Author Archives: kaist455

Jane Fonda in Five Acts (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Being Jane

Posted on October 7, 2018 by kaist455

HBO documentary film “Jane Fonda in Five Acts” is a compelling examination of the life and carrier of Jane Fonda, a famous movie star who has also been an outspoken activist for many years. As she frankly recounts about her … Continue reading →

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Zama (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Waiting for his transfer

Posted on October 7, 2018 by kaist455

“Zama”, which was Argentina’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in last year, is an odd, unconventional period drama which will probably frustrate you for good reasons. As leisurely observing its hero’s seemingly endless predicament and ennui, the … Continue reading →

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Private Life (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A funny, sensitive human comedy about infertility

Posted on October 6, 2018 by kaist455

“Private Life”, which was released on Netflix this Friday, is alternatively amusing and touching in its intimate and humorous depiction of an ordinary couple struggling with their infertility problem for a long time. While generating lots of small good laughs … Continue reading →

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Hold the Dark (2018) ☆☆1/2 (2.5/4): A cold, brutal genre exercise in Alaska

Posted on October 6, 2018 by kaist455

I feel ambivalent about “Hold the Dark”, a cold, brutal genre exercise which is admirable in technical aspects but too distant to engage me on the emotional level. While I was entertained by its atmosphere and performance to some degrees, … Continue reading →

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Christopher Robin (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Robin meets his old toy animal friends again

Posted on October 3, 2018 by kaist455

“Christopher Robin”, a live-action film inspired by Walt Disney’s beloved animation film franchise which is based on A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh”, frequently clashes with my fond memories of Winnie the Pooh, who has been known … Continue reading →

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A Prayer Before Dawn (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A brutal prison drama to strike you hard

Posted on October 1, 2018 by kaist455

“A Prayer Before Dawn”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a brutal prison drama packed with grim but striking moments you cannot easily forget. This is surely a tough stuff, but the movie is compelling and electrifying thanks to … Continue reading →

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Quincy (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): He’s still keeping on

Posted on September 30, 2018 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Quincy” broadly looks around Quincy Jones’ numerous achievements, and it is hard not to be impressed by how much this legendary musician achieved during last six decades. As shown at the end of the documentary, he produced … Continue reading →

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Final Portrait (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): An erratic artist and his frustrated model

Posted on September 30, 2018 by kaist455

“Final Portrait” reminds me that some of great artists are difficult people to hang around with. Focusing on a long, problematic artistic process between an artist of undeniable genius and a man who admires him but becomes increasingly frustrated with … Continue reading →

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Nappily Ever After (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Being herself with her natural hair

Posted on September 29, 2018 by kaist455

“Nappily Ever After”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a funny and delightful comedy movie about hairdo and self-image. As an Asian guy who has seldom cared about hairdo (I usually prefer crewcut, by the way), I initially observed … Continue reading →

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The Land of Steady Habits (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): It’s still a messy life for him

Posted on September 28, 2018 by kaist455

“The Land of Steady Habits”, which was recently released on Netflix, is a typical suburban comedy drama about one middle-aged guy’s bumpy attempt toward a new beginning for his unhappy life. Although there have already been many similar films out … Continue reading →

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