The Korea Herald

Brazil’s mega corruption scandal to get movie treatment

Nov 13, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) -- Brazil’s gigantic corruption scandal will move from news TV to movie theaters and Netflix next year, when rival directors turn the real-life thriller into entertainment.For two years, Brazilians have watched in fascination and horror as prosecutors unleashed a probe codenamed Operation Car Wash, targeting everyone from an ex-president to super-rich executives with allegations of mass embezzlement at state oil flagship company Petrobras.Power, money, betrayal, fearless inv
Disney embraces streaming as ratings sag

Nov 11, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) -- As more and more people get their favorite TV shows and movies online, Disney is also learning to embrace the stream.The Walt Disney Co. once resisted offering channels like ESPN directly over the internet, preferring old-fashioned cable subscriptions. Its investors are fretting over ratings as more people cut the cord and cancel cable or satellite service. NFL game viewership is also down, and the contentious election drew viewers away from Disney networks like ABC to cable new
[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Nov 11, 2016

Split(Korea)Opened Nov. 9Drama. Directed by Choi Gook-heeChul-jong (Yoo Ji-tae) is a former bowling superstar who has lost his skills to an unfortunate accident. While scraping by as a gambler and a swindler, he meets genius bowler Young-hoon (Lee David). The two partner up to make big money against gamblers in the bowling scene.Ouija: Origin of Evil(US)Opened Nov. 9Horror. Directed by Mike FlanaganWidowed mother Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) invites a spirit of evil into her house by accident
'Arrival' is Amy Adams' close encounter with aliens and conflict

Nov 11, 2016

The alien spacecraft in “Arrival” arrive by the dozen, each of the looming, egg-sliced-in-half-shaped wonders looking like the latest in KitchenAid gadgetry. All around the globe, their contents a mystery to paranoid earthlings, the visitors hover just above the planet’s surface. Why have they come? Do they come in peace? Will the US military and other nations’ leaders give peace a chance?True to the spacecraft, director Denis Villeneuve is one sleek craftsman. Every subtle camera crawl, each da
Jackie Chan reflects on 50-year career and honorary Oscar

Nov 10, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- As an action star, Jackie Chan never expected to get an Oscar.So he considers receiving an honorary Academy Award from the film academy’s Board of Governors his proudest professional achievement. Chan will accept his Oscar statuette Saturday at the eighth annual Governors Awards. Film editor Anne Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentarian Frederick Wiseman are also receiving honorary Academy Awards, which recognize lifetime achievement and contributions to the
Netflix acquires global rights to ‘Pandora’

Nov 9, 2016

Director Park Jung-woo’s upcoming thriller “Pandora” is going global.　Netflix, an online streaming service, has partnered with local production and distribution company Next Entertainment World to acquire international rights to the film, according to Netflix on Tuesday. 　“Pandora” will be offered exclusively on the platform in nearly 200 countries starting next year. The film will be available for streaming in Korea after its release in local theaters. Starring actors Kim Nam-gil, Kim Joo-hyeon
Ang Lee believes new film technology is worth trying again

Nov 8, 2016

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Ang Lee believes the new technology that made for hyper-realistic action in “Billy Lynn‘s Long Halftime Walk” is worth trying again.So much so that the two-time Oscar-winning director will use the faster frames-per-second format in his next project, the boxing movie “Thrilla in Manila.” “When you get on the bike, you fall, you don’t make the conclusion that two wheels make you fall. You try again. I would do it,” he told the Associated Press recently in Taiwan while promot
To lead is to serve: Tom Cruise

Nov 7, 2016

After 30 years as Hollywood icon, actor still believes in diligence on set
Actor Song Seung-heon to play villain in new movie

Nov 7, 2016

Actor Song Seung-heon will play the villain in an upcoming movie set during Japan’s occupation of Korea, the film‘s production company said Monday.Song, one of the leading stars of hallyu, will play a cruel and cold-hearted prison director opposite protagonist Kim Chang-soo, played by Cho Jin-woong.The film, titled “Captain Kim Chang-soo,” tells the story of a young Korean man sent to prison after killing the Japanese assassin of Korea’s Queen Myeongseong in the late 19th century. From there, he
Experts debate sex and alcohol in Utah 'Deadpool' case

Nov 6, 2016

A Utah court fight over alcohol, sex and “Deadpool” is drawing in experts dueling over banning booze at suggestive movies and the artistic value of the foul-mouthed superhero film. Here’s a look at the case as the Salt Lake City theater Brewvies and the state of Utah gear up for a July 2017 trial date set on Thursday.The Salt Lake City case started this spring, after state regulators threatened to fine the theater up to $25,000 and revoke its liquor license under a law that bans serving booze du
[Newsmaker] Film fest shifts focus to North Korean defectors’ soul-searching

Nov 4, 2016

North Korean Human Rights International Film Fest boosted by films shot by foreign directors in North Korea, says director Lee Min-yong
[Movie review] ‘Doctor Strange’ stunning example of Marvel magic

Nov 4, 2016

The makers of the latest comic book-inspired feature film “Doctor Strange” faced the same hurdle as those who put together “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Both come from the lesser known quadrant of the Marvel Comics galaxy.“Guardians” became a massive box office and fan hit with brilliant casting, a smart script and stunning visual effects. “Doctor Strange” uses the same formula — but kicks it up 100 degrees — to make “Doctor Strange” one of the best films in the Marvel Comics film library.For those
Hollywood’s latest love: Gender-swapping

Nov 4, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In November 2014, then Sony chief Amy Pascal sent an email to the team behind their planned “Ghostbusters” reboot.“I saw (Jerry) Weintraub last night and he told me that he and (Warner Bros.) were doing a female version of (“Ocean’s Eleven”). We gotta beat everyone,” Pascal wrote.The twist on their new “Ghostbusters,” of course, was that it was to star women as the paranormal hunters instead of men.Director Paul Feig emailed back: “Oh, sure, NOW they’re doing one. Although I
[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Nov 4, 2016

Twenty Again(Korea)Opened Nov. 3Romance, Melodrama. Directed by Park Heung-sikTwo old lovers (Kim Seung-woo, Lee Tae-ran), now in their 40s, or “second 20s,” meet again for the first time since their heated romance that sizzled down years ago. The two remember how they fell in love at first sight, the passionate relationship, and the untimely separation that ensued. As fate takes them on a trip together to Italy, the two wonder, “Could we still be in love?”Hell or High Water(US)Opened Nov. 3Crim
Disney enjoys best ever year at box office

Nov 3, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Walt Disney Studios is celebrating its biggest ever year at the global box office after posting $5.9 billion in ticket sales during the first 10 months of 2016.Hits such as “Finding Dory,” “Captain America: Civil War” and “Zootopia” ensured the studio, which owns prestigious brands like Marvel and Pixar, has already beaten last year’s record $5.8 billion with two months to spare, the company announced Tuesday.With a “Star Wars” spin-off, Marvel’s superhero movie “Doctor Stran