Author Archives: kaist455

Icarus (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): The biggest doping scandal in sports history

Bryan Fogel’s documentary film “Icarus” begins with one story and then goes into the other story. While the former is mildly fascinating, the latter is more compelling in comparison, and the documentary wisely lets the latter take the center, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

I Can Speak (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): She wants to speak…

South Korean film “I Can Speak” is more serious than its trailer suggests. When I watched the trailer, I thought it was merely another silly comedy film, but then I heard that it is about a certain serious historical subject … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged | Leave a comment

Brad’s Status (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): On his insecure status

Going through the 34th year of my life at present, I sometimes wonder whether I am fine with my current status. While I recently managed to settle on a modest but stable job after several years of personal confusion and … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Keep Quiet (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The repentance of an anti-semite Jewish Hungarian

Joseph Martin and Sam Blair’s documentary film “Keep Quiet” presents one extraordinary human story. Here is a man who has tried to reach for repentance and redemption since he confronted a hidden truth which shattered what he had fervently espoused … Continue reading →

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

The Running Actress (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): It’s hard out here for an actress…

First, let me talk a bit about Moon So-ri, who has been one of the most prominent movie actresses in South Korea during last two decades. After drawing the attention of South Korean audiences in Lee Chang-dong’s “Peppermint Candy” (2000), … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Wind River (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A bleak, chilly procedural on the wilds of Wyoming

While often quite stark in its gloomy tone, “Wind River” is a compelling procedural which gradually grabs our attention via its vivid atmosphere and deft storytelling. As it slowly builds up its story and characters, we become absorbed into its … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Baby Driver (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A slick, efficient jukebox action movie

“Baby Driver” delighted and excited me. Here is a slick, efficient jukebox action movie which mixes familiar genre elements in a way a lot more refreshing and thrilling than expected, and it is electrifying to watch how it deftly and … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

American Made (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Cruise back in his element

Based on an absurd real-life story involved with CIA, a drug cartel, and the White House, “American Made” gives us some funny moments to savor as cheerfully flying up and down along with its sleazy opportunistic hero. Although it often … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Big Sick (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): While she is in coma…

Not only smart and thoughtful but also funny and heartfelt, “The Big Sick” brings some fresh air to its genre. Yes, it is basically another story of two different people getting romantically involved with each other, but this small but … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Monster Calls (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A typical but solid fairy tale of grief and anger

“A Monster Calls” is a fairy tale which knows how to engage and enchant its audiences. While its story may be typical and predictable in terms of narrative and characterization, it impresses us with a number of nice fantasy elements … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment