Author Archives: kaist455

Western Stars (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Springsteen presented by Springsteen

Posted on January 15, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “Western Stars”, which is directed by Bruce Springsteen and Thom Zimny, often engaged and impressed me via not only Springsteen’s songs but also wisdom and meditation inside them. As a solid companion piece to his nineteenth album “Western … Continue reading →

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Pain and Glory (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As he strolls in his creative crisis

Posted on January 13, 2020 by kaist455

Pedro Almodóvar’s latest work “Pain and Glory”, which was Spain’s official submission to Best International Film Oscar in last year, is a somber but undeniably poignant exploration of that fascinating interaction between life and art. I must confess that I … Continue reading →

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The Lighthouse (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Stuck in isolation and madness

Posted on January 13, 2020 by kaist455

Robert Eggers’ second feature film “The Lighthouse” is a strange and disturbing film which will alternatively unnerve and baffle you from the beginning to the end. Although you may not be entirely sure about what the hell is going on … Continue reading →

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Bombshell (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Three women at Fox News

Posted on January 12, 2020 by kaist455

When I heard the news on the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News in 2016, I was not that shocked although quite disgusted at the same time just like many of you. After all, the toxic longtime influence of Fox … Continue reading →

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Togo (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Good dog, Togo!

Posted on January 11, 2020 by kaist455

“Togo”, which was released on Disney+ in last month, is an engaging drama film inspired by a real-life story associated the 1925 serum run to Nome, which is also known as the Great Race of Mercy. Although its narrative route … Continue reading →

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Villains (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): They enter a wrong house…

Posted on January 11, 2020 by kaist455

“Villains” is a little morbid comedy film about a young criminal couple who happens to come across another criminal couple who turns out to be a lot worse than them. Once it establishes the setting for its main characters, the … Continue reading →

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Overwrought and middling

Posted on January 10, 2020 by kaist455

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”, which is belatedly released in South Korea this week, is an overwrought and middling finale to what has excited and entertained us during last four years. After “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) and … Continue reading →

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Forbidden Dream (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The King and his favorite inventor

Posted on January 10, 2020 by kaist455

South Korean historical drama film “Forbidden Dream” puts its two well-known real-life figures into a sappy old-fashioned bromance tale which did not engage me much. Although I have no problem with its many fictional aspects, the movie is rather flat, … Continue reading →

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The Aeronauts (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Jones and Redmayne up in the air

Posted on January 9, 2020 by kaist455

“The Aeronauts” is a mildly entertaining film which could be more effective if it focused more on its two different main characters’ risky adventure in the air. Although it surely works whenever it goes up and up along with them, … Continue reading →

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Jojo Rabbit (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An uneven World War II comedy by Taika Waititi

Posted on January 5, 2020 by kaist455

Taika Waititi’s latest comedy film “Jojo Rabbit”, which won the Grolsch People’s Choice Award when it was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in last September, is a typical case of whimsical mixed bag. While it has some nice … Continue reading →

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