Author Archives: kaist455

The Berefts (2023) ☆☆(2/4): A fake marriage for better life

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “The Berefts” is another grim social drama about several economically disadvantaged people around the bottom of the South Korean society. As dryly following its main characters’ struggle for better life, the movie attempts to make some … Continue reading →

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Conclave (2024) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): Into a papal election

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

“Conclave” feels totally tense and serious with its utterly pulpy story material, and that is the main reason of its entertaining success. Closely confining itself within its isolated main background along with the story and characters, the movie vividly and … Continue reading →

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The Monk and the Gun (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): In the middle of modernization

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

“The Monk and the Gun”, which was the Bhutanese entry for Best International Film Oscar in last year (It was included in the shortlist around the end of last year, by the way), takes its time for its little deadpan … Continue reading →

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Memoir of a Snail (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A melancholic but funny animation film

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

Australian animation feature film “Memoirs of a Snail” is deeply melancholic but also undeniably humorous and touching. While often being quite sad and moody just like its heroine throughout the story, the film also shows a lot of wit, style, … Continue reading →

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Flow (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A cat’s adventure

Posted on November 30, 2024 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Flow”, which was selected as the official submission of Latvia for Best International Film Oscar in this year, is a simple but enchanting fantasy tale which alternatively baffles and dazzles us. Without any dialogue at all, the … Continue reading →

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The Land of Morning Calm (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A fisherman’s insurance scam

Posted on November 29, 2024 by kaist455

You will not easily forget the old but tough hero of South Korean film “The Land of Morning Calm”, which won three awards including the Best Film Award at the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival a … Continue reading →

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The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A tense Iranian family/political drama

Posted on November 29, 2024 by kaist455

Iranian film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”, which was recently selected as the German submission to Best International Film Oscar, is a masterful work which will hold your attention from the beginning to the end. Deftly balancing itself between … Continue reading →

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Moana 2 (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A middling second chapter not sailing that far

Posted on November 28, 2024 by kaist455

Disney animation film “Moana 2” is a middling second chapter compared to its promising predecessor, and that is a big disappointment for all of us. Sure, it looks as terrific as you can expect from any decent Disney animation these … Continue reading →

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Delivery (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A comedy about unplanned pregnancy

Posted on November 27, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean comedy film “Delivery” wants to generate some laughs from unplanned pregnancy, and that was fine with me at the beginning. Sure, it is true that anything can be comic material, but the movie does not work as well … Continue reading →

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Blitz (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A boy and his mother under the Blitz

Posted on November 26, 2024 by kaist455

Steve McQueen’s latest film “Blitz”, which is currently available on Apple TV+, tries to bring some new and interesting elements into its familiar genre territory. Although it does not always work, the movie often distinguishes itself with a number of … Continue reading →

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