Musings of the Obsessive Kind

ockoala, I am in your eternal debt. If it wasn't for your post, I would have never checked out The Man From Nowhere (international title; Korean title is Ahjusshi) and thus would have missed which is probably going to be my favorite Korean film for some time to come.

Ahjusshi has a fairly simple set-up: a mysterious, quiet loner who runs a pawn shop in a bad part of town (Won Bin, about whom more below) befriends the young daughter of a neighbor. When the girl is taken by gangsters as a result of her mother's choices, the pawn shop owner decides to come out of his isolation and find her, transforming into a killing machine on the way. Clearly his past is a little complicated.

The set-up sounds fairly cliche but the execution is anything but. First, there is the gorgeous fluid visual style - most of the movie takes place in sordid, run-down surroundings but the way they are shot adds an extra vividness to every scene. The fight scenes (and there are many) are brilliantly done - brutal and to the point. But ultimately, the reason Ahjusshi really works and the reason I ended up crying more than once (yes, crying - go ahead and mock) is because underneath the action trappings, it's really a character study of a traumatized, broken person who rediscovers his purpose. Won Bin nails the role - he has next to no dialogue and his character is, obviously, not a very expressive person, but somehow he manages to convey so incredibly much - loneliness, grief, trauma, horror, righteousness, anger, and hope - just through his eyes. He plays the man who's been to hell and hasn't really made the trip back yet. I confess (insert gasps of fangirl horror here) that I have never seen Won Bin in anything before - I am a lot less likely to watch a Korean movie than a drama, and he hasn't done a drama in close to a decade (and no, I am not watching Autumn Tale - not after lesbiassparrow's hilarious write-ups). I know he is a big Korean movie star, but before this movie I wouldn't have been able to pick him out of a line-up. But I am absolutely blown away now and really must find more of what he's been in - he is so intense and expressive without showing much, if it makes any sense. I was blown away by him the way I haven't been by an actor in a very long time. The other major character in the movie, young Sohmee, played by Kim Sae Ron, is also unforgettable - I was anxious for her the whole movie.

Anyway, enough of my rambles. Go watch! Here is the official MV to convince you if the write-up hasn't:



( A few caps of Won Bin from the movie. Not spoilery )

(Nope, not spoilery pic)

Mr Mousie and I just finished watching the Chinese wuxia flick Reign of Assassins, starring Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo Sung, Barbie Hsu (as a homicidal sexual maniac of all things) and a bunch of other people.

LOVED IT.

The story revolves around remains of kung-fu powerful monk. Supposedly possession of them is supposed to give you mystic powers and so everyone wants them. Our heroine, Drizzle (Michelle Yeoh) is someone who in most other stories would be a man - a weary swordfighter with a hidden past who wants to give up and not fight, but the world won't let her. She was one of the assassin sect who stole the remains from the previous owner, but she's had a change of heart since - she took and hid the remains, changed her name and face, moved to Nanjing, and now lives peacefully as a silk merchant. She has even gotten married to Ah Sheng, a good-natured man who doesn't have a drop of kungfu ability (Jung Woo Sung). Only - the assassin sect has finally tracked her down. Will she be able to fight them off? Redeem her karma? And maybe deal with the fact that her husband is not exactly all he seems?

Anyway, this movie is really really awesome, sort of like a wuxia Mr & Mrs Smith, only with characters I actually like. It has no pretentions to arthouse, but if a bit of fighting fun with awesome protagonists is what you are looking for, this may just be the flick for you.

(Nope, not spoilery pic)

Mr Mousie and I just finished watching the Chinese wuxia flick Reign of Assassins, starring Michelle Yeoh, Jung Woo Sung, Barbie Hsu (as a homicidal sexual maniac of all things) and a bunch of other people.

LOVED IT.

The story revolves around remains of kung-fu powerful monk. Supposedly possession of them is supposed to give you mystic powers and so everyone wants them. Our heroine, Drizzle (Michelle Yeoh) is someone who in most other stories would be a man - a weary swordfighter with a hidden past who wants to give up and not fight, but the world won't let her. She was one of the assassin sect who stole the remains from the previous owner, but she's had a change of heart since - she took and hid the remains, changed her name and face, moved to Nanjing, and now lives peacefully as a silk merchant. She has even gotten married to Ah Sheng, a good-natured man who doesn't have a drop of kungfu ability (Jung Woo Sung). Only - the assassin sect has finally tracked her down. Will she be able to fight them off? Redeem her karma? And maybe deal with the fact that her husband is not exactly all he seems?

Anyway, this movie is really really awesome, sort of like a wuxia Mr & Mrs Smith, only with characters I actually like. It has no pretentions to arthouse, but if a bit of fighting fun with awesome protagonists is what you are looking for, this may just be the flick for you.

This post is all about Takeshi Kaneshiro (or if you are Japanese, I guess it's Kaneshiro Takeshi). Whatever.

Basically, if you can't stand him, I suggest you skip it. Of course, that would also mean something is horrendously wrong with your taste, but that's another matter. The reason for the post? Other than TK's sheer gorgeousness, that is? I just found out (and am full of glee on the matter) that his next movie is with Tony Leung and the Infernal Affairs team! *insert scream here* It's going to be called Confession of Pain and is a police investigation movie. I am ECSTATIC.

And in 'honor' of this (or actually just because I need an excuse), I bring you a huge TK picspam. Huge. What, did you think I was watching Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake for the plot? If by plot you mean "angsty Takeshi," you'd be correct. I used to wonder who I think is the hottest dorama actor and was in a dilemma between a number of candidates until I realized he was in doramas and the problem was solved :P Oh, and I finally got my hands on Lavender.



( Hotness behind the cut )

( Fluff piece/interview with TK that sort of cracks me up )

rubypurple posted that Nicholas Tse married Celia Cheung. I know who he is, duh. And her name struck a bell so I went to IMDB to confirm, and yes. She was the Princess in The Promise, which I loved and picspammed. You have no idea how gleeful it makes me that the villain and the heroine of the movie hooked up (because, hey, she had a romantic triangle in that movie but it wasn't with him. But he was my favorite character. He was so elegant, offing people with his fans). That's just pricelessly priceless. As long as he doesn't build a giant cage and make her wear feathers.

Heeeee.

Gleeeeeeeee.

And am watching Veronica Mars ep 2 tonight. Seems there is good buzz about it. Yay.

rubypurple posted that Nicholas Tse married Celia Cheung. I know who he is, duh. And her name struck a bell so I went to IMDB to confirm, and yes. She was the Princess in The Promise, which I loved and picspammed. You have no idea how gleeful it makes me that the villain and the heroine of the movie hooked up (because, hey, she had a romantic triangle in that movie but it wasn't with him. But he was my favorite character. He was so elegant, offing people with his fans). That's just pricelessly priceless. As long as he doesn't build a giant cage and make her wear feathers.

Heeeee.

Gleeeeeeeee.

And am watching Veronica Mars ep 2 tonight. Seems there is good buzz about it. Yay.

I ended up watching about two-thirds of Silence episode 3 on my computer last night. Didn't finish because my eyes wouldn't keep open.

( Long thoughts on Silence, ep 3 )

Also, browsing in B&N last night, I started reading Yuu Watase's hilarious Absolute Boyfriend. Watase is the author of such famous mangas as Fushigi Yuugi (the anime of which ate my life a few months back), Ceres: the Celestial Legend (ditto), FY: Genbu Kaiden (which I really love but it's still unfinished), Alice 19th (short but good) etc. What all these mangas have in common is a rather intricate plot and (even more famously) incredibly cool and hot guys who fall and will gladly die for the heroine.

Well, in AB, Watase parodies herself and her tendencies and it's hilarious. Our heroine, Riiko, has been turned down by so many guys, her heart is resembling days old salad. But all of a sudden, Riiko's life changes around completely. Now she has this amazing boyfriend: he is gorgeous, he will cook her breakfast in bed, he will compliment her, he will hold her all night if she so desires and he will perform great feats to rescue even her lost cell-phone. No woman could ask for more. He is perfect. He also arrived in a box. With a manual. Because he is an android. In her funk, Riiko went online to a page she thought was a joke and ordered an 'ideal boyfriend' (she also programmed everything into him, so he is a bit confused). Night (the android) is an absolute darling of course, and quite quite hunky. He is also not really real and is preventing her from noticing the attractive if decidedly imperfect guy next door who likes her. It's totally great and I want to continue to see how it all turns out.

And for anyone who is in the Washington metro area and is interested, wanted to let you know that the 11th Annual Hong Kong Film Festival is currently going on in the Freer Gallery of Art. This Friday at 7 and this Sunday at 2, they are showing 2 Young, next week (same schedule) it's Divergence and the week after that (once again, same schedule), it's Perhaps Love, which I am madly in love with.

OK, I have completely lost it. I've just watched a 20-minute teaser for Silence, a dorama I am interested in, without any subtitles. Yup, it's entirely in Chinese, a language in which I understand exactly 5 words. It's not the craziest thing I've ever done of that nature: I've watched all of three hours of Thakshak, a Bollywood movie, unsubbed, but then I understand a lot more Hindi than I do Mandarin. In my defence, this thing looks like it's been made especially for me. He is terminally ill and she is mute and they were childhood sweethearts who've lost each other years ago. And she thaws him out and he makes her feel not alone. Besides, it has things like sobbing boys, suits, kissing, and a very Bollywood moment of his being transfixed by her joyful face in the rain. Also, he is prettier than I am. So yeah. But I actually think this one just might max out my angst capability. The trailer was getting me upset and I don't like my OTPs to end in death. Maybe this is Taiwanese Kal Ho Na Ho. In one shot, Park Eun Hye actually looks like Kajol. And there is a very K3G-like scene where he takes her by the hand and walks out on his be-suited father, down the grand staircase. Hell, I don't care if it's unsubbed. If I can't find subs for this, I am watching unsubbed.

ETA: First two eps are subbed, on Youtube and I am in love (this user has uploaded them with subs. Look in her videos). It really seems to mix Victorian and Bollywood tropes somehow. I am sort of dreading how this can possibly end, but I confess to being an idiot and kinda crying a bit in the freaking first ep. So yeah, totally recommended. Especially to lesbiassparrow.

( Picture of the leads )

I also ended up watching Legend of Speed last night, a HK movie. Think "Fast and Furious" only with hot guys (sorry, Paul Walker fans but ugh), a lot of angst and a ton of leather. So basically F&F done dangermousie way.

The story centers around a guy named Sky, who is the undisputed king of a dangerous kind of illegal street racing. Sky's life is good: he rules the racing circuit, his flunkies are loyal, his gf loves to wear leather shorts, and his chest is toned. But all is not wonderful for too long, as his OTP dies in a course of a race with his rival and the rival frames him for drug possession, a pretty serious crime in those parts. What shall happen to Sky (who angsts incredibly prettily) and his red leather pants? The fashion in this movie is...different. I have to say I like it, but then I have bad taste. When we first meet our protagonist, he looks like a walking fetish ad: black leather pants, sunglasses, black leather duster, unbuttoned. Cross on neck. No shirt. Granted, he has a gorgeous chest, but I admit to a lot of giggling.

( Quick thoughts with some illustrations )

Also, by staying up until I could no longer see, I managed to get through ep 15 of Mars. ( Longish thoughts on eps 12-15 behind cut )

OK, I have completely lost it. I've just watched a 20-minute teaser for Silence, a dorama I am interested in, without any subtitles. Yup, it's entirely in Chinese, a language in which I understand exactly 5 words. It's not the craziest thing I've ever done of that nature: I've watched all of three hours of Thakshak, a Bollywood movie, unsubbed, but then I understand a lot more Hindi than I do Mandarin. In my defence, this thing looks like it's been made especially for me. He is terminally ill and she is mute and they were childhood sweethearts who've lost each other years ago. And she thaws him out and he makes her feel not alone. Besides, it has things like sobbing boys, suits, kissing, and a very Bollywood moment of his being transfixed by her joyful face in the rain. Also, he is prettier than I am. So yeah. But I actually think this one just might max out my angst capability. The trailer was getting me upset and I don't like my OTPs to end in death. Maybe this is Taiwanese Kal Ho Na Ho. In one shot, Park Eun Hye actually looks like Kajol. And there is a very K3G-like scene where he takes her by the hand and walks out on his be-suited father, down the grand staircase. Hell, I don't care if it's unsubbed. If I can't find subs for this, I am watching unsubbed.

ETA: First two eps are subbed, on Youtube and I am in love (this user has uploaded them with subs. Look in her videos). It really seems to mix Victorian and Bollywood tropes somehow. I am sort of dreading how this can possibly end, but I confess to being an idiot and kinda crying a bit in the freaking first ep. So yeah, totally recommended. Especially to lesbiassparrow.

( Picture of the leads )

I also ended up watching Legend of Speed last night, a HK movie. Think "Fast and Furious" only with hot guys (sorry, Paul Walker fans but ugh), a lot of angst and a ton of leather. So basically F&F done dangermousie way.

The story centers around a guy named Sky, who is the undisputed king of a dangerous kind of illegal street racing. Sky's life is good: he rules the racing circuit, his flunkies are loyal, his gf loves to wear leather shorts, and his chest is toned. But all is not wonderful for too long, as his OTP dies in a course of a race with his rival and the rival frames him for drug possession, a pretty serious crime in those parts. What shall happen to Sky (who angsts incredibly prettily) and his red leather pants? The fashion in this movie is...different. I have to say I like it, but then I have bad taste. When we first meet our protagonist, he looks like a walking fetish ad: black leather pants, sunglasses, black leather duster, unbuttoned. Cross on neck. No shirt. Granted, he has a gorgeous chest, but I admit to a lot of giggling.

( Quick thoughts with some illustrations )

Also, by staying up until I could no longer see, I managed to get through ep 15 of Mars. ( Longish thoughts on eps 12-15 behind cut )

I have a long long post about Mars to make, but it's late and we have guests (so I haven't gotten further than finishing ep 11, argh!).

I do want to say that I've gotten my hands on a whole bunch of tdoramas, jdoramas and kdoramas. I am going to be going a bit crazy.

However, since it seems I've revealed my shameful F4 love openly, I must confess I was also looking for tdoramas with Vic Zhou (Ling in Mars). The one I am most interested in is Silence which sounds unbelievably angsty. I am not sure if it finished airing yet, but if anyone could tell me where I could dl it or similar with subtitles? I'd also like to look for Poor Prince Taro with subs and Love Storm which I can find but unsubbed and I will confess the depths of my madness when I'll reveal I am tempted to watch it unsubbed, and I know all of two words of Mandarin. Heeeeeeelp! I am addicted.