Yearly Archives: 2018

BPM (Beats Per Minute) (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Their dynamic fight against AIDS epidemic

Posted on March 18, 2018 by kaist455

French film “BPM (Beats Per Minute)”, which is released here in South Korea as “120 BPM”, gives us a vivid glimpse into the activities of the Paris chapter of AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in the early 1990s. … Continue reading →

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Annihilation (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Into the alien land of annihilation

Posted on March 14, 2018 by kaist455

“Annihilation” is something we do not see everyday: a smart, intelligent SF film packed with mood and ideas. While it may require some patience from you due to not only its glacial narrative pacing but also the baffling ambiguity surrounding … Continue reading →

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Logan Lucky (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Can they be lucky?

Posted on March 13, 2018 by kaist455

Steven Soderbergh’s new film “Logan Lucky” is entertaining for its slick efficiency and laid-back fun. While cheerfully bouncing from one amusing moment to another along with colorful silliness, it works as a smart, lively heist flick which turns out to … Continue reading →

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Two Doors (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A sobering documentary on Yongsan Tragedy

Posted on March 11, 2018 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Two Doors” reminds me again of how terrible and infuriating the Yongsan Tragedy was. In the early morning of January 19th, 2009, the police attempted to suppress a group of evictees who simply demanded fair treatment, … Continue reading →

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Only the Brave (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Against the fires

Posted on March 6, 2018 by kaist455

While thoroughly conventional in many aspects, “Only the Brave” works better than expected. The movie indeed is your typical human drama based on a real-life story, but it is engaging nonetheless thanks to its earnest storytelling and solid performances, and … Continue reading →

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Disturbing the Peace (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Combatants for the Peace

Posted on March 5, 2018 by kaist455

Documentary film “Disturbing the Peace” looks into the unlikely solidarity between two different groups of people jointly pursuing the idea of peace in their violent world which has been torn by conflict for many years. As frequently going back and … Continue reading →

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My prediction on the 90th Annual Academy Awards

Posted on March 1, 2018 by kaist455

Oscar season has been less predictable these days. When we thought “The Revenant” would won the Best Picture award in early 2016, “Spotlight” surprised us at the last minute. When we did not have much doubt on the victory of … Continue reading →

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Ferdinand (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A predictable but entertaining work from Blue Sky Studios

Posted on March 1, 2018 by kaist455

“Ferdinand”, the latest animation feature film from Blue Sky Studios, is predictable but entertaining work coupled with nice lessons for its target audiences. While it is hampered by its thin plot and weak characterization at times, the film mostly works … Continue reading →

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Little Forest (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): One year in her rural hometown

Posted on March 1, 2018 by kaist455

Watching South Korean film “Little Forest” was a relaxing experience for me. When I came into the screening room in last evening, I happened to feel tired and a bit drowsy, but then I found myself gradually refreshed and entertained … Continue reading →

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The Force (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Can the system be fixed?

Posted on February 26, 2018 by kaist455

Documentary film “The Force”, which is currently available on Netflix, gives us a clear-eyed glimpse into the ongoing problematic status of the Oakland Police Department, which was put under federal oversight in 2003 but has only drawn more public attentions … Continue reading →

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