Author Archives: kaist455

The Report (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A long, frustrating struggle for one important report

Posted on December 6, 2019 by kaist455

“The Report” is angry and outraged behind its dry, methodical façade. Following one plain American government official’s long, frustrating struggle to finish and then publish a damning official report on the systemic tortures committed by CIA in the name of … Continue reading →

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Ford v Ferrari (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A visceral racing car drama

Posted on December 5, 2019 by kaist455

There are a number of electrifying moments in “Ford v Ferrari”, a well-crafted feature film which is about two real-life figures heading an American team of racing car engineers and designers who worked hard together for defeating their Italian opponent … Continue reading →

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Knives Out (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A deliciously entertaining whodunnit

Posted on December 5, 2019 by kaist455

Rian Johnson’s latest film “Knives Out” is a deliciously entertaining whodunnit which will delight any devoted fan of mystery novels like me. While I could see through its wily, dexterous handling of plot elements at time, I was really caught … Continue reading →

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The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Adventures of the Peanut Butter Falcon

Posted on December 3, 2019 by kaist455

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” entertained me in more than one way. While it is a typical Southern story clearly influenced by Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, it palpably vibrates with authentic local atmosphere as well as sweet personality, and … Continue reading →

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Ready or Not (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A deadly game with her in-laws

Posted on December 2, 2019 by kaist455

The heroine of “Ready or Not” faces a lot more risks and troubles than she ever imagined, and that is the main source of naughty pleasure in this morbid black comedy film. Poor girl, she only wants to present herself … Continue reading →

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Atlantics (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A calm but powerful debut work to remember

Posted on December 1, 2019 by kaist455

“Atlantics”, which was recently selected as the Senegalese entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar at the 92nd Academy Awards, reminds me of that famous quote from Gabriel García Márquez: “If you say that there are elephants flying in … Continue reading →

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Klaus (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A likable Santa Claus origin story

Posted on December 1, 2019 by kaist455

Netflix animation feature film “Klaus”, which was released on Netflix early in this November, is more entertaining than I expected. Although it is surely your average Christmas tale associated with the origin of Santa Claus, the film distinguishes itself to … Continue reading →

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Marriage Story (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Scenes from a divorce

Posted on November 30, 2019 by kaist455

Noah Baumbach’s latest film “Marriage Story”, which is released in South Korean theaters this week and will be available on Netflix on next Friday, is a sharp and intimate story about one difficult process of divorce. When its two main … Continue reading →

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I Lost My Body (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A hand looking for its body

Posted on November 30, 2019 by kaist455

French animation feature film “I Lost My Body”, which won the Nespresso Grand Prize when it was shown in the International Critics’ Week section at the Cannes Film Festival early in this year (It is incidentally the first animation film … Continue reading →

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Official Secrets (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A whistleblower charged with treason

Posted on November 29, 2019 by kaist455

“Official Secrets” is a well-intentioned but ultimately mild drama based on the true story of Katharine Gun, a British woman who was an employee of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) around the time when she decided to leak a secret memo … Continue reading →

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