Author Archives: kaist455

Azrael (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A wordless post-apocalyptic horror flick

Posted on March 29, 2025 by kaist455

When did I begin to notice Samara Weaving? Well, that was actually not a long time ago at all, considering her delightful breakout performance in “Ready or Not” (2019). Since that point, she has impressed us more and more as … Continue reading →

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Crash (1996) ☆☆☆(3/4): The morbidly metallic exploration of a sexual fetish 

Posted on March 27, 2025 by kaist455

David Cronenberg’s 1996 film “Crash”, which happens to be re-released in South Korea this week, is still capable of challenging us even after almost 30 years since it came out. As a cold and dispassionate exploration of one deliberately weird … Continue reading →

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Origin (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A Writer’s Journey

Posted on March 25, 2025 by kaist455

Movies about writers and ideas are not usually something really engaging or compelling to watch, but Ava DuVernay’s latest film “Origin” is one of those rare exceptions. In addition to being a touching human drama to observe, the movie also … Continue reading →

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Presence (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A presence in the house

Posted on March 24, 2025 by kaist455

Steven Soderbergh has tried many different things during last several years. Although he announced his decision to retire around the time when he gave us “Side Effects” (2013) and “Behind the Candelabra” (2013), he came back in business with little … Continue reading →

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All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A stream of her memories

Posted on March 23, 2025 by kaist455

“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” requires you to take your time for reflecting more on its many individual moments to be savored and cherished. Yes, this is surely one of those “slow movies” demanding some patience from you, and … Continue reading →

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Black Bag (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Between marriage and espionage

Posted on March 23, 2025 by kaist455

Steven Soderbergh’s new film “Black Bag” is a slick and efficient genre piece to be savored for many good reasons. Although it may feel a bit too murky for you as you try to discern its rather twisty plot, the … Continue reading →

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Companion (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): The Trouble with Iris

Posted on March 23, 2025 by kaist455

“Companion” is one of those solid thriller films which you can enjoy more if you do not know at all what it is about. Therefore, I will try to be very discreet about describing the story and character in this … Continue reading →

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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A middling WWII action flick

Posted on March 21, 2025 by kaist455

Guy Ritchie’s latest film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is a middling copy of many similar World War II actions flicks ranging from “The Dirty Dozen” (1967) to “Inglourious Basterds” (2009). While it surely attempts to have some fun as … Continue reading →

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Snow White (2025) ☆☆(2/4): Not that fair, shall we say

Posted on March 20, 2025 by kaist455

“Snow White”, which is another re-packaged live action product from Walt Disney Pictures, does not have much reason for its existence in my trivial opinion. Probably because I have seen numerous movie adaptations of that famous fairy tale by the … Continue reading →

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Megalopolis (2024) ☆1/2(1.5/4): Coppola’s disastrous folly

Posted on March 19, 2025 by kaist455

Francis Ford Coppola’s comeback work “Megalopolis” frustrated and baffled me a lot more than once. Here is a legendary filmmaker reaching for another chance for greatness, but the result only shows that he merely wasted a lot of the talents … Continue reading →

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