Category Archives: Movies

Don’t Breathe (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): They made a huge mistake…

“Don’t Breathe” does two things well as an exemplary thriller/horror movie. In the beginning, it takes some time to establish its modest ground for plot and character to engage us, and then it jolts us with a twisted reversal of … Continue reading

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The Bacchus Lady (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Miss Yoon Abides

Here is to you, Miss Yoon Yeo-jeong, who is indubitably the best thing in South Korean film “The Bacchus Lady”. While the movie itself often steps back from its main subject and stammers around other things, this wonderful actress did … Continue reading

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Breathing Underwater (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): The life and death of the women of the sea

South Korean documentary “Breathing Underwater” is about an interesting group of women in one small island. For earning their living, they dive into the sea without any special equipment except a few rudimentary tools, and the documentary touchingly observes how … Continue reading

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The Net (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A North Korean fisherman trapped between both sides

South Korean film “The Net” kicks and screams with its indignation over the social/political divide which has been continued for more than 60 years in Korean peninsula. Through its sad, brutal tale of one ordinary man who happens to be … Continue reading

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Sully (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): He simply did his job….

Clint Eastwood’s new film “Sully” is a modest character drama about one professional guy who simply did his job under an extraordinary circumstance. As revolving around that dangerous moment which could have gone terribly wrong for not only him but … Continue reading

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Pete’s Dragon (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A boy and his big, furry green friend

“Pete’s Dragon”, the remake of the 1977 Disney film of the same name, is admirable for many reasons. It takes its time to establish fantasy elements inside its ordinary background, and its simple but thoughtful fairy tale comes to grow … Continue reading

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Things to Come (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Things to Go – and Things to Come

French film “Things to Come” is brimming with the sense of life moving forward for not only its middle-aged heroine but also others around her. Regardless of whether she likes it or not, things are bound to change as life … Continue reading

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Goodnight Mommy (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): Are you really our mommy?

Creepy, insidious, and disturbing in its cold, austere approach, Austrian film “Goodnight Mommy” is definitely not a pleasant experience in contrast to its innocuous title. As its decidedly baffling first half sets the unnerving undertone around the isolated background of … Continue reading

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The Lovers and the Despot (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Kidnapped by their North Korean fan

I and most South Korean people are familiar with a bizarre real-life story presented in documentary film “The Lovers and the Despot”. It was one of the most infamous things committed by the North Korean dictatorship during last 66 years, … Continue reading

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Where to Invade Next (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Moore Invasion

Michael Moore’s documentaries are not exactly ‘neutral’ or ‘unbiased’, but he has always presented his messages in not only entertaining but also enlightening ways. Sure, he is sometimes unfair to his targets to be criticized or ridiculed while also being … Continue reading

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