Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Jung-jae cast as prince, army leader in upcoming period flick

Actors Yeo Jin-goo and Lee Jung-jae have been cast for the upcoming movie “Opposition Forces” (tentative title), set to begin shooting on Sept. 5, Fox International Productions confirmed Thursday.The film, set for release next year, chronicles the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, during which Crown Prince Gwanghae, played by Yeo, struggled to defend Joseon while King Seonjo fled to the Ming dynasty in China.Lee will play the leader of the opposition forces, which served as soldiers in the place

Aug. 25, 2016

‘Oldboy,’ ‘Spring’ make BBC top 100 films list

Two films by renowned Korean directors, Park Chan-wook’s “Oldboy” and Kim Ki-duk’s “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring,” have been included in BBC’s top 100 films of the 21st century released Tuesday.Park’s neo-noir mystery thriller ranked 30th place, while Kim’s tale of a secluded Buddhist monastery came in at 66th place. Both films were released locally in 2003 and later distributed internationally.The list, created by the British public service broadcaster, surveyed 177 film critics

Aug. 25, 2016

Harry Belafonte weighs in on Nate Parker and his new film

NEW YORK (AP) -- Harry Belafonte says it's unfair that Nate Parker’s shining moment with his film “The Birth of a Nation” is being overshadowed by a 17-year-old rape case. But the iconic performer and activist adds that he’s not clear about the facts and wants to look more into the story that’s been dominating entertainment headlines.Belafonte said in an interview with the Associated Press on Tuesday that he saw Parker’s upcoming Nat Turner slave rebellion drama and was wowed by the project. He

Aug. 24, 2016

‘The Lovers and the Despot’ to open in Korea

The documentary film “The Lovers and the Despot,” which provides a glimpse into the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il’s regime, is coming to Korea. 　Directed by British filmmakers Robert Cannan and Ross Adam, the documentary recounts the story of the high-profile kidnap of former top Korean actress Choi Eun-hee, and her ex-husband and late director Shin Sang-ok by North Korea in the late 1970s. It chronicles their personal and professional lives under Kim’s authoritative surveillance until

Aug. 23, 2016

‘Take Off 2’ opens in US

Director Kim Jong-hyeon’s latest film “Take Off 2” opened in theaters across the US, distribution company Megabox Plus M said Monday. 　Starring Soo Ae, Oh Yeon-seo and Oh Dal-su, the sports comedy is about a seemingly mismatched group of women from different walks of life who come together to form a national ice hockey team.　Inspired by director Kim Yong-hwa’s 2009 production “Take Off,” the film made its international debut in major cities across the US, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago,

Aug. 22, 2016

Natalie Portman tells ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’

BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) -- “It’s like, I guess you caught me! I’m a nerd!” Natalie Portman says, laughing. She is talking about frenzied internet responses to a recent interview that she did with author Jonathan Safran Foer. The New York Times Style Magazine asked Foer to interview Portman about her directorial debut, “A Tale of Love and Darkness.” They were not in the same city, and thus did the interview over email, which the magazine then coyly presented as actual emails between the tw

Aug. 22, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Seoul Station　(Korea)　Opened Aug. 17　Animation, zombie. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho　The prequel to the box office hit “Train to Busan,” released last month and also directed by Yeon. This movie shows how the zombie apocalypse first started. A young runaway woman struggles to survive in a world where zombies may not be the most dangerous beings.　　　Star Trek Beyond　(US)　Opened Aug. 17　Sci-fi. Directed by Justin Lin　The USS Enterprise ship, carrying Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and members of his crew, i

Aug. 19, 2016

‘Train to Busan,’ 11th most-viewed movie in Korea

Korean zombie flick “Train to Busan” has become the 11st most-viewed film in South Korea, drawing more than 11 million viewers, data showed Thursday.Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the movie has garnered over 11 million viewers as of Wednesday, the 29th day since its release here, according to figures from the Korean Film Council. This made it the 11st most-viewed film in the country, after “Haeundae,” which was seen by 11.3 million people in 2009. “Train to Busan” was 10th among all Korean films in t

Aug. 18, 2016

Hong's ‘Yourself and Yours’ invited to 3 international film festivals

Director Hong Sang-soo’s latest full-length film “Yourself and Yours” has been invited to three international film festivals. The movie will be screened at the 64th San Sebastian Film Festival, the 41st Toronto International Film Festival and the 54th New York Film Festival, which are scheduled to run in September and October. Starring actors Kim Joo-hyuck and Lee You-young, the movie chronicles one man’s search for his girlfriend after a night of arguments. 　At San Sebastian Film Festival, whic

Aug. 17, 2016

Star Trek is story of ‘infinite diversity,’ cast says

Star Trek tells a story about integration and “infinite diversity” that resonates in today’s world more than ever, according to the actors of “Star Trek Beyond,” the latest installation in the science-fiction film franchise set for local release Thursday.Cast members Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin discussed the film’s core values at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. “It’s a franchise with all the hallmarks of a summer blockbuster but also has a lot of heart,

Aug. 16, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Tunnel(Korea)Opened Aug. 10Drama. Directed by Kim Sung-hoonA tunnel collapses on top of car salesman Jung-soo (Ha Jung-woo) on his way home. Trapped inside, surrounded by concrete, and with only two bottles of water, a birthday cake and cell phone in his possession, Jung-soo begins his fight for survival.Take Off 2(Korea)Opened Aug. 10Drama. Directed by Kim Jong-hyeonA crew of women from diverse backgrounds gather to form the national ice hockey team. Ji-won (Soo Ae), the only former hockey play

Aug. 12, 2016

‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ hits all the wrong notes

Perhaps not every quirky true story needs a biopic starring Meryl Streep, as evidenced by Stephen Frears' bizarre “Florence Foster Jenkins,” the story of a wealthy older woman who launched an amateur singing career in the 1940s, despite her distinct lack of talent. It’s a film that dares you to give it a bad review, simply so it can turn around and call you a bully who picks on the people who try. It invites you to giggle at Florence’s horrible singing and then promptly scolds you for laughing,

Aug. 12, 2016

Florence Foster Jenkins: tone-deaf but adored

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - When opera lovers ask New York's Carnegie Hall for souvenir concert programs, they’re not usually interested in Maria Callas or Joan Sutherland. More often than not, the name they request is Florence Foster Jenkins, an American socialite who only appeared at the legendary venue once, and couldn't hold a note.“In order for a singer to succeed, they need to have a combination of talent, charisma, and interpretive quality,” Carnegie’s archives director Gino Francesconi wrote in

Aug. 10, 2016