Jeon Woo-chi - The Taoist Wizard

Jeon Woo-chi
2009
South Korea
Starring:  Su-jeong Lim, Yun-seok Kim, Dong-won Kang

Jeon Woo-chi was a whole lot of fun to watch.  This movie is a fusion of fantasy, adventure, action, humor, and deities.

Jeon Woo-chi is about a wizard, Wooji, who is grand in all aspects except that of the reality painted in the movie; his character is acting inside of acting.  He is a jester, adventurer, a wizard, wise, and a prankster.  His character makes the movie.

This movie is another from South Korea that explorers time travel and integrates it into the movie.  In Jeon Woo-chi the part of the movie takes place in the distant past and part in some time that resembles our present.

The way magic is used in this movie is a new portrayal of the subject to me.  This movie uses Taoist magic consisting of charms or spells written on pieces of paper which are only good once as best as I can tell.  The use of Taoist magic is a fitting compliment to the gods that are portrayed in the movie.

I have to say I enjoy what I call outlandish outfits used in many of the period movies of South Korea.  They make me smile.

All in all I had a great time watching this movie; it was fun, a good laugh, entertaining, and presented some really unique CGI/magic.  If you're into the fantasy martial arts genre this is a movie for you.

Quote:  "I am a wizard.  What is a wizard you ask?  A ruler of the winds, a bringer of the rain on dry lands, who leaps through space and governs the world with a swift blade, but handles that sword like a gentle flower.  A wizard's duty is to aid the helpless.  The head is where all decay begins!"

Stardust

Stardust
2007
Starring:  Clarlie Cox, Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Ben Barnes, & Michelle Pfeiffer

Stardust begins in a small English village that lies just beyond the outer edge of a fantasy kingdom.  The only way between the two different worlds is over a wall at the edge of the town.  Beware of the guardian!  This movie is a tale replete with magic, comedy, lost family, falling stars, witches, kings, spirits, adventure, the struggle between dark & light, and love.  It will be enjoyed by nearly everyone.

For the fantasy genre lovers out there Stardust is a must see; I thoroughly recommend it.

Quote:  "Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?"

Guzaarish - The Petition

Guzaarish - The Petition (2010)
Starring:  Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Aditya Roy

Guzaarish is a very deep movie.  With the main character being a magician and the previews showing him doing shows I had went into the movie expecting a slightly lighter tone complete with epic magic shows; this was a false expectation.

The movie chronicles the struggles of a quadriplegic fighting for the court to allow him to end his life after being incapacitated for 14 years.  Ethan (Hrithik Roshan) shocks many people with his petition.  Some are supportive while others are not; Guzaarish reflects the struggle humanity has with the subject and tries to portray both sides while keeping the main character's desire for assisted suicide in the forefront.

Ethan's struggles remind us that each of us no matter our positions in life could end up in a similar fate.  There are two quotes I will leave you with from the movie that I love

• Life is always too short. But it is long enough, if you live fully every
• Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love deeply. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile

Like all the movies that I watch, this movie is not for everybody...but, if you have an inclination toward the topic I would certainly recommend it.  I think it is a great movie.