Monthly Archives: July 2019

Glassland (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): This young man’s hard daily life

Irish independent film “Glassland” is a dry, somber character drama revolving around the daily life of one young man who has been driven to lots of frustration and desperation. He has tried to make things better for himself and a … Continue reading

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Skin (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): His struggle to erase his racist identity

“Skin” is engaging whenever it focuses on its troubled hero’s inner struggle against his racist identity. Although I must point out that the movie is often hampered by its rather heavy-handed storytelling especially during its second half where it makes … Continue reading

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Hail Satan? (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): An amusing documentary on certain Satanists

I often chuckled while watching “Hail Satan?”, an amusing documentary film about the rise of a group of certain decent (!) Satanists. While they certainly look silly and weird at times with their rather unorthodox religious belief, it is interesting … Continue reading

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The Great Hack (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): The rising digital threats to democracy

Netflix documentary film “The Great Hack” gives us a closer look into a frightening social change driven by the swift advance of digital technology in our time. Sure, I have been well aware of how seriously most of us have … Continue reading

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Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of Comfort Women Issue (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A sobering guide to the disputes surrounding the comfort women issue

As a South Korean guy, I must say that I cannot look wholly impartial to the subject of documentary film “Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of Comfort Women Issue”, which, as reflected by its rather long subtitle, focuses on that sensitive … Continue reading

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Long Shot (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A sweet and smart political romantic comedy

“Long Shot” is a sweet and smart political romantic comedy which does have some nice moments for good laughs. Although it could be sharper and wittier in some aspects, it is mostly entertaining thanks to the comic chemistry between its … Continue reading

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Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): His gradual new beginning

Gus Van Sant’s latest film “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot”, which is released as “Don’t Worry” here in South Korea, is a rather mild feel-good drama about alcoholism and disability. While surely giving us some darkly humorous … Continue reading

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Sword of Trust (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The trouble with one antique sword

Lynn Shelton’s latest work “Sword of Trust” is a little whimsical comedy film which could be better if it trusted its four likable main characters a bit more. While they are basically broad archetypes, they feel like real characters full … Continue reading

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Missing Link (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Around the World with Mr. Link

Animation feature film “Missing Link” is another delightful work from Laika Studios, which has steadily entertained us with a series of commendable stop-motion animation movies such as “Coraline” (2009) and “Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016). While dazzling us with … Continue reading

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Armstrong (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Respectable but redundant

Documentary film “Armstrong” tries to present the life and career of Neil Armstrong, the most prominent figure in the Apollo Space Program. While its attempt is admirable, sincere, and, considering the 50th anniversary of that monumental moment, timely, the documentary … Continue reading

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