Author Archives: kaist455

AKA Jane Roe (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): The last words from Jane Roe

Posted on September 20, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “AKA Jane Roe” listens to a woman who was at the center of a women’s issue which is still very sensitive in the American society even at present. Through her and several people associated with in one way … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Abortion, Documentary, Real-life figure, Real-life story | Leave a comment

The Woman Who Ran (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A three-act female comedy by Hong Sang-soo

Posted on September 19, 2020 by kaist455

Hong Sang-soo’s new film “The Woman Who Ran”, which won the Silver Bear award for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival early in this year, is a breezy three-act comedy mainly focusing on the interactions amidst its female … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Comedy, South Korean Film | 1 Comment

The Terrorizers (1986) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Coincidence followed by tension

Posted on September 19, 2020 by kaist455

Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang’s “The Terrorizers”, which is currently being in shown in South Korean theaters, is a haunting urban drama which is subtle and deceptive in its gradual accumulation of anxiety and tension around its main characters. Because I … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Crime, Doctor, Husband and Wife, Photographer, Writer | Leave a comment

The Devil All the Time (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The Devil Is Never Gone

Posted on September 18, 2020 by kaist455

Netflix movie “The Devil All the Time”, which was released on this Wednesday, feels rather rote and shallow despite all those interesting elements mixed into its decidedly grim and lurid narrative. Although I was not bored at all during its … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Crime, Murder, Religion | Leave a comment

Cuties (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A wild and vibrant coming-of-age drama to admire

Posted on September 12, 2020 by kaist455

French film “Cuties”, which has unjustly faced lots of controversy on the Internet due to misguided promotion since it was released on Netflix a few days ago, deserves to be admired for a number of good reasons. While it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Adolescence, Coming-of-age drama, Dancing, Sexuality | 1 Comment

Critical Thinking (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Predictable but exemplary

Posted on September 7, 2020 by kaist455

“Critical Thinking” is another inspirational sports drama film based on a real-life story, but it distinguishes itself to some degrees compared to other similar films out there. While it is rather predictable and contrived at times, it still holds our … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Chess, High School, High Schooler, Real-life figure, Real-life story, Teacher | Leave a comment

Calm with Horses (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A fatalistic Irish crime drama about one ex-boxer

Posted on September 7, 2020 by kaist455

“Calm with Horses”, which was released in US as “The Shadow of Violence”, is a fatalistic crime drama which virtually announces its ill-fated hero’s doom to us right from the beginning. No matter how much he tries, he is bound … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Boxer, Crime, Enforcer | Leave a comment

I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): I’m Thinking of Many Things

Posted on September 6, 2020 by kaist455

I am thinking of many things as reflecting on Charlie Kaufman’s new film “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”, which was released on Netflix two days ago. Because I happened to be dizzy and sleepy when I watched it for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Psychological horror | 1 Comment

The Invitation (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): One suspicious dinner party

Posted on September 5, 2020 by kaist455

“The Invitation” is a little but solid piece of work which deftly toys with sinister possibilities. Right from the beginning, we feel rather uneasy and uncomfortable about what is being unfolded in front of us, and we come to wonder … Continue reading →