Author Archives: kaist455

Harbin (2024) ☆☆(2/4): A piece of dry and mediocre seriousness

Posted on December 29, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean film “Harbin” is so serious and ponderous that it often forgets engaging or entertaining its audiences. I do understand that it attempts to be a grim and gritty period drama about one famous real-life national hero and his … Continue reading →

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Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): They’re back!

Posted on December 28, 2024 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”, the latest work from Aardman Animations which will be released on Netflix on next Friday in South Korea, is as funny and delightful as we can possibly expect. Although it may … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Story (1983) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): Still witty, funny, and sweet

Posted on December 26, 2024 by kaist455

Bob Clark’s 1983 film “A Christmas Story” is quite typical but also very special in many aspects. Yes, this is mainly about one ordinary American kid trying to receive a certain toy for the upcoming Christmas, but the movie somehow … Continue reading →

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Murder on the Orient Express (1974) ☆☆☆(3/4): An Agatha Christie mystery film with enough charm and craft

Posted on December 26, 2024 by kaist455

Sidney Lumet’s 1974 film “Murder on the Orient Express” is all about style and mood. While this is not exactly one of the best film adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, it still works as an enjoyable genre piece packed with … Continue reading →

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Sugarcane (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An investigation into one tragic past in Canada

Posted on December 24, 2024 by kaist455

Documentary film “Sugarcane”, which is currently available in Disney+ in South Korea, is alternatively chilling and heartbreaking with its emerging big picture of one tragic past in Canada. As already known to many of us via recent news reports a … Continue reading →

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Blink (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Before their kids become blind

Posted on December 24, 2024 by kaist455

Documentary film “Blink”, which is currently available on Disney+ in South Korea, is the story of one loving family who decide to have a very special trip around the world. As the parents sincerely try to help their four children … Continue reading →

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It’s Not Me (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Carax on a Godard mode

Posted on December 23, 2024 by kaist455

Leo Carax’s new short film “It’s Not Me”, which happens to be released in South Korean theaters along with Alice Rohrwacher’s new short film “An Urban Allegory” (2024), is elusive but undeniably intriguing in many aspects. Clearly influenced by those … Continue reading →

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An Urban Allegory (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Rohrwacher, JR, a bit of Carax

Posted on December 23, 2024 by kaist455

It took some time for me to understand and appreciate the works of Alice Rohrwacher, who has been one of the most interesting filmmakers of our time since she made a feature film debut with “Heavenly Body” (2011). While I … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) ☆☆☆(3/4): A clash of styles

Posted on December 22, 2024 by kaist455

Nagisa Ōshima’s 1983 film “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”, whose 4k restoration version was recently released in South Korean theaters several weeks ago, is a fascinatingly odd war film which attempts to present two very different human relationships at the center … Continue reading →

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The Fall (2006) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A glorious folly of striking images

Posted on December 22, 2024 by kaist455

Tarsem’s 2006 film “The Fall”, whose 4K remastered version will be released in South Korean theaters on Christmas, is a glorious folly of striking images to behold. Loosely based on the screenplay of the 1981 Bulgarian film “Yo Ho Ho”, … Continue reading →

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