Gook

source: Gook

This movie Gook felt like some parts of it were unfinished. Being a huge fan of David So, I've followed this project since the beginning. The characters were all pretty solid. All of the actors in the movie felt like the roles were created just for them (In some cases like David So's they actually were!) Despite feeling like they took far too long to get to some points, the unexpected ending made up for it. I left the movie feeing like someone had kicked me in the heart.

This is a beautiful movie, filled with raw emotion. Everything about it was great: the story of two different families and how they clashed, the historical importance and how it affected them, the directing, the acting---everything. It was very artistic and maybe even experimental but the delivery was perfect. I laughed, I cried, I was excited and heartbroken. In the end, there is a powerful message.

-Extremely emotional and impactful. -I should probably watch it again though.

Suffering and misery is so intense and present throughout the film that it chokes you up. And it intensifies with every minute to eventually climax in a heartbreaking final. Well done. This touched me deeply.

I was really interested in watching this film, because I follow the stars (Justin Chon and David So) on Youtube. I was only disappointed that the script chose to not go a certain way when it came to how the black and asian main characters were connected. I think if Kamilla's (played by Simone Baker) mom had been killed by Eli and Samuel's dad, then that would have been more powerful. It would explain why Eli and Daniel felt obligated to watch out for Kamilla. And why Kamilla's brother Keith, was so passionate in forbidding her from going to their store. It would also have tied in to why so many african americans attacked korean american businesses during the riots. Because of a korean business owner killing a unarmed african american (the Latasha Harlins incident) and getting away with it. Much like how the cops got away with brutally beating Rodney King. I feel like this was a missed opportunity and subtracted a lot of weight from the drama of the film. The child actress, sadly for me, was also very unlikable. I did not care for how she was written at all. But that's the risk of having child characters and actors or so they say. They run the risk of being annoying. But in rare cases a child actor can save the film by being extremely likable and cute. Sadly, Simone Baker's character was not cute enough for me. The good of this movie though, is the two brothers story. (Eli and Daniel). I think the movie would have been fine without the little black girl's story attached to it (especially since the script chose not to go that certain route that I feel would have completely warranted her story being intertwined with theirs). The scenes between the brothers, especially Eli trying to keep his dad's store open, were great. As was their conversations and interactions with Mr. Kim (the liquor store owner). Those were powerful scenes! My favorites were when Mr. Kim picked up Daniel and when he had that hearbreaking conversation with Eli about the two brothers' dad and how Mr. Kim and their dad came to the USA to make sure the younger generation could have a good life. The actor who played Keith, Curtiss Cook Jr, was really good. His character had a powerful story, too. Being one who lost his mother and actually took it upon himself to step up and take care of his younger siblings. Sadly, his story feels out of place when it comes to the fact that the script (once again) decided not to connect these characters in a way that would justify their connection and warrant his side of the story being told of why he loots the brothers during the riots and why he wants to burn down their store. All in all, I think this story would have been better off being focused just on Eli and Daniel and their experiences with the LA Riots. Instead of adding the little black girl. Especially since the movie chose not to connect the characters through a historical reason of why black people targeted korean businesses (because of a korean business owner, leading up to the Rodney King trial, killed a unarmed black girl). 6/10 for me!

A great well put together story with all kinds of emotions from the various actors that are part of it, Chon definitely killed it being director and actor in a movie that holds the spirit of independent film within itself,I enjoyed it very much as I hope others will, all the very best to future projects as I will be looking forward to support it, Asian actors are very typecast in general and this films gives a view in this particular settings as well as those around them that shows the humanity in all.

Justin Chon amazing stuff man. David So amazing actor hope to see a lot more of you guys. Brilliant movie about a turbulent time, you have brought to light the Korean shop owner plight during that period. I don't understand the critics who are willing to drop below nine out of ten, possibly never watched the same film!! Well done arguably the best film of 2017.. thank you

I saw this movie twice in theaters. It's a gut wrenching film that will have you laughing, crying, and thinking deeply about many things. Justin Chon's debut as a director here really shines and I'm hopeful for the new things he'll be putting out in the future. Don't listen to the hateful reviews here because they're angry that there's no white people in it for once. Hollywood and the general public love to hate diversity. See how they hated the new Star Trek because there weren't enough white faces. They'll gaslight minorities into fighting each other just like how they're bringing up isolated incidents like Latasha while ignoring the systemic and pervasive daggers behind our backs. See this movie for what it is and the story it tells. A tale of two brothers and their interactions with new friends and the incidents and fallout of 1992 Rodney King.

After the first beating he had a black left eye. Next scene it was his right eye . Never got better- the movie that is .