Monthly Archives: October 2019

63 Up (2019) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): Life at 63

Dear Roger How have you been these days, Roger? It has been more than 5 years since you passed away in 2013, but I often cannot help but think of you whenever I encounter something great at a movie theater. … Continue reading

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Cat People (1942) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Beware, she may scratch

“Cat People” is a little classic B-horror film which creeps us out as demonstrating well the value of our fear and dread on whatever is lurking there in darkness. Although we do not see much of what scares its main … Continue reading

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Blinded by the Light (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): When he discovers Bruce Springsteen

“Blinded by the Light” is a familiar but enjoyable feel-good movie driven by a number of songs from Bruce Springsteen. I must confess that I do not know much about the music of Springsteen besides his haunting Oscar-winning song for … Continue reading

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Terminator Genisys (2015) ☆☆(2/4): Another unnecessary sequel

“Terminator Genisys” is another unnecessary sequel in a franchise which did not impress or excite me much during last two decades. Sure, James Cameron’s “The Terminator” (1984) is one of the notable science fiction action films in the 1980s, and … Continue reading

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Dolemite Is My Name (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Eddie Murphy back in his element

“Dolemite Is My Name”, which was released on Netflix on last Friday, is a lively and cheerful biographical comedy film which delighted and entertained me a lot. As a sort of cross between Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” (1994) and Mario … Continue reading

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The Art of Self-Defense (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little dark satire on toxic masculinity

“The Art of Self-Defense” does not pull its chops and kicks in its dark satiric examination of toxic masculinity, and I appreciate that to some degree. At first, it initially seems to be a whimsical send-up of “The Karate Kid” … Continue reading

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Blood Simple (1984) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An exemplary debut work by the Coen brothers

The Coen brothers’ debut film “Blood Simple”, which happened to be released in South Korea in last week, is an exemplary genre exercise to be appreciated and cherished for many good reasons. While it may look modest compared to what … Continue reading

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The King (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): To be a king

Don’t expect romance or eloquence from David Michôd’s new film “The King”, which is released in South Korea this week before its upcoming online release on November 1st. This is a solemn and brooding reinterpretation of a series of plays … Continue reading

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The Kill Team (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A conflicted young solider facing war crime

“The Kill Team” is a passable war drama film which does not show or tell me anything particularly new about what has been committed during War on Terror. Partially based on a shocking real-life case of war crime in 2010, … Continue reading

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Wounds (2019) ☆☆(2/4): Disturbing but ultimately hollow

I do not mind being confused while watching horror flicks, as long as they intrigue or excite or, above all, terrify me. Unfortunately, Babk Anvari’s second feature film “Wounds”, which was released by Hulu in the US while being released … Continue reading

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