Author Archives: kaist455

The Tenants (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): His problematic tenants

Posted on December 7, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “The Tenants” tries to be a quirky mix of SF, comedy, and a bit of horror. The overall result is amusing as sort of a satiric allegory on the current economic struggle of many people out … Continue reading →

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Sister Yoojung (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): The truth about her younger sister

Posted on December 7, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean film “Sister Yoojung” is about a young woman who comes to realize that she has not been that close to a family member she should have supported and comforted more. While its story begins with a rather alarming … Continue reading →

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The Substance (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The wildest movie of this year

Posted on December 6, 2024 by kaist455

Coralie Fargeat’s second feature film “The Substance” is probably the wildest movie of this year in my trivial opinion. Deliberately shocking and excessive in many aspects, the movie pushes its weird and grotesque promise all the way for its dark … Continue reading →

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Good One (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Camping with her dad and his friend

Posted on December 5, 2024 by kaist455

“Good One” is one of those subtle character drama films where you need to focus more on mood and nuance with some patience. On the surface, nothing particularly dramatic happens among its three main characters, but the movie slowly and … Continue reading →

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How to Have Sex (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A female coming-of-age tale about sex

Posted on December 4, 2024 by kaist455

British film “How to Have Sex” will strike you hard at first while its adolescent heroine and her two female friends go wild for some fun and excitement. As clearly reflected by the very title of the film, they are … Continue reading →

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Sandstorm (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A sandy league of their own

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Sandstorm” reminds me that there are still many things I don’t know much about. Looking around several female athletes quite passionate about their respective professional athletic careers, the documentary attempts to illuminate its rather obscure main … Continue reading →

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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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