Category Archives: Movies

Passages (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): You will be sorry for them – but not him

Posted on December 4, 2023 by kaist455

Ira Sachs’ latest film “Passages” will definitely make you wince a lot for its utterly unlikable hero – and how much the two other main characters around him struggle with his toxic influence in one way or another. Although you … Continue reading →

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Single in Seoul (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Publishing and Romancing

Posted on December 3, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Single in Seoul” is a romantic comedy which turns out to be more distinctive and intelligent than expected. Right from when its Meet Cute moment, you can clearly see through where it is going along with its … Continue reading →

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R.M.N. (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their Town

Posted on December 3, 2023 by kaist455

Romanian filmmaker Christian Mungiu has impressed us with his dry but undeniably intense drama films such as “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” (2007) and “Beyond the Hill” (2012). Although it is less focused in comparison as attempting to … Continue reading →

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American Symphony (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A slice of his art and life

Posted on December 2, 2023 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “American Symphony”, which came out a few days ago, simply presents a slice of life and art from John Batiste, who has been one of the most prominent American musicians during last several years. Although the documentary … Continue reading →

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Stamped from the Beginning (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A searing essay on American racism

Posted on December 2, 2023 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Stamped from the Beginning”, which was released on Netflix a few weeks ago, is utterly direct and forthright about the long and troubling history of American racism. If you are familiar with its main subject, you may … Continue reading →

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The Holdovers (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Stuck together during one Christmas season

Posted on December 2, 2023 by kaist455

Alexnader Payne’s latest film “The Holdovers”, which will simply be released in South Korea as “Barton Academy”, is a dry but humorous character drama which will grow on you a lot for its excellent mood, performance, and storytelling. While it … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a Fall (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A rivetingly ambiguous courtroom drama

Posted on December 2, 2023 by kaist455

French film “Anatomy of a Fall”, which won the Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival early in this year, is a compelling courtroom drama film which keeps us guessing for good reasons. Mainly revolving around one seemingly simple … Continue reading →

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Monster (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): “Who is the monster?”

Posted on November 30, 2023 by kaist455

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film “Monster” seems rather disturbing and frustrating at first and then becomes something much more compelling and powerful than expected. As moving from one viewpoint to another along the plot, the movie gradually and sensitively delves into … Continue reading →

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Withstanding and Existing (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Some musicians at one old movie theater

Posted on November 27, 2023 by kaist455

My hometown Jeonju has a certain area in the middle of its old downtown area, which has been the center of Jeonju International Film Festival for more than 20 years. It surely has several big movie theaters even at present, … Continue reading →

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Birth (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A hell called pregnancy

Posted on November 26, 2023 by kaist455

South Korean film “Birth” was often difficult to watch for me. Because I saw its trailer a few weeks ago, I braced myself even before the screening was started, and, boy, it turns out to be as grimly intense as … Continue reading →

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