Category Archives: Movies

Gyeong-ah’s Daughter (2022) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her daughter is in trouble…

Posted on June 18, 2022 by kaist455

I often braced myself while watching South Korean film “Gyeong-ah’s Daughter”, a somber but undeniably powerful drama about one certain serious social gender issue in our digital era. As observing how its two different main characters respectively struggle with the … Continue reading →

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Hustle (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A low-key sports drama starring Adam Sandler (No Kidding)

Posted on June 13, 2022 by kaist455

As many of you know, Adam Sandler is actually a good actor who can be quite serious and compelling whenever he gets a chance for that. In Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch Drunk Love” (2002), he got the first opportunity for … Continue reading →

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The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Before his big match

Posted on June 11, 2022 by kaist455

Finnish film “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki”, which was belatedly released in South Korean theaters on this Thursday, is a modest drama film revolving around one real-life professional boxer who attempted on the World Boxing Association … Continue reading →

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Sister J (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): As he and others endure for more than 10 years

Posted on June 11, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Sister J” gives a dry but sensitive glimpse into the longtime struggle of one ordinary man who fought along with his colleagues for more than 10 years. As shown in the documentary, they really tried hard … Continue reading →

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Unboxing Girl (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): The trouble with her crummy boss

Posted on June 10, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Unboxing Girl” is often difficult to watch in many of its absurdly exasperating moments. Mainly revolving around its heroine’s very unlucky office romance, the movie has a lot to show and tell about sexism and gender … Continue reading →

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Broker (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Bringing Up Baby

Posted on June 9, 2022 by kaist455

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film “Broker” is an interesting trial to admire. Like his previous film “The Truth” (2019), the movie attempts to transplant his own style and storytelling to a country outside Japan, and it is mildly engaging to observe … Continue reading →

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Missing Yoon (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Imitation of Life

Posted on June 9, 2022 by kaist455

Here is a little South Korean film which somehow made me care much more than expected. I must confess that I initially observed its two different main characters with mere pity and annoyance, but “Missing Yoon” gradually let me understand … Continue reading →

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Fire Island (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Pride and Prejudice on a gay village

Posted on June 7, 2022 by kaist455

“Fire Island” initially made me feel awkward for good reasons. Here is a little but funny and exuberant gay romance comedy film which is also quite frank and proud about the irrepressible homosexuality of many of its main characters, and, … Continue reading →

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American Underdog (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A standard underdog story – and that is all

Posted on June 7, 2022 by kaist455

“American Underdog” is a standard underdog story which neither overachieves nor underachieves. While I appreciate its earnest handling of story and characters to some degree, the movie does not have enough life or personality to distinguish itself from those countless … Continue reading →

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Eiffel (2021) ☆☆(2/4): Shouldn’t it focus more on the tower itself?

Posted on June 7, 2022 by kaist455

French film “Eiffel” is supposed to be about the story behind that historical steel tower in Paris, but it turns out to focus more on a rather plain and uninteresting romance tale which is entirely fictional in fact. No, I … Continue reading →

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