Author Archives: kaist455

Casting JonBenet (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Casting performers to play her and others

Posted on November 22, 2021 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Casting JonBenet” takes an unorthodox approach to an infamous unsolved murder case at its center. Because I am not familiar with that notorious case which happened almost 25 years ago, I was a bit disappointed to see … Continue reading →

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Operation Hyacinth (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): A grim but compelling Polish police noir drama

Posted on November 22, 2021 by kaist455

Polish film “Operation Hyacinth”, which was released on Netflix in last month, looks into its moody period background via a typical noir tale of obsession, confusion, and corruption. As steadily following a supposedly clean-cut young hero who becomes quite obsessed … Continue reading →

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New Order (2020) ☆☆(2/4): A messy exercise of chaos and brutality

Posted on November 21, 2021 by kaist455

Sometimes, I come across hollow artsy flicks hopelessly stuck in their supposedly interesting but ultimately flimsy ideas, and Mexican film “New Order” is one of such depressing cases. Sure, I understand that it intends to be an edgy political allegory … Continue reading →

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Love Affair(s) (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The things they say – and the things they do

Posted on November 21, 2021 by kaist455

French film “Love Affair(s)” is a funny and intelligent comedy about that complicated thing called love. As a bunch of supposedly smart and sensible characters trying to handle their unexpected romances and the accompanying personal complications, the movie busily and … Continue reading →

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The Power of the Dog (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A tense western drama by Jane Campion

Posted on November 18, 2021 by kaist455

Jane Campion’s new film “The Power of the Dog”, which was recently released in theaters in US and South Korea before released on Netflix early in next month, is a subtly tense and captivating mix of western drama and character … Continue reading →

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The French Dispatch (2021) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): Lovely newspaper tales a la Wes Anderson

Posted on November 18, 2021 by kaist455

Wes Anderson’s latest film “The French Dispatch” feels like reading a fine copy of some smart and sophisticated urban magazine. As serving us everything we can expect from Anderson, the movie shows Anderson being at the top of his distinctive … Continue reading →

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Coming to You (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As they stand by their sexual minority kids

Posted on November 18, 2021 by kaist455

I often could not help but become a bit emotional as watching South Korean documentary film “Coming to You”. Mainly focusing on two different mothers willingly standing by their respective sexual minority kids, the documentary lets the audiences have more … Continue reading →

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Perhaps Love (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): It’s complicated among them

Posted on November 17, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean comedy film “Perhaps Love” caught me off guard for several solid moments for laughs and chuckles. Cheerfully hopping among a number of different colorful comic characters, the movie frequently shines with considerable wit and humor, and then it … Continue reading →

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7 Prisoners (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Exploitation at the bottom of a city

Posted on November 16, 2021 by kaist455

Brazilian film “7 Prisoners”, which was released on Netflix a few weeks ago, is a darkly vivid and harrowing examination of labor exploitation. As phlegmatically observing one young hero’ grim struggle to survive in the middle of one big city … Continue reading →

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Kim Jong-boon of Wangshimni (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): As she keeps living

Posted on November 14, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Kim Jong-boon of Wangshimni” is a plain but intimate portrayal of one ordinary old lady who has some interesting life stories to tell. While she is the mother of a young activist who tragically died during … Continue reading →

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