Author Archives: kaist455

Asteroid City (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Usual and more dolls to play for Wes Anderson

Posted on June 17, 2023 by kaist455

Wes Anderson’s latest film “Asteroid City” impresses us mainly because of how many notable performers he has in his pockets at present as various human dolls to play. As usual, the movie is highly stylized in terms of mood and … Continue reading →

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The Summer (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): After that summer romance of theirs

Posted on June 17, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean queer animation film “The Summer” gives us a simple but bittersweet presentation of one summer romance and its aftermath. As tenderly and sensitively observing the start, development, and end of romantic relationship between its two different lead characters, … Continue reading →

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Extraction 2 (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Another risky extraction job for him

Posted on June 17, 2023 by kaist455

Netflix film “Extraction 2”, which was released yesterday, does exactly what it is expected to do as the sequel to “Extraction” (2020). Yes, the story and characters usually stand back for its intense and relentless serving of various actions, and … Continue reading →

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The Flash (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Flashy but superficial

Posted on June 15, 2023 by kaist455

“The Flash”, the latest product from DC Extended Universe (DCEU), turns out to be saddled with several other problems besides its very problematic lead actor, who has been quite notorious for what he allegedly committed outside the screen. Even if … Continue reading →

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Elemental (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): An elemental romance of fire and water

Posted on June 15, 2023 by kaist455

Latest Pixar Animation Studios film “Elemental” is an elemental but engaging romance story with enough fun and charming stuffs to enjoy. I wish the film had some more time to explore more of the mood and details of its amusing … Continue reading →

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Eyes Wide Shut (1999) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A comedy of foreplay

Posted on June 13, 2023 by kaist455

Stanley Kubrick’s last film “Eyes Wide Shut” is one naughty comedy of foreplay. Along the story, its plain ordinary hero is tempted by a series of tantalizing possibilities of sexual pleasure and transgression popping up here and there around him, … Continue reading →

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Magnolia (1999) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): One Day in the Valley

Posted on June 12, 2023 by kaist455

Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” still knocks me down although it has been almost 25 years since it came out in 1999. Masterfully and electrifyingly juggling many different narratives unfolded in the San Fernando Valley, California during one particularly eventful day, … Continue reading →

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Gleason (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): His life with ALS

Posted on June 6, 2023 by kaist455

Amazon Prime documentary film “Gleason” gives us an honest and intimate look into one former professional athlete’s daily life with his serious illness and the following complications. While never overlooking all those difficulties and frustrations experienced by him and several … Continue reading →

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Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Better than most of its predecessors

Posted on June 6, 2023 by kaist455

I still remember how much I winced and cringed as enduring what followed after Michael Bay’s “Transformers” (2007). While the first film was fairly watchable, all of the next four sequels were utterly atrocious in many aspects thanks to Bay’s … Continue reading →

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Wolf (2021) ☆☆(2/4): A murky and confused psychological drama

Posted on June 6, 2023 by kaist455

It is really hard for us to discern what kind of point “Wolf” is actually trying to make. Mainly in set in a special psychiatric facility for mental patients who think they are animals trapped inside human body, the movie … Continue reading →

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