Tag Archives: Addiction

Hillbilly Elegy (2020) ☆☆(2/4): Looking back at his messy hillbilly upbringing

Posted on November 26, 2020 by kaist455

Netflix film “Hillbilly Elegy”, which was released on Netflix on this Tuesday after being released in theaters a few weeks ago, is so mild and bland that you may feel sorry for its several main cast members whose efforts are … Continue reading →

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DOSED (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Going through alternative addiction therapies

Posted on July 4, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “DOSED” observes a bumpy and difficult personal quest to sobriety via alternative addiction therapies. While some of you probably have some reasonable doubt on those alternative addiction therapies, the documentary still engages us as glimpsing into a series … Continue reading →

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Rachel Getting Married (2008) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As her sister is about to marry

Posted on April 8, 2020 by kaist455

To be frank with you, I usually get bored whenever I attend a wedding ceremony. Usually held at those big halls, weddings in South Korea are pretty much same in terms of routines and procedures, and I must confess that … Continue reading →

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Pain and Glory (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As he strolls in his creative crisis

Posted on January 13, 2020 by kaist455

Pedro Almodóvar’s latest work “Pain and Glory”, which was Spain’s official submission to Best International Film Oscar in last year, is a somber but undeniably poignant exploration of that fascinating interaction between life and art. I must confess that I … Continue reading →

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Judy (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Her last hurrah

Posted on December 13, 2019 by kaist455

As many of you know, Judy Garland was a tragically messy and damaged person throughout her life and career. While she quickly rose as a new talented child performer in Hollywood thanks to the enormous success of “The Wizard of … Continue reading →

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The Cat and the Moon (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A solid directorial debut by Alex Wolff

Posted on November 2, 2019 by kaist455

“The Cat and the Moon” is your typical coming-of-age drama about a troubled adolescent hero wandering and struggling a lot in his unstable life, but it is a bit better than I expected. Sure, there are some rough spots here … Continue reading →

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Diane (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): As she takes care of others

Posted on May 11, 2019 by kaist455

“Diane”, which won three awards including the one for Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival in last year and was recently shown at the Jeonju International Film Festival in this week, is a little character drama about one … Continue reading →

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Ben Is Back (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): When her addict son is back

Posted on February 22, 2019 by kaist455

“Ben Is Back” works best when it focuses on the troubled family relationship between its two main characters. As they struggle to do their best despite their longtime problem which will not be easily solved, the movie handles their circumstance … Continue reading →

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Beautiful Boy (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A father and his addict son

Posted on January 11, 2019 by kaist455

“Beautiful Boy” is not so successful despite some harrowing and painful moments it is required to deliver as a serious drama about addiction. Although its mostly non-linear narrative structure initially seems effective at first as its two main characters respectively … Continue reading →

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A Prayer Before Dawn (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A brutal prison drama to strike you hard

Posted on October 1, 2018 by kaist455

“A Prayer Before Dawn”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a brutal prison drama packed with grim but striking moments you cannot easily forget. This is surely a tough stuff, but the movie is compelling and electrifying thanks to … Continue reading →

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