Tag: Chung-Hoon Chung

HERETIC (2024)

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Written & Directed By: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods 

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Justin Li 

Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young 

Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.

This is a film. One wishes they could’ve made it as at first it seems so simple, but as it goes along, you realize how twisted everything is and that it also exists on a delicate balance

The script is intricately written and can go a million ways at any moment. Luckily it stays on a certain path makes it all the more intriguing. 

There will be many who will be In Tune with its debates and theories. At least in the first half of the film. 

It’s a tight thriller that sues its Location inventively and makes it claustrophobic. As with the design of the location the Film, characters, and story offer up their mazes to try and solve. The camerawork by Chung-Hoon Chung makes the spaces seem sumptuous and a world unto themselves. 

Hugh Grant finally gets a role where he doesn’t have to play off either his public persona or what audiences know him for he gets to play a role with the recent villain role, which gives him some really good meat on which to chew and show off his skills and remind you that he is a good actor.

As he shows the human equivalent of mansplaining. That most women will identify with if ever had a date, friend, or family.

A member who wants to show off his smarts and theories and is truly trying to impress about a subject you are not necessarily interested in but must show superiority in. 

It’s not perfect in the third act. That is where the film gets a little wobbly and brings the film back down to earth and reality. It is impossible to keep up the momentum Of the first half completely without having to offer some Explanations. as well as offer the audience the release that they desire. To make it mroenofna crowd pleaser. 

I won’t call it a fun ride but one that keeps your interest throughout and will want to have conversations about after. Even if not as shocking as you might expect. 

The writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have truly made a film worth investing your time and attention. Much better than their previous films, A QUIET PLACE which they wrote and 65 Which they wrote and directed and this film Is leaps and bounds above the special effects-laden 65 starring Adam Driver. 

Grade: B 

WONKA (2023)

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Directed & Story By: Paul King

Written By: Paul King & Simon Farnaby

Based on Characters Created By: Roald Dahl

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Mark Everson

Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Olivia Colman, Keegan Michael-Key, Sally Hawkins, Tom Davis, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Jim Carter, Natasha Rockwell, Kobna Holbrook-Smith, Rakhee Thatkar, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, Freya Parker, Matthew Boynton, Rich Fulcher

Willy Wonka is the mastermind behind some of the most delicious and innovative chocolate creations the world has ever seen. But before shaking up the chocolate industry and making a name for himself as a confectionery genius, the ambitious young creator had to defy all odds. As a result, Willy transformed his wildest dreams into reality with a bold vision, determination, and unexpected help from new friends. After all, hard work and a dash of magic can make anything happen. Because, as Willy already knows, it only takes a dream to make a difference.

One thing I can definitely say about this movie is that it has its charms it won’t. It doesn’t erase the memory of the first WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY but it still feels more pure and miles above Tim Burton, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY  doesn’t feel as predictable. Nor as made by the committee.

The film is a musical, which was a bit unexpected, but makes sense, and it does use a few of the original films’ classics throughout, though in quite a different way that does instill nostalgia, but also tries to make it its own. 

At times, it does feel like a big Broadway musical, but under a greater production and a grander vision, you could easily see this making its way the reverse way and going from a movie into a Broadway show.

The film perfectly fits Director Paul King’s style as it feels like a fantasy and a living storybook come to life. It’s as big and silly as the two PADDINGTON films that he has directed so this one is a little less comedic, even with all of its outrageousness. Though no nightmare scenes as the previous two films had.

Can’t help, but put a smile on your face in Timothee Chalamet actually works in the lead role, even though he is tasked with pretty much always being happy no matter what throughout even when disappointed. he’s not as iconic as Gene Wilder Daffy goofy, but ultimately wise and quirky Wonka but again we’re at the origins of Wonka as a character so he has a happier disposition, and is still full of hope at the beginning of his career.

This is a film that is fun for the whole family. It’s pretty much an offensive and feels magical throughout. It literally is another generation’s version of Wonka, or as this is more of an original story than an actual remake or reboot, which is refreshing, even if it is still Dealing with an existing IP.

Hugh Grant is here as comedic relief as an Oompa Loompa, and he mostly works as this is the most we’ve ever really heard an Oompa Loompa speak other than singing. The film is full of quirky characters that feel straight out of a children’s book, and have outrageous looks to follow. though again, he seems to be relishing and playing a more comedic supporting role just as he did, and PADDINGTON 2 only here he is, isn’t the villain

The production design and visual effects are excellent. The songs are catchy, but not as memorable as the originals again, I say this now, but at heart eventually, time will tell, and also the fandom of this film, if there will be one as great as the classic film in which men grew up with.

It’s a film that is definitely worth checking out. It won’t leave you mesmerized, but if this is your type of movie, you won’t leave sad or disappointed. 

Grade: B 

ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP (2019)

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Directed By: Ruben Fleischer

Written By: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick & Dave Callahan

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung Editor: Chris Patterson & Dirk Westervelt

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, Thomas Middleditch, Zoey Deutch, Avan Jogia, Victoria Hall, Victor Rivera 

A decade after their first adventure, the zombie-bashing team of Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland. Here, they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of their own makeshift family.

Just like the first film, this isn’t really a horror film more like an action-comedy that has horrific elements or a more horror background.

This sequel definitely feels less than inspired as the main cast does come back for the sequel but throughout they all look disgruntled or miserable to be here. Even though one would like to think at least they would be back to enjoy each other’s company, but it seems like everyone is more here for only here for a bigger paycheck.

The only time they seem genuinely like they like each other is in a moment towards the end when coming together in what looks like certain doom 

Though this film Came about after a failed pilot for a Zombieland television series with a different cast. Which is where Even the parody or actors Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch playing bizarro

Versions of Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg’s character come off as cheap weak humor. Though seem like they would be the replacements of the actors either choose not to come back or the straight to streaming sequel or if they couldn’t have gotten the actors for the first film.

Woody Harrelson seems to be the only one here who seems to give a damn or bother showing any excitement. Maybe as he finally gets a love interest and not as lovey Dovey as Jesse Eisenberg’s romance from the first film.

Even though Abigail Breslin character goes on her own throughout the film And the characters are trying to find her. The film still gives her the least amount of screen time and attention as her character just seems to be going through a teenage rebellion.

The film pretty much continues the adventures of the characters and adds very little so that it would seem more of the same. Except at least in the first film the story seemed at least creative. Here it feels like the movie and script are running on fumes.

Zoey Deutch is a newcomer to the film franchise and provides the only distraction and is the only truly funny thing about the movie. As she brightens up her scenes as a dumb blonde stereotype. As she reminds me of Valeria Andrews character in the Ashton Kutcher movie JUST MARRIED where she was one of the truly bright spots of that movie and she only really had a few scenes. 

Zoey Deutch does a lot of heavy lifting on her scenes and makes the film almost entertaining. Even though she supposed fate is telegraphed and predictable. When she is absent it Feels like they are struggling to come up with material as it goes along. Maybe an excuse to expose more of Eisenberg’s Character’s rules and theories. As well as expand them

The ending is pretty fun could have used that ingenuity earlier especially the credits sequence. 

While watching this film I kept having thoughts just as I had when watching THE WALKING DEAD.  How do they have power? Fireworks attract zombies but not lights? No defense against zombies except gates in this so-called Babylon. There is always a suspension of disbelief but one  Shouldn’t be wondering these things as you are watching it, though the film does have it’s moments. Which are mostly stylistic. This seems to be one of the only ways the director seems to want to enliven the sequel and set it apart. As with each new film he makes even outside of the franchise usually has a few visually striking scenes where you can admit you have never seen that before.

Such as the fight within the Elvis HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Which is an action sequence that manages to feel epic in such a small amount fo space that seems to depend on excellent choreography. The other sequence is the ending when forced to fight an overabundance of zombies with no guns. 

In the end, the sequel is a majorly disappointing feeling like it was made only because of demand not necessarily well thought out or organic. 

Grade: D+

HOTEL ARTEMIS (2018)

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Written & Directed By: Drew Pearce
Cinematography By: Chung-Hoon Chung
Editor: Gardner Gould & Paul Zucker 


Cast: Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Dave Bautista, Zachary Quinto, Brian Tyree Henry, Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Jeff Goldblum, Kenneth Choi 


A woman known as The Nurse runs a high-security, members-only hospital for high-rolling criminals in Los Angeles. When a bank robber brings his injured teammates along with $18 million in jewels there, both mob boss Wolf King and the police follow. With the hospital under siege, The Nurse, her orderly and her other criminal patients have to defend themselves.

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