aaronrourke

Combining fantasy, adventure, action and humour to maximum effect, this lively Korean film deserves to be seen by as big an audience as possible. Writer/director Dong-hun Choi, best-known for his excellent con-artist films THE BIG SWINDLE (2004) and TAZZA : THE HIGH ROLLERS (2006), takes an unexpected turn into fantasy/action territory, but again shows why he is such a highly-regarded film-maker. Using the time-travel premise that was well-used in films such as ICEMAN COMETH (from Hong Kong) and of course HIGHLANDER, WOO-CHI makes the most of the material, helped along by a strong cast and superior technical crew. Dong-won Kang (from SECRET REUNION, DUELIST, VOICE OF A MURDERER, and the very funny TOO BEAUTIFUL TOO LIE)is excellent as the title character, making a flawed, at-times quite vein person likable. The great Yun-seok Kim, who impressed audiences in RUNNING TURTLE and inparticular in the brilliant THE CHASER, is perfectly cast as Woo-chi's main nemesis. Su-jeong Lim (from Park Chan-wook's under-rated I'M A CYBORG, BUT THAT'S OK and the outstanding A TALE OF TWO SISTERS)is perfect as the object of Woo-chi's affections. It's also great to see Dong-hun regular Yun-shik Baek (TAZZA / THE BIG SWINDLE / THE ART OF FIGHTING / SAVE THE GREEN PLANET) make a very welcome appearance. With $200 million Hollywood productions failing to make the grade, it is wonderful to see a film like WOO-CHI deliver such high-class entertainment on a fraction of the budget. Fast-paced, exciting, very funny, and full of vibrant, involving characters, JEON WOO-CHI : THE TAOIST WIZARD will certainly be one of my best films of the year. One hopes it will get a proper international release (unfortunately the director's other films have yet to achieve a deserving release outside of South Korea).

You don't have to be a surfing fan to enjoy this wonderful IMAX film, which beautifully shows the sites (above and below) of the gorgeous Teahupo'o beaches of Tahiti. Nine-time world champion Kelly Slater and local legend Raimana Van Bastolaer lead you on an incredible journey searching for the ultimate wave. Through the magic of IMAX 3D, you experience these events as up-close as possible, making for first-class, big-screen entertainment. Your view bobs above-and-below sea level, the sea-spray covers your glasses, and you see just how close the surfers get to those very brave cameramen. As well as seeing some stunning 3D surfing footage, you are taken on a trip through the local marine life, and a vertigo-inducing look over the islands and ocean. You also get some lovely beach babes thrown in for good measure. Along with the terrific SPACE STATION 3D, this is a great example of IMAX 3D, showing how much you can be immersed in a particular subject through this superior technology.

After a number of disappointing and outright bad films that have come out of this country in recent years, we finally have what could be one of the most talked-about Australian films since 'UNDEAD'. Having turned up quietly at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, this efficient, stylish, and energetic film proves to be far superior than the more publicised 'VAN DIEMEN'S LAND', and deserves as much success and great word-of-mouth it can get. The best way to enjoy this film is not to read anything about the plot. The less you know about the film going in the better. Rest assured you will be taken on quite a ride. Performances are excellent, and perfectly in tune with the material. Xavier Samuel (turning up in the third instalment of TWILIGHT), Victoria Thaine ('48 SHADES' / 'CATERPILLAR WISH'), Robin McLeavy ('48 SHADES'), Richard Wilson ('THE PROPOSITION' / 'CLUBLAND'), Jessica McNamee (TV's 'PACKED TO THE RAFTERS'), and veteran John Brumpton ('LAST RIDE' / 'ROMPER STOMPER' / 'DANCE ME TO MY SONG' / 'STORM WARNING') all deserve special mention. Considering its small budget, 'THE LOVED ONES' is a slick looking movie. Credit goes to cinematographer Simon Chapman and editor Andy Canny, who both worked on the director's short film 'ADVANTAGE'. Great work is also done by production designer Robert Webb ('WOLF CREEK' / 'ROGUE'). Writer/director Sean Byrne combines black comedy and horror/thriller confidently, as he did with his impressive 2007 short film 'ADVANTAGE'. He turns one kind of film into another with skill, never stumbling when he makes the transition. Like his short film, Byrne knows what to show and when to cut, and he again shows his great ear for sound design. Director Byrne, and stars Samuel, Thaine, and McLeavy were at the screening I attended, and you couldn't wish more success on a better group of people. Mr Byrne announced that 'THE LOVED ONES' will be playing in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto Film Festival in September. So please, everyone in Canada and the U.S please greet this film with open arms, and please give this talented young director your warm support. You won't be disappointed.