Author Archives: kaist455

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Still zany and rambunctious

Tim Burton’s new film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is as quintessential as you can expect from Burton. The story itself is more or less than a mere ground for many odd, quirky, and grotesque stuffs to be presented here and there, but … Continue reading

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Mother’s Kingdom (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their kingdom to collapse

South Korean independent film “Mother’s Kingdom” is a somber but unnerving family drama about those tricky questions of belief and doubt. How much are you willing to go along with what is supposed to be a truth? And what are … Continue reading

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Fly Me to the Moon (2024) ☆☆(2/4): An uneven hodgepodge of comedy and drama

“Fly Me to the Moon” tries to be a lot of things at once, but it fails to work as any of them on the whole. While it busily swings back and forth between comedy and drama as intended, both … Continue reading

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Moongyeong: More than Roads (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her Journey with a monk

South Korean film “Moongyeong: More than Roads” follows a little journey of healing between two different women who happen to accompany each other by coincidence. Although it will require some patience from you as your average slow movie, it will … Continue reading

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Divertimento (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): To become a conductor

French film “Divertimento” is a competent feel-good drama film inspired by one remarkable real-life story. While there are some expected conventional moments, the movie casually flows along with its ambitious young heroine as she struggles to find her own personality … Continue reading

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Love According to Dalva (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): The observation of a troubled young girl

“Love According to Dalva” closely observes the emotional turmoil of a troubled young girl who feels quite hurt and confused for understandable reasons. While it is sometime difficult to watch during a number of emotionally intense scenes, the movie depicts … Continue reading

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IF (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A mishmash of wonder and melodrama

As far as I can remember, imaginary friend was something quite alien and abstract to me during my childhood years. As a matter of fact, I came to learn a bit about imaginary friend via one episode of a Disney … Continue reading

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Because I Hate Korea (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Away from Korea for happiness

South Korean film “Because I Hate Korea” did not surprise or interest me enough despite its acerbic viewpoint on the South Korean society. Yes, I and many people have been well aware of how things can be hellish for many … Continue reading

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Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): On her life and achievement

Documentary film “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge”, which is currently available on Disney+ in South Korea, broadly looks over the life and achievement of its very fascinating human subject. Although I wish it regarded this interesting figure with more … Continue reading

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The Vourdalak (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Staying in a vampire and his family’s house

French film “The Vourdalak” is a dry but occasionally humorous horror film to be appreciated for its offbeat deadpan touches. As its unfortunate hero clumsily attempts to deal with the increasingly dangerous circumstance surrounding him, the movie phlegmatically doles out … Continue reading

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