Author Archives: kaist455

Idol (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A tense but murky South Korean noir thriller

Posted on March 20, 2019 by kaist455

I am still not that sure whether I understand everything presented in South Korean noir thriller film “Idol”, which sometimes seems to signify nothing but confusion and frustration. While that probably does not matter much considering how adamantly murky the … Continue reading →

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In the Aisles (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A dryly humorous human drama at supermarket

Posted on March 18, 2019 by kaist455

German film “In the Aisles”, which was released here in South Korea in last November but somehow eluded me around that time, is a dryly humorous human drama to be savored for the sweetness and poignancy behind its deadpan attitude. … Continue reading →

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Kursk (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The subpar presentation of a devastating underwater tragedy

Posted on March 17, 2019 by kaist455

Before watching “Kursk”, you have to know in advance what it is about. In 2000, a Russian nuclear submarine named Kursk sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea due to an unfortunate explosion accident, and most of its crew … Continue reading →

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I Dream in Another Language (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two old men and a fading language

Posted on March 17, 2019 by kaist455

Mexican film “I Dream in Another Language” is a haunting story about two old men and a fading fictional language shared between them. As gradually revealing the past between them, the movie provides several mesmerizing moments of poetic beauty and … Continue reading →

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Prospect (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A western tale on an alien planet

Posted on March 16, 2019 by kaist455

“Prospect” is an interesting juxtaposition of two different familiar genres. Mainly set on an alien environment in the distant future, it initially looks like your average old-fashioned science fiction tale with some rustic sides, it gradually becomes a western tale … Continue reading →

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The Mule (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An old horticulturist who becomes a drug runner

Posted on March 15, 2019 by kaist455

Clint Eastwood’s latest film “The Mule” gave me a mixed impression. During its first half, it seems to want to be a low-key crime comedy drama about one unlikely drug runner, and there are several small amusing moments as it … Continue reading →

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Triple Frontier (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): They go for money this time…

Posted on March 14, 2019 by kaist455

“Triple Frontier”, which was released on Nexflix yesterday, is fairly watchable but not that satisfying on the whole. While often gritty and intense as required, the movie does not bring anything particularly new to its genre territory, and it is … Continue reading →

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The 15:17 to Paris (2018) ☆☆(2/4): A dull, tedious tale of American heroism

Posted on March 14, 2019 by kaist455

During recent years, Clint Eastwood gave us a number of interesting movies about American heroism. While “Flags of Our Fathers” (2006) is a haunting World War II movie revolving around three soldiers in that iconic photograph shot during the battle … Continue reading →

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Disorder (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A damaged soldier trying to protect

Posted on March 11, 2019 by kaist455

“Disorder” is a genre piece more thoughtful and powerful than I expected. While often tense and gripping as required, the movie relentlessly delves into its deeply troubled hero’s damaged state of mind, and the result is a compelling character study … Continue reading →

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American Splendor (2003) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Plain splendid

Posted on March 10, 2019 by kaist455

It somehow took quite a long time for me to get to Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini’s “American Splendor”, based on the acclaimed comic book series of the same name which was written by Harvey Pekar. When I came … Continue reading →

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