Year: 2016

Director: Park Chan-wook

Writer: Seo-Kyung Chung & Park Chan-wook. Novel by Sarah Waters

Cinematography: Chung Chung-hoon

Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Jo Jin-woong

Country of Origin: South Korea

Rating: NR

Time: 144 Min.

Park Chan-wook is back and he's better than ever! The Handmaiden is a decadent dessert that is luscious, super kinky, and full of deceit! Adapted from Sarah Water's novel, Fingersmith, Park takes the essential elements and transports the setting to the 1930's Korea when it was under Japanese colonialism. A con man hires an orphaned pickpocket named Sook-hee played by fresh-faced, Kim Tae-ri, to become the maid to heiress Lady Hideko in attempt to steal her wealth. The plan goes array when Lady Hideko falls in love with Sook-hee. I'm getting all hot and bothers here just writing the premise!

After the divisive reception of Stoker (See Review), I'm glad Park Chan-wook went back to making a Korean-language film that not only tantalized native Koreans but everyone else as well. Park was shocked to discover that some of the Americans that watched the film were so taken back by its provocative display of lesbian sex, contrary to his belief that most Americans are more "liberal". The Handmaiden is classic Park Chan-wook but with a more dense structure and erotic storyline that aims to beguile as well as seduce you! Once again, Park never lets me down and let's hope he never does. :D

- Other Poster -

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Halloween is a week away so I thought why not do a live stream where I share 10 horror masterpieces. Some may be obvious but if you don't know the other films, I urge you to seek them out because they truly are an unparalleled cinematic experience in itself. No matter if these films are of the supernatural, psychological thrillers, or slasher genre, all these films dare to push the boundaries of the horror genre that inevitably changed the game. This is a long one so get yourself some popcorn and let's talk about some scary movies!

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Year: 2016

Director: Andrea Arnold

Writer: Andrea Arnold

Cinematography: Robbie Ryan

Cast: Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, Riley Keough, Arielle Holmes, 

Country of Origin: UK / USA

Rating: R

Time: 163 Mins.

Andrea Arnold's American Honey has been my most anticipated films of 2016 and let me say, it is one of the most finest films of this year! American Honey follows a free spirited teenage girl, Star, who leaves her troubled home in the midwest and hits the road with the mag crew--a group of outcasts who sell magazines door to door. They work hard and play even harder! Star meets the hardworking and charismatic Jake, played by Shia LaBeouf and falls madly in love with him. As expected, it's an audacious and bold social realism film that'll have you pin to the screen and grooving in your seat!

Andrea Arnold is one of my favorite filmmakers because her films portray life in all its beautiful chaos showcasing raw intimacy and electrifying performances. Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf's undeniable chemistry is an indulgence of pure ecstasy and dangerous passion. With a streamline of the hottest hip-hop songs from start to finish, American Honey not only shows a daring portrait about the socioeconomic landscape of America but also focuses the various people occupying it. It's no wonder Arnold won her third Jury Prize Award at Cannes this year with the film. It's explosive and engrossing, you HAVE to go see this film!

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I love the 90's. Especially 90's teen horror films to say the least. So for my latest DVD haul, I manage to find some DVDs that are not just worth buying but ones that have been very dear to me since childhood. So of course, I had to cop Wes Craven's Scream, The Faculty, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Robert Zemeckis' Death Becomes Her, and Nicolas Roeg's The Witches! I can't wait to show some of these at my annual Halloween movie night and considering that these are from the 90's, it's gonna be a good one! What are you favorite 90's Horror films?

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The trailer for André Øvredal's The Autopsy of Jane Doe is here and let me just say, it's the scariest film I saw this year. I had the honor of watching this magnificent film at Beyond Fest and I did not sleep well after. Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch play father and son coroners who investigate the death of a beautiful "Jane Doe". Don't let this terse trailer fool you, there's so much more to this story than what is shown. This film truly is filled with crippling tension and it's haunting storyline will have you disturbed for days. So great that IFC Midnight will be releasing this film December 20th! Sal from Crome Yellow and I will be doing a review very soon so look out for that!

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Like August, September was about straight chilling and watching films without the obligation of attending so many screenings and doing reviews. So I decided to go back to the film canons that are in the Criterion Collection and watched John Cassavetes' A Woman Under the Influence and Krzysztof Kieslowski's The Double Life of Veronique. Both were exceptional & must-watch films. Along with those, my other favorites were Andrew Dominick's One More Time with Feeling, the ultra feel-good film, Queen of Katwe, and iconic Asian American film, Chan is Missing! And of course, Beyond Fest is a given, which I'll talk more with you in my October Favorites! Tune into my live stream to hear more about these wonderful films!

August Film Favorites // July Film Favorites 

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HOLY SHIT. This trailer came out of nowhere it's possibly the best thing I've seen. Get Out is Jordan Peele of Key & Peele's directorial debut film and surprisingly it's a horror film! And it's not like any horror film you've seen before because it truly deals with the horrific prejudice and racism that is occurring in America today, which is infused with other elements of the horror genre. So brilliant. What we get is a bone-chilling story straight from hell. I'm sure this scenario is many people's ultimate nightmare including mine with all it's complex and layered storylines. Get Out comes out in February and while I'm scared shitless, I can't wait to see this!

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Last summer, I shot something on the fly with a group of impassioned girlfriends with no money & no plan. The result is Wildest Dreams which features my friend Michelle and I playing two teenagers who spend a night in Koreatown, talking about our dreams & shit.

Out of many shorts I’ve made and despite the lack of resources and preparation that went into this, this short film has got to be one of my favorites as it embodies my filmic style, themes, and story. I never intended on showing it publicly considering it's conditions but this short film is truly a labor of love that's 1000% coming from our hearts. Thanks Jennifer for producing it, Jacqueline for DPing, Andrew for Camera oping, & Chris Hahn for sound editing & Michelle for always being so down to collaborate with me. I hope you watch & enjoy, I would really appreciate it. Much love. XOXO

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