Monthly Archives: January 2021

Shadow in the Cloud (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): There is something on the bomber…

Posted on January 9, 2021 by kaist455

“Shadow in the Cloud” is a rather amusing mix of fantasy and war action film with some feminist touches to be appreciated. Although the resulting mix is not entirely successful on the whole, it is at least anchored well by … Continue reading →

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Pieces of a Woman (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): After her devastating loss

Posted on January 8, 2021 by kaist455

Kornél Mundruczó’s new movie “Pieces of a Woman”, which was released on Netflix yesterday, starts so strongly that what follows after that point looks rather underwhelming in comparison. Fortunately, the movie is still carried well by a remarkable performance at … Continue reading →

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The Man Standing Next (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): It’s really hard for him to stand next to his big boss…

Posted on January 5, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean film “The Man Standing Next” is a slick and competent period drama film which does not go further than what I and many other South Korean audiences already know. Based on one of the major historical incidents in … Continue reading →

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Voice of Silence (2020) ☆☆(2/4): Voice of incompetence

Posted on January 5, 2021 by kaist455

What an inane and messy bore South Korean film “Voice of Silence” is. Often dreary and unpleasant in its casual depiction of human evil and violence, the movie attempts to be not only an absurd crime noir drama but also … Continue reading →

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Me and Me (2019) ☆☆(2/4): A lazy and pointless labyrinth of nightmare (or whatever)

Posted on January 5, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean film “Me and Me” gave me one of the most boring experiences I have had during last several years. While it throws one strange moment after another throughout its convoluted plot, none of these odd moments sticks to … Continue reading →

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Dear Santa (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Operation Santa

Posted on January 4, 2021 by kaist455

Although the holiday season of 2020 is over now, I must confess that I need some extra holiday cheer before officially beginning the first week of 2021, and Dana Nachman’s documentary film “Dear Santa” thankfully provided that to me. While … Continue reading →

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Departures (2008) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): His new occupation

Posted on January 3, 2021 by kaist455

Japanese film “Departures”, which was re-released in South Korean theaters around the end of last year, touched me to laughs and tears more than once. When I watched it for the first time not long after it won the Best … Continue reading →

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In the Mood for Love (2000) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): That sublime restraint in their romance

Posted on January 3, 2021 by kaist455

It is always more interesting to observe lovers desperately held in restraint and hesitation, and Wong Kar-wai’s 2000 film “In the Mood for Love”, whose recent 4K restoration version happened to be re-released in South Korea a few days ago, … Continue reading →

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Evaporated (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Since his daughter was vanished

Posted on January 2, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Evaporated” is shrouded in somber desperation and frustration right from the beginning. Closely observing a father’s longtime search for his vanished daughter, the documentary calmly and sensitively observes that overwhelming psychological burden on not only him … Continue reading →

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