Author Archives: kaist455

The Fabric of the Human Body (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A visceral presentation of medical cares and treatments on the human body

Posted on December 10, 2023 by kaist455

Documentary film “The Fabric of the Human Body” is simply unforgettable for its utterly vivid and visceral presentation of medical cares and treatments on the human body. You will definitely wince more than once for many graphic moments of flesh … Continue reading →

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Maestro (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): More about his wife, actually

Posted on December 9, 2023 by kaist455

Netflix film “Maestro”, which was released in South Korean theaters a few days ago and then will be available on Netflix a few weeks later, is supposed to be about the life and career of Leonard Bernstein, but he is … Continue reading →

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Napoleon (2023) ☆☆(2/4): Napoleon dully in love and war

Posted on December 9, 2023 by kaist455

Ridley Scott’s new film “Napoleon” is surprisingly flat and bland despite its ambitious intentions. While it tries to be an epic historical drama revolving around one of the most prominent figures in the 19th century Europe, the movie curiously lacks … Continue reading →

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Bottoms (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Figthting Girls

Posted on December 6, 2023 by kaist455

Emma Seligman’s second feature film “Bottoms” is decidedly outrageous for laughs, and I enjoyed that. As a high school comedy movie, it is often blatantly artificial in terms of mood and details, but it literally does not pull any punch … Continue reading →

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20 Days in Mariupol (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A close look into one Ukrainian city under siege

Posted on December 6, 2023 by kaist455

Ukrainian documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”, which received the Audience Award at the World Cinema Documentary Competition of the Sundance Film Festival early in this year, is a vivid and disturbing presentation of the first 20 days of one Ukrainian … Continue reading →

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How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A bunch of radical environmentalists

Posted on December 5, 2023 by kaist455

“How to Blow Up a Pipeline” is as disturbing and alarming as its very title suggests. Here are a group of young radicals willing to go a lot further for their common sociopolitical belief, and the movie is alternatively compelling … Continue reading →

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May December (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A tricky character study

Posted on December 5, 2023 by kaist455

Todd Haynes’ latest film “May December” is elusive but fascinating in its tricky psychological drama between a famous actress and a notorious woman she is supposed to play. While mostly cold and dispassionate in terms of mood and storytelling, the … Continue reading →

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Earth Mama (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Desperate Motherhood

Posted on December 4, 2023 by kaist455

I admire good movies which can function as the window of empathy and understanding to people a lot different from me or you, and “Earth Mama” is a prime example of that. As following the daily struggles of one young … Continue reading →

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Passages (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): You will be sorry for them – but not him

Posted on December 4, 2023 by kaist455

Ira Sachs’ latest film “Passages” will definitely make you wince a lot for its utterly unlikable hero – and how much the two other main characters around him struggle with his toxic influence in one way or another. Although you … Continue reading →

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Single in Seoul (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Publishing and Romancing

Posted on December 3, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Single in Seoul” is a romantic comedy which turns out to be more distinctive and intelligent than expected. Right from when its Meet Cute moment, you can clearly see through where it is going along with its … Continue reading →

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