Author Archives: kaist455

Perfect Blue (1997) ☆☆☆(3/4): Someone to watch over her

Posted on September 13, 2025 by kaist455

Satoshi Kon’s 1997 animation feature film “Perfect Blue”, whose 4K restoration version happens to be released in South Korean theaters in this week, is a disturbing but striking psychological thriller about one young actress under a certain insidious influence. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Homeward Bound (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Guess who’s coming to her home…

Posted on September 13, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Homeward Bound” is a little family movie with secrets to be revealed in one way or another. As each of its main characters struggles to handle their rather tricky circumstance while hiding each own secret, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment