The Stop Button

blogging by Andrew Wickliffe

recent posts

Category: Directed by Park Chan-wook

  • I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2006, Park Chan-wook)

    I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (2006, Park Chan-wook)

    I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK gets some points for not wrapping things up with a neat little bow, but they do little to offset the film’s more significant issues. Cyborg’s got a lead performance problem and a stakes problem, something the film tries to avoid acknowledging, which ends up creating an infinite loop. Im…

  • Oldboy (2003, Park Chan-wook)

    Oldboy (2003, Park Chan-wook)

    Thanks to Joint Security Area, I was leery of Oldboy going in. While Park Chan-wook has a large fan base, all JSA did was convince me they weren’t seeing the same movie. Finally, after Oldboy, I can understand why he has the fan base… and it’s unfortunate. Park had his big revelation ending to Joint…

  • Joint Security Area (2000, Park Chan-wook)

    Joint Security Area (2000, Park Chan-wook)

    Ineptly executed decent idea–soldiers on either side of the Korean border becoming pals and how wrong things go. Director Park sentimentalizes more than directs. Some of the acting makes it bearable, though far from all of it. DVD.Continue reading →