Dragon Ma: I'm Dragon Ma and this is EQ
Equinox21: Howdy
Equinox21: ok... so... It is June 17th, 2003
Dragon Ma: here comes the jazz music
Equinox21: hehe, yes, I like the soundtrack :)
Equinox21: This is the Korean version of No Blood No Tears.
Equinox21: as far as I know, the American remake hasn't even started pre-production
Equinox21: and I hope it never will.
Dragon Ma: thank god
Equinox21: ok, so what's worse... a remake or a bad dub?
Equinox21: I'd rather have a remake and leave the original intact
Dragon Ma: You can have a remake and still watch the original
Dragon Ma: Gotta love those three goofballs
Equinox21: the lead punk of the gang is a funny guy, Ryu Seong-beom
Equinox21: he's in a few good movies that I've seen...
Equinox21: including No Comment...
Dragon Ma: And here we have the lovely Lee Hye Yeong
Equinox21: ah yes
Equinox21: and the shit she takes as a female taxi driver
Dragon Ma: She's one tough bitch though
Equinox21: I think that's part of what makes this such a fun movie... it's about women who take all this crap from these sleazeball guys and fight back
Dragon Ma: It's her comeback film isn't it?
Equinox21: yeah, until this one she hadn't done anything since '94
Dragon Ma: Now he's done it
Dragon Ma: That's gonna leave a mark
Equinox21: boot to the head...
Dragon Ma: ouch
Dragon Ma: Geriatric thugs
Equinox21: But the guy deserves it... it's just funny to see all these sleazy guys having all this stuff happen to them because they think they can push around the chicks
Dragon Ma: Exactly
Dragon Ma: I love these two old thugs though
Equinox21: yeah :) And that they decide to take revenge on her for the shit that her husband did.
Dragon Ma: They just want the money
Equinox21: yeah, as all thugs in every Korean film...
Equinox21: Generic Geriatric thugs :)
Equinox21: but it's nice to see her give them a run for their money... one chick against two guys.
Equinox21: even if she does get beat up pretty bad.
Dragon Ma: Wasn't the silver haired guy in Sympathy for mr Vengeance
Equinox21: I believe so... but I can't recall off hand.
Equinox21: it's been a while since I watched that one.
Dragon Ma: I like how the two old men act like a married couple
Equinox21: yeah, I always got the impression that they were gay
Dragon Ma: Except one's married
Equinox21: but that doesn't mean anything :)
Dragon Ma: Ahhh, the beautiful Soo-Jin
Equinox21: and the accident that brings the two leads together
Dragon Ma: Her boyfriend really is a bastard
Equinox21: Jeong Jae-young! My favorite of the killers from Guns & Talks
Equinox21: He's actually the reason I decided to get this movie.
Equinox21: though, admittedly, he's a pretty bad dude in this one...
Dragon Ma: yes, very bad
Equinox21: not like the slick, kinda dim, sniper in G&T
Dragon Ma: I love this karaoke song
Equinox21: I read something somewhere that someone stated their observation that EVERY Korean film has a Karaoke scene... this one is no different :)
Dragon Ma: I don't remember seeing one in JSA
Equinox21: ok, well not EVERY Korean film :)
Dragon Ma: she looks so good singing it
Equinox21: she does
Equinox21: When they had that 2 second flashback of what happened to a guy who backstabbed the boss, that completely reminds me of a Guy Ritchie flick
Equinox21: Ryu Seong-beom again... the goofball leader.
Equinox21: he has some terrific facial expressions.
Dragon Ma: Man, she's really getting smacked around
Equinox21: yeah... it's nice to see her get smacked around, because it makes the resolution that much more fulfilling.
Dragon Ma: Just when you thought he was going to be a nice guy
Equinox21: this shot coming up... where it's slow motion, then all of a sudden goes super fast forwardedÖ RIGHT out of a Guy Ritchie film. But, it just really adds a lot to the sceneÖ makes it a lot better than just a plain old little alley fight.
Dragon Ma: Cool use of CGI
Dragon Ma: He's drunk and he's kicking ass
Equinox21: yeah
Equinox21: I like how there's enough in slow motion to make it stylish, but not overdone.
Equinox21: and the accident, yet again.
Equinox21: I love how it sets the two characters up like that. Each gets their background story and they they meet... but it's all happening simultaneously.
Dragon Ma: he won't be happy about this
Dragon Ma: Mr. Badass, this guy rocks
Equinox21: Yes, The Silent Man.
Dragon Ma: He knows when to act though
Equinox21: yes
Equinox21: I believe he's the only actual martial artist involved in the film...
Dragon Ma: Jesus
Equinox21: and the boss is KGB.
Dragon Ma: Never fuck with Mr. Badass
Equinox21: KGB is played by Ku Shin...
Dragon Ma: He looks really familiar
Equinox21: he's been in a few movies... all very different. He was in Christmas in August
Dragon Ma: was he in 2009
Equinox21: yes, he was also in that.
Equinox21: this gritty action flick, he's a criminal.
Equinox21: a melodrama, he's the father of the main character
Equinox21: 2009 he was the mentor of the main police officer character...
Equinox21: all very different... '
Dragon Ma: Here's that cop character again
Equinox21: Yeah, it seems like every one of these movies has a gang and a cop closing in on them... just waiting for them to slip so he can bust them.
Equinox21: a bit generic... but that's alright, it's still good.
Dragon Ma: And he always has sage advice
Dragon Ma: More old guys
Equinox21: more geriatric gangsters
Dragon Ma: These guys are pretty funny though
Equinox21: that's part of what makes this so funny, too... just all these unlikely gangsters
Equinox21: and instead of fighting against real gangsters, they play injured to get them in trouble! Classic! :)
Equinox21: Chil-sun in this scene completely reminds me of Eric Tsang!
Dragon Ma: Yeah, I never noticed that
Equinox21: doesn't he a little bit? Especially when he walked in wearing his white suit... kinda like Eric in Infernal Affairs
Dragon Ma: I love how they cut off the background noise while they're talking
Equinox21: yeah, because she wouldn't stop talking :)
Dragon Ma: If they knew who she was with, they'd soon change
Equinox21: for women, they sure like to fight a lot.
Dragon Ma: yeah, who would've guessed?
Equinox21: so, there's already been some blood in this movie... the dude who just got his head bashed with a bottle.
Equinox21: so, I ask you... WHY is this movie called No Blood No Tears?
Dragon Ma: Maybe it's a reference to the fact that you can't have any blood without tears
Equinox21: care to explain?
Dragon Ma: I just meant if there's blood there's bound to be tears
Equinox21: ah, ok :)
Dragon Ma: Just what is this guy doing taking pictures?
Dragon Ma: Soo-Jin half dressed, very nice
Equinox21: extremely.
Equinox21: now Dok-Bul proceeds to destroy the apartment... such a lovely caring boyfriend.
Dragon Ma: I love that ring tone
Dragon Ma: She keeps giving him the finger under the table
Dragon Ma: Such happier times with Soo-Jin and her boyfriend
Equinox21: it's also interesting how the abusive relationship seems very real in this.
Equinox21: during the alley fight, as he was beating her up, and the bystanders tried to come to her aid, she still protected her boyfriend even though he was beating her.
Dragon Ma: Interesting, isn't it?
Equinox21: yeah
Dragon Ma: Way to cop a feel pal
Dragon Ma: And we're back to third rate gangsters
Equinox21: Have you seen the Director's (Ryu Seung-wan) other flick, Die Bad?
Dragon Ma: No, I haven't
Dragon Ma: More half dressed Soo-Jin
Equinox21: ok, me either... but I've heard mixed things about it... lots of peole loved it, and one person in particular (named after a guy in a rubber suit) just hated it.
Dragon Ma: It was made with 65 million won
Equinox21: Die Bad was?
Dragon Ma: yeah
Equinox21: Wow, that's like maybe $100K... not a lot at all.
Dragon Ma: Low budget
Equinox21: I just looked it up... thatís about $54K
Equinox21: you couldn't hire a caterer for that much in the US...
Dragon Ma: The guy just puked in her car
Dragon Ma: lovely
Equinox21: yeah, just shows more tension and BS that she has to put up with in her dead end job as a taxi driver
Dragon Ma: This ain't no refined woman
Dragon Ma: They're not fucking around now
Equinox21: I just love gangsters like this... so hurting for money that they have to go and beat up female taxi drivers for their cash.
Equinox21: The chicks just get beat left and right...
Dragon Ma: Well, they tried the soft option, it didn't work
Equinox21: kinda sad.
Dragon Ma: I love bul-dok's ring tone
Equinox21: and their little plan to steal the money... this entire scene plays out just as well as any high budget Hollywood flick or a Ritchie flick.
Dragon Ma: It's funny, with her long flat hair, Soo-Jin looks like a homage to femme fatales
Equinox21: it's even got that yellowish look to it like in Lock, Stock.
Equinox21: and the dog fights like in Snatch.
Equinox21: you were mentioning yesterday about the time aspect of this movie, did you mean how it jumps around a bit... as in; we saw the plan carried out BEFORE we see them planning it?
Dragon Ma: I just meant how each character's background is fleshed out via the use of time
Equinox21: not sure I follow you
Equinox21: what do you mean the use of time?
Dragon Ma: When Soo-Jin and Kyong-son meet via car crash
Dragon Ma: it's cut to introducing Soo-Jin and her boyfriend
Equinox21: right, right... and that happens a bit with the other characters too
Dragon Ma: yeah
Equinox21: but not to the extent that itís just the two female characters that are fleshed out that way.
Dragon Ma: Those three goofballs again
Dragon Ma: No, it's just used mostly to forward the plot
Dragon Ma: And we're back to the scene at the very beginning
Dragon Ma: He got shocked
Dragon Ma: More cool music
Dragon Ma: I have to get the soundtrack to this film
Equinox21: yeah, this whole soundtrack is quite impressive... compared to some Korean movies.
Dragon Ma: The look on those two goofballs face is classic
Dragon Ma: This is great
Equinox21: what's great?
Dragon Ma: Watching those goofballs get a major ass kicking
Equinox21: oh yes, by Silent Man.
Dragon Ma: They've no hope
Equinox21: none
Dragon Ma: I love how the slowly moves in as they each get onto the ground
Equinox21: The Silent Man is Jung Doo-hong
Equinox21: he did all the martial arts choreography in Musa... that's an AMAZING film.
Dragon Ma: but the fighting's happening off screen
Equinox21: This movie really has a bit of everything. Car chases, good fights, good music, tough chicks...
Dragon Ma: And now we come to the main event
Dragon Ma: Mr. Badass Vs Bul-dok
Equinox21: the only REAL all out ìmartial artsî fight in the movie.
Equinox21: yeah, this is the one I donít like, it's simply edited way to Hollywood styleÖ all close up.
Dragon Ma: I think it's great
Dragon Ma: Yeah, I see what you mean
Equinox21: too many cuts, you can't see what is going on.
Equinox21: some of it is watchable, but overall it's just way too close up and way too choppy.
Equinox21: I'd expect to see that in a Die Hard movie, not a well choreographed Korean movie, that has an ACTUAL Martial Artist involved in the fight
Equinox21: But this really is the only bad part of the whole movie that I thought.
Dragon Ma: It's more like an ass whoopin'
Equinox21: yeah, true... not much of a fair fight
Dragon Ma: Bul-dok knows what it feels like to be a bitch and get bitch slapped
Equinox21: This is actually one of the few flicks that Jung Doo-hong actually acted in... he mostly does the stunt choreography in movies... lots of action flicks.
Equinox21: he actually choreographed the great Pro Wrestling movie Foul King... if you haven't seen that one yet, get it.
Equinox21: yeah, another movie that Jung Doo-hong choreographed the stunts for was Shiri... EVERYONE has seen that oneÖ so it's cool to see him in front of the camera doing some cool action.
Dragon Ma: He's doing the same in Ryu Seung-Kwan's next film
Equinox21: do you know what it's called?
Dragon Ma: No, I haven't heard anything about it
Equinox21: well, obviously you've heard SOMETHING about it :)
Dragon Ma: In other words, I don't know what it's called or what the story's about etc
Equinox21: ahh :)
Dragon Ma: Mr. Badass, you should've killed him
Equinox21: yeah, very brutal scene here.
Dragon Ma: Geriatric gangsters again
Dragon Ma: The goofballs get into a fight
Dragon Ma: No MA here
Dragon Ma: No more KGB
Equinox21: Dok-bul has now crossed over into insanity... he's just on a killing spree.
Equinox21: anyone who gets in his way.
Dragon Ma: He's just pissed his girlfriend has sleeping with everyone
Dragon Ma: He just survived a major ass whooping
Dragon Ma: I'd be pissed too
Equinox21: and his money is gone.
Dragon Ma: exactly
Equinox21: I'd be most pissed about the money.
Dragon Ma: I think he's more pissed about his girlfriend betraying him
Equinox21: you can always get a new girlfriend, and wounds heal... there might not be too many more situations where you get a duffle bag full of cash.
Equinox21: just to have it walk away.
Dragon Ma: But he really loves his girlfriend
Dragon Ma: Goodbye Pretty boy
Equinox21: a Fight Club shot there, with the camera shaking around
Dragon Ma: yeah, never noticed that before
Equinox21: and Dok-bul moves even more over the edge.
Dragon Ma: He looks like he's been through hell
Equinox21: yeah, pretty much.
Equinox21: nice how he can laugh after all the crap he's been through... what with having just killed 3 people.
Dragon Ma: Great bit of acting there from Jeon Do Yeong
Dragon Ma: Now it all goes to hell
Equinox21: I really feel they should have left the deleted scenes in for this particular part... it gives it a finale, instead of just cutting it off a bit.
Equinox21: and great music
Dragon Ma: Do you think Soo-Jin's paralysed because of the violence or because she still loves her boyfriend
Equinox21: I think she was looking at him, fully expecting that to be the last time she'd ever see him.
Dragon Ma: More great music
Equinox21: the open shutter shot like that is really cool... with the sparks falling from the light being shot out.
Equinox21: great stuff
Equinox21: Poor Dok-bul... I ALMOST feel sorry for him.
Dragon Ma: Then you realize he was a real bastard up until that point
Equinox21: of course
Dragon Ma: Catfight
Equinox21: They should really save their strength... they'll need it for when Dok-bul shows up and kicks both their asses
Dragon Ma: Kyong-son was just angry
Dragon Ma: It was Soo-Jin that turned into a catfight
Equinox21: I love that split screen showing Soo-jin recording the messages
Dragon Ma: Yeah, I love that too
Dragon Ma: She's a really good actress
Equinox21: yeah
Dragon Ma: They both are
Equinox21: Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of either of their other movies...
Dragon Ma: Man, Bul-dok looks pissed
Equinox21: you would be too if you went through all that he did AND jumped off a 4 or 5 story building.
Dragon Ma: I have to hand it to these women
Dragon Ma: especially Lee Hye Yeong
Equinox21: they do a BANG UP job. ;)
Dragon Ma: Jesus
Dragon Ma: I read they were wearing wetsuits to avoid bruises
Equinox21: extremely stylish shots in this scene, the water falling, the slow mo, the camera angles... it's great.
Equinox21: and the music... such beautiful music over such a brutal scene.
Dragon Ma: have you noticed how Bul-dok only slaps his girlfriend
Equinox21: wow... I didn't notice that... good catch.
Dragon Ma: He actually punches Kyong-son
Equinox21: he punches Kyung-seon
Equinox21: but only slaps Soo-jin...
Dragon Ma: So he still loves her in his own twisted way
Equinox21: yeah, true... good call.
Dragon Ma: ouch, key to the throat
Equinox21: and a key to the Jugular will end it pretty quick.
Dragon Ma: I read that both actresses wore diving suits to prevent injury while fighting
Equinox21: I can imagine.
Equinox21: they got thrown around pretty nastily.
Dragon Ma: The director didn't think it was intense enough so he added water
Equinox21: I really think Jeong Jae-young is a great actor... if you look at his face when he was talking to Soo-jin at the end...
Equinox21: really touching, even though he's an abusive asshole.
Dragon Ma: yeah, it was quite sad really
Equinox21: it really was. Itís amazing that the director can make you feel sorry for such a bad guy.
Dragon Ma: But it was too late for him to redeem himself
Equinox21: of course.
Dragon Ma: If that doesn't stop Bul-dok, nothing will
Dragon Ma: And the three goofballs score a touchdown
Dragon Ma: Kyong-son's too weak too fight back
Equinox21: so is there actually any money in the bag or is it all in the car in the glove compartment?
Dragon Ma: I think some of it was left in the car the rest was in the bag
Equinox21: but not all?
Dragon Ma: Even after all that, Soo-jin still felt something for Bul-Dok
Equinox21: yeah, I wonder what they'll do with that in the remake, and if all the anti-domestic abuse people will be up in arms at a display of compassion for a guy who beats his girlfriend.
Dragon Ma: In the deleted scenes it shows you what happens to the rest of the money
Dragon Ma: The look on the guy's face says it all
Equinox21: oh, that's rightÖ I forgot
Dragon Ma: They'll most likely cut down the violence in the remake so that it's not so bad
Equinox21: so, this is the end... what do you give this one out of 10?
Equinox21: I gave it an 8/10 in my review.
Equinox21: Watching it again, I'd almost go higher...
Dragon Ma: I'd give it a 9/10
Equinox21: great movie.
Equinox21: any closing thoughts?
Equinox21: tough chicks get their just desserts.
Dragon Ma: It really is a great little film. It's not high art but it's entertaining
Equinox21: very entertaining, and very stylish.
Dragon Ma: The remake won't have as nearly as much violence
Dragon Ma: It'll never get past the MPAA
Equinox21: true.
Equinox21: I like how the style keeps up through the whole film... too many stylish movies I see have a really stylish opening act, and then it just turns into a normal movie. This one keeps up the style through the entire thing.
Dragon Ma: But I have to give it up to those two actresses
Dragon Ma: Such a stellar job
Equinox21: absolutely.
Equinox21: alright... thanks for reading our commentary for No Blood No Tears.