Author Archives: kaist455

Stars in the Ordinary Universe (2023) ☆☆(2/4): Three plain acts

Posted on May 16, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean film “Stars in the Ordinary Universe” attempts to be absurd and funny, but the result is mediocre and middling in my humble opinion. Consisting of three individual acts connected with each other to some degree, the movie reaches … Continue reading →

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Helpless (2023) ☆1/2(1.5/4): Those pathetic YouTubers

Posted on May 16, 2025 by kaist455

As far as I have learned from many various comedy films, anything can be used for good laughs, and that is why I do not mind comedies delving into unpleasant subjects at all. However, South Korean film “Helpless” is merely … Continue reading →

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Can We Get Married? (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Between his family and his girlfriend

Posted on May 14, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean film “Can We Get Married?” starts as a comedy and then becomes something more serious and painful. Although I am not so sure about whether its mix between broad comedy and sentimental drama works as well as intended, … Continue reading →

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Drive (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A kidnapping on live 

Posted on May 13, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean film “Drive” drives along a rather predictable course without surprising me that much. While reminiscent of many other similar thriller films out there, the movie is frequently hampered by thin characterization and contrived plot, and I can only … Continue reading →

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Novocaine (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Numb and painless, shall we say

Posted on May 9, 2025 by kaist455

“Novocaine” is a one-joke comedy action film which goes too long and violent in my humble opinion. While it generates some funny moments from its exaggerated comic story premise, the movie is also often blatantly violent as its hero endures … Continue reading →

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The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): He returns for revenge…

Posted on May 8, 2025 by kaist455

Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” is actually a useful guidebook on how to execute a revenge on your mortal enemy as precisely and efficiently as possible. Besides patiently waiting for the right time and the right … Continue reading →

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Problemista (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A quirky surreal immigration comedy

Posted on May 7, 2025 by kaist455

I must confess that “Problemista”, which is currently available on Netflix in South Korea, was an acquired taste for me. At first, I was baffled a lot by its colorfully quirky comic style coupled with a heap of surrealistic absurdity, … Continue reading →

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Joy (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A story behind IVF

Posted on May 7, 2025 by kaist455

Netflix film “Joy”, which was released several months ago, is a mild but sincere drama about the development of in vitro fertilization. Mainly via the viewpoint of a certain real-life female figure who surely deserves more attention, the movie touchingly … Continue reading →

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Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): His extreme attempt on longevity

Posted on May 6, 2025 by kaist455

I observed Netflix documentary film “Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever” with some conflicted feelings. Here is a man extremely dedicated to staying young and healthy as long as possible, and the documentary closely and fascinatingly examines … Continue reading →

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Thunderbolts* (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A bunch of losers

Posted on May 3, 2025 by kaist455

“Thunderbolts*”, the latest product from Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), attempts to bring more fun and excitement to its franchise, and that succeeds to some degree. While this is basically a very familiar mix between “The Avengers” (2012) and “Suicide Squad” … Continue reading →

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