Category Archives: Movies

Le Quattro Volte (2010) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Charcoal, man, goat, tree… and charcoal

Posted on November 12, 2011 by kaist455

“Le Quattro Volte” does not explain anything to us. It does not even try to tell us the idea that inspired this beautiful, reticent film. But I am not complaining about it, because the movie does not have to explain … Continue reading →

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Beginners (2010) ☆☆☆(3/4) : It is never too late to come out

Posted on November 6, 2011 by kaist455

They say it is never too late to pursuit the happiness in our life. In Mike Mill’s “Beginners”, Hal makes a good example to his son Oliver. Hal has recently lost his wife and he is over 70, but he … Continue reading →

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The Help (2011) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A mild “Giseongpoom” about that turbulent time

Posted on November 5, 2011 by kaist455

“The Help” reminds me of the term I frequently use for description when I write movie reviews in Korean: “Giseongpoom”, which means “ready-made product” in English. I and other South Korean critics use that word if the movie we talk … Continue reading →

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My FFC review for Bleak Night (2010)

Posted on November 3, 2011 by kaist455

My second review for South Korean movie “Bleak Night”(2010), one of the best South Korean movies of this year, is posted at Roger Ebert’s Far-flung correspondent site. If you want to read it, click here. My original review is here. https://kaist455.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/bleak-night-2010/ … Continue reading →

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The Tree of Life (2011) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : From the vast universe to one small life

Posted on October 29, 2011 by kaist455

“The Tree of Life”, Terrence Malick’s ambitious new film, is a dazzling kaleidoscopic panorama rare to watch. Sometimes it seems ponderous, and sometimes it feels bloated, but it is an overwhelming visual feast to be remembered and discussed. I cannot … Continue reading →

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Drive (2011) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A stylish action film with an enigmatic driver hero

Posted on October 23, 2011 by kaist455

“Drive” works not only as an entertaining action film with lots of style but also as a compelling character study with a fascinatingly enigmatic character surrounded by an array of the interesting characters. While the action sequences in the movie … Continue reading →

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Punch (2011) ☆☆☆(3/4) : His enemy, His teacher, and… His neighbour

Posted on October 22, 2011 by kaist455

If you are a South Korean and you were relatively lucky while going through ruthless South Korean education system, you probably had at least one teacher who ‘bothered’ you a lot in your school days. He had a lot of … Continue reading →

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A Separation (2011) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A complex human conflict unfolded from one separation

Posted on October 16, 2011 by kaist455

 None of the characters is a villain in their complex human conflict in an Iranian domestic drama film “A Separation”. Each of them has each own priority among the moral/ethical/religious values in their world, and the difference between their views causes … Continue reading →

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Biutiful (2010) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A dying man struggling in his seedy world

Posted on October 2, 2011 by kaist455

Sometimes the movie which is not the director’s best film has one of best performances in the actor’s career. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Biutiful” is not as successful as planned: a thin premise is extended a little too much, and I … Continue reading →

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Confessions (2010) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Vengeance is hers

Posted on October 1, 2011 by kaist455

It begins on the last day of the semester at a classroom of some Japanese junior high school. Though they will return to their school after a month, most of the students are very excited while waiting for the time … Continue reading →

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