Author Archives: kaist455

Life Is Beautiful (1997) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As a clown as well as a father

I cannot help but marvel at what is so cheerfully, masterfully, and touchingly done in Roberto Benigni’s 1997 Oscar-winning film “Life Is Beautiful”, which was re-released in South Korean theaters early in this month. This is a very special film … Continue reading

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Pierrot le Fou (1965) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Two abstract figures on the run

In my inconsequential opinion, any serious young movie enthusiast is bound to be fascinated with the works of Jean-Luc Godard at first. After all, he is one of the greatest filmmakers in the cinema history besides being one of the … Continue reading

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How to Train Your Dragon (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Is this really necessary?

“How to Train Your Dragon”, the live action movie version of the 2010 animation film of the same name, is fairly enjoyable but also quite unnecessary in my humble opinion. Although this is a competent product which will probably satisfy … Continue reading

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Bring Her Back (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their insidious foster mother

Danny and Michael Philippou’s latest horror film “Bring Her Back” is an intense and compelling experience which actually made me cringe more than once during my viewing. Just like their previous film “Talk to Me” (2023), the movie is quite … Continue reading

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Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): The spirit and philosophy behind his works

Documentary film “Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature”, which happens to be released in South Korea in last week, focuses on the art and philosophy behind the works of Hayao Miyazaki, who has been regarded as one of the greatest animation filmmakers … Continue reading

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Hi-Five (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A lively South Korean superhero film

South Korean film “Hi-Five” have some silly but cheerful fun with its colorful genre elements, and I enjoyed that more than expected. While this is another familiar superhero origin tale, the movie is funny and spirited with a lot of … Continue reading

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Bono: Stories of Surrender (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Bono on Bono

Documentary film “Bono: Stories of Surrender”, which was released on Apple TV+ on last Friday not long after it was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, presents a series of personal stories from Paul David Hewton, an Irish musician who … Continue reading

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

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

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  

“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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