Monthly Archives: January 2026

Inland Empire (2006) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An actress under Lynchian influence

Posted on January 18, 2026 by kaist455

David Lynch’s 2006 film “Inland Empire”, which is being shown along with his several works at selected South Korean theaters, is still capable of alternatively baffling and dazzling me. Although I already watched it a couple of times, I am … Continue reading →

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The Rip (2026) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The trouble with the rip

Posted on January 18, 2026 by kaist455

Netflix film “The Rip”, which was released on this Friday, is a typical crime action thriller film which will not surprise you much if you are familiar with its genre clichés and conventions. While it is relatively more competent than … Continue reading →

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Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Through a child’s viewpoint

Posted on January 16, 2026 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain”, which recently won the Best Animation Film Award from the LA Film Critics Association, is colorfully charming as steadily sticking to its little heroine’s viewpoint. As she tries to process … Continue reading →

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The Square (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A star-crossed romance in North Korea

Posted on January 15, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent animation film “The Square” is an earnest melodrama about two very different people who cannot help but love each other despite an oppressive society surrounding them. While it is another typical tale of star-crossed lovers, the film … Continue reading →

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The Passengers of the Night (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): As she starts over

Posted on January 15, 2026 by kaist455

Mikhaël Hers’ 2022 film “The Passengers of the Night”, which was belatedly released in South Korea around the end of the last year, is a mild but engaging drama mainly driven by mood and emotion. Simply rolling with its several … Continue reading →

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Leaving Las Vegas (1995) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A harrowing alcoholic love story in Las Vegas

Posted on January 14, 2026 by kaist455

Mike Figgis’ 1995 film “Leaving Las Vegas”, which was recently released in selected South Korean theaters, is still superlative for many good reasons. At first, its two lead characters seem to be more or less than familiar archetypes, but the … Continue reading →

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Stranger Than Paradise (1984) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The early breakthrough work in Jim Jarmusch’s career

Posted on January 12, 2026 by kaist455

Jim Jarmusch’s 1984 film “Stranger Than Paradise”, which happens to be shown in selected South Korean theaters along with several other works of his as his latest film “Father Mother Sister Brother” (2025) arrives here, is quite dry to say … Continue reading →

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Baka’s Identity (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Three lads struggling in a criminal underworld

Posted on January 12, 2026 by kaist455

Japanese film “Baka’s Identity” is a grim but engaging crime drama about three different lads struggling in their criminal underworld in one way or another. As smoothly moving from one perspective from another one along its non-linear narrative, the movie … Continue reading →

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Breathless (1960) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): Still bold and spirited

Posted on January 10, 2026 by kaist455

For many years, watching Jean-Luc Godard’s ground-breaking film “Breathless” has felt like homework for me. To be frank with you, I usually prefer François Truffaut’s movies to Godard’s, and I usually find many of Godard’s films rather cold, haughty, and … Continue reading →

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My Sunshine (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A coming-of-age drama on ice 

Posted on January 9, 2026 by kaist455

Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama’s latest film “My Sunshine” is a modest but engaging coming-of-age drama to be appreciated for several good reasons. While the story and characters are quite familiar to say the least, the movie patiently builds up its … Continue reading →

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