Category Archives: Movies

Lean on Pete (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A boy and the horse

Posted on May 13, 2018 by kaist455

“Lean on Pete” surprised me with its considerable sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Here is a simple but heartfelt character drama which simply goes its own way as wisely avoiding clichés and conventions, and I was both entertained and touched by how … Continue reading →

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The Rider (2017) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): The tale of a young rodeo cowboy

Posted on May 13, 2018 by kaist455

“The Rider”, a small independent film which was recently shown at the Jeonju International Film Festival, is a quiet but mesmerizing work of haunting beauty and aching poetry. Calmly and closely looking into a plain young hero and how he … Continue reading →

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Stronger (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Stumbling and struggling toward recovery

Posted on May 10, 2018 by kaist455

Based on an inspiring real-life story, “Stronger” wants to engage you and then touch you, and it did its job mostly well although it sometimes stumbles as much as its ordinary hero. While some parts in the movie feel artificial … Continue reading →

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God’s Own Country (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): An unadorned gay romance in countryside

Posted on May 9, 2018 by kaist455

As watching “God’s Own Country”, I thought about how much we have been accustomed to queer movies since “Brokeback Mountain” (2005) came out. After the considerable critical and financial success of that haunting gay romance drama, there came many other … Continue reading →

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Lucky (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): So long, Mr. Stanton

Posted on May 7, 2018 by kaist455

Harry Dean Stanton, who died at the age of 91 in last September, was always interesting to watch throughout his long, illustrious acting career spanning six decades. Since I came to notice this veteran character actor for the first time … Continue reading →

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Detroit (2017) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Visceral but unfocused

Posted on May 6, 2018 by kaist455

Kathryn Bigelow’s latest film “Detroit” is a visceral but unfocused work which made me feel rather ambivalent about it after my viewing. While it is as vivid and tense as required during many of its key moments, it does not … Continue reading →

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A Skin So Soft (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Of muscle and masculinity

Posted on May 6, 2018 by kaist455

Going to the Jeonju International Film Festival has been a sort of ritual for me. After I watched Ramin Bahrani’s “Goodbye Solo” (2008) there, I have made a regular visit to the festival during last 8 years, and I was … Continue reading →

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Dangal (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two wrestler girls pushed by their father

Posted on May 2, 2018 by kaist455

Indian film “Dangal”, which is belatedly released here in South Korea during last weekend, is a conventional sports drama which turns out to be better than I thought. Although there are numerous clichéd moments here and there in the film, … Continue reading →

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Human Flow (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A wide, intimate look into global refugee crisis

Posted on May 1, 2018 by kaist455

As a wide, intimate look into the ongoing refugee crisis around our world, Ai Weiwei’s documentary film “Human Flow” is sometimes difficult to watch. Moving around here and there around the world, the documentary frequently shows us vivid, harrowing moments … Continue reading →

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Wonderstruck (2017) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Not wondrous enough

Posted on May 1, 2018 by kaist455

Todd Haynes’ latest film “Wonderstruck” is not as wondrous as its very title suggests. Although there are a number of nice moments of charm and innocence, the movie is unfortunately hampered by its rather flat, contrived storytelling, and I must … Continue reading →

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