Author Archives: kaist455

Big Deal (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A conflict over one big soju company

Posted on June 1, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean film “Big Deal” presents a fictional story loosely based on the real-life business deal involved with one of the biggest South Korean alcoholic beverage companies in the late 1990s. While the story itself is fairly interesting, the movie … Continue reading →

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Sinners (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A bluesy Southern horror from Ryan Coogler

Posted on May 31, 2025 by kaist455

Ryan Coogler’s new film “Sinners” is an enthralling genre piece packed with style, atmosphere, and personality to be cherished. While it sometimes feels a bit too overstuffed with story ideas and elements which do not get totally mixed that well … Continue reading →

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Cuckoo (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): At one weird German Alps hotel  

Posted on May 31, 2025 by kaist455

“Cuckoo” alternatively baffled and unnerved me with its deliberate oddness. Although I am not sure about whether it is as effective as intended, I admire how it gradually dials up the level of its sinister suspense beneath the screen before … Continue reading →

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The Phoenician Scheme (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Wes Anderson on autopilot mode

Posted on May 30, 2025 by kaist455

Wes Anderson’s latest film “The Phoenician Scheme” has everything you can expect from his film. While it has a heap of notable performers who will function as variously colorful dolls to be utilized by Anderson, the movie is certainly full … Continue reading →

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Drop (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A tough date, shall we say

Posted on May 27, 2025 by kaist455

“Drop” works best when it stays along with its heroine within its limited main background for a while. Although it is instantly reminiscent of many other similar thriller flicks ranging from “Nick of Time” (1995) to “Carry-On” (2024), the movie … Continue reading →

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Deaf President Now! (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The hidden story of defiant deaf students

Posted on May 26, 2025 by kaist455

Documentary film “Deaf President Now!”, which was released on Apple TV+ a few weeks ago, presents a remarkable real-life story which will not only touch but also enlighten you a lot. During one week of March 1988, lots of students … Continue reading →

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Nonnas (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A restaurant with old Italian ladies

Posted on May 26, 2025 by kaist455

Netflix film “Nonnas”, which was released early in this week, is a predictable but undeniably likable comedy drama inspired by one real-life Italian restaurant in New York City. You can clearly see what it is going to serve from the … Continue reading →

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Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971) ☆☆☆(3/4): Bresson on a lightweight mode

Posted on May 25, 2025 by kaist455

Robert Bresson’s 1971 film “Four Nights of a Dreamer”, which was released in South Korean a few days ago, is interesting for its unexpectedly lightweight mood and attitude. Compared to many of Bresson’s notable works such as “Pickpocket” (1959) or … Continue reading →

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Lilo & Stitch (2025) ☆☆1/2 (2.5/4): likable but unnecessary

Posted on May 25, 2025 by kaist455

“Lilo & Stitch”, the live action movie version of the 2002 Disney animation feature film, is a likable product packed with enough charm and spirit, but I also somehow found it rather unnecessary. This is probably because I belatedly watched … Continue reading →

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Still Walking (2008) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The distance among them

Posted on May 23, 2025 by kaist455

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 2008 film “Still Walking”, which was re-released in South Korean theaters a few days ago, still shines in its tranquil family drama which comes to show more human complexity than it seems at first. While its gentle mood … Continue reading →

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