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How to Use Guys with Secret Tips AKA NamJaSaYongSeolMyungSuh
R2 - United Kingdom - Third Window Films Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (15th January 2014). |
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The Film
 ***This is an A/V and extras review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** Want to know how to use men to your own advantage? With just a few simple steps, you, too, can learn How to Use Guys with Secret Tips. The directorial debut of Lee Won Suk, How to Use Guys with Secret Tips is a hilarious anti-romantic comedy starring Lee Si Young (Meet the In Laws) as a young woman who acquires a set of self-help tapes that teaches her to use the misogynistic attitudes of the men she works with to her own advantage. Oh Jung Se (Quick) goes all-out, co-starring as an arrogant soap opera star who unwittingly becomes the heroine's victim. Lee's creative directing style and twisted sense of humour has tickled audiences around the world, from the Udine Far East Film Festival (where it won the top prize) to the Shanghai International Film Festival. Bo Na (Lee Si Young) works as an assistant director at a production company. Stuck in the same job for five years, Bo Na feels like she's hit a glass ceiling in a misogynistic society. After one disastrous shoot, Bo Na encounters a truck filled with self-help tapes. The shady owner sells her a set of tapes called "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips," promising that it will help her get somewhere in the world. By following the tips, Bo Na invents a new personality and begins using male mentality to her advantage. Soon, she sets her aims on Lee Seung Jae (Oh Jung Se), an arrogant soap opera actor who was rude to her on one production. Seung Jae soon falls for Bo Na, but is he in love with the new Bo Na or the real Bo Na?
Video
Independent British distributor Third Window Films have released Wonsuk Lee's directorial debut "How to Use Guys with Secret Tips" onto DVD in the United Kingdom using the original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 which has been anamorphically enhanced. The film uses quite a varied palette, and this transfer handles it well. One of the first things you'll notice about this transfer is just how bright and vivid some of the colours are at the start, and how more emphasis is then put onto darker colours at various points. Blacks are deep, and skin tones appear accurate, with the brighter flourishes of colour never blooming. I was quite surprised that some scenes weren't full of aliasing, especially when several characters are wearing stripy clothing. Instead, there is a good level of sharpness to the edges in these scenes, and strong clarity. Details are generally strong, though on occasion the shadow detail is lacking and hair is not as distinct as I would like to see. There was no damage to the print at any time. I noticed no scratches, dirt or any other blemishes. One scene was slightly noisy, but apart from that, this is an above average, and strong, presentation. The disc is NTSC rather than the UK PAL standard, and runs 114:24.
Audio
A single Korean Dolby Digital 5.1 adorns this release, and like the transfer, it is a solid showing. As soon as the menu screen comes on, you get thrown into quite a heavy dancey track which also plays towards the end of the movie and makes full use of the surrounds. There are several moments throughout that make good use of both the surrounds and the LFE, especially when the sign falls over towards the two main characters. Sometimes though, the surrounds can be a little quiet, missing out on some obvious subtle environmental effects, but still, it is more than adequate. Dialogue is clear at all times, and directionality and channel separation has been done to a high standard. There are no signs of damage such as scratches or dropouts, and I noticed no background hiss. Optional English subtitles are also available.
Extras
We start off the extras with a short "Making Of" featurette (10:59). To be honest, I think calling this a "Making Of" featurette is a little much, and it should've been entitled B-Roll footage instead. We don't really learn anything here about how the feature was actually made, but instead just see various angles of different scenes or footage of the cameras filming the action we saw on-screen in the film. It's still a welcome addition, but I'd have preferred something with some form of narrative or substance. Next up we have director and cast interviews (8:50). Director Wonsuk Lee tells us the story came about after he looked at the top bestselling books and noticed they were all about how to have a successful relationship or conversation. He also talks about how happy he is with the casting. Various cast members talk about their characters, the story and who they believe will enjoy the film. The interviews appear to have taken place on-set during filming as sometimes there is a little background chatter, but it doesn't interfere with these interesting little interview snippets. The final main extra is a selection of "Cast Thoughts" soundbites (2:47). This is essentially some additional interview snippets, but this time they are interspersed with some footage from the feature. A worthwhile addition, but could have just been included with the rest of the interviews in my opinion. The rest of the extras are self-explanatory. DVD-Rom Material: - Weblink Bonus Trailers: - "Tokyo Fist" (2:30) - "The Land of Hope" (1:54) - "For Love's Sake" (1:40) - "Himizu" (2:09) - "Boomerang Family" (1:54) - "Love Exposure" (2:04) - "Kotoko" (1:59) - "Tetsuo I + II" (1:58) - "Bullet Ballet" (2:23) - "Cold Fish" (1:58) Theatrical Trailer (1:11)
Overall
Although the extras are slight, Third Window Films continue to distribute some solid releases of films we would likely struggle to be able to see otherwise. This is a solid presentation and an enjoyable film, and those with an interest in the disc will be more than happy with this release.
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