Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
Review: “The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos” Pits Korean Cops & Gangsters Against Japan
BY Richard Yu
Two cops team up with a mob enforcer and illegal gambling site owner to take down a Japanese drug ring.
Review: “The Divine Fury” Blends Christianity, Horror, and Action
BY Richard Yu
Park Seo-joon uses MMA skills to exorcise demons in his latest collaboration with Jason Kim Joo-hwan.
Review: “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” Blends Korean Crime and Justice
BY Anthony Kao
Starring Ma Dong-seok, this action movie blends classic Korean crime archetypes into something new and entertaining, though not necessarily memorable.
Review: “Furie” Is An Fast-Paced Vietnamese Action Thriller
BY Richard Yu
Vietnam’s answer to “Taken” arrives—but with a female lead taking charge.
Review: “Take Point” Is an Action-Packed Critique of Political Selfishness
BY Anthony Kao
This Korean action movie featuring private military contractors offers many explosions—and biting, timely political critiques.
The 10 Best Jung Woo-sung Movies, Ranked
BY Anthony Kao
From teen idols to steely villains: Cinema Escapist looks at leading Korean actor Jung Woo-sung's best performances, ranked in order of increasing quality.
The 10 Best Song Kang-ho Movies, Ranked
BY Anthony Kao
Song Kang-ho is Korea's premiere character actor. Cinema Escapist looks at his best performances, in order of increasing quality.
Review: “The Negotiation” Is A Psychological Roller Coaster Highlighting Korean Corruption
BY Fred Han
Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin star in a fast-paced, socially relevant psychological thriller.
Review: “The Spy Gone North” Is A Thrillingly Relevant Look at Korean Politics
BY Anthony Kao
Making deals with North Korea? Check. Election interference? Check. "The Spy Gone North" offers a captivating, timely spy story.
Review: “BuyBust” is a Brutally Realistic Depiction of the Philippine Drug War
BY Richard Yu
Realistic gun battles and brutal fight scenes open a window into the Philippines drug war