Author Archives: kaist455

Summer’s Camera (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little sensitive queer adolescent drama

Posted on June 28, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Summer’s Camera” is a little queer adolescent drama to be admired for its somber but sensitive moments. Calmly following the uncertain emotional journey of its queer adolescent heroine, the movie subtly illustrates her personal loss and … Continue reading →

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Manok (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A lesbian lady back in her rural hometown

Posted on June 28, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Manok” is a likable queer comedy drama boldly waving its rainbow spirit across the screen. While its cheerful mix between humor and drama often feels rather uneven especially during its second half, the movie has a … Continue reading →

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Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros (2023) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): How a French restaurant works

Posted on June 28, 2026 by kaist455

Frederick Wiseman’s last work “Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros” is another extraordinary documentary to admire and cherish. Just like Wiseman’s many other works, the documentary simply observes and listens without any interview or music or narration, but we somehow sense and … Continue reading →

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Supergirl (2026) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Superman’s messy cousin

Posted on June 25, 2026 by kaist455

“Supergirl”, another product from the DC Universe (DCU) after “Superman” (2025), has a number of right elements, but it somehow left me rather unimpressed on the whole. Probably because, like many of you, I have seen too many superhero flicks … Continue reading →

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I Am Frankelda (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): An enchanting Mexican animation film

Posted on June 23, 2026 by kaist455

Mexican animation film “I Am Frankelda”, which is currently available on Netflix in South Korea, is quite enchanting for its distinctive mood, texture, and detail. As a stop-motion animation film, the film gives us a series of lovely visual moments … Continue reading →

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GOAT (2026) ☆☆☆(3/4): A young goat following his dream

Posted on June 23, 2026 by kaist455

Animation feature film “GOAT” is typical and familiar to the bone. With a fantasy background full of anthropomorphic animal characters not so from “Zootopia” (2016) and its recent sequel, the film presents your average underdog sports drama story, and you … Continue reading →

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The Piano Teacher (2001) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Can she really play him like piano?

Posted on June 22, 2026 by kaist455

Michael Hanake’s 2001 film “The Piano Teacher”, which was released in South Korean theaters in last week, is a truly disturbing observation of one very, very, very twisted lady. While we never really fully understand her even at the very … Continue reading →

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Soar (2026) ☆☆☆(3/4): She simply wants to escape…

Posted on June 21, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Soar” is an earnest coming-of-age tale about one desperate adolescent girl who wants to escape from her very unhappy environment. Calmly and sensitively observing how much she struggles to hold onto a rather unlikely opportunity for … Continue reading →

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Toy Story 5 (2026) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): It’s still going well even after three decades

Posted on June 17, 2026 by kaist455

In my review on Pixar animation film “Toy Story 4” (2019), I observed that this is pretty much like another goodbye after what was supposed to be the near-perfect ending of “Toy Story 3” (2010). That is the main reason … Continue reading →

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The Price of Goodbye (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A desperate funeral before death

Posted on June 16, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “The Price of Goodbye” is a low-key comedy ably swinging back and forth between absurdity and desperation, and I like that. While we are often amused by its several characters struggling in their silly little scam … Continue reading →

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