Author Archives: kaist455

Cloud (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): No easy money for young men

Posted on March 10, 2026 by kaist455

There is usually a creeping sense of uneasiness in the works of Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, and “Cloud”, one of the three works from him in 2024, is no exception. At first, you may feel quite frustrated with its rather … Continue reading →

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Die My Love (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her downward spiral into postpartum depression

Posted on March 10, 2026 by kaist455

It is often uncomfortable to watch Lynne Ramsay’s latest film “Die My Love”, an edgy but engaging presentation of postpartum depression. As its heroine going up and down along her frequent mood swings, the movie vividly illustrates her increasingly unhinged … Continue reading →

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Hoppers (2026) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Save the glade

Posted on March 7, 2026 by kaist455

“Hoppers”, the latest animation feature film from Pixar Animation Studios, is more entertaining than I expected. When I watched its trailer several weeks ago, it looked like another typical animation film to watch and then forget, but the film turns … Continue reading →

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The Bride! (2026) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): This bride is wild!

Posted on March 6, 2026 by kaist455

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s latest film “The Bride!” is a wild mess which alternatively fascinates and distracts you. Loosely inspired by Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic novel “Frankenstein”, the movie attempts to try a lot of different things ranging from horror to musical, … Continue reading →

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There’s Still Tomorrow (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her small but significant step toward female independence

Posted on March 4, 2026 by kaist455

Italian film “There’s Still Tomorrow” is a little but pleasant mix of old and new stuffs to be appreciated. Although this seemingly modest female movie may feel quite typical in terms of story and characters, the movie cheerfully swings back … Continue reading →

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Rental Family (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A service business of emotion

Posted on February 28, 2026 by kaist455

“Rental Family” draws your attention first with its curious story subject and then touches you more than expected. Inspired by a rather odd type of real-life service business in the Japanese society (Werner Herzog’s 2019 film “Family Romance, LLC” already … Continue reading →

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28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) ☆☆☆(3/4): It will give you more hell

Posted on February 27, 2026 by kaist455

Nia DaCosta’s new film “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”, the sequel to “28 Years Later” (2025), is a dark and brutal horror story decorated with human evil and some raging zombies. While you will surely cringe more than once … Continue reading →

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Ne Zha 2 (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A spectacular but hollow sequel

Posted on February 25, 2026 by kaist455

Chinese animation film “Ne Zha 2”, the sequel to “Ne Zha” (2019), strives to be bigger, longer, and better, but it ends up only accomplishing its first two tasks to my dissatisfaction. Thanks to its much more production budget, it … Continue reading →

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Ne Zha (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The story of a demon boy

Posted on February 24, 2026 by kaist455

2019 Chinese animation film “Ne Zha” works best when it cheerfully bounces with a vibrant sense of fun and energy during its first half. I found its mischievous little demonic hero rather endearing even though he sometimes reminds me of … Continue reading →

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Arco (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): When a boy from the future meets a girl in the past

Posted on February 22, 2026 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Arco”, which was nominated for Best Animation Film Oscar in last month, is often quite engaging for its lovely cell animation style to remember. Although it is rather thin in terms of story and characters, this notable … Continue reading →

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