Author Archives: kaist455

Extreme Festival (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): One messy festival day

Posted on July 2, 2023 by kaist455

I was mildly amused by the comically messy circumstance among the main characters of South Korean film “Extreme Festival”. No matter how much its heroine and several other characters try their best for saving their little local event, things keep … Continue reading →

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206: Unearthed (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Unearthing the tragedies of the Korean War

Posted on July 1, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “206: Unearthed” illuminates one tragic fact of the Korean War, which I and other South Koreans should remember as long as possible. During that dark and dangerous period, millions of innocent civilians were massacred around the … Continue reading →

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Small, Slow but Steady (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): The daily life of a deaf female boxer

Posted on July 1, 2023 by kaist455

Japanese film “Small, Slow but Steady” is a restrained but intimate drama revolving around the daily life of one hearing-impaired female boxer. While slowly but steadily observing how its heroine tries to go on one plain day after another, the … Continue reading →

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The Shining (1980) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A Madness Odyssey

Posted on June 30, 2023 by kaist455

Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, whose 4k remastered version was recently released by a local movie theater chain in South Korea, is utterly eerie for its baroque uncertainty. As its three main characters are hopelessly isolated inside its vast and ominous … Continue reading →

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World’s Best (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little but likable Disney rap musical

Posted on June 30, 2023 by kaist455

“World’s Best”, which is released on Disney+ in last week, is a little but likable Disney rap musical about a smart middle school kid who boldly takes a chance with rap music. Although its story and characters are actually pretty … Continue reading →

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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The lackluster closing chapter for Dr. Jones

Posted on June 29, 2023 by kaist455

Although I did not watch any of the first three Indiana Jones movies at movie theater, I remember well how I felt both entertained and nostalgic as watching that rather passable fourth film in 2008. Sure, it did not surpass … Continue reading →

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Expanded with more style and substance

Posted on June 22, 2023 by kaist455

Animation film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”, the sequel to its Oscar-winning predecessor “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, is a busily rich experience I am willing to revisit for more fun and appreciation. Yes, as many of you already know, this is … Continue reading →

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Missing (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Gone Father

Posted on June 20, 2023 by kaist455

It is rather difficult to describe the plot of “Missing”, a dark and disturbing Japanese mystery thriller film which pulls some surprises for us as unexpectedly shifting from one narrative point to another. I will be discreet here as much … Continue reading →

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Chevalier (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): The story of a black musician in the 18th century France

Posted on June 19, 2023 by kaist455

“Chevalier”, which is currently available on Disney+ in South Korea, is the story about one fascinating real-life black musician who deserves to be known more for good reasons. Although it is basically a conventional period drama, the movie still engages … Continue reading →

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Flamin’ Hot (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Not hot enough in my humble opinion

Posted on June 19, 2023 by kaist455

“Flamin’ Hot”, which was released in Disney+ a few days ago in South Korea, is unfortunately not hot enough for us. While it is supposed to be a colorfully spicy and interesting story behind Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the movie is … Continue reading →

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