Category Archives: Movies

A Resistance (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): The Story of Yu Gwan-sun

Posted on March 1, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “A Resistance” is a respectful period drama movie about Yu Gwan-sun, one of the most prominent activists in the March 1st Movement against Imperial Japanese colonial rule of Korea in 1919. Considering that Yu has been one … Continue reading →

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Climax (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): From jubilant euphoria to hellish nightmare

Posted on March 1, 2019 by kaist455

The works of Gaspar Noé, who debuted with “I Stand Alone” (1998), are definitely not something you can casually watch on Sunday afternoon. I still remember well that infamous rape scene and other equally provocative moments in his second film … Continue reading →

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The Hole in the Ground (2019) ☆☆(2/4): He doesn’t feel like her son…

Posted on February 28, 2019 by kaist455

Right from its very first shot, “The Hole in the Ground” is fully shrouded in moody and ominous ambience, and that is one of a few good things I can say about the film. As initially sensing that something bad … Continue reading →

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Paddleton (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two close friends facing mortality

Posted on February 23, 2019 by kaist455

“Paddleton”, which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in last month and then released on Netflix on this Friday, is a little character drama about two close friends suddenly facing mortality and then trying to deal with it. … Continue reading →

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Creed II (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Fathers and sons with issue

Posted on February 22, 2019 by kaist455

“Creed II” is a safe sequel mostly making predictable moves inside its genre conventions. Although it is understandably less refreshing and surprising compared to what was magnificently achieved in its 2015 predecessor, the movie is still fairly entertaining mainly thanks … Continue reading →

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Ben Is Back (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): When her addict son is back

Posted on February 22, 2019 by kaist455

“Ben Is Back” works best when it focuses on the troubled family relationship between its two main characters. As they struggle to do their best despite their longtime problem which will not be easily solved, the movie handles their circumstance … Continue reading →

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Cold Pursuit (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A redundant remake starring Liam Neeson

Posted on February 21, 2019 by kaist455

“Cold Pursuit”, which is the remake version of Norwegian film “In Order of Disappearance” (2014), is fairly watchable but not particularly necessary. Because I happened to watch the original version and then write about it a few days ago, I … Continue reading →

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Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A South Korean Occult Story

Posted on February 21, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “Svaha: The Sixth Finger” is filled with gloomy spookiness from the very beginning, and it did not disappoint me at all. While I am still not sure whether I understood all of its numerous religious details, this … Continue reading →

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My prediction on the 91st Annual Academy Awards

Posted on February 19, 2019 by kaist455

The Oscar season of this year has been pretty wild and unpredictable. At first, “A Star is Born” seemed to be the front runner, but then “Green Book” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” stole the show at the Golden Globe Awards, and … Continue reading →

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In Order of Disappearance (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): A deadpan Norwegian revenge drama

Posted on February 18, 2019 by kaist455

Norwegian film “In Order of Disappearance” is a deadpan revenge drama sprinkled with a cold, morbid sense of black humor. While as stark, brutal, and violent as expected, the movie serves us a number of dryly absurd moments along with … Continue reading →

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