Yearly Archives: 2018

Phantom Thread (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Elegant disruption

Posted on February 11, 2018 by kaist455

Precisely elegant and subtly intense, Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film “Phantom Thread” is a mesmerizing period chamber drama which draws our attention with its delicate and sumptuous moments at first and then unnerves us with dark psychological undercurrents beneath them. … Continue reading →

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A Prophet (2009) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A criminal education in prison

Posted on February 11, 2018 by kaist455

It is always fascinating to see a smart character rising up from the bottom step by step, and French film “A Prophet” is one of such cases. Here is a plain young man thrown into a grim, violent closed world … Continue reading →

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Paddington 2 (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A cuddlier sequel with more charm and warmth

Posted on February 9, 2018 by kaist455

“Paddington 2” is so genuinely cute, sincere, and charming that it is virtually impossible for me to say anything negative about it. This may sound like a complaint to you, but, folks, I am not complaining at all, and I … Continue reading →

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78/52 (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Anatomy of that infamous shower scene

Posted on February 6, 2018 by kaist455

Among many notable works by Alfred Hitchcock, “Psycho” (1960) is one of his greatest works for many good reasons. While he was already regarded as the master of suspense at that time, he wanted to do something different for shocking … Continue reading →

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A United Kingdom (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Respectful but conventional

Posted on February 5, 2018 by kaist455

“A United Kingdom” is a respectful but conventional film about one extraordinary real-life interracial couple. While it surely shows us how courageous and resilient they were as standing together against lots of social/political pressure inflicted upon them, the movie unfortunately … Continue reading →

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All the Money in the World (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): All he cares about is money

Posted on February 4, 2018 by kaist455

What a piece of work J. Paul Getty is. While being the richest man in the world, he was also probably the cheapest guy in the world, and Ridley Scott’s new film “All the Money in the World” is compelling … Continue reading →

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Jamsil (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): An elusive relationship between two women

Posted on February 4, 2018 by kaist455

To be frank with you, South Korean film “Jamsil” was elusive and confusing for me at first. During its first half, I felt impatient as often baffled about what is exactly going on between its two heroines, and it was … Continue reading →

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Psychokinesis (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): When he becomes a superdad

Posted on February 3, 2018 by kaist455

What if an ordinary guy suddenly gets superpower? South Korean film “Psychokinesis” seems to be ready to do something different with that familiar premise at first, but it only comes to spin its wheels due to its uneven mix of … Continue reading →

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Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) ☆☆(2/4): An insipid turkey by Gilroy and Washington

Posted on January 31, 2018 by kaist455

From time to time during Oscar season, we come across films quite disappointing despite talented people behind them, and “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” is one of such dismal examples. Although looking promising to some degrees at first, the movie eventually … Continue reading →

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Loveless (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Gone from a loveless world

Posted on January 29, 2018 by kaist455

Quite moody and chilly right from its opening scene, Russian film “Loveless” calmly observes the end of one bitter marital relationship. Here are two people who probably should not have been together from the very beginning, and the anger and … Continue reading →

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