Movie reviews

WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL

남산의 부장들 (THE MAN STANDING NEXT)

Watchable. The account of the developments which led to the assassination of president 박정희 (Park Chung-hee) a few decades ago is a proper thriller. A bloody one. Since it's based on actual events I can't blame the plot for too many characters. But captions flashed by too fast to read which hindered watching online, I had to go back every now and then, and at the cinema I would have lost the plot early on. The gripping action is set in Korea, the US and Paris and the tension gets magnified at times by superb music. The main protagonist is an uptight busybody high up the ranks. Not even one character is a decent person. Is there any honour, loyalty or remorse among the top villains of the country? The heavy-handedness of the authorities is scary, taking into account that the story and the thinking of those involved were real. The finale gets you thinking: what if?

Seen online. Cinematic reception might differ. 

HALLOWEEN KILLS

Watchable. The movie recaps the whole "Halloween" franchise so finally there's some action. But the plot's a mess. Combat is a hit-and-miss affair. Decent music is the film's saving grace, with the best piece played along with the end credits: 2021-recorded 80s style "Hunter's Moon" by Ghost.

THE BOSS BABY: FAMILY BUSINESS

Watchable. This released too early Christmas-themed animation looks professional, with an increasing number of visual effects as the story develops but it never dazzles. The plot is wacky, with a few disgusting bits, but with serious undertones of reluctant adulthood, the hardships of parenting and brotherly relationship. The ending is truly touching. In Poland it's only dubbed in Polish. Tabitha's song is first in Polish and then, during the end credits, in the English original. 

60TH CYBULSKI'S AWARDS

This year's nominees to the award created by Fundacja Kino were: Maria Dębska for "Bo we mnie jest seks" ("Autumn Girl"), Piotr Trojan for "25 lat niewinności. Sprawa Tomka Komendy" ("25 Years of Innocence. The Case of Tomek Komenda"), Tomasz Włosok for "Piosenki o miłości", Tomasz Ziętek for "Hiacynt" ("Operation Hyacinth") and Magdalena Koleśnik for "Sweat" - she has won. The hardest scene for her was the one in the studio of Dzień Dobry TVN. The crew on set were all the actual film crew, e.g. the real make-up artist did her make-up, the producer was the cook. All the 5 young actors worked with 40 year old directors. "Hiacynt" ("Operation Hyacinth") director Domalewski is also an actor. Maria Dębska discovered how easy it was when in the bar scene the actors and extras danced her emotions. The actress is surprisingly petite in real life.

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO

Recommended. Worth the splurge even just to be transported to Soho of the swinging sixties. The movie combines modern-day London draws as the capital of fashion, debauchery and the big lights with the city's legends: the night life of the sixties, Jack the Ripper, numerous ghosts inhabiting the city and some skeletons in the closet. Top-notch script assisted with visual effects make the parallel times blend seamlessly and to the rhythm of period hits, especially Petunia Clark's "Downtown". Anna Taylor-Joy enthralls as Sandie. The first phantoms appear accompanied by perfectly surrounding sounds. You feel mesmerised more than scared. It's British to the core hence alluring more than frightening. The story holds a few surprises up the sleeve and grips until the end. And it's the first horror ever that made me want to dance.

WARSAW KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL

찬실이는 복도 많지 (LUCKY CHAN-SIL)

Watchable. A low-key tale about a loser: on the professional and personal level. The film is humdrum but goes from silly to damn smart. It's slightly ironic. The characters are ordinary folk you can relate to. 윤여정 (Youn Yuh-jung)'s character reflects on her lack of education: "in my times girls weren't taught because that led to promiscuity" - much-telling when you set it together with the other movie with the actress: "죽여주는 여자" ("The Bacchus Lady").

Seen online. Cinematic reception might differ.