Author Archives: kaist455

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Another nice encore

Posted on June 19, 2022 by kaist455

As watching “Downton Abbey: A New Era”, I was reminded again that I liked and enjoyed its numerous main characters more than I thought. Sure, that popular TV drama series preceding it was more or less than a friendly soap … Continue reading →

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Top Gun: Maverick (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Now that’s a real cinematic entertainment

Posted on June 18, 2022 by kaist455

We really have to admire and appreciate the enduring star quality of Tom Cruise, who is soon going to have the 60th birthday but has steadily given us a series of entertaining films during last several decades. To be frank … Continue reading →

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Lightyear (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A simple lightweight fun from Pixar

Posted on June 18, 2022 by kaist455

“Lightyear”, the latest animation feature film from Pixar Studios, is as funny and lightweight as you can expect. Although it is merely a spin-off story derived from “Toy Story” (1995), the film generates enough charm and spirit from its rather … Continue reading →

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Gyeong-ah’s Daughter (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her daughter is in trouble…

Posted on June 18, 2022 by kaist455

I often braced myself while watching South Korean film “Gyeong-ah’s Daughter”, a somber but undeniably powerful drama about one certain serious social gender issue in our digital era. As observing how its two different main characters respectively struggle with the … Continue reading →

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After I came out

Posted on June 16, 2022 by kaist455

Around 6 years ago, I came out of my closet just because I felt that enough was enough. I endured more than 10 matchmaking attempts made by my mother, and those meetings with young women only reminded me again and … Continue reading →

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Hustle (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A low-key sports drama starring Adam Sandler (No Kidding)

Posted on June 13, 2022 by kaist455

As many of you know, Adam Sandler is actually a good actor who can be quite serious and compelling whenever he gets a chance for that. In Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch Drunk Love” (2002), he got the first opportunity for … Continue reading →

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The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Before his big match

Posted on June 11, 2022 by kaist455

Finnish film “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki”, which was belatedly released in South Korean theaters on this Thursday, is a modest drama film revolving around one real-life professional boxer who attempted on the World Boxing Association … Continue reading →

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Sister J (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): As he and others endure for more than 10 years

Posted on June 11, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Sister J” gives a dry but sensitive glimpse into the longtime struggle of one ordinary man who fought along with his colleagues for more than 10 years. As shown in the documentary, they really tried hard … Continue reading →

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Unboxing Girl (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): The trouble with her crummy boss

Posted on June 10, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Unboxing Girl” is often difficult to watch in many of its absurdly exasperating moments. Mainly revolving around its heroine’s very unlucky office romance, the movie has a lot to show and tell about sexism and gender … Continue reading →

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Broker (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Bringing Up Baby

Posted on June 9, 2022 by kaist455

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film “Broker” is an interesting trial to admire. Like his previous film “The Truth” (2019), the movie attempts to transplant his own style and storytelling to a country outside Japan, and it is mildly engaging to observe … Continue reading →

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