Monthly Archives: September 2021

No Time to Die (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Craig carries it to the end

“No Time to Die”, the 25th film of the James Bond series, sadly does not surprise or thrill me much. While there are a number of impressive action sequences which surely deserve to be watched via big screen, the movie … Continue reading

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Sankofa (1993) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A hidden masterwork you should check out right now

Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima’s 1993 film “Sankofa”, which recently had a 4K restoration thanks to Ava DuVernay’s independent distribution company ARRAY and then was released on Netflix in US in last week, is simply extraordinary to say the least. As … Continue reading

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The Mad Women’s Ball (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Trapped in a madhouse

French film “The Mad Women’s Ball”, which was released on Amazon Prime a few weeks ago, is a harrowing tale of one young woman suddenly trapped in a madhouse of the 19th century. While the movie is often chilling to … Continue reading

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Short Vacation (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their little summer journey

During my childhood years in Seoul, I was always fascinated with the intricate network of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway. During that time, believe me or not, the Seoul Metropolitan Subway had no more than 4 lines, so it was pretty … Continue reading

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Birds of Paradise (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Two ballet dancers competing for the top

“Birds of Paradise” is rather disappointing in two main aspects. On one side, it seems to be a pulpy melodrama about a cutthroat artistic competition peppered with some sexual tension, but I must tell you that it is much tamer … Continue reading

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Here comes Jamie

“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”, which was released on Amazon Prime a few weeks ago, is as energetic and flamboyant as demanded while also being as sweet and poignant as required. Based on the stage musical of the same which was … Continue reading

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Candyman (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Candyman is back….

Nia DaCosta’s latest film “Candyman”, a sequel to Barnard Rose’s iconic 1992 film of the same name, is a spooky genre reconstruction which tries both old and new stuffs. While staying fairly faithful to the dark and disturbing aspects of … Continue reading

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Nightbooks (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Now he must write scary stories to survive

Netflix movie “Nightbooks”, which was released in last week, is a familiar but solid dark fantasy tale decorated with a number of darkly enjoyable moments to be savored. While mostly unfolded within its rather limited fantasy background, the movie puts … Continue reading

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Tove (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): The early life of Tove Jansson

“Tove”, which was selected as the Finnish entry for Best International Film Oscar in last year, presents the early life of Tove Jansson, a Swedo-Finnish author and illustrator who has been mainly known for her lovely comic strip featuring the … Continue reading

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I’m Your Man (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Is he really the one for her?

German science fiction film “I’m Your Man”, which was recently selected as the German entry for Best International Film Oscar, cheerfully and thoughtfully plays with its familiar but endlessly compelling story promise. Although it understandably falters a bit as reaching … Continue reading

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