Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy: yet another update (and other news)

In all honesty, I came across a bit of news a few weeks ago, but in the time since my review of The Limits of Control, I have been incredibly busy with classes/exams, work, and going home to see family. And last week saw the release of BioShock 2, a game I have been anticipating for quite some time. Thus, what little free time I could muster specifically during the past week was devoted predominately to playing it.

Anyways, the news concerns the release of Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy. Apparently Best Buy has secured exclusive rights to the March 16th release, which will be coming in the form of a collector's tin (likely the same kind used for the collector's edition of Oldboy or the series Band of Brothers). Furthermore, as the link in the title mentions, the set will be on blu-ray. I think this is actually going to be a DVD/Blu-ray combo set, but I am not quite sure. In any case, the boxed set will be released in other stores on June 15th in standard packaging. Being both impatient and a collector, I will be acquiring the Best Buy limited edition and drafting a review as soon as possible upon its release.

In other news, I finished reading Roberto Saviano's Gomorrah and have had a chance to finally watch the film. I plan to watch the film a second time and explore the special features on the Criterion Collection release before I write my review. Before then, however, I will be writing brief theatrical reviews for Legion, The Wolfman, and Valentine's Day sometime within the next 48 hours.

Finally, I was browsing the upcoming releases for the month of March on Amazon.com the other night and noticed that John Woo's Red Cliff was among them - another film I have been anticipating for quite some time (since early 2008). Having actually devoted a great deal of time to studying the Three Kingdoms Era of Ancient China, I am a bit disheartened to hear that the film is not quite as historically accurate as one would hope, but then again most historical epics rarely are. The film's focus, as the title suggests, is on the Battle of Red Cliff (a.k.a. the Battle of Chi Bi).

It will be released March 23rd on DVD and Blu-Ray in two different versions: the 148-minute U.S. Theatrical cut and the 288-minute International (Original) cut. Naturally, I have my sights set on the latter.

Here is the U.S. trailer:

Thirst (Park Chan-wook, 2009)

It is certainly no secret that I am quite the admirer of Park Chan-wook's work. Oldboy is one of my all-time favorites (right behind V for Vendetta and American Beauty), and the other two films in his acclaimed "Vengeance Trilogy" are fairly high on the list as well. So naturally, I was eagerly anticipating his latest effort from the very moment I learned of it. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to seek Thirst out in its highly limited theatrical release, and thus had to bide my time until the DVD finally hit shelves on November 17, 2009. I am ecstatic to say that it was well worth that long, arduous wait; every last second. Let me be as up front as possible: Thirst is an extraordinary film.

The film begins with the introduction of Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a Roman Catholic priest who brings peace to the terminally ill, assisting in the plight and uncertainty that comes with passing from this life to the next. Growing tired of the grief that comes with watching patients die, Sang-hyun decides to volunteer for an experiment in which he will serve as a test subject for curing a deadly virus. At first, he seems to be just another failed effort among the batch of volunteers, but shortly after flat-lining he miraculously returns to life thanks to a blood transfusion, becoming the only survivor thus far. Shortly thereafter, he takes shelter with a childhood friend, Kang-woo (Shin Ha-kyun), and his family. Here he meets Kang-woo's loving mother, Lady Ra (Kim Hae-sook), and his wife (whom Sang-hyun also knew during his childhood), Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin), who completely despises her husband, and with good reason.



Also of importance during this time is that Sang-hyun quickly learns that he is a vampire. Of course, being a priest, he is not one to begin stalking helpless victims in the night. Instead, he gets blood from unconscious patients at the hospital he works at (primarily from a man in a coma named Hyo-sung, a gentle soul who delights in feeding the needy - so Sang-hyun does not feel guilt in the act).



Sang-hyun simultaneously takes a romantic interest in Tae-ju - a mutual feeling, as she longs for him to rescue her from the life she lives (indeed she even confides that she has loved him since they were children. He is reluctant at first, as perhaps a priest must be in abstinence, but he does not put up much of a resistance before indulging in carnal desires with Tae-ju. Not wanting to hide his condition from her, Sang-hyun reveals to her that he is a vampire, which initially terrifies Tae-ju, but she quickly embraces the fact with a playful adoration, even wishing to become a vampire herself.



Through various means, the two allow their love to flourish and Sang-hyun does all within his power to give Tae-ju a happier life. However, he understands all too well that his illness leaves one teetering on the edge, holding firmly to a minuscule thread of humanity. The film focuses a bit on both Sang-hyun and Tae-ju struggling with the moral quandaries presented to a vampire, but remains first and foremost a rather tragic (yet often comedic) love story. As is the norm for the director, the narrative is not without its share of quirkiness and flair - to the extent that the unaccustomed viewer may well be scratching his/her head at some of various happenings that take place in the latter third of the film's two hour and fourteen minute run-time.

Thirst is a splendid tapestry of romance, comedy, and occasional horror. Cleverly-conceived dialogue, erotic (albeit sometimes bizarre) scenes of intimacy, and buckets of blood are all present with marvelous execution. While it is doubtful in my mind that Park Chan-wook can ever hope to deliver a film quite as perfect as Oldboy, this latest effort is definitely not to be missed. If I were to make any complaint about the film at all, it would have to be with the DVD release itself, as it sports no special features whatsoever. While this fact is disappointing, it is not too troubling, as I find it likely that a double-dip will be released sometime within the next year or two, likely containing (at the very least) a commentary track and some behind-the-scenes featurette(s). Unfortunately, until that hopeful day arrives, this humdrum release will have to suffice. Still, poor DVD aside, I must say that Thirst is quite the nourishing film, though I will always have room for more of Park Chan-wook's work in the future as well.

Vengeance Trilogy Boxed Set - November 24th

Most people who know me are aware of my obsession with Park Chan-wook's Oldboy - one of my absolute favorites. However, I also enjoy (though admittedly to a lesser extent) the other two films (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance) from the director that comprise what has come to be known as "The Vengeance Trilogy." So, needless to say, I was ecstatic when I stumbled across the news that the trilogy was finally getting a comprehensive R1 (U.S./Canada) release. Sure, the films have been released individually (and Oldboy has had an outstanding re-release) here in the States, but what is coming in just over a month is a boxed set that boasts more features that any other release of these films anywhere in the world - even the Korean versions.

To give myself - and others - an idea of what is coming in this set, I took to comparing the listed features with the releases I currently have. Here is what I found:

SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE
-All features from the original release are included.
-"The Process of Mr. Vengeance," which would appear to be a documentary on the production of the film.
-"My Boksu Story." Not quite sure what this is, but it is new to the release.
-"Jonathan Ross on Park Chan-wook," which should provide a great deal of insight on the director.
-Storyboards
-Soundtrack

OLDBOY
-All features from the 3-disc re-release are included.

LADY VENGEANCE
-All features from the original release are included.
-"Fade to White" version of the film. This is an alternate cut that has not been released in the States.
-Introduction to "Fade to White" version from director Park Chan-wook.
-3 separate commentary tracks for the "Fade to White" version. Though the 3 commentary tracks feature the same individuals as the 3 commentary tracks from the original version, I assume that they will be different in their content.
-"Style of Lady Vengeance," which is essentially a behind-the-scenes feature.
-Deleted scenes with commentary.
-"Director's Choice," which is a short recommended by director Park Chan-wook.
-Character interviews.
-"Lady Vengeance in Venice" featurette.
-Park Chan-wook, "Mr. Vengeance" featurette.

Also, a 32-page full-color booklet is included that contains photos and essays on each of the three films. One of the essays is written by Eli Roth (director of Cabin Fever and the Hostel films).

8-disc set for the MSRP of $49.99 (it will likely be $5-$10 cheaper, though). Though Oldboy is not receiving anything in the way of new features, I am still sold for the extensive features added to Lady Vengeance (my second favorite of the trilogy) and the 32-page booklet. The only thing missing is the first volume of the Oldboy manga and film cell insert that was included in the 3-disc release of Oldboy, which I would gladly surrender in exchange for this set (besides, who said I would not be keeping the versions I already have?).

Still, it gets even better. On November 17th, just one week prior to this release, Park Chan-wook's new film, Thirst, will be released on DVD.