No Regret

It's been three weeks since a new recommendation was added to the LA Time's "Critics' Choice" list despite the many summer blockbuster movies being released. Well, we're not about blockbusters necessarily anyway; sure we all like those too when we have the need or inclination to be entertained and to watch something that might not be intellectually challenging, but for this blog we're recording what the top critics think are the movies that will take more effort of us to watch but might leave us thinking about the movie and its provocations for some time to come.

So finally today something meets the grade. Kevin Thomas awards a "critics' choice" to the Korean movie "No Regrets"

An explosive debut feature from fearless Hee-il Leesong that has been heralded as Korea's first true gay film. An industrialist's son, engaged to be married, falls for a proud hustler, resulting in a tempestuous mix of melodrama and social comment on the tradition of Douglas Sirk and especially R.E. Fassbinder. In Korean with English subtitles.

Synopsis of "No Regret"
Leaving the country orphanage where he grew up, Sumin (Lee Young-hoon) goes to Seoul to study art design. Supporting himself with odd jobs, he comes to the attention of Jaemin (Lee Han), a man from a rich and conservative background. However, after losing his job at a factory owned by Jaemin’s family, he finds himself working as a prostitute in a gay bar. Initially Sumin resists the advances of Jaemin and views him with contempt. But soon he succumbs to Jaemin’s sincerity, and they experience brief happiness as passionate lovers. However, the relationship falls into heartache once Sumin discovers that Jaemin is to be married to a wealthy girl of his social class, as arranged by his powerful family. Sumin decides to thwart their plans by manipulating his friends into helping him carry out a dangerous scheme involving kidnapping and murder. The plan almost ends in tragedy as jealousy and possessive obsession take over one of the players.

Opened July 25, 2008 Runtime:1 hr. 54 min. R
Cast: Lee Young-Hoon, Lee Han
Director: Leesong Hee-il
Genres: Gay & Lesbian Films, Drama

Showtimes for "No Regret" for your zip code from Fandango.com

Tell No One

Kenneth Turan says of "Tell No One"

It can't be denied that this film is heavy on coincidence and has plot elements of such intricacy you may need to hash them over on the way home. But while you're in your seat in the theater you won't have the leisure tor anything. Author Harlan Corben, who says he is a fan of "stories that move you, that grab hold of your heart and do not let it go" has gotten a film that does exactly that.

"Tell No One" Synopsis
Pediatrician Alexandre Beck (François Cluzet) still grieves for his wife Margot Beck (Marie-Josée Croze), brutally murdered eight years earlier. Only the friendship he has formed with his younger sister Anne's (Marina Hands) lover Hélene Perkins (Kristin Scott Thomas) saves him from total disconnect from the rest of the world. When two bodies are unearthed near the secluded lakeside murder site, the police reopen Margot’s case with Alexandre himself incriminated. The Pandora’s box of suspicion gets fully opened when Alexandre receives an anonymous e-mail with a video that suggests that Margot is still alive and a message to "Tell no one. We’re being watched"…

*Note: Film is presented in French with English subtitles.

Opened June 27, 2008 Runtime:2 hr. 5 min. Not Rated
Cast: François Cluzet, André Dussollier, Marie-Josée Croze, Kristin Scott Thomas, Nathalie Baye Director: Guillaume Canet
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Thriller

Movie times and locations for Tell No One from Fandango.com

Holding Trevor

Kevin Thomas gives "Holding Trevor" a thumbs up saying in his capsule review:

Brent Gorski wrote as well as stars in this thoughtful, reflective portrait of a young man at a crucial crossroads in his life, meeting a handsome but forceful Mr. Right (Eli Kranski) just as he is trying to free himself from his longtime lover (Christopher Wylie) Read Kevin Thomas' full review of "Holding Trevor" at the LA Times

"Holding Trevor" Synopsis
Everybody’s looking for something. This much is true. And Trevor Holden (Brent Gorski) is desperately looking for himself in all the wrong places… Or maybe just in all the wrong people. It’s pretty safe to say that he won’t find enlightenment in his strung-out boyfriend. And despite the well-meaning advice offered by his sexually pervasive best friend and his self-righteous roommate, Trevor still seems to come up short. Almost ready to throw in the towel, Trevor happens upon Mr. Right, who refuses to let Trevor give up just yet.

Opened July 4, 2008 Runtime:1 hr. 28 min. R
Cast: Brent Gorski, Jay Brannan, Melissa Searing, Eli Kranski, Christopher Wyllie
Director: Rosser Goodman
Genres: Comedy Drama, Gay & Lesbian Films

Showtimes by zip for Holding Trevor at Fandango.com