Monthly Archives: September 2019

Crooked House (2017) ☆☆(2/4): A pedestrian Agatha Christie mystery flick

Watching “Crooked House” is one of the most joyless movie experiences I have ever had during recent years. Thoroughly flat and tedious in terms of storytelling and characterization, the movie bored me from the beginning to the end, so I … Continue reading

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Yesterday (2019) ☆☆(2/4): A middling Beatles musical comedy

Danny Boyle’s new film “Yesterday” merely amused me from time to time, and that was all for me. While I enjoyed its comic fantasy premise to some degree, the movie quickly wears out its welcome due to its superficial narrative … Continue reading

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Ad Astra (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4) : To the stars (and his father)

James Gray’s latest work “Ad Astra” is a slow, introspective science fiction drama austerely revolving around father and son issues from the beginning to the end. Although you may be quite disappointed if you expect something like “Gravity” (2013) or … Continue reading

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The Phenom (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A baseball pitcher with issues

“The Phenom” is a somber and restrained sports drama which focuses more on psychological elements than physical ones. Mainly revolving around one talented but troubled rookie baseball player, the movie calmly and tentatively examines his longtime emotional issues, and we … Continue reading

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The Confirmation (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A weekend between father and son

“The Confirmation” is more entertaining and touching than I thought at first. While its overall mood is dry and glum just like its hero, the movie gradually reveals its sweet and humorous side as moving from one small good moment … Continue reading

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Shoot the Piano Player (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A ‘blind’ piano player in trouble

Indian film “Shoot the Piano Player”, which was recently released in South Korea as “The Blind Melody”, is a ridiculously funny black comedy thriller packed with some good laughs and wild twists. Although it is uneven and incoherent at times … Continue reading

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The Monster (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Mother and daughter menaced by a monster

“The Monster”, which will belatedly be released in South Korea during this month, is a little independent horror film which works better than expected despite its rather thin premise and limited background. While it surely has a freakish creature as … Continue reading

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It Chapter Two (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): It returns…

“It Chapter Two” attempts to deliver many scares and shocks just like its predecessor, and it succeeds to some degree. Although it is rather overlong as arduously building up narrative momentum for its expected big finale and closure, the movie … Continue reading

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Angel of Mine (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A disturbing maternal thriller starring Noomi Rapace

“Angel of Mine” is a disturbing maternal thriller which constantly unnerves us through a number of dark, intense moments of grief and obsession. Although there are several deficient spots including its rather contrived finale, the movie mostly works thanks to … Continue reading

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Nothing Like a Dame (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Tea with the Dames

British documentary film “Nothing Like a Dame”, which was released in US as “Tea with the Dames” in last year, simply observes whatever is being generated among four old British actresses who have been well-known for their respective acting careers … Continue reading

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