Author Archives: kaist455

Caravaggio’s Shadow (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): An artist between the holy and the secular

Posted on February 2, 2025 by kaist455

“Caravaggio’s Shadow”, which incidentally came to South Korean theaters in last month, is fascinated with what inspired Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571 ~ 1610), who was one of the best artists in Italy around the early 17th century. Although he … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Artist, Painter, Real-life figure, the Catholic Church | 1 Comment

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A fantasy of silence and whispers

Posted on January 31, 2025 by kaist455

Víctor Erice’s 1973 film “The Spirit of the Beehive”, which is currently being shown in South Korean theaters after his recent comeback work “Close Your Eyes” (2023) came in last year, has delicately sublime qualities to be admired and appreciated. … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Beehive, Childhood, Fantasy, Spirit | 1 Comment

Persona a Strange Girl (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): That elusive girl

Posted on January 31, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Persona a Strange Girl” reminds me again of how the works of Hong Sang-soo have considerable influence over South Korean independent cinema for many years. Just like the works of Woody Allen have been followed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged South Korean Film, Theater company | Leave a comment

Silver Apricot (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Dealing with her dysfunctional family

Posted on January 28, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Silver Apricot” is about one young woman who must deal with several flawed family members who have been estranged from her for many years. This is surely a familiar story setting, but the movie did a … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Cartoonist, Family, Homecoming, South Korean Film | Leave a comment

The Animal Kingdom (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): When people are turning into animals

Posted on January 26, 2025 by kaist455

French film “The Animal Kingdom” is a modest but intriguing SF drama with enough style and substance to interest and then engage us. Although it is rather a bit too vague about its story premise, the movie stays focused on … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Family, Father and son, SF | Leave a comment

Memory (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): An accidental romance tale between two troubled persons

Posted on January 26, 2025 by kaist455

Micheal Franco’s latest film “Memory” is about an accidental romance between two troubled persons. While both of them have each own issue to struggle with, they cannot help but attracted to each other after their rather unpleasant encounter, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Caregiver, Dementia, Romance, sexual abuse | Leave a comment

Dark Nuns (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): It’s the time to bring nuns…

Posted on January 25, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean horror film “Dark Nuns”, which is a spin-off of “The Priests” (2015), is another typical exorcism flick with a bit of refreshing element. Again, the Catholic Church comes forward for fighting with the supernatural force of evil, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Catholic Church, Demon, Exorcism, Horror, Nun, Possession, South Korean Film | Leave a comment

Handling the Undead (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Facing an inexplicable happening

Posted on January 24, 2025 by kaist455

Norwegian film “Handling the Undead” is a dry and detached genre piece simply going all the way for its unsettling mood. Without explaining a lot about its story premise, the movie calmly and distantly observes its several main characters facing … Continue reading →

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

A Different Man (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A humorously ironic comedy on identity and appearance.

Posted on January 20, 2025 by kaist455

“A Different Man”, which won the Best Picture award at the Gotham Awards ceremony a few months ago, is often quite amusing as cheerfully exploring the issues of identity and appearance. After patiently building up its comic momentum during the … Continue reading →