Author Archives: kaist455

Princess Mononoke (1997) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): An epic fantasy drama by Hayao Miyazaki

Posted on September 10, 2025 by kaist455

Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animation feature film “Princess Mononoke”, which happens to be re-released in South Korean theaters today, is an epic fantasy historical drama to behold and admire. While its story engages us as a complex drama of ideas, intrigues, … Continue reading →

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Highest 2 Lowest (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A colorful NYC remake from Spike Lee

Posted on September 9, 2025 by kaist455

Spike Lee’s latest film “Highest 2 Lowest”, which was released on Apple TV+ in last week, is an interesting remake of “High and Low” (1963), one of the classic films from great Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. While mostly following the … Continue reading →

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The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Another spooky case of Mr. and Mrs. Warren

Posted on September 9, 2025 by kaist455

“The Conjuring: Last Rites”, which another entry of the Conjuring franchise, delivers more or less than what you can expect from it. While there is nothing particularly new or surprising here, the movie gives us a fair share of shock … Continue reading →

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The Naked Gun (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A thoroughly silly fun

Posted on September 8, 2025 by kaist455

“The Naked Gun”, a legacy sequel to the Naked Gun franchise, is as thoroughly silly and funny as required. Just like its three predecessors including the 1988 film of the same name, the movie is willing to throw a heap … Continue reading →

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Nobody 2 (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A killer’s family vacation

Posted on September 7, 2025 by kaist455

“Nobody 2”, a sequel to “Nobody” (2021), attempts to generate more laugh and thrill from the one-joke promise of its predecessor. Although it is a fairly competent product, the result is more or less than a pointless rehash in my … Continue reading →

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Devo (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): The story of one defiantly unconventional American band

Posted on September 7, 2025 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Devo”, which was released in last month, looks into the history of Devo, a defiantly unconventional American band which simply tried to do something quite different during the 1970-80s. To the frustration and bafflement of its members, … Continue reading →

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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A boy and his alien friend

Posted on September 7, 2025 by kaist455

Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”, which was re-released in selected theaters in South Korea in this week, is a pure cinematic magic to behold even though more than 40 years passed since it came out. On the surface, … Continue reading →

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Roman Holiday (1953) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): One free day of a princess

Posted on September 5, 2025 by kaist455

William Wyler’s 1953 film “Roman Holiday”, which is being shown in selected theaters in South Korea, is a witty and charming work absolutely tailor-made for its lead actress. Here is an exceptional actress whose charm and presence have never been … Continue reading →

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The Ugly Stepsister (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): The stepsister’s grotesque struggle for beauty

Posted on September 5, 2025 by kaist455

“The Ugly Stepsister” is a twisted mix of horror and comedy which will alternatively amuse and unnerve you from the beginning to the end. Inspired by one of the most famous fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, the movie is … Continue reading →

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3670 (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A double minority

Posted on September 4, 2025 by kaist455

Good movies can be a vivid window to the lives of others different from us in one way or another, and South Korean independent film “3670” is one of such excellent examples. Closely and sensitively following the personal drama of … Continue reading →

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