Author Archives: kaist455

Blinded by the Light (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): When he discovers Bruce Springsteen

Posted on October 29, 2019 by kaist455

“Blinded by the Light” is a familiar but enjoyable feel-good movie driven by a number of songs from Bruce Springsteen. I must confess that I do not know much about the music of Springsteen besides his haunting Oscar-winning song for … Continue reading →

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Terminator Genisys (2015) ☆☆(2/4): Another unnecessary sequel

Posted on October 29, 2019 by kaist455

“Terminator Genisys” is another unnecessary sequel in a franchise which did not impress or excite me much during last two decades. Sure, James Cameron’s “The Terminator” (1984) is one of the notable science fiction action films in the 1980s, and … Continue reading →

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Dolemite Is My Name (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Eddie Murphy back in his element

Posted on October 28, 2019 by kaist455

“Dolemite Is My Name”, which was released on Netflix on last Friday, is a lively and cheerful biographical comedy film which delighted and entertained me a lot. As a sort of cross between Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” (1994) and Mario … Continue reading →

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The Art of Self-Defense (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little dark satire on toxic masculinity

Posted on October 27, 2019 by kaist455

“The Art of Self-Defense” does not pull its chops and kicks in its dark satiric examination of toxic masculinity, and I appreciate that to some degree. At first, it initially seems to be a whimsical send-up of “The Karate Kid” … Continue reading →

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Blood Simple (1984) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An exemplary debut work by the Coen brothers

Posted on October 27, 2019 by kaist455

The Coen brothers’ debut film “Blood Simple”, which happened to be released in South Korea in last week, is an exemplary genre exercise to be appreciated and cherished for many good reasons. While it may look modest compared to what … Continue reading →

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The King (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): To be a king

Posted on October 26, 2019 by kaist455

Don’t expect romance or eloquence from David Michôd’s new film “The King”, which is released in South Korea this week before its upcoming online release on November 1st. This is a solemn and brooding reinterpretation of a series of plays … Continue reading →

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The Kill Team (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A conflicted young solider facing war crime

Posted on October 25, 2019 by kaist455

“The Kill Team” is a passable war drama film which does not show or tell me anything particularly new about what has been committed during War on Terror. Partially based on a shocking real-life case of war crime in 2010, … Continue reading →

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Wounds (2019) ☆☆(2/4): Disturbing but ultimately hollow

Posted on October 25, 2019 by kaist455

I do not mind being confused while watching horror flicks, as long as they intrigue or excite or, above all, terrify me. Unfortunately, Babk Anvari’s second feature film “Wounds”, which was released by Hulu in the US while being released … Continue reading →

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Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An ordinary South Korean female life

Posted on October 24, 2019 by kaist455

I could not help but respond to a number of seemingly mundane but undeniably strong moments in South Korean film “Kim Ji-young: Born 1982”, which has been one of the most anticipated movies of this year in South Korea thanks … Continue reading →

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Tell Me Who I Am (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Forgotten and then remembered

Posted on October 21, 2019 by kaist455

There are several unforgettable moments in Netflix documentary “Tell Me Who I Am”, which revolves around the past forgotten and then remembered two twin brothers. While it simply observes and listens to its two human subjects, their sense of loss … Continue reading →

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