Monthly Archives: August 2021

Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): A decent painter betrayed by his greedy partners

As far as I can see from Netflix documentary “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed”, which was released a few days ago, Bob Ross was not only a decent painter but also a good man to admire. He simply … Continue reading

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CODA (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): A bit better remake on the whole

“CODA” is a solid crowd-pleaser which has its big heart in the right place. Based on French film “La Famille Bélier” (2014), the movie gives us a sensitive and heartwarming tale of one musically talented girl and her culturally deaf … Continue reading

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Annette (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Leos Carax back in action

Leos Carax’s latest film “Annette” may be another case of style-over-substance, but what a wild and ambitious genre exercise it is. Exultantly gliding from one solid musical number to another as your typical sung-through musical film, the movie confidently reaches … Continue reading

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John and the Hole (2021) ☆☆(2/4): A boy who traps his family in the hole

“John and the Hole” begins with a very twisted story promise to grab your attention, but it is unfortunately not developed into something really interesting or compelling as humorlessly trudging along its increasingly flat storyline. While this is not a … Continue reading

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Words on Bathroom Walls (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): His little mental secret

“Words on Bathroom Walls” is another typical coming-of-age drama about a troubled adolescent romance, but it is more thoughtful and sincere than expected. While it handles its story and characters well with considerable care and attention, the movie does not … Continue reading

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Underground (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A calm and thoughtful observation of subway workers

South Korean documentary film “Underground” simply observes a bunch of various subway workers who have devoted themselves to making their public system work everyday for millions of citizens out there. Although it does not explain that much to us as … Continue reading

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Luxor (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): As she wanders around in Luxor

“Luxor” is a slow and tentative romance drama which suggests a lot with its distinctive local atmosphere to remember. Although the movie does not tell that much about the old past between its two main characters, what is subtly and … Continue reading

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Jumbo (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): She falls in love with a machine (no kidding)

French film “Jumbo” pushes its preposterous romantic situation all the way, and I admire that even though I often observed its heroine’s peculiar romantic feeling with amusement and skepticism from the distance. Sure, you may have some doubt on her … Continue reading

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Old (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Stuck in aging faster

M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film “Old” starts well with an intriguing and frightening story promise, but then it only ends up being quite rote and contrived instead. Sure, the movie did a fairly competent job of presenting and then developing … Continue reading

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Blue Gate Crossing (2002) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little complicated adolescent triangle

Taiwanese film “Blue Gate Crossing”, which happened to be released in South Korean theaters yesterday, is a modest adolescent drama revolving around one little complicated triangle. Although it is a bit too short with some underdeveloped aspects, the movie is … Continue reading

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