Heh, I think it's fare to say my thoughts on the pair were diametrically opposed to yours SINKING had me close to nausea, and whilst EXCEPT is no masterpiece, it at least had me smiling
Yeah, I seem to recall your comments from the Scrounge thread when I first picked these up.
I can see how someone would find SINKING to be a bit ripe based on its familiar Hollywood construction, but as that seemed to be the intention right from the start, I guess it didn't bother me as much. I actually though it was better than the original, even accounting for the advancements in filmmaking technique and technology since 1973, because it told the same tale considerably less time, though I think they both handle the "what if?" angle quite realistically.
But I found the "satire" in EXCEPT to be painfully one-note. I mean, I got the whole "world leaders mooching off Japan" the first time, and yet they kept returning to these unfunny characters time and again (possibly enamoured of the fact they could speak fluent Japanese? I don't know). Same with the Hollywood actor "Jerry Cruising" (that's the best they could come up with??) and his girlfriend, who take nearly the entire film to reach rock bottom, when such a situation would have been far funnier as a throwaway gag. In fact, the whole "spoofing" of western popular culture just wasn't strong enough to sustain the film right through, though clearly the filmmakers thought it was. And those Bruce Willis and Arnie impersonators?
I must admit, I did giggle out loud when the Arch de Triomphe went under via deliberately cheap-looking effects. And what was the point of the ending? Might as well have made it a serious film if they felt the need to end on such an unfunny down-note.
But hey, I've seen some positive reviews of the piece, so perhaps I'm in the minority on this one!
As to Korean DVDs, I use Yesasia, HKflix (on occasion), Poker (when their codes are working, which they still are, I might add!) and, of course, the Koreatown rental shops and DVD bangs here that frequently sell off used titles after a modest number of rentals (luck of the draw in those places, though). I used to order from CD-WOW when they're prices were pretty cheap thanks to the parallel importing they were doing, but when they got nailed for that and raised the prices, I sorta drifted away.
Yesasia may be based in Hong Kong, but they've got offices and distribution centres in the U.S. and here in Toronto, so as long as you've got enough to qualify for the free shipping, they're not a bad option as your parcels don't have to come through customs. At one point, they closed the Canadian centre, which cost them enough business—including my own—that they had to reopen it!! Since you're in California, you shouldn't have any trouble. I do wish their prices were a bit cheaper though, but Korean stuff is always a bit steep. Perhaps your city has a Koreatown nearby?
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in which someone sings about a loved one who shows up in the audience at just the right moment as the music builds to the big chorus and everyone cries some more. I'd say I shuddered, but I was touched. But then I realized how phony it was, and shook it off like a man.