Houston’s estate criticizes Lifetime for movie on singer

PASADENA, California (AP) ― Whitney Houston’s family says the singer’s fans should “brace themselves for the worst” if they watch Lifetime’s television movie about the late singer that premiered Saturday.Pat Houston, president of the singer’s estate and her sister-in-law, issued a critical statement about the movie on Houston’s website on the eve of the movie’s airing. She said the movie was done without the family’s blessing and against the wishes of her mother.“If you watch this movie, watch i

Jan. 18, 2015

Sweet, clever and cuddly, ‘Paddington’ is just right

Paddington Bear. How well we know him. He’s cuddly, he’s loyal, he’s sensitive. He’s well-traveled ― but loves to stay home, too. And he can whip up a mean homemade marmalade. As Mom would say, what’s not to love? And one can say precisely the same of the engaging new “Paddington,” written and directed by Paul King and based of course on the famous 1958 book by Michael Bond. It doesn’t try to be too clever. Or too sweet. Or too dark, for that matter, though there’s plenty of mischief, thanks to

Jan. 16, 2015

Box Office

Gangnam 1970 (Korea)Opening Jan. 21Action, Drama. Directed by Yoo HaThe final installment of director Yoo Ha’s “street series” trilogy, this noir action flick is set against the backdrop of an exploding real estate market in Seoul’s Gangnam district in the 1970s, a turbulent era under the dictatorship of military strongman Park Chung-hee. When two childhood friends, Kim Jong-dae (Lee Min-ho) and Baek Yong-ki (Kim Rae-won), are forced to become enemies, misunderstanding, revenge and conspiracy en

Jan. 16, 2015

‘Birdman,’ ‘Budapest’ top Oscar nominations with 9 each

“Birdman.” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)Two extravagant comedies, “Birdman” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” dominated nominations for the 87th annual Academy Awards with nine nods each, while “Boyhood” remained the widely acknowledged front-runner. The three films were nominated for best picture on Thursday along with “Whiplash,” “The Theory of Everything,” “The Imitation Game,” “American Sniper” and “Selma.” The eight films, mostly more modestly sized movies dwarfed by Hollywood’s stampede of bigg

Jan. 16, 2015

Makers of ‘Big Hero 6’ trumpet film’s Korean connections

Hoping to ride on the mega success of “Frozen” in Korea, the creative team behind Disney’s new animation film “Big Hero 6” touted the upcoming movie’s many connections to Korea.In a news conference in Seoul on Wednesday, the film’s producer Roy Conli said that Korea was the most “exciting market in the world right now.” “The 3-D and 4-D technology in (Korean) theaters is amazing. I think the theme of the film ― kids who use science to tackle problems ― will really appeal to the Korean audience.”

Jan. 15, 2015

‘Interview’ star Park glad to switch gears with TV comedy

Randall Park. (AP-Yonhap)PASADENA, California (AP) ― “The Interview” actor Randall Park says he’s glad the film was finally released and he’s ready to move on to his next role as a suburban dad in an ABC sitcom. Park, who played North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the movie at the center of the Sony hacking incident, was asked at a Television Critics Association meeting Wednesday if he feared any personal fallout. “I was never worried for my safety or getting hacked during that process,” he said.

Jan. 15, 2015

Lee Byung-hun blackmailers get jail terms

The singer and model who attempted to blackmail actor Lee Byung-hun have been sentenced to jail terms.On Thursday, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced model Lee Ji-yeon to a 14-month jail term and 21-year-old girl group GLAM member Kim Dae-hee to one year in jail. The court deemed that Lee and Kim attempted to blackmail Lee Byung-hun for the sum of 5 billion won ($4.6 million) to make financial gains. The court also said Lee’s continued claims of having been romantically involved with Lee

Jan. 15, 2015

[Herald Interview] Mastering both sides of the camera

Actor Ha Jung-woo has done an ample amount of diverse, interesting films during his acting career spanning a decade. From a ruthless serial killer in “The Chaser” (2008) and a hopeless romantic novelist in “Love Fiction” (2012), to the most recent, a butcher-turned-bandit in “Kundo: Age of the Rampant” (2014), he has become a household name in the local film industry, characterized by his unique, down-to-earth flair.Seemingly at the peak of his acting career, the 36-year-old recently took anothe

Jan. 14, 2015

30 years on, ‘Back to the Future’ vehicle locked in legal battle

NEWARK, New Jersey (AP) ― As “Back to the Future” celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, there’s a legal tussle over the futuristic car that provided the guts for the flying time machine used by Michael J. Fox in the classic 1985 film.Maverick automaker John DeLorean’s eponymous creation costarred in the 1985 movie as it transported Marty McFly back to the 1950s to engineer his parents’ meeting ― and, in a 1989 sequel, to a 2015 world that featured flying skateboards, automated dog-walkers a

Jan. 14, 2015

Heartthrob Lee Min-ho to show ‘inner cruelty’ in new film

After stealing the hearts of many Asian girls with his modern-day Prince Charming roles in the TV series “Boys over Flowers” and “The Heirs,” actor Lee Min-ho is about to reveal his cruel, charismatic side. In the upcoming film “Gangnam 1970,” he plays an impoverished orphan-turned-mobster in a tale of money, violence and betrayal set against the tumultuous history of real estate development in what is now Seoul’s most affluent district. The noir action flick is the final installment of director

Jan. 14, 2015

Film on modern Korean history tops 10m attendance

A domestic film depicting the life of a typical father from Korea’s older generation became this year’s first movie to surpass the 10 million viewer mark at the local box office, a market tracker said Wednesday.“Ode to My Father” hit the milestone at 10,001,709 viewers Tuesday, 27 days after it opened on Dec. 17, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) said, adding that it became the 14th film ever to attract 10 million viewers at the local box office. In South Korea, average budget films seen by more t

Jan. 14, 2015

Film on modern Korean history tops 10 mln in attendance

A domestic film depicting the life of a typical father from Korea's older generation became this year's first movie to surpass the 10 million viewer mark at the local box office, a market tracker said Wednesday. Over 10 million viewers have seen "Ode to My Father" since its release on Dec. 17. (CJ Entertainment)"Ode to My Father" hit the milestone at 10,001,709 viewers Tuesday, 27 days after it opened on Dec. 17, the Korean Film Council said, adding that it became the 14th film ever to attract 1

Jan. 14, 2015

Lee Min-ho talks violence, poverty, and pressure on “Gangnam 1970”

Actor Lee Min-ho talked about playing an impoverished orphan-turned-mobster in the upcoming “Gangnam 1970,” a noir action film depicting the tumultuous history of real estate development behind Seoul‘s now most famous district.“I haven’t really played a lot of impoverished characters,” the actor commented during a news conference on Tuesday. “Mostly I’m depicted as that guy from a really rich family, so I doubt audiences will be able to immediately adjust to my character. But I just hope that pe

Jan. 13, 2015

Hollywood set for Globes ...after website ‘winner’ glitch

Hollywood is holding its breath ahead of Sunday’s Golden Globes, with dark comedy “Birdman” leading the race for awards glory ahead of next month’s all-important Oscars.While an eve-of-show computer glitch appeared to suggest two other films could take the top prizes, “Birdman” is still in strong position, earning a string of accolades and other nominations leading up to the Globes.Unusually rainy weather looks set to dampen the arrival of A-listers on the red carpet in Beverly Hills for the Glo

Jan. 11, 2015

David Oyelowo tackles King role in ‘Selma’

In the emotionally potent historical drama “Selma,” the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. leads a dangerous crusade to secure equal voting rights for black Americans. Oscar watchers expect the film to have as much impact as last year’s Best Picture winner, “12 Years a Slave.”David Oyelowo, a newcomer to leading roles, plays King as he faces endless challenges, from violent institutional opposition to painful domestic debates with his wife, Coretta. From left: Colman Domingo plays Ralph Abernathy, Davi

Jan. 9, 2015

Box Office: Gangnam 1970, Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies, Criminal Designer

Gangnam 1970 (Korea)Opening Jan. 21Action, Drama. Directed by Yoo HaThe final installment of director Yoo Ha’s “street series” trilogy, the noir action flick is set against the backdrop on an exploding real estate market in Seoul‘s Gangnam district in the 1970s, a turbulent era under the dictatorship of military strongman Park Chung-hee. Two childhood friends, Kim Jong-dae (Lee Min-ho) and Baek Yong-ki (Kim Rae-won), find themselves forced to become enemies, mired with misunderstanding, revenge

Jan. 9, 2015

Reeves relates to grief of ‘John Wick’

Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves, best known for his lead role in “The Matrix” trilogy, arrived in Seoul on Wednesday to promote the Korean release of action flick “John Wick.” He plays the titular character of John, a retired assassin who returns to a dangerous underworld after a Russian thug murders his puppy, a posthumous gift from his wife, who died of cancer. “I related to his grief,” Reeves said at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. The answer came after a moment of hesitation when a rep

Jan. 8, 2015