Monthly Archives: December 2023

10 movies of 2023 – and more: Introduction

Posted on December 11, 2023 by kaist455

Again, we are approaching to the end of another year. Compared to last year, 2023 has been less burdensome in comparison after the eventual end of the COVID-19 pandemic period, and wearing a mask in public spaces already seems like … Continue reading →

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Showing Up (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The daily life of an artist

Posted on December 11, 2023 by kaist455

From time to time, I drop by a local gallery located not so far from my workplace, and I usually observe those exhibited works with some curiosity and fascination. Many of them look rather simple on the surface, but I … Continue reading →

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A Thousand and One (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Living on empty with her son

Posted on December 11, 2023 by kaist455

“A Thousand and One” is a small but intimate character drama on one African American woman struggling to give the chance for a better life to a boy raised by her in their slum neighborhood of New York City. This … Continue reading →

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The Fabric of the Human Body (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A visceral presentation of medical cares and treatments on the human body

Posted on December 10, 2023 by kaist455

Documentary film “The Fabric of the Human Body” is simply unforgettable for its utterly vivid and visceral presentation of medical cares and treatments on the human body. You will definitely wince more than once for many graphic moments of flesh … Continue reading →

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Maestro (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): More about his wife, actually

Posted on December 9, 2023 by kaist455

Netflix film “Maestro”, which was released in South Korean theaters a few days ago and then will be available on Netflix a few weeks later, is supposed to be about the life and career of Leonard Bernstein, but he is … Continue reading →

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Napoleon (2023) ☆☆(2/4): Napoleon dully in love and war

Posted on December 9, 2023 by kaist455

Ridley Scott’s new film “Napoleon” is surprisingly flat and bland despite its ambitious intentions. While it tries to be an epic historical drama revolving around one of the most prominent figures in the 19th century Europe, the movie curiously lacks … Continue reading →

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Bottoms (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Figthting Girls

Posted on December 6, 2023 by kaist455

Emma Seligman’s second feature film “Bottoms” is decidedly outrageous for laughs, and I enjoyed that. As a high school comedy movie, it is often blatantly artificial in terms of mood and details, but it literally does not pull any punch … Continue reading →

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20 Days in Mariupol (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A close look into one Ukrainian city under siege

Posted on December 6, 2023 by kaist455

Ukrainian documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”, which received the Audience Award at the World Cinema Documentary Competition of the Sundance Film Festival early in this year, is a vivid and disturbing presentation of the first 20 days of one Ukrainian … Continue reading →

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How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A bunch of radical environmentalists

Posted on December 5, 2023 by kaist455

“How to Blow Up a Pipeline” is as disturbing and alarming as its very title suggests. Here are a group of young radicals willing to go a lot further for their common sociopolitical belief, and the movie is alternatively compelling … Continue reading →

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May December (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A tricky character study

Posted on December 5, 2023 by kaist455

Todd Haynes’ latest film “May December” is elusive but fascinating in its tricky psychological drama between a famous actress and a notorious woman she is supposed to play. While mostly cold and dispassionate in terms of mood and storytelling, the … Continue reading →

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