Choi Min-sik, the veteran Korean actor who previously starred in “Oldboy” and Korea’s all-time box office record breaker “Roaring Currents,” heads the cast of upcoming mystery-thriller film “Exhuma.” The title, which will debut in Korean theaters in February, also released its first-look images and an atmospheric trailer.
Choi appears as an exorcist who unleashes unexpected supernatural forces.
According to a synopsis supplied by Showbox, “A wealthy family living in Los Angeles calls on a pair of young shaman, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun, to save their newborn child after they are visited by a series of paranormal events. [The shaman duo] senses that the dark shadow of an ancestor has latched on the family, a so-called ‘Grave’s Calling’. In order to exhume the grave and relieve the ancestor, they seek help from a leading geomancer, portrayed by Choi, and a mortician (portrayed by Yoo Hai-jin). To their dismay, the...
Choi appears as an exorcist who unleashes unexpected supernatural forces.
According to a synopsis supplied by Showbox, “A wealthy family living in Los Angeles calls on a pair of young shaman, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun, to save their newborn child after they are visited by a series of paranormal events. [The shaman duo] senses that the dark shadow of an ancestor has latched on the family, a so-called ‘Grave’s Calling’. In order to exhume the grave and relieve the ancestor, they seek help from a leading geomancer, portrayed by Choi, and a mortician (portrayed by Yoo Hai-jin). To their dismay, the...
- 1/5/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The science fiction feature is from the director of ‘The Battle: Roar To Victory’.
South Korea’s K-Movie Entertainment is to launch big-budget science fiction feature Seeking The King at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan this week.
The feature is directed by Won Shin-yeon, the filmmaker whose previous film was award-winning historic action drama The Battle: Roar To Victory. He has teamed with Wysiwyg Studios, the visual effects specialists behind hit features Space Sweepers and Hansan: Rising Dragon.
The cast include Koo Kyo-hwan of hit Netflix titles D.P. and Kill Boksoon, Yoo Jae-myung, Girls’ Generation singer and...
South Korea’s K-Movie Entertainment is to launch big-budget science fiction feature Seeking The King at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan this week.
The feature is directed by Won Shin-yeon, the filmmaker whose previous film was award-winning historic action drama The Battle: Roar To Victory. He has teamed with Wysiwyg Studios, the visual effects specialists behind hit features Space Sweepers and Hansan: Rising Dragon.
The cast include Koo Kyo-hwan of hit Netflix titles D.P. and Kill Boksoon, Yoo Jae-myung, Girls’ Generation singer and...
- 10/5/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The science fiction feature is from the director of ‘The Battle: Roar To Victory’.
South Korea’s K-Movie Entertainment is to begin sales on big-budget science fiction feature Seeking The King at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan this week.
The feature is directed by Won Shin-yeon, the filmmaker whose previous film was award-winning historic action drama The Battle: Roar To Victory. He has teamed with Wysiwyg Studios, the visual effects specialists behind hit features Space Sweepers and Hansan: Rising Dragon.
The cast include Koo Kyo-hwan of hit Netflix titles D.P. and Kill Boksoon, Yoo Jae-myung, Girls’ Generation...
South Korea’s K-Movie Entertainment is to begin sales on big-budget science fiction feature Seeking The King at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan this week.
The feature is directed by Won Shin-yeon, the filmmaker whose previous film was award-winning historic action drama The Battle: Roar To Victory. He has teamed with Wysiwyg Studios, the visual effects specialists behind hit features Space Sweepers and Hansan: Rising Dragon.
The cast include Koo Kyo-hwan of hit Netflix titles D.P. and Kill Boksoon, Yoo Jae-myung, Girls’ Generation...
- 10/5/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Stars Acting Up At Busan
Oscar-winning Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung will headline the Actors’ House section of the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, it was announced on Thursday.
Introduced in 2021, Actors’ House is a special series that connects audiences and film enthusiasts with iconic actors from the current generation through its in-depth discussions. “There’s much anticipation to hear her words of wisdom, as she’s known for her insightful observations,” said the festival.
Others this year include: Han Hyo-joo, Song Joong-ki and Korean-American actor and author John Cho. Han is known for performances in 2015’s “The Beauty Inside,” “W” (2016), “Happiness (2021), and last year’s “The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure.” She will be in Busan with Netflix-backed “Believer 2” and recently appeared in the Disney+ original series, “Moving.”
Song, who hosted the 2021 Busan festival’s opening ceremony, was recently seen in “Hopeless,” one of the handful of Korean films in Cannes this year.
Oscar-winning Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung will headline the Actors’ House section of the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, it was announced on Thursday.
Introduced in 2021, Actors’ House is a special series that connects audiences and film enthusiasts with iconic actors from the current generation through its in-depth discussions. “There’s much anticipation to hear her words of wisdom, as she’s known for her insightful observations,” said the festival.
Others this year include: Han Hyo-joo, Song Joong-ki and Korean-American actor and author John Cho. Han is known for performances in 2015’s “The Beauty Inside,” “W” (2016), “Happiness (2021), and last year’s “The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure.” She will be in Busan with Netflix-backed “Believer 2” and recently appeared in the Disney+ original series, “Moving.”
Song, who hosted the 2021 Busan festival’s opening ceremony, was recently seen in “Hopeless,” one of the handful of Korean films in Cannes this year.
- 9/14/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
While I truly appreciate a compelling Korean ‘melo,‘ there are times when the drama becomes overwhelming, hijacking the plot’s integrity. My anticipation for The Moon was sky-high, and with its stellar cast, including popular actors, and my high expectations from the Hallyu industry, I entered with excitement. The realms of space and the future have been thoroughly explored in Korean media, with works like Space Sweepers and The Silent Sea finding success. Personally, I encountered similar concerns with ‘Space Sweeper,’ starring Song Jong-Ki, as I did with The Moon. Both films are excessively lengthy and strain for an emotional impact that ultimately falls short. I understand that this is a cultural denominator, similar to what we have with Indian films, but the criticism still stands when the film becomes tedious and feels overstretched.
The Moon details a space expedition to the moon conducted by Korea’s very own Naro Space Center.
The Moon details a space expedition to the moon conducted by Korea’s very own Naro Space Center.
- 9/4/2023
- by Ruchika Bhat
- Film Fugitives
South Korea isn't exactly a country that springs to mind when one thinks of the Space Race. The enormously expensive endeavour to shoot for the stars has always been the stage for huge global superpowers like the US and Russia to duke out their differences, and in turn, big-budget cinema has wasted no time in making a spectacle out of getting there. A recent Hollywood boom in the genre has seen prestige filmmakers like Alfonso Cuarón, Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott turn in “Gravity”, “Interstellar” and “The Martian” respectively, and James Gray's divisive “Ad Astra” take the space-survival drama to its most eccentric end point. Yet it remains a predominantly American genre, and while South Korea's 2021 Netflix hit “Space Sweepers” arrived with a modest bang on the international front, East Asian cinema has yet to turn in a seminal space thriller. Enter Kim Yong-hwa's “The Moon” as South Korea's expensive,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Simon Ramshaw
- AsianMoviePulse
Now a household name in the Korean entertainment industry, Kim Tae-Ri’s humble beginnings may come as a shock to many for the actress, who has an impressive resume for just a seven-year career. While technically, she hasn’t been acting for just 7 years, her mainstream film debut was in 2016, and she was clearly set up for success right from the start. The 33-year-old actress, who is known for looking youthful and even played a 21-year-old just last year, discovered her love for acting back in college. She began as a theatre actress in her second year of university and starred in a couple of music videos thereafter. She auditioned with over 1500 other women to play the important role of an orphan in acclaimed director Park Chan Wook’s erotic thriller The Handmaiden. She hasn’t looked back since, won many awards for the role, and proved her place in the industry.
- 7/30/2023
- by Ruchika Bhat
- Film Fugitives
On June 14, Song Joong Ki took to his fancafe to confirm that he and his wife Katy Louise Saunders were blessed with a healthy son in Rome. He also reassured the fans that the wife and son are completely healthy.
He said that he was in his wife’s hometown and he is eternally grateful to the fans for being a part of the wonderful time. He expressed his happiness and gratitude towards his family for being there as well.
Song Joong Ki revealed his relationship with his British girlfriend, who is now his wife, in December of last year. He is currently getting ready for the release of the films Bogotá and Hopeless. Born in 1985, Song Joong Ki made his acting debut in the 2008 film A Frozen Flower.
After that, he performed in films like Itaewon Murder Case, A Werewolf Boy, Battleship Island, and Space Sweepers, as well as in dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal,...
He said that he was in his wife’s hometown and he is eternally grateful to the fans for being a part of the wonderful time. He expressed his happiness and gratitude towards his family for being there as well.
Song Joong Ki revealed his relationship with his British girlfriend, who is now his wife, in December of last year. He is currently getting ready for the release of the films Bogotá and Hopeless. Born in 1985, Song Joong Ki made his acting debut in the 2008 film A Frozen Flower.
After that, he performed in films like Itaewon Murder Case, A Werewolf Boy, Battleship Island, and Space Sweepers, as well as in dramas like Sungkyunkwan Scandal,...
- 6/15/2023
- by Shweta Ghadashi
- GlamSham
"Deliverymen must be tough." Netflix has revealed a teaser trailer for another large-scale sci-fi series from Korea, this one titled Black Knight, based on the comic series known as Delivery Knight. This will debut for streaming in May. Netflix has been developing tons of Korean films and series, specifically lots of sci-fi, including JUNG_E, Space Sweepers, and The Silent Sea. Black Knight is set in the year 2071, when it is impossible to live without a respirator due to extreme air pollution. The Korean peninsula is a wasteland, so delivery drivers play a crucial role in the survival of its inhabitants. The legendary delivery man who goes by the name "5-8" with extraordinary fighting skills meets a refugee who dreams of becoming a delivery driver, the only hope of refugees. "In a world without air, a rebel knight delivers hope. The one hope to overturn the world." Starring Kim Woo-bin as 5-8, Kang Yoo-seok as Sa-wol,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One of the most popular films streaming on Netflix is the live-action, science fiction feature "Space Sweepers" directed by Jo Sung-Hee:
"...the space crew of the 'Victory', living off salvaging space debris in the year 2092, include genius pilot 'Tae-ho' (Song Joong-Ki), ex-space pirate 'Captain Jang' (Kim Tae-Ri), engineer 'Tiger Park' (Jin Sun-Kyu), and reprogrammed military robot 'Bubs' (Yoo Hai-Jin).
"Earth is nearly destroyed by pollution and a group of upper-class people build a new habitable world in outer space. Surpassing other space sweepers and successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, the crew finds a 7-year-old girl inside who is later revealed to be a human-like robot wanted by 'Space Guards'.
"Seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, the crew demands a ransom in exchange for the girl..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
"...the space crew of the 'Victory', living off salvaging space debris in the year 2092, include genius pilot 'Tae-ho' (Song Joong-Ki), ex-space pirate 'Captain Jang' (Kim Tae-Ri), engineer 'Tiger Park' (Jin Sun-Kyu), and reprogrammed military robot 'Bubs' (Yoo Hai-Jin).
"Earth is nearly destroyed by pollution and a group of upper-class people build a new habitable world in outer space. Surpassing other space sweepers and successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, the crew finds a 7-year-old girl inside who is later revealed to be a human-like robot wanted by 'Space Guards'.
"Seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, the crew demands a ransom in exchange for the girl..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
- 2/9/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Park Kiyong, film director and university professor, has been appointed as head of the powerful Korean Film Council (Kofic). He takes over from Kim Young-jin, who only headed the organization for a year.
Park, who was on the board of Kofic since last year, currently teaches at Dankook University’s Graduate School of Culture and Arts. He was previously director of the Kofic-funded Korean Academy of Film Arts between 2003 and 2009. He was also previously an executive committee member of the Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival. As a director, he is best known for the 1997 film “Motel Cactus,” a four-part study in erotic ennui, which he coscripted with Bong Joon-ho (“Parasite”).
Producer and academic, Kim Sunah, was named as the organization’s new vice chairperson. Current head of Women in Film Korea, Kim planned and produced “Rikidozan: A Hero Extraordinary” (2004), “Save the Green Planet” (2003), and “One Fine Spring Day” (2001).
“We will...
Park, who was on the board of Kofic since last year, currently teaches at Dankook University’s Graduate School of Culture and Arts. He was previously director of the Kofic-funded Korean Academy of Film Arts between 2003 and 2009. He was also previously an executive committee member of the Cinema Digital Seoul Film Festival. As a director, he is best known for the 1997 film “Motel Cactus,” a four-part study in erotic ennui, which he coscripted with Bong Joon-ho (“Parasite”).
Producer and academic, Kim Sunah, was named as the organization’s new vice chairperson. Current head of Women in Film Korea, Kim planned and produced “Rikidozan: A Hero Extraordinary” (2004), “Save the Green Planet” (2003), and “One Fine Spring Day” (2001).
“We will...
- 1/10/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Probably one of the best years for action/martial arts cinema lately, 2021 saw a number of truly impressive titles coming out, as China’s blockbusters seem to be getting better, followed by the Korean ones, Japanese manga adaptations continue to be on a very high-level, at least production level-wise and Asean countries keep on producing some of the most interesting in the category through the combination of social commentary and exploitation elements. Furthermore, a number of movies that do not fall in any of the aforementioned groups but are of equal quality, rounded up a truly great year for Asian genre.
Without further ado, here are the best Asian martial arts/action films of 2021, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2021, we decided to include them.
15. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (Keishi Ohtomo)
On the other hand, the action element is top notch,...
Without further ado, here are the best Asian martial arts/action films of 2021, in reverse order. Some films may have premiered in 2019, but since they mostly circulated in 2021, we decided to include them.
15. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (Keishi Ohtomo)
On the other hand, the action element is top notch,...
- 12/27/2021
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
How does it feel that “Squid Game” has become a worldwide phenomenon, watched by over 142 million households globally? Although Netflix has picked up the show for a second season, we’re still reeling from how the first season ended.
Gold Derby senior editors Marcus Dixon and Rob Licuria welcome seven “Squid Game” cast members to an all-star roundtable discussion lasting well over one hour (watch above). We were joined by creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung, and key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
See How ‘Squid Game’ could pull off SAG Awards upset: It’s ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Parasite’ rolled into one
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series...
Gold Derby senior editors Marcus Dixon and Rob Licuria welcome seven “Squid Game” cast members to an all-star roundtable discussion lasting well over one hour (watch above). We were joined by creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung, and key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
See How ‘Squid Game’ could pull off SAG Awards upset: It’s ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Parasite’ rolled into one
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series...
- 12/2/2021
- by Rob Licuria and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
One of the hottest shows worldwide in 2021 is “Squid Game” for Netflix! And now we are reuniting the cast and crew for a one-hour roundtable chat with our senior editors Marcus Dixon and Rob Licuria.
Enjoy creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung. We’ve also got key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series tells the story of down-on-their-luck people in dire need of money who receive mysterious invitations to join a dangerous life-or-death version...
Enjoy creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung. We’ve also got key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series tells the story of down-on-their-luck people in dire need of money who receive mysterious invitations to join a dangerous life-or-death version...
- 11/29/2021
- by Rob Licuria, Marcus James Dixon and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted film productions, releases and festivals. But nothing, it seems, can get between Korean film and TV fans and their idols, and this week’s Busan International Film Festival is managing to pull off a series of in-person events, despite strict safety protocols.
The first of these, on Thursday, included so-called Open Talk sessions focused on Netflix series “Hellbound” and “My Name,” which are both part of the festival’s new On Screen sidebar. There was another event for sci-fi adventure film “Space Sweepers” and an on-stage discussion between top East Asian directors Bong Joon-ho and Hamaguchi Ryusuke.
In each case, venues were filled to their 50% capacity limits. Thousands more fans, many from overseas and oblivious to the lack of foreign-language translations, followed a livecast on Naver Now. Proximity, contact and photos are typically the purpose of many such fan meetings, not meaningful insight or news announcements.
The first of these, on Thursday, included so-called Open Talk sessions focused on Netflix series “Hellbound” and “My Name,” which are both part of the festival’s new On Screen sidebar. There was another event for sci-fi adventure film “Space Sweepers” and an on-stage discussion between top East Asian directors Bong Joon-ho and Hamaguchi Ryusuke.
In each case, venues were filled to their 50% capacity limits. Thousands more fans, many from overseas and oblivious to the lack of foreign-language translations, followed a livecast on Naver Now. Proximity, contact and photos are typically the purpose of many such fan meetings, not meaningful insight or news announcements.
- 10/8/2021
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
BTS and Coldplay went fully, gloriously sci-fi in the music video for their collaboration, “My Universe.” In the new music video, released at midnight on September 30th, the two bands exist in a futuristic reality where music is forbidden. In spite of the ban, and with the help of a space DJ, the groups come together for a high-energy, galaxy-spanning performance of their new song.
The “My Universe” music video/short film is directed by Dave Meyers, an American filmmaker best known for his commercials and music videos, which include MVs for artists Drake, Ed Sheeran, Pink, Normani, Ariana Grande, and many, many more. High-concept, genre-driven music videos are par for the course in the visually immersive world of K-pop, but are less common in western music videos, which have more “grounded,” realistic aesthetics, even when they skew fantastical. A great example of the latter is Harry Styles’ “Adore You” video.
The “My Universe” music video/short film is directed by Dave Meyers, an American filmmaker best known for his commercials and music videos, which include MVs for artists Drake, Ed Sheeran, Pink, Normani, Ariana Grande, and many, many more. High-concept, genre-driven music videos are par for the course in the visually immersive world of K-pop, but are less common in western music videos, which have more “grounded,” realistic aesthetics, even when they skew fantastical. A great example of the latter is Harry Styles’ “Adore You” video.
- 9/30/2021
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
The Academy (Afaa) revealed the nominees for the 15th Asian Film Awards today. Thirty-six films from eight Asian regions will compete for 16 awards. China’s One Second, South Korea’s The Book of Fish, India’s The Disciple, and two Japanese films, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy and Wife of a Spy, compete for this year’s “Best Film Award.”
Three Hong Kong films were nominated for this year’s Afa, including Drifting, directed by Jun Li, nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Limbo, directed by Cheang Pou-soi, was nominated for Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best sound; Adam Wong’s The Way We Keep Dancing was nominated for Best Original Music.
The Afaa is honoured that legendary South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong will be this year’s Jury President. Lee was the lifetime award recipient at the 13th Asian Film Awards.He won the “Best...
Three Hong Kong films were nominated for this year’s Afa, including Drifting, directed by Jun Li, nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. Limbo, directed by Cheang Pou-soi, was nominated for Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best sound; Adam Wong’s The Way We Keep Dancing was nominated for Best Original Music.
The Afaa is honoured that legendary South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong will be this year’s Jury President. Lee was the lifetime award recipient at the 13th Asian Film Awards.He won the “Best...
- 9/9/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Global streaming giant Netflix has teamed with South Korea’s largest cinema chain Cj Cgv to give theatrical releases to seven Netflix Original movies. The Korean-language titles will be given a limited 13-day run in 80 Cgv multiplexes.
The initiative, branded as ‘NetFic,’ is the latest effort by the film industry to stimulate box office in Korea, where the exhibition and distribution sectors in Korea have been badly shaken by the impact of Covid-19. Audiences have been slow to return to in-person screenings and many high-profile film releases have been postponed or canceled as a result.
Netflix and other streaming platforms have been able to take advantage of the malaise and license some of the disrupted titles.
Among the titles in the NetFic season are “Time to Hunt,” a futuristic action thriller which had its world premiere at the 2020 Berlin festival but abandoned its theatrical plans during the first wave of the coronavirus.
The initiative, branded as ‘NetFic,’ is the latest effort by the film industry to stimulate box office in Korea, where the exhibition and distribution sectors in Korea have been badly shaken by the impact of Covid-19. Audiences have been slow to return to in-person screenings and many high-profile film releases have been postponed or canceled as a result.
Netflix and other streaming platforms have been able to take advantage of the malaise and license some of the disrupted titles.
Among the titles in the NetFic season are “Time to Hunt,” a futuristic action thriller which had its world premiere at the 2020 Berlin festival but abandoned its theatrical plans during the first wave of the coronavirus.
- 8/26/2021
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
Speakers included festival director Shin Chul and veteran producer Lee Eun.
In South Korea, the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan) held a half-day forum (July 9) to discuss how the local film industry should move forward in the post-coronavirus era.
Festival director Shin Chul opened the forum with the question of how to define cinema these days: “With the rapid changes of recent times, you ask is Space Sweepers [which was produced for theatrical release, but went direct to Netflix after the pandemic forced its postponement and dips at the box office] a film? Is Kingdom [a Netflix original series with high production values] a film?”
Touching on how films and broadcasting were traditionally separate in South...
In South Korea, the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan) held a half-day forum (July 9) to discuss how the local film industry should move forward in the post-coronavirus era.
Festival director Shin Chul opened the forum with the question of how to define cinema these days: “With the rapid changes of recent times, you ask is Space Sweepers [which was produced for theatrical release, but went direct to Netflix after the pandemic forced its postponement and dips at the box office] a film? Is Kingdom [a Netflix original series with high production values] a film?”
Touching on how films and broadcasting were traditionally separate in South...
- 7/18/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Asia’s largest genre film festival handed out prizes at its second hybrid edition.
Korea-Thailand horror The Medium, produced by Na Hong-jin and directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, has won the top prize at South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Asia’s largest genre film festival awarded its Best of Bucheon prize to the shaman horror feature, which received its world premiere at Bifan.
See full list of winners below
The Bucheon Choice: Features jury included directors Tony Kaye (American History X) and Jo Sung-hee (Space Sweepers), actress Moon Jeong Hee (Cart), and film festival programmers Meenakshi Shedde and Jarod Neece.
Korea-Thailand horror The Medium, produced by Na Hong-jin and directed by Banjong Pisanthanakun, has won the top prize at South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Asia’s largest genre film festival awarded its Best of Bucheon prize to the shaman horror feature, which received its world premiere at Bifan.
See full list of winners below
The Bucheon Choice: Features jury included directors Tony Kaye (American History X) and Jo Sung-hee (Space Sweepers), actress Moon Jeong Hee (Cart), and film festival programmers Meenakshi Shedde and Jarod Neece.
- 7/16/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Compared with the U.S. or European countries, South Korea’s infection and death toll from Covid-19 was small. But the disease has had an outsize impact transforming the entertainment industry.
Film producers and distributors are currently seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, and are busily repopulating the late summer distribution calendar. But the virus has hastened the systemic shift to a more digital future.
In pre-covid times, film-mad fans meant Korea had one of the world’s highest per-capita cinema attendance rates and the mid-sized country the world’s fourth-largest box office. And after “Parasite” and Korean-language, U.S.-made “Minari” scored at Oscars and resonated with audiences worldwide, there has been renewed interest in Korean movies, at levels not seen since the naughties.
At first, Korea seemed to be handling the pandemic well, through isolation and testing, and in summer 2020, cinemas were able to welcome back major commercial movies.
Film producers and distributors are currently seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, and are busily repopulating the late summer distribution calendar. But the virus has hastened the systemic shift to a more digital future.
In pre-covid times, film-mad fans meant Korea had one of the world’s highest per-capita cinema attendance rates and the mid-sized country the world’s fourth-largest box office. And after “Parasite” and Korean-language, U.S.-made “Minari” scored at Oscars and resonated with audiences worldwide, there has been renewed interest in Korean movies, at levels not seen since the naughties.
At first, Korea seemed to be handling the pandemic well, through isolation and testing, and in summer 2020, cinemas were able to welcome back major commercial movies.
- 7/13/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming giant shakes up senior team in its fastest growing region.
Netflix has reshuffled its creative leadership team in Asia Pacific with South Korean executive Minyoung Kim appointed to oversee operations across the region, excluding India.
Asia Pacific is the steaming giant’s second-largest territory in terms of paid subscription growth.
Kim was formerly vice president of content for Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand where she expanded Netflix’s remit to invest $500m in Korean TV series and films in 2021.
Since joining Netflix in 2016, she has spearheaded the streamer’s Korean content growth with series such as Kingdom,...
Netflix has reshuffled its creative leadership team in Asia Pacific with South Korean executive Minyoung Kim appointed to oversee operations across the region, excluding India.
Asia Pacific is the steaming giant’s second-largest territory in terms of paid subscription growth.
Kim was formerly vice president of content for Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand where she expanded Netflix’s remit to invest $500m in Korean TV series and films in 2021.
Since joining Netflix in 2016, she has spearheaded the streamer’s Korean content growth with series such as Kingdom,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
A close-knit crew of wildly different people ride around on a spaceship having adventures. If you’re a sci-fi fan, there are very good odds that this synopsis describes one of your hooks into the genre. That crew might be a dysfunctional band of space criminals and revolutionaries, or a clean cut team of scientists, diplomats and soldiers serving a galactic Space Un, but there is a core appeal to this set up across the genre.
“Ensemble crews are one of the quickest and most powerful ways to forge a found family. A foundational example for me was Blake’s 7,” says Paul Cornell, who has written stories for the Star Trek: Year Five comic series among his many speculative fiction credits. “They haven’t been recruited, they have relative degrees of distance from the cause, they’ve been flung together. The most important thing is that they’re all very different people.
“Ensemble crews are one of the quickest and most powerful ways to forge a found family. A foundational example for me was Blake’s 7,” says Paul Cornell, who has written stories for the Star Trek: Year Five comic series among his many speculative fiction credits. “They haven’t been recruited, they have relative degrees of distance from the cause, they’ve been flung together. The most important thing is that they’re all very different people.
- 6/4/2021
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Membership falls short of company’s expectations; revenue growth beats the Street.
Netflix leadership has targeted a $17bn content spend for 2021 and expect a heavier offering of film and TV in the second half of the year following production delays due to the pandemic.
The streamer said it is back in production in every major market except Covid hotspots Brazil and India.
Local language content remains a priority and the company noted standouts that have travelled beyond borders led by Who Killed Sara?, the Mexican series that generated an estimated 55m views in its first 28 days and now ranks as...
Netflix leadership has targeted a $17bn content spend for 2021 and expect a heavier offering of film and TV in the second half of the year following production delays due to the pandemic.
The streamer said it is back in production in every major market except Covid hotspots Brazil and India.
Local language content remains a priority and the company noted standouts that have travelled beyond borders led by Who Killed Sara?, the Mexican series that generated an estimated 55m views in its first 28 days and now ranks as...
- 4/20/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Netflix revealed that it will spend over $17 billion on content this year, according to its first-quarter earnings report.
“As we’ve noted previously, the production delays from Covid-19 in 2020 will lead to a 2021 slate that is more heavily second half weighted with a large number of returning franchises,” said the company in its letter to shareholders. “And while the roll out of vaccines is very uneven across the world, we are back up and producing safely in every major market, with the exception of Brazil and India. Assuming this continues, we’ll spend over $17 billion in cash on content this year and we’ll continue to deliver an amazing range of titles for our members with more originals this year than last.”
That’s a notable uptick from the streamer’s 2020 spend of $11.8 billion, as the pandemic prompted production delays across the industry, and a 2019 content spend of $13.9 billion.
During the first quarter,...
“As we’ve noted previously, the production delays from Covid-19 in 2020 will lead to a 2021 slate that is more heavily second half weighted with a large number of returning franchises,” said the company in its letter to shareholders. “And while the roll out of vaccines is very uneven across the world, we are back up and producing safely in every major market, with the exception of Brazil and India. Assuming this continues, we’ll spend over $17 billion in cash on content this year and we’ll continue to deliver an amazing range of titles for our members with more originals this year than last.”
That’s a notable uptick from the streamer’s 2020 spend of $11.8 billion, as the pandemic prompted production delays across the industry, and a 2019 content spend of $13.9 billion.
During the first quarter,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Mexican thriller series Who Killed Sara? has become Netflix’s most popular non-English language title ever with an estimated 55M subscribers tuning in since its launch last month.
The series stars Manolo Cardona as Alex Guzman, hellbent on finding out who killed his sister Sara after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and on getting revenge on the Lazcano family.
It launched on March 24 and the streamer revealed the figures as part of its first quarter financial results. Season two of the show is set to launch on May 19.
On the U.S. side, the company revealed that Firefly Lane, which stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke was watched by 49M people in its first 28 days since its February 3 launch.
On the U.S. feature side, it noted that Rosamund Pike’s I Care A Lot was watched by 56M, Jennifer Garner-fronted Yes Day watched by 62M,...
The series stars Manolo Cardona as Alex Guzman, hellbent on finding out who killed his sister Sara after spending 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and on getting revenge on the Lazcano family.
It launched on March 24 and the streamer revealed the figures as part of its first quarter financial results. Season two of the show is set to launch on May 19.
On the U.S. side, the company revealed that Firefly Lane, which stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke was watched by 49M people in its first 28 days since its February 3 launch.
On the U.S. feature side, it noted that Rosamund Pike’s I Care A Lot was watched by 56M, Jennifer Garner-fronted Yes Day watched by 62M,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese movie mogul Wang Zhongjun, co-founder of Huayi Brothers Media, has stepped down as chairman of holding company Huayi Tencent Entertainment.
Established in 2016, the firm, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, has been used by Huayi Brothers, Tencent and its other investors as a vehicle to co-finance international films and buy stakes in companies listed outside China. The joint venture was established when its backers took over a Hong Kong-listed shell company that was formerly a retirement home developer in Hong Kong.
Huayi Tencent’s recent investments include the South Korean sci-fi film Space Sweepers, the Russo ...
Established in 2016, the firm, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, has been used by Huayi Brothers, Tencent and its other investors as a vehicle to co-finance international films and buy stakes in companies listed outside China. The joint venture was established when its backers took over a Hong Kong-listed shell company that was formerly a retirement home developer in Hong Kong.
Huayi Tencent’s recent investments include the South Korean sci-fi film Space Sweepers, the Russo ...
- 3/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Chinese movie mogul Wang Zhongjun, co-founder of Huayi Brothers Media, has stepped down as chairman of holding company Huayi Tencent Entertainment.
Established in 2016, the firm, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, has been used by Huayi Brothers, Tencent and its other investors as a vehicle to co-finance international films and buy stakes in companies listed outside China. The joint venture was established when its backers took over a Hong Kong-listed shell company that was formerly a retirement home developer in Hong Kong.
Huayi Tencent’s recent investments include the South Korean sci-fi film Space Sweepers, the Russo ...
Established in 2016, the firm, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, has been used by Huayi Brothers, Tencent and its other investors as a vehicle to co-finance international films and buy stakes in companies listed outside China. The joint venture was established when its backers took over a Hong Kong-listed shell company that was formerly a retirement home developer in Hong Kong.
Huayi Tencent’s recent investments include the South Korean sci-fi film Space Sweepers, the Russo ...
- 3/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Huayi Brothers Co-Founder and Chairman Wang Zhongjun has resigned from his post as executive chairman of the board at Huayi Tencent Entertainment, the latter company announced Friday. He will step down next Tuesday because he “needs to focus on other matters,” it said.
Wang will be vacating his Huayi Tencent roles as executive director and chairman of the board, as well as his positions as both chairman and member of the company’s nomination and corporate governance committees. The company said there are “no disagreements” between Wang and the rest of its board of directors.
Yuen Hoi Po, Huayi Tencent’s CEO and executive director, will temporary assume Wang’s responsibilities. A new chairman will be elected “as soon as possible” to fill Wang’s role.
His resignation nonetheless augurs poorly for the declining Huayi Brothers, China’s oldest and leading private production company. Despite having produced “The Eight Hundred,...
Wang will be vacating his Huayi Tencent roles as executive director and chairman of the board, as well as his positions as both chairman and member of the company’s nomination and corporate governance committees. The company said there are “no disagreements” between Wang and the rest of its board of directors.
Yuen Hoi Po, Huayi Tencent’s CEO and executive director, will temporary assume Wang’s responsibilities. A new chairman will be elected “as soon as possible” to fill Wang’s role.
His resignation nonetheless augurs poorly for the declining Huayi Brothers, China’s oldest and leading private production company. Despite having produced “The Eight Hundred,...
- 3/26/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“iCarly,” Nickelodeon’s mid-aughts sitcom starring Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress and Jerry Trainor, found a new home on Netflix on Feb. 8., and with that second life a new generation. Per Nielsen rating insights based on their weekly SVOD Top 10 lists, the family-friendly comedy was a favorite among the ages 2 to 17 crowd during the first week of its debut on the streamer. Across its 60 episodes currently available to watch on the platform, “iCarly” garnered 883 million viewing minutes and landed in third place on the acquired content list and in fifth on the overall programming list.
In addition to the overall programming and acquired content lists, the global marketing research firm will also be pushing out weekly Top 10 lists that take into consideration original programming and movies in an effort to provide an expanded and more inclusive look at most streamed programs for that given week.
Three programs crossed the...
In addition to the overall programming and acquired content lists, the global marketing research firm will also be pushing out weekly Top 10 lists that take into consideration original programming and movies in an effort to provide an expanded and more inclusive look at most streamed programs for that given week.
Three programs crossed the...
- 3/11/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Leading Korean entertainment conglomerate Cj Enm is to break the theatrical window in the world’s fourth largest movie market with a simultaneous cinema and streaming release for “Seobok,” one of the year’s hottest Korean movies.
The group said that it will distribute the sci-fi actioner in theaters on April 15 and also make it available on its own streaming service, Tving.
While Hollywood studio Disney has chosen to release titles such as “Mulan” with simultaneous premium video and cinema releases, and WarnerMedia is planning the same for its entire 2021 Warner Bros. slate, holdbacks have remained in place through much of Asia.
Directed by Lee Yong-joo (“Architecture 101”), “Seobok” features “Train to Busan” star Gong Yoo as an intelligence agent charged with transferring the first human clone from a laboratory to a safe place in the real world. Park Bo-gum stars as the eponymous clone.
“Seobok” had been set for...
The group said that it will distribute the sci-fi actioner in theaters on April 15 and also make it available on its own streaming service, Tving.
While Hollywood studio Disney has chosen to release titles such as “Mulan” with simultaneous premium video and cinema releases, and WarnerMedia is planning the same for its entire 2021 Warner Bros. slate, holdbacks have remained in place through much of Asia.
Directed by Lee Yong-joo (“Architecture 101”), “Seobok” features “Train to Busan” star Gong Yoo as an intelligence agent charged with transferring the first human clone from a laboratory to a safe place in the real world. Park Bo-gum stars as the eponymous clone.
“Seobok” had been set for...
- 3/4/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Triumph and pain were bedfellows last year for the Korean film industry. But Berlin’s European Film Market and the imminent Hong Kong FilMart see Korean companies putting on a brave face.
Korean cinemas were in defensive mode early on in the coronavirus pandemic, as a population familiar with epidemics chose to stay away from crowded places. Social distancing regulation caught up and then was wound down again in summer. That allowed for the successful theatrical releases of “Deliver Us From Evil,” which scored $34.4 million, “Peninsula,” which grossed $29.5 million and the year’s top Hollywood film “Tenet” ($16.4 million).
But the window of opportunity closed quickly as autumn and another wave of infections swept in. New capacity restrictions were applied to cinemas. And even as restrictions have eased audiences have scarcely responded. Weekend box office in what was previously the world’s fourth most lucrative cinema market has averaged $3-4 million...
Korean cinemas were in defensive mode early on in the coronavirus pandemic, as a population familiar with epidemics chose to stay away from crowded places. Social distancing regulation caught up and then was wound down again in summer. That allowed for the successful theatrical releases of “Deliver Us From Evil,” which scored $34.4 million, “Peninsula,” which grossed $29.5 million and the year’s top Hollywood film “Tenet” ($16.4 million).
But the window of opportunity closed quickly as autumn and another wave of infections swept in. New capacity restrictions were applied to cinemas. And even as restrictions have eased audiences have scarcely responded. Weekend box office in what was previously the world’s fourth most lucrative cinema market has averaged $3-4 million...
- 3/3/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Triumph and pain were bedfellows last year for the Korean film industry. But Berlin’s European Film Market and the imminent Hong Kong FilMart see Korean companies putting on a brave face.
Korean cinemas were in a defensive mode early on in the coronavirus pandemic, as a population familiar with epidemics chose to stay away from crowded places. Social-distancing regulation caught up and then was wound down again in summer. That allowed for the successful theatrical releases of “Deliver Us From Evil,” which scored $34.4 million; “Peninsula,” which grossed $29.5 million; and the year’s top Hollywood film “Tenet” ($16.4 million).
But the window of opportunity closed quickly as autumn and another wave of infections swept in. New capacity restrictions were applied to cinemas.
And even as restrictions have eased audiences have scarcely responded. Weekend box office in what was previously the world’s fourth most-lucrative cinema market has averaged $3 million to $4 million...
Korean cinemas were in a defensive mode early on in the coronavirus pandemic, as a population familiar with epidemics chose to stay away from crowded places. Social-distancing regulation caught up and then was wound down again in summer. That allowed for the successful theatrical releases of “Deliver Us From Evil,” which scored $34.4 million; “Peninsula,” which grossed $29.5 million; and the year’s top Hollywood film “Tenet” ($16.4 million).
But the window of opportunity closed quickly as autumn and another wave of infections swept in. New capacity restrictions were applied to cinemas.
And even as restrictions have eased audiences have scarcely responded. Weekend box office in what was previously the world’s fourth most-lucrative cinema market has averaged $3 million to $4 million...
- 3/3/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
(Welcome to Pop Culture Imports, a column that compiles the best foreign movies and TV streaming right now.) Welcome back to another edition of Pop Culture Imports, where I spotlight international films of both the arthouse and the audience-pleasing variety. And in this week’s column, we’ve got a healthy heaping of both. From Georgia’s hypnotic Oscar […]
The post Pop Culture Imports: ‘Beginning,’ ‘Space Sweepers,’ ‘Promare,’ and More appeared first on /Film.
The post Pop Culture Imports: ‘Beginning,’ ‘Space Sweepers,’ ‘Promare,’ and More appeared first on /Film.
- 2/26/2021
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
Slate includes Bdsm romance ‘Moral Sense’ and space drama series ’The Silent Sea’.
Netflix has unveiled plans to spend nearly $500m on Korean films and TV series in 2021.
In a virtual press event on Thursday (February 25), the streaming giant revealed the significant investment alongside a slate of content led by two new original features, Bdsm romance Moral Sense and action film Carter, from the director The Villainess, Jung Byung-gil.
The slate also includes series Hellbound, from Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho, and space drama series The Silent Sea.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen the world falling...
Netflix has unveiled plans to spend nearly $500m on Korean films and TV series in 2021.
In a virtual press event on Thursday (February 25), the streaming giant revealed the significant investment alongside a slate of content led by two new original features, Bdsm romance Moral Sense and action film Carter, from the director The Villainess, Jung Byung-gil.
The slate also includes series Hellbound, from Train To Busan director Yeon Sang-ho, and space drama series The Silent Sea.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen the world falling...
- 2/25/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
One of the most popular new films now streaming on Netflix is the live-action, science fiction feature "Space Sweepers" directed by Jo Sung-Hee:
"...the space crew of the 'Victory', living off salvaging space debris in the year 2092, include genius pilot 'Tae-ho' (Song Joong-Ki), ex-space pirate 'Captain Jang' (Kim Tae-Ri), engineer 'Tiger Park' (Jin Sun-Kyu), and reprogrammed military robot 'Bubs' (Yoo Hai-Jin).
"Earth is nearly destroyed by pollution and a group of upper-class people build a new habitable world in outer space. Surpassing other space sweepers and successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, the crew finds a 7-year-old girl inside who is later revealed to be a human-like robot wanted by 'Space Guards'.
"Seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, the crew demands a ransom in exchange for the girl..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
"...the space crew of the 'Victory', living off salvaging space debris in the year 2092, include genius pilot 'Tae-ho' (Song Joong-Ki), ex-space pirate 'Captain Jang' (Kim Tae-Ri), engineer 'Tiger Park' (Jin Sun-Kyu), and reprogrammed military robot 'Bubs' (Yoo Hai-Jin).
"Earth is nearly destroyed by pollution and a group of upper-class people build a new habitable world in outer space. Surpassing other space sweepers and successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, the crew finds a 7-year-old girl inside who is later revealed to be a human-like robot wanted by 'Space Guards'.
"Seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, the crew demands a ransom in exchange for the girl..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
- 2/20/2021
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Mayday, one of this year’s Sundance Festival lineup, tells the compelling story of a woman trying to piece together her fragmented memories.
“The situations that bring Ana, the disoriented heroine of writer-director Karen Cinorre’s Mayday, to the movie’s remote, windswept island are as disturbing as they are integral to the movie’s message of survival. After losing herself in a storm of the world’s brutality, Ana comes to on a seemingly deserted island, unsure of what’s happened, and fuzzy on the details about her past.”
Read more at Gizmodo.
Actress Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, released a statement about Joss Whedon’s alleged abusive behavior on the set of those shows.
“More than a decade and a half after her character was abruptly written off of the Buffy spinoff Angel, Charisma Carpenter has released a statement detailing the...
“The situations that bring Ana, the disoriented heroine of writer-director Karen Cinorre’s Mayday, to the movie’s remote, windswept island are as disturbing as they are integral to the movie’s message of survival. After losing herself in a storm of the world’s brutality, Ana comes to on a seemingly deserted island, unsure of what’s happened, and fuzzy on the details about her past.”
Read more at Gizmodo.
Actress Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, released a statement about Joss Whedon’s alleged abusive behavior on the set of those shows.
“More than a decade and a half after her character was abruptly written off of the Buffy spinoff Angel, Charisma Carpenter has released a statement detailing the...
- 2/11/2021
- by Ivan Huang
- Den of Geek
This week saw the release of Space Sweepers, Korea’s first big budget special effects space movie extravaganza. There are a lot of interesting things to say about this movie, but one of the things that makes it stand out is it’s an excellent portrayal of people in space who are skint.
See, I hate to break it to you, but you’re probably never going into space. Unless you’re a highly trained technical specialist (well done!) or a billionaire (pay your taxes!), your best shot at seeing Earth from space within your lifetime is the development of realistic-yet-cheap VR headsets.
And the thing is, a lot of the time this holds up in sci-fi as well. Space travellers are either living in a post-scarcity utopia, are part of the military, or are some kind of genius scientists.
Even where we see supposedly salt-of-the-Earth relatable types, like Han Solo or Mal Reynolds,...
See, I hate to break it to you, but you’re probably never going into space. Unless you’re a highly trained technical specialist (well done!) or a billionaire (pay your taxes!), your best shot at seeing Earth from space within your lifetime is the development of realistic-yet-cheap VR headsets.
And the thing is, a lot of the time this holds up in sci-fi as well. Space travellers are either living in a post-scarcity utopia, are part of the military, or are some kind of genius scientists.
Even where we see supposedly salt-of-the-Earth relatable types, like Han Solo or Mal Reynolds,...
- 2/11/2021
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
Framing Britney Spears on FX and Hulu is an insightful look into the stories around the #FreeBritney movement, and why Britney Spears deserves better.
“The New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears aired Friday night on FX and Hulu, delivering an insightful and reflection on the career of Britney Spears and the current legal issues surrounding her conservatorship. Among all the things the documentary touched on, the most important thing we all have to reckon with is the sexist and ableist environment that festered around her.”
Read more at The Mary Sue.
For those of you who miss Girl Scout cookies this year, you can buy them on the Girl Scout Cookie Care digital platform.
“Girl Scout Troop 6000 made headlines when they first participated in the organization’s annual cookie sale program three years ago. In 2018, the group—consisting entirely of girls living in homeless shelters in New York City...
“The New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears aired Friday night on FX and Hulu, delivering an insightful and reflection on the career of Britney Spears and the current legal issues surrounding her conservatorship. Among all the things the documentary touched on, the most important thing we all have to reckon with is the sexist and ableist environment that festered around her.”
Read more at The Mary Sue.
For those of you who miss Girl Scout cookies this year, you can buy them on the Girl Scout Cookie Care digital platform.
“Girl Scout Troop 6000 made headlines when they first participated in the organization’s annual cookie sale program three years ago. In 2018, the group—consisting entirely of girls living in homeless shelters in New York City...
- 2/9/2021
- by Ivan Huang
- Den of Geek
A Korean space opera with a large budget and a star-studded cast. Possibly the first of its kind, it’s hard for it to live up to its hype. Despite the film not being perfect, it’s still a big step for Korean cinema to branch out, and try new things.
“Space Sweepers” revolves around the crew of ‘Victory’, a notorious space-junk collector ship in 2092. Earth is becoming uninhabitable, and humans are quick to ruin space next. The crew is down on their luck, need money, and need it fast. It is then rather convenient that such a solution falls into their laps, a humanoid robot girl, wanted by police as well as terrorists. Before long, it turns into a story about putting others above yourself or saving yourself.
The production ends up being a little cheesy, yet charming. Fun, but in the large scope of science-fiction films, middle-of-the-road. This...
“Space Sweepers” revolves around the crew of ‘Victory’, a notorious space-junk collector ship in 2092. Earth is becoming uninhabitable, and humans are quick to ruin space next. The crew is down on their luck, need money, and need it fast. It is then rather convenient that such a solution falls into their laps, a humanoid robot girl, wanted by police as well as terrorists. Before long, it turns into a story about putting others above yourself or saving yourself.
The production ends up being a little cheesy, yet charming. Fun, but in the large scope of science-fiction films, middle-of-the-road. This...
- 2/9/2021
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
Just as the Super Bowl traditionally inhibits studios from releasing new titles to theaters, there were few fresh films available on home platforms. As a result, four titles — all previously ranked #1 on multiple charts — took the top spots again. The exception was Netflix, which debuted “Malcolm & Marie” February 5. Starring Zendaya and John David Washington, it immediately became the streamer’s most-watched film.
Long-running, still-Premium VOD titles “Greenland” and “News of the World,” along with $5.99 rentals “Tenet” and “Let Him Go,” are this week’s chart toppers. “News” and “Tenet” made all four lists (as did “The War with Grandpa”). “Let Him Go” failed to make Spectrum’s top 10, with its price reduction coming too late to impact the list.
There were a few surprises. Why is “2067,” an Australian science-fiction film starring Ryan Kwanten and Kodi Smit McPhee, available for $0.99 at Apple? (It’s more expensive elsewhere.) “Promising Young Woman,...
Long-running, still-Premium VOD titles “Greenland” and “News of the World,” along with $5.99 rentals “Tenet” and “Let Him Go,” are this week’s chart toppers. “News” and “Tenet” made all four lists (as did “The War with Grandpa”). “Let Him Go” failed to make Spectrum’s top 10, with its price reduction coming too late to impact the list.
There were a few surprises. Why is “2067,” an Australian science-fiction film starring Ryan Kwanten and Kodi Smit McPhee, available for $0.99 at Apple? (It’s more expensive elsewhere.) “Promising Young Woman,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Pixar animation “Soul” and Japanese anime “Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train” held station at the top of the South Korean box office for the second successive weekend.
Still heavily under the influence of Covid conditions, nationwide overall takings remained anemic. The most recent weekend total weighed in at just $3.63 million, down from $3.92 million the previous weekend frame, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s Kobis tracking service.
“Soul” saw its score decline from $2.30 million to $1.73 million, for a cumulative of $9.98 million since its release on Jan. 20, 2021.
Conversely, “Demon Slayer” saw its score increase by 35% from $879,000 to $1.19 million, giving it a cumulative of $3.67 million since release on Jan. 27, 2021.
While its market share increased from 22% to 33% it was not enough to dislodge “Soul” which sank from a 59% share to a 48% share.
Liam Neeson-starring new release “Honest Thief” entered the Korean market in a distant third place. It earned $280,000 for a 7.7% market share.
Still heavily under the influence of Covid conditions, nationwide overall takings remained anemic. The most recent weekend total weighed in at just $3.63 million, down from $3.92 million the previous weekend frame, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s Kobis tracking service.
“Soul” saw its score decline from $2.30 million to $1.73 million, for a cumulative of $9.98 million since its release on Jan. 20, 2021.
Conversely, “Demon Slayer” saw its score increase by 35% from $879,000 to $1.19 million, giving it a cumulative of $3.67 million since release on Jan. 27, 2021.
While its market share increased from 22% to 33% it was not enough to dislodge “Soul” which sank from a 59% share to a 48% share.
Liam Neeson-starring new release “Honest Thief” entered the Korean market in a distant third place. It earned $280,000 for a 7.7% market share.
- 2/8/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Not even remotely interested in seeing Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes or The Weeknd do their thing at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium?
We’ve got you. Instead of watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs go helmet-to-helmet for a shiny Vince Lombardi, head to these platforms and channels to get your Sunday evening fix of series and flicks.
All showtimes listed below are in Eastern Standard Time.
Streaming Alternatives Netflix
Shows: “Kid Cosmic,” “Firefly Lane,” “Hache” (Season 2), “Invisible City,” “The Sinner” (Season 3)
Films: “The Bank Job,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Zathura: A Space Adventure,” “Shutter Island,” “The Patriot,” “Little Big Women,” “Space Sweepers,” “Strip Down, Rise Up,” “The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity”
Amazon Prime
Shows: “Little Coincidences,” “What’s New, Scooby-Doo?,” “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men,” “The White Princess” (Season 1), “Billions” (Seasons 1-3), “Black in Latin America” (Season 1), “Finding Your Roots” (Season 1)
Films: “Kiki,” “Dazed and Confused,...
We’ve got you. Instead of watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs go helmet-to-helmet for a shiny Vince Lombardi, head to these platforms and channels to get your Sunday evening fix of series and flicks.
All showtimes listed below are in Eastern Standard Time.
Streaming Alternatives Netflix
Shows: “Kid Cosmic,” “Firefly Lane,” “Hache” (Season 2), “Invisible City,” “The Sinner” (Season 3)
Films: “The Bank Job,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Zathura: A Space Adventure,” “Shutter Island,” “The Patriot,” “Little Big Women,” “Space Sweepers,” “Strip Down, Rise Up,” “The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity”
Amazon Prime
Shows: “Little Coincidences,” “What’s New, Scooby-Doo?,” “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men,” “The White Princess” (Season 1), “Billions” (Seasons 1-3), “Black in Latin America” (Season 1), “Finding Your Roots” (Season 1)
Films: “Kiki,” “Dazed and Confused,...
- 2/7/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
A couple of things have caught our eye in February’s Netflix UK line-up, first, the German dystopian sci-fi Tribes of Europa. After the success of sci-fi series Dark, the streaming service invested in a bunch of new German-language series, including the mega-successful historical Barbarians. Tribes was among them, and tells the story of a group of siblings in 2074, separated after a global disaster that leaves Europe riven by warring factions. Also sounding like a good time is South Korean comedy Space Sweepers, about a spaceship crew tasked with cleaning up intergalactic trash.
There’s also the arrival of Parks and Recreation in full – perfect for a lockdown rewatch, new stand-up, all of The Vampire Diaries, and Jason “It’s a megalodon” Statham in The Meg.
We’ll update this list with new arrivals as they’re confirmed.
1 February
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
The Family Fang (2015)
The House Arrest of Us...
There’s also the arrival of Parks and Recreation in full – perfect for a lockdown rewatch, new stand-up, all of The Vampire Diaries, and Jason “It’s a megalodon” Statham in The Meg.
We’ll update this list with new arrivals as they’re confirmed.
1 February
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
The Family Fang (2015)
The House Arrest of Us...
- 2/1/2021
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
February may be the shortest month, but that doesn’t mean streaming services can ignore their duty to entertain us at all times. In that mission, Netflix is making a decent effort in February 2021. This isn’t the most jam-packed month the major streamer has trotted out just yet but there are plenty of new originals to get the job done.
Netflix has a few original series of note this month. The party begins with Kid Cosmic on Feb. 2. This animated series is a comic-tinged adventure from Craig McCracken, creator of the Powerpuff Girls. That’s followed by the Sarah Chalke and Katherine Heigl-starring Firefly Lane on Feb. 3 and Behind Her Eyes on Feb. 17. Perhaps the biggest sleeper this month, however, is Tribes of Europa. This post-apocalyptic adventure series premieres on Feb. 19.
There are also quite a few intriguing Netflix original movies in February 2021. Malcolm and Marie stars John David Washington...
Netflix has a few original series of note this month. The party begins with Kid Cosmic on Feb. 2. This animated series is a comic-tinged adventure from Craig McCracken, creator of the Powerpuff Girls. That’s followed by the Sarah Chalke and Katherine Heigl-starring Firefly Lane on Feb. 3 and Behind Her Eyes on Feb. 17. Perhaps the biggest sleeper this month, however, is Tribes of Europa. This post-apocalyptic adventure series premieres on Feb. 19.
There are also quite a few intriguing Netflix original movies in February 2021. Malcolm and Marie stars John David Washington...
- 2/1/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
With a new month, another round of fresh movies and TV shows are arriving on Netflix.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the third installment in the To All The Boys series debuts this February with To All The Boys: Always and Forever, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Other new original films hitting the streaming service over the course of the month include Malcolm & Marie, the romantic drama starring Zendaya and John David Washington; All My Friends Are Dead, a New Year’s Eve-set thriller; Little Big Women, a Chinese foreign-language family drama; Space Sweepers, a Korean space adventure set in in the future; and ...
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the third installment in the To All The Boys series debuts this February with To All The Boys: Always and Forever, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Other new original films hitting the streaming service over the course of the month include Malcolm & Marie, the romantic drama starring Zendaya and John David Washington; All My Friends Are Dead, a New Year’s Eve-set thriller; Little Big Women, a Chinese foreign-language family drama; Space Sweepers, a Korean space adventure set in in the future; and ...
With a new month, another round of fresh movies and TV shows are arriving on Netflix.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the third installment in the To All The Boys series debuts this February with To All The Boys: Always and Forever, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Other new original films hitting the streaming service over the course of the month include Malcolm & Marie, the romantic drama starring Zendaya and John David Washington; All My Friends Are Dead, a New Year’s Eve-set thriller; Little Big Women, a Chinese foreign-language family drama; Space Sweepers, a Korean space adventure set in in the future; and ...
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the third installment in the To All The Boys series debuts this February with To All The Boys: Always and Forever, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Other new original films hitting the streaming service over the course of the month include Malcolm & Marie, the romantic drama starring Zendaya and John David Washington; All My Friends Are Dead, a New Year’s Eve-set thriller; Little Big Women, a Chinese foreign-language family drama; Space Sweepers, a Korean space adventure set in in the future; and ...
Directed by Jo Sung-Hee, the live-action, South Korean science fiction feature "Space Sweepers", streams February 5, 2021 on Netflix:
"...the space crew of the 'Victory', living off salvaging space debris in the year 2092, include genius pilot 'Tae-ho' (Song Joong-Ki), ex-space pirate 'Captain Jang' (Kim Tae-Ri), engineer 'Tiger Park' (Jin Sun-Kyu), and reprogrammed military robot 'Bubs' (Yoo Hai-Jin).
"Earth is nearly destroyed by pollution and a group of upper-class people build a new habitable world in outer space. Surpassing other space sweepers and successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, the crew finds a 7-year-old girl inside who is later revealed to be a human-like robot wanted by 'Space Guards'.
"Seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, the crew demands a ransom in exchange for the girl..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
"...the space crew of the 'Victory', living off salvaging space debris in the year 2092, include genius pilot 'Tae-ho' (Song Joong-Ki), ex-space pirate 'Captain Jang' (Kim Tae-Ri), engineer 'Tiger Park' (Jin Sun-Kyu), and reprogrammed military robot 'Bubs' (Yoo Hai-Jin).
"Earth is nearly destroyed by pollution and a group of upper-class people build a new habitable world in outer space. Surpassing other space sweepers and successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, the crew finds a 7-year-old girl inside who is later revealed to be a human-like robot wanted by 'Space Guards'.
"Seeing it as an opportunity to make more money, the crew demands a ransom in exchange for the girl..."
Click the images to enlarge... ...
- 1/26/2021
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"If you want to live, run away. Otherwise..." Netflix has released a full-length trailer for their debut of the South Korean sci-fi film Space Sweepers, an epic spaceship comedic thriller from director Sung-hee Jo. We featured the original international trailers a few months ago, and the US teaser trailer just a few weeks ago as well. Set in 2092, Space Sweepers tells the story of a crew on board of the spaceship called "Victory", trying to escape the destruction of Earth - and make some money while at it salvaging space debris. After successfully snatching a crashed space shuttle in the latest debris chase, Victory's crew find a 7-year-old girl inside. They realize that she's the humanlike robot wanted by Uts Space Guards, and decide to demand ransom. Starring Song Joong-Ki, Kim Tae-Ri, Jin Sun-Kyu, and Yoo Hae-Jin. I'm so looking forward to watching this! Don't care if it's cheesy or dumb,...
- 1/19/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The box office outlook in South Korea, which last year was the world’s fourth largest theatrical market, turned from bad to worse. Gross revenues over the weekend dropped to just $2.24 million, a slump of 40% compared with the already depressed $3.70 million total of the weekend before.
In the intervening period cinemas in the Greater Seoul area have been required to increase social distancing measures and cut their seating capacity, as a reaction to the latest surge in coronavirus cases.
From Tuesday, Seoul was placed under Level 2 restrictions on a scale of 1 to 4 of virus response. Cinemas can stay open, though many other indoor activities are banned for a week, and private groups cannot exceed more than 10 people.
Additionally, it emerged that another batch of films that had previously been targeting a theatrical release have now decided on a direct to streaming approach instead. These include the much anticipated “Space Sweepers,...
In the intervening period cinemas in the Greater Seoul area have been required to increase social distancing measures and cut their seating capacity, as a reaction to the latest surge in coronavirus cases.
From Tuesday, Seoul was placed under Level 2 restrictions on a scale of 1 to 4 of virus response. Cinemas can stay open, though many other indoor activities are banned for a week, and private groups cannot exceed more than 10 people.
Additionally, it emerged that another batch of films that had previously been targeting a theatrical release have now decided on a direct to streaming approach instead. These include the much anticipated “Space Sweepers,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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