Oba: the Last Samurai (2011)

Totally Japanese perspectives ignoring the other victims

# This movie portrays a group of Japanese soldiers fought against US military in Saipan island even after Hirohito, Japanese king, had surrendered - from Japanese perspectives alone. But technically, showing an US officer in the movie joining the war, it seems to carry a viewpoint from US soldiers too as well as <Letters From Iwo Jima> and <Flags of Our Fathers> does.

 Captain Lewis, an American officer, having learnt Japanese when he studied in Japan two or more years, represent American perspective. He persuades his boss to understand Japanese ethos mentioning 'bushido', the traditional code of samurai. He ends up declaring that he admire Oba saying he's a real soldier. Given what he said and did, he is pro-Japanese. I'm not criticizing an American perspective in the movie - but propaganda instilled to him in the movie by the producers(obviously Japanese). It's made in Japan and didn't sufficiently explain why he's so favorable to Japanese ethos. Japanese soldiers were hostile to US army altogether, but why their enemy wasn't so?

In Saipan 3000-odd Korean people caught up to serve as sex slave or comfort women or do coercive labor. The movie didn't have any implication of this.

Although they propagate the war they ignited, the production was endurable to watch storytelling and battle scenes.

ps. As regards the title 'Oba: The Last Samurai'. Oba was a soldier in WWII, but why 'samurai', which means a professional medieval warrior in Japan?

Dragon In Jail 獄中龍 1990

 After I had thought it would be merely B movie, I was shocked at the first time I saw this movie turned out great one. Although this film is rarely mentioned in these days, I still watch it from time to time and observe how it is good.

 The main character, 'Henry'(Andy Lau) is a prisoner. He was sent after a violence in which he killed a man in the 'Ma' thug at the kiosk in front of his house. The villain, Ma, poses extreme level I ever seen. If you face a guy like this, it must be nightmare.

 The trial scene in the second half take responsibility. Last scene is somewhat sentimental, but touching. 

 The original score, 紅塵天使, performed by Andy Lau, is also great ingredient in the film. I can't wait to appreciate the song, every time watching this one.

The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

Directed by Orson Welles, the movie shows film-noir style. Mr Wells made some unique scenes- in a courtroom, an aquarium, and an amusement park(the mirror room) that are not generally tried in that era. 

Architecture 101(2012, Korea)

It shows a freshman boy and girl fallen in love with each other and the same people after 10 years (or more) also. In the old days they love each other. Now, wee see things having changed, but we may see and more and more things that haven't changed.

Throughout the movie we can hear music named 'Practice Pieces of Memories' and performed by Exhibition. We all have 'practice pieces' like the name of a song. We fail from time to time and make a practice piece. We sometimes take the piece out and appreciate it, believing the next practice will be better.

Victim(1961, UK)

Director - Basil Dearden
Star - Dirk Bogarde

 It is a British movie released in 1960s. I had wanted to see it after Roger Ebert's GREAT MOVIES introduced it. I had delayed to watch it until few hours ago as it haven't had a subtitle.

 It was provocative itself by showing the story in which a homosexual person appeared - especially in 1961, London. In this movie, people saw a picture which seems shocking. But it never appears to the end.
 Dirk Bogarde decided to act the main character and some interpreted this as his coming-out.

By accepting what looked like career suicide to star in "Victim," wasn't he making much the same decision as his character Melville Farr -- to do the right thing, and accept the consequences? Didn't he, in effect, come out as an actor in that and many other roles (notably as the aging homosexual in "Death in Venice")?

in Victim in Great Movies by Roger Ebert

King Bongsang(봉상왕) - Kicked out of his throne

 King Bongsang(烽上王) was the 14th King in Goguryeo dynasty(B.C 37- 668). [reign 292-300]
 Right after succession he got avid to eliminate his political rivals. He killed his uncle, Dalga who had worship in the country as a sage and his brother Dolgo. Not like his father, his son, Eulbul ran away to survive chasing. Despite consecutive famine, he forced subjects to build a palace and led for expedition to China.

 For this reason he finally kicked out of his throne. After that Changjori, a minister, helped Eulbul to the throne. Eulbul became the 15th King, Michon.

 A Tomb in Goguryeo
Dynasty

Mural paintings in Tombs in Goguryeo dynasty

A balance of trade in components and intermediary goods is improving

Up to early 2000s, it had been poor in competitiveness in the world market. A trade deficit in this industry with Japan had been getting deepen about which some within the financial world worried. That's because finished good industries like cars, shipbuilding, home appliances mainly imported components and intermediary goods made in Japan.

It got to become at a tipping point late 2000s -big firms such as Samsung, LG, or Hyundai started to increase its invest on R&D and government made related laws are the reasons.

Now the government has chosen about 200 R&D subjects by 2020.
 - Super light metal material for a flying car
 - Solar paint : The type of paint being able to become solar cells after painted on cars or clothes.
- Eco Friendly Pavement :  Absorbing gas emission or dust from cars

Original Article(in Korean)
http://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/12/26/2013122603880.html