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On November 12 at the Korea Society, the screening of Kim Cheol-gyu’s TV drama, HWANG JIN YI, part one “The Zenith of a Kisaeng.” A luscious tale about the famous kisaeng (Korean courtesan), Hwang Jin Yi, who broke the rules with grace and beauty. Director Kim will be there to present the film. Parts Two, Three and Four continue through February. (More info)

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Opening November 12 at the Angelika, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE directed by Danny Boyle (TRAINSPOTTING, 28 DAYS LATER), winner of the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Toronto Film Festival. An orphaned teenager from the Mumbai ghettos is on the verge of winning big when he is arrested for cheating on a game show based on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Lots of Indian talent is on display, mostly newcomers and character actors, but big dog Anil Kapoor plays the role of the gameshow host. The real host of India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” was Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and now it’s super-mega-star Shah Rukh Khan. Anil Kapoor has been keeping a low profile lately, but “Millionaire” was a comeback of sorts for the Big B so let’s hope it opens some new doors for Anil K. (More info)

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Speaking of Bollywood, at ImaginAsian, Madhur Bhandarkar’s FASHION dives into the glitzy and glamorous fashion scene that every girl wants into, and Meghna is no exception. High fashion demands a high price as she struggles to shine in this world of shallow virtues. Bhandarkar is better known for his gritty takes on the corporate world and this flick sounds like he’s finally gotten bitten by the Valley of the Dolls bug. Supermodels on booze! Drugs! Runway shows! (More info) (Read a review)

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Also at ImaginAsian, Rohit Shetty’s GOLMAAL RETURNS is a wacky comedy about Golmaal who everyone believes is guilty of cheating on his wife and is the prime suspect in a murder. The flick is a sequel to GOLMAAL and it is already shaping up to be a massive hit. Starring Ajay Devgan and Kareena Kapoor (not seen onscreen together since the 2006 Othello adaptation OMKARA) it has already collected massive loot overseas and broken first-day box office records at home. (More info)

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At Anthology Film Archives on November 20, Lee Myung-Se’s M mesmerizes and mystifies with it’s heady imagery and sound effects. The narrative follows a famous writer who is tormented by his writer’s block as well as the ghost of his first love, but the ghost may be a dead person, it may be a living person, or a memory or a dream. In Director Lee’s world we’re never quite sure. This is one of the few true psychedelic head-exploders made in recent history and you should see it on the big screen where its rich, dark imagery can swallow you up. (more info) (watch the trailer) (More on the movie)

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