Eunmilhan Yoohok (Perfect Proposal) (2015)
High Noon (1952)
Heart Of Stone (2023)
Spartacus (1960)
Ggoon (The Swindlers) (2017)
Siworae (Il Mare) (2000)
Bullet Train (2022) ///
Eunmilhan Yoohok (Perfect Proposal) (2015) Realized with polished ease, glossy visuals lure unlucky Im Soo-jung into slippery Yoo Yeon-seok's murderous plan to inherit bitter Lee Kyoung-young's fortune. Sufficient twists and attractive cast maintain interest despite lapses in logic and diminishing jeopardy.
High Noon (1952) Defining Western keeps ticking clock structure tight, with Dimitri Tiomkin's score and brisk visuals honing dramatic and political punch as principled lawman Gary Cooper faces outlaws alone. Sympathetic support from Quaker wife Grace Kelly, hoping to leave past behind.
Heart Of Stone (2023) Anonymously produced series of elaborate action set pieces interrupted by leaden explanations about all-seeing, predictive super-AI that guides athletic Gal Gadot and secretive international agents. Superficial in theme and narrative, solid performers unable to invest empathy.
Spartacus (1960) Told on suitably expansive scale, sometimes ragged story of slave uprising alternates between Kirk Douglas' righteous crusade and Charles Laughton's cunning Roman politics. Formidable cast and bracing Alex North score capture gripping drama and romance, with Jean Simmons providing final, searing emotion.
Ggoon (The Swindlers) (2017) Confidently assembled tale of con artists and revenge with emphasis on deceitful twists softened by edge of humor. Unpredictable Hyun Bin joins with trio of criminals and crooked prosecutor, all with personal motives to entrap infamous villain; snappy pace and attractive cast keep story spinning.
Siworae (Il Mare) (2000) Elegant visuals and deliberate pace create suitably romantic atmosphere without quite achieving final romantic pull, as starring Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Jung-jae live in same home two years apart yet communicate through time slipping mail box. Diffused narrative strands prove more potent in isolation.
Bullet Train (2022) Ramming home coarsely explicit violence, brightly stylized approach can't disguise paucity of thrills and comedy as unlucky Brad Pitt is trapped on speeding train across Japan with bloody assassins. Technically adept, bludgeoning action and self-aware quips fast become dulled by lack of invention.
