Category Archives: Movies

Wildlife (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A commendable directorial debut by Paul Dano

Posted on January 11, 2019 by kaist455

As a little period drama film about American middle-class suburbia during the 1960s, “Wildlife” is more distinctive and engaging than expected. While its specific sociocultural subject is not a particularly new territory considering many other previous films such as “Revolutionary … Continue reading →

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Beautiful Boy (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A father and his addict son

Posted on January 11, 2019 by kaist455

“Beautiful Boy” is not so successful despite some harrowing and painful moments it is required to deliver as a serious drama about addiction. Although its mostly non-linear narrative structure initially seems effective at first as its two main characters respectively … Continue reading →

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Monsters and Men (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Three different viewpoints on a social injustice

Posted on January 10, 2019 by kaist455

“Monsters and Men” is a modest but engaging drama calmly examining its relevant social issues via three different viewpoints. Although it is not entirely successful due to its some weak spots, there are a number of powerful moments to remember … Continue reading →

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The Wild Pear Tree (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A young writer returns to his hometown

Posted on January 9, 2019 by kaist455

Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s latest film “The Wild Pear Tree” is a long, reflective emotional journey which has a number of memorable moments to be appreciated for their interesting mix of ideas, mood, and drama. Although you may frequently feel impatient … Continue reading →

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MAL-MO-E: the Secret Mission (2018) ☆☆(2/4): Saving Korean language

Posted on January 7, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “MAL-MO-E: The Secret Mission” bored and depressed me. Although I was a little interested at first due to its important historical subject, I was quite disappointed as watching its trite and blatant attempt to squeeze laughs and … Continue reading →

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Everybody Knows (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): An engaging letdown by Asghar Farhadi

Posted on January 6, 2019 by kaist455

The opening scene of Asghar Farhadi’s new film “Everybody Knows”, which opened the Cannes Film Festival early in last year, summarizes well what I felt during my viewing. In the inner space of a church clock tower, the camera looks … Continue reading →

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Leto (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A biographical rock drama set in Leningrad during the 1980s

Posted on January 5, 2019 by kaist455

Russian film “Leto” tries to give us a glimpse into the Russian rock music culture during the early 1980s, and I admire its attempt to some degree. Although my mind frequently went somewhere when I watched it early in this … Continue reading →

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The Heiresses (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As she tentatively steps out of her hermetic life

Posted on January 2, 2019 by kaist455

“The Heiresses”, which was selected as Paraguay’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 2019 Academy Awards in last year, is a small but impressive drama about a plain middle-aged woman happening to struggle alone during the absence … Continue reading →

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Green Book (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Driving for his black employer

Posted on January 1, 2019 by kaist455

“Green Book”, which won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival several months ago, is a mild crowd-pleaser film which would probably be more acceptable if it had been made around 30 years ago. While it is … Continue reading →

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Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Ralph and Vanellope’s another adventure

Posted on January 1, 2019 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Ralph Breaks the Internet” amuses us a lot for good reasons. After throwing its two broad but endearing main characters into that vast world of the Internet, the movie serves us a number of colorful and spirited … Continue reading →

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