It's Terrific!

It's hardly a secret that I'm a "director man". It's kind of like a "breast man" or an "ass man," except that it has nothing to do with objectifying women or looking at their parts. I do have actors/actresses and genres that I prefer, but the main draw to a film for me is who directed it. So, in keeping with the previous post (and, most likely, the forthcoming "films I'm looking forward to seeing" posts) I'm mostly going to go on and on about the directors of the films. The films this time: Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and Na Hong-jin's The Yellow Sea. Enjoy.


Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive

Danish Director & Writer Nicolas Winding Refn's newest feature, Drive, is a neo-noir that stars Ryan Gosling as a stutman-by-day and wheelman-by-night. Of course, there is more to the plot than simply that. Those details, however, can be found elsewhere, or by watching the film during its September 16 theatrical release.

Refn's previous films are all excellent, and the fact that he has chosen to make a second feature in the U.S. (his first being Fear X) is awesome. With Drive nearing release, he has already begun work on his next feature, Only God Forgives, and is scheduled to follow that with the remake of Logan's Run. Shew, he's a busy director. I hope he brought a snack, provided he has the time to eat it.


Nicolas Winding Refn's Filmography:
Pusher
Bleeder
Fear X
Pusher II: With Blood on My Hands
Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death
Bronson
Valhalla Rising
Drive
Only God Forgives (2012)



Na Hong-jin's The Yellow Sea

Way before everything that has happened since happened, back in the year 2008, Na Hong-jin made a film. That film was The Chaser. For those that aren't in the know, The Chaser is an excellent serial killer neo-noir/thriller. It proved to be a hugely successful film financially and critically, and launched Director Na into the spotlight. Just a few short years later, Na is back with The Yellow Sea.

Also back, are Na's leads from The Chaser, Kim Yoon-seok & Ha Jung-woo. The difference from Na's debut feature (other than it being a different film) is that the roles for the characters played by Kim and Ha have been reversed. In The Chaser, Ha played the villain being chased by Kim; in The Yellow Sea, it's the other way 'round.

Regardless of which actor is playing good vs. bad, Na's second feature should be an exciting thriller. Which is probably why I'm excited.


Na Hong-jin's Filmography:
The Chaser
The Yellow Sea



Wow; not even a week into August and there are already two posts up. It could be a post-filled month. Check back soon for more.