Category Archives: Movies

The Mauritanian (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): A flawed but earnest legal drama

Posted on March 18, 2021 by kaist455

Kevin Macdonald’s new film “The Mauritanian” is a flawed but earnest legal drama which could be better if it stuck more to its unjustly imprisoned hero. Yes, the movie sometimes loses its narrative focus and momentum as shuffling around several … Continue reading →

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Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A mild tribute to the Notorious B.I.G.

Posted on March 14, 2021 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell”, which was released a few weeks ago, is a mildly engaging tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., who was one of the legendary rap artists in the 1990s. As a guy … Continue reading →

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Possessor (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her tricky occupational hazard

Posted on March 12, 2021 by kaist455

“Possessor”, the second feature film by director/writer Brandon Cronenberg, is an oddly unnerving SF psychological thriller film which constantly disturbs us from the beginning to the end. While there are a number of gruesome moments which will definitely make you … Continue reading →

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Boss Level (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Another time loop flick of this year

Posted on March 12, 2021 by kaist455

As far as I remember, “Boss Level” is the fourth time loop flick I saw during last several months. In last year, I watched Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti stuck in their comic time loop in “Palm Springs” (2020), and … Continue reading →

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Moxie (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Her little high school rebellion

Posted on March 6, 2021 by kaist455

Netflix movie “Moxie”, which was released a few days ago, is a likable high school comedy drama which tries to juggle a little too many things together. While it works as a nice coming-of-age tale of female empowerment to some … Continue reading →

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Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): A colorful quest for trust and unity

Posted on March 5, 2021 by kaist455

Disney animation feature film “Raya and the Last Dragon”, which was supposed to be released around the end of the last year but then gets released in this month instead due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is charming and exuberant … Continue reading →

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Minari (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A South Korean immigrant family in the middle of Arkansas

Posted on February 28, 2021 by kaist455

“Minari”, whose title means water dropwort in Korean, is a simple but profoundly intimate piece of work to remember. While it is quite specific in terms of background and characters, it also works as a universal American immigrant family drama … Continue reading →

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Go Back (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): In front of abuse and disregard

Posted on February 27, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean film “Go Back” seems to be a mystery drama on the surface but then turns out to be less about what exactly happened. While we come to have a pretty good idea on that even before its first … Continue reading →

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Nomadland (2020) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A certain American lifestyle

Posted on February 23, 2021 by kaist455

“Nomadland”, which won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival and then the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in last September, is simply extraordinary in its seemingly plain and simple presentation of a certain … Continue reading →

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Jungleland (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two brothers and a girl on the road

Posted on February 23, 2021 by kaist455

“Jungleland” is a simple but engaging story revolving around the relationship of two very different brothers. Right from its first few minutes, you can easily discern where their story is heading, and the story will not surprise you much, but … Continue reading →

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