screen Achievement Awards at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Universal said it will release two new “Halloween” films, including one with the ominous title “Halloween Ends. APUniversal Studios has announced that it will release two new “Halloween” films, including one with the ominous title “Halloween Ends.” The studio said Friday that the first of the films, ``Halloween Kills,'' will be released in 2020 and the second will come in 2021.A teaser video includes the voice of Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred in the original 1978 film and last year's blockbuster sequel, ``Halloween.'' The video states the saga of Curtis' character, Laurie Strode, and villain Michael Myers “isn't over.” Universal said “Halloween Kills” will be released Oct. 16, 2020, and “Halloween Ends” will arrive Oct. 15, 2021. Last year's film set records and earned $253.5 million worldwide. Curtis is also serving as a producer on the films, wJul 20, 2019
