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Moss (2010)

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Posted on February 23, 2012 by Deni

From the outset, Moss, by director Kang Woo-Suk (Public Enemy, Silmido), wasn’t quite what I expected. I expected long, and yes, it was that, clocking in at 2 hours and 43 minutes from opening to closing credits. Not that I was wishing it was over half way through, of course, but a run time of 163 minutes is something that you want to know about before you buy a ticket, generally speaking.

I expected a suspense … (read more)

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Silmido (2003)

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Posted on March 12, 2007 by James

In thinking about this review it occurred to me that Silmido is not a film I’m supposed to enjoy. This came as a surprise, since although it is limited in terms of satisfying story progression (or even closure) it did sustain my interest. The cause of this paradox lies, I think, in the film’s generic oscillations. Cinema Service founder and part owner Kang Woo-suk (Public Enemy) knows how to produce and market suspenseful action blockbusters, but he makes … (read more)

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Public Enemy (2002)

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Posted on March 11, 2007 by James

There’s no mistaking it, director Kang Woo-suk excels in spraying testosterone, like John Woo’s bullets, all over the screen. Public Enemy is a brutal and quite bizarre mix of audience-pleasing suspense, violence and laughs.

If he were just a bad-mouthing, savage maniac, Seol’s cop would be a sort of Dirty Harry, but one that hadn’t showered and shaved in a month. As it stands, he’s also something of an underdog, unkindly pursued by the DA and internal affairs for his … (read more)

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