Monthly Archives: July 2019

Donbass (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Scenes from the ongoing war in Donbass

Posted on July 20, 2019 by kaist455

“Donbass”, which was selected as the Ukrainian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in last year, gives us a series of vivid, realistic slices of absurdities and horrors of a war which is still being continued even at … Continue reading →

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Lying and Stealing (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A predictable but enjoyable heist flick

Posted on July 19, 2019 by kaist455

“Lying and Stealing” is a predictable but enjoyable heist flick which has some good elements to cherish. Although it does not break any new ground in its genre territory, the movie did a fairly good job of handling its story … Continue reading →

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Night Comes On (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A young girl seeking vengeance

Posted on July 19, 2019 by kaist455

“Night Comes On”, which won the NEXT Innovator Award at the Sundance Film Festival early in last year, is a quiet and sensitive character drama about one troubled young girl attempting to seek vengeance. While calmly following its heroine’s emotional … Continue reading →

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Ash Is Purest White (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As she embodies a certain way of life

Posted on July 18, 2019 by kaist455

Chinese film “Ash Is Purest White”, the latest work from Jia Zhangke, is a dry but compelling crime melodrama which fascinates us via its deft mix of personal drama and social background. Although it takes some time for establishing its … Continue reading →

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Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Confusion amid dreams and memories

Posted on July 17, 2019 by kaist455

Chinese film “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”, which is not associated at all with Eugene O’Neill’s classic play of the same name (Its original title is “Last Day on Earth”, by the way), is often frustrating and confusing for good … Continue reading →

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Manifesto (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): 13 Manifestos delivered by Cate Blanchett

Posted on July 14, 2019 by kaist455

You should know in advance what you are going to get from “Manifesto”, a challenging but thought-provoking arthouse film presenting a bunch of many different ideas and messages via a series of manifestos. While it goes without saying that you … Continue reading →

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Maria by Callas: In Her Own Words (2017) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The Diva of the Century

Posted on July 13, 2019 by kaist455

Documentary film “Maria by Callas: In Her Own Words” attempts to present the glimpses of humanity and personality from Maria Callas, one of the most extraordinary opera singers in the 20th century. Mainly consisting of various archival photographs and footage … Continue reading →

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Midsommar (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Horror Under the Sun

Posted on July 12, 2019 by kaist455

Ari Aster’s second feature film “Midsommar” is one hell of horror film. Alternatively unsettling and spellbinding from the beginning to the end, the movie dexterously lures us into the weird and disturbing circumstance surrounding its main characters, and then it … Continue reading →

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An Elephant Sitting Still (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): One long, hopeless day

Posted on July 11, 2019 by kaist455

Chinese film “An Elephant Sitting Still”, which won the FIPRESCI Award when it was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival early in last year, is filled with the glum sense of despair and hopelessness throughout its nearly 4-hour running … Continue reading →

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Guava Island (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little modest showcase starring Donald Glover

Posted on July 8, 2019 by kaist455

It took some time for me to see how interesting Donald Glover is. I came to notice this African American actor for the first time when he was one of the main cast members in TV sitcom series “Community”, and … Continue reading →

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