Category Archives: Movies

Listen (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Sincere but heavy-handed

Posted on December 12, 2021 by kaist455

“Listen”, which received several minor awards including the Special Jury Prize of the Venice Horizons Award when it was shown at the Venice International Film Festival in last year, is a sincere but ultimately disappointing melodrama. Although it sincerely wants … Continue reading →

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The Prayer (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little robot morality play

Posted on December 11, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean film “The Prayer”, which is actually the theatrical version of one episode of South Korean TV anthology drama series “SF8”, is a simple but thought-provoking SF morality play which examines one familiar but undeniably impossible moral dilemma via … Continue reading →

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Drive My Car (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Chekhov, Muramaki, and Hamaguchi

Posted on December 10, 2021 by kaist455

Japanese film “Drive My Car”, which was recently selected as the Japanese entry to Best International Film Oscar, is a rather long but very absorbing experience you should give a chance right now. As calmly and slowly rolling its story … Continue reading →

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The Velvet Underground (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Todd Haynes’ dazzlingly idiosyncratic music documentary

Posted on December 10, 2021 by kaist455

Todd Haynes’ documentary film “The Velvet Underground”, which was released on Apple+ two months ago, takes an idiosyncratic approach to its main subject, and the result is quite interesting to watch. Although I must confess that I only know a … Continue reading →

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Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): That forgotten summer of Harlem, 1969

Posted on December 9, 2021 by kaist455

You all probably know about the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, but most of you have probably never heard about the Harlem Cultural Festival, which was incidentally also held during the summer of 1969 just like Woodstock. Mainly based on … Continue reading →

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Titane (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): You’ll have to see it for yourself

Posted on December 8, 2021 by kaist455

Julia Ducournau’s new film “Titane”, which won the Palme d’Or when it had a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival several months ago and then was recently selected as the French entry for Best International Film Oscar, is wild, provocative, … Continue reading →

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The Rescue (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A vivid and gripping presentation of one risky rescue

Posted on December 7, 2021 by kaist455

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s new documentary film “The Rescue”, which was released on Disney+ in last week, is a vivid and gripping presentation of one risky rescue which drew lots of public attention around the world at that … Continue reading →

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The Beta Test (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): He had it coming, you know

Posted on December 7, 2021 by kaist455

“The Beta Test” is a vicious and morbid black comedy which often goes wild with its edgy sense of black humor to our horror, embarrassment, and amusement. Mainly revolving around one very unlikable Hollywood dude who surely deserves all those … Continue reading →

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Belfast (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Branagh’s little personal work set in Belfast, 1969

Posted on December 6, 2021 by kaist455

Kenneth Branagh’s new film “Belfast” is a little likable coming-of-age drama which looks into its hero’s small world with considerable affection and a bit of bittersweet nostalgia. While often recognizing the alarming social tumult surrounding him and many others in … Continue reading →

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Nine Days (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Before Life

Posted on December 6, 2021 by kaist455

“Nine Days” is a little thought-provoking drama film which willingly delves into those familiar matters of life. After initially quite intrigued by its offbeat fantasy setting, I willingly followed its simple but thoughtful narrative as often admiring a number of … Continue reading →

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