Tag Archives: Abuse

The Assistant (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her toxic work environment

Posted on October 4, 2020 by kaist455

It may take some time for you to discern the insidiously virulent work environment surrounding the helpless heroine of “The Assistant”, a small but biting independent film which is inarguably one of the most notable movies of the ongoing #MeToo … Continue reading →

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The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their one day

Posted on January 18, 2020 by kaist455

Canadian film “The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open” presents a series of continuous moments between two different female characters who happen to encounter each other on one day. As austerely but sensitively focusing on strained and tentative interactions … Continue reading →

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A Vigilante (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A female avenger against domestic violence

Posted on April 19, 2019 by kaist455

“A Vigilante” is a small but fascinating drama about one troubled woman who chooses a rather drastic way of fighting against domestic violence. While firmly sticking to its austere attitude, the movie works as a restrained but intense character study … Continue reading →

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Custody (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): It’s not over for them yet

Posted on June 24, 2018 by kaist455

Disturbing but undeniably gripping, French film “Custody” chillingly examines the problematic family relationship among its main characters. Right from its opening scene, we sense a trouble coming from the distance, and then the movie gradually dials up its level of … Continue reading →

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Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Behind the belief

Posted on February 20, 2016 by kaist455

As far as I can remember, the first time I heard about the Church of Scientology was when I read a review on “Battlefield Earth” (2000), an infamous Hollywood turkey which was based on the SF novel of the same … Continue reading →

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Love & Mercy (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Going down – and going up again

Posted on August 4, 2015 by kaist455

Brian Wilson has lived an interesting life which is sometimes too dramatic to be believed. After ascending to the top with his legendary band at young age, he tried to move forward with his new ideas, but then he slowly … Continue reading →

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Madonna (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : The Passion of Madonna

Posted on July 5, 2015 by kaist455

South Korean film “Madonna”, which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in this May and is now currently being shown at South Korean theaters, is a tough stuff packed with stark power and harrowing emotions. It is often very … Continue reading →

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Joe (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Cage and Green back in their element

Posted on April 27, 2014 by kaist455

 With its stark rural background and the people who really look like its squalid inhabitants, David Gordon Green’s new film “Joe” feels real at every minute. As we are absorbed by how it takes its time to establish its mood … Continue reading →

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Short Term 12 (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful

Posted on January 24, 2014 by kaist455

  My late friend Roger Ebert once said that movies are the most powerful aid to empathy of all the arts, and “Short Term 12”, one of the small gems of 2013, is a model example of that. As hanging … Continue reading →

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Chronicle (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : They’ve got the power, but…

Posted on March 17, 2012 by kaist455

“Chronicle” is an interesting SF drama working well as the mix of the two film genres which have become notably prevalent during the last decade. On the surface, it presents itself as one of those ‘found footage’ movies a la … Continue reading →

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