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Latest Bellwether Films: 16 May 2010

Blades of Blood (구르믈 버서난 달처럼) - Korean sword & sorcery martial arts drama

JOSEON DYNASTY, KOREA, 1592.  With a Japanese invasion looming and Joseon rule in disarray, two warriors lead Korea’s lower classes in rebellion against their oppressive government.  One warrior (Seung-won Cha - 차승원) quickly betrays his allies, claims royal heritage, and becomes king.  The other warrior disappears among the peasants but becomes legendary as the blind swordsman (Jeong-min Hwang - 황정민).  The blind man teaches a young disciple (Seong-hyeon Baek - 백성현), whose father was killed by the new king, in the ways of the sword.  The lad soon falls for the king’s onetime lover (Ji-hye Han - 한지혜), a beautiful gisaeng (Korean geisha), and ultimately must fight the king both for justice and for her love.  Based on the graphic novel “Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds” by Heung-yong Park.  Satisfaction rating: Above Average - 60

Just Wright - Anglo-America ethnic sports romantic-comedy

When her trophy-wife wannabe god-sister (Paula Patton) dumps a star basketball player (Common) when an injury threatens his carrer, a straight-shooter physical therapist (Queen Latifah) energizes his rehabilitation only to find herself falling for him … made all the more complicated when her golddigger god-sister re-enters the picture upon his recovery.  Upshot: Heartfelt with charismatic leads, but fairly routine poor girl-rich boy romance.  Satisfaction rating: GOOD - 40

Letters to Juliet - Hollywood relationships adventure romantic-comedy

Traveling to the city of Romeo and Juliet on a business trip with her fiancé (Gael Garcia Bernal), a magazine fact checker and aspring writer (Amanda Seyfried) answers a 50-year-old letter to Juliet for romantic advice as part of a Verona volunteer group and soon finds herself joining that English woman (Vanessa Redgrave) and her surly yet handsome grandson (Christopher Egan) on a search through Tuscany for her long lost love (Franco Nero).  Along the way, they each find true love.  Upshot: Fresh charming romance and star-building vehicle for Amanda Seyfried but with a predictable storyline.  Satisfaction rating: GOOD - 56

Que se mueran los feos (Death to Ugly People) - Spanish domestic situation romantic-comedy

At his mother’s (Petra Martinez) funeral, an unattractive, single 40-year-old farmer (Javier Camara) comes across his equally unattractive, separated sister-in-law (Carmen Machi) and the sparks fly.  After 20 years, they finally have a chance at romance.  But what do you do when the love of your life is still married to your brother (Pere Arquillue)?  The unusual title references a 1965 Spanish pop song.  Satisfaction rating: Good - 59

Robin Hood - Hollywood period action drama

EUROPE, LATE 13TH CENTURY.  A royal archer (Russell Crowe) in the army of Richard Coeur de Lion (Danny Huston) assumes the identity of a murdered nobleman (Douglas Hodge) in order to help the man’s widow (Cate Blanchett) save her land while also contending with the tyrannical new King John (Oscar Isaac) and his treacherous advisor (Mark Strong) who secretly conspires with France for a Norman invasion of England.  Upshot:  Interesting reimagining of a familiar tale, interlaced with the historic movement behind the Magna Carta charter of freedoms, but this grim saga lacks the classic light-hearted sense of adventure.  Satisfaction rating: ABOVE AVERAGE - 66