‘The Finest Hours,” based on the true story of the valiant 1952 Coast Guard rescue of a sinking oil tanker off the coast of Massachusetts, splits in two much like the wounded vessel at its heart.　There’s the film that’s set on the sea and much of that is pretty terrific, even if it brings to mind “A Perfect Storm.” And then there’s film set on land, and that one runs aground. Casey Affleck and Josh Stewart in “The Finest Hours.” (Walt Disney Studios)　Chris Pine is Bernie Webber, a young Coast Gu

Jan. 29, 2016

 A prosecutor overly reliant on using his fists in the name of justice and a corrupt politician looking to take advantage of that hot temperament -- the underlying premise of director Lee Il-hyeong’s newest flick, “A Violent Prosecutor,” may appear grim on the surface, but do not be fooled. The prison comedy doles out its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments.The film stars the contrasting combo of the stoic-faced Hwang Jung-min as Seoul district prosecutor Byun Jae-uk and Gang Dong-won as the sl

Jan. 26, 2016

It is safe to say that Lee Joon-ik is one of Korea’s foremost film directors of all time. His body of work explains it all with a string of hits such as “Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield,” “King and the Clown” and “The Throne.”Director Lee Joon-ik at a cafe in Buam-dong, Seoul, last Saturday. (Park Hyong-ki/The Korea Herald)Some film critics label Lee a “master filmmaker of period movies,” while others say he has a “knack for telling stories by blending fictional stories with historical charact

Jan. 26, 2016

PARK CITY, United States (AFP) - The stranger-than-fiction story about a famous South Korean film director and a glamorous actress abducted by North Korea‘s movie-obsessed Kim Jong-il has premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.　“The Lovers and the Despot,” a documentary by British filmmakers Ross Adam and Robert Cannan, traces the bizarre tale of director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee, the golden couple of South Korean cinema in the 1960s.Choi Eun-hee (left) and Shin Sang-ok (Sundance I

Jan. 25, 2016

It is striking how much actor Im Si-wan, at first glance, really seems to be an incarnation of the characters he plays on the screen. 　Lanky, wide-eyed, awkwardly sheepish yet terribly sincere, it requires very little effort to associate Im with the good-hearted, passionate but wandering young protagonists he has portrayed -- golden-hearted lambs seeking guidance.Im Si-wan (Yonhap)　At a group interview at a cafe in Seoul, Im said that the similarity between his characters and himself was not int

Jan. 25, 2016

PARK CITY (AFP) - A documentary about James Foley, the U.S. journalist slain by the Islamic State group, premiered to a standing ovation on Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival, leaving few dry eyes in the audience.　Directed by Brian Oakes, a childhood friend, “Jim: The James Foley Story” chronicles the life of the journalist through interviews with his family, friends and fellow reporters who had worked or were held captive with him in Syria. Composer J. Ralph (left) and recording artist Stin

Jan. 24, 2016

Actor Lee Byung-hun, one of the country’s top stars, has accepted the invitation to be a presenter at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, Lee’s agency BH Entertainment said Saturday.　Lee made his Hollywood debut with “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” in 2009, playing Storm Shadow. Since then, he has been holding his place as a Hollywood movie star with “Terminator Genisys” and “Red: the Legend.” Lee Byung-hun poses for photos at the Korean Film Actors Association awards ceremony at the Grand Hyatt S

Jan. 24, 2016

Thinking about watching a movie this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to the top movies playing on the big screen.A Melody to Remember (Korea)Drama, war. Directed by Lee HanOpened Jan. 21　Sang-ryeol (Im Si-wan) is a soldier who has lost everyone he loves in the Korean War. He is sent to another division, and meets a group of children who have lost everything, just like him. Along with volunteer teacher Ju-mi (Ko A-sung), he creates a children’s choir to bring a little warmth to the cold

Jan. 22, 2016

The director and lead voice actor for the upcoming DreamWorks animated feature “Kung Fu Panda 3” are in Seoul to promote the latest installment of the “Kung Fu Panda” series.　Both director Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Jack Black showed particular fondness for the film, perhaps because of their long history with it."Kung Fu Panda 3” director Jennifer Yuh Nelson (left) and Jack Black pose for press at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul Thursday. (Yonhap)　“I think one of the great things about working on these f

Jan. 21, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The Sundance Film Festival opens in the mountains of Utah Thursday with a provocative mix of movies focused on topical and timely issues, as well as the usual selection of quirkier fare. 　The annual gathering, founded in 1985 by iconic actor Robert Redford, will shine the spotlight on some 120 independent features, many by newcomers trying to make their mark. Tika Sumpter (left) as Michelle Robinson, and Parker Sawyers as Barack Obama, star in the film, “Southside With You,”

Jan. 20, 2016

Gang Dong-won, one of the country’s top movie stars, signed an exclusive contract with YG Entertainment on his birthday, Jan. 18, according to YG Entertainment.　YG Entertainment posted a congratulatory image welcoming Gang to the YG family, which represents global stars including Psy, Big Bang, Cha Seung-won, and Choi Ji-woo, as well as celebrating his birthday on their official blog, www.yg-life.com. A poster congratulating Gang Dong-won on his birthday and joining YG Entertainment (YG Entertai

Jan. 19, 2016