Tag Archives: Addiction

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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Whitney (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): The life and career of Whitney Houston

Posted on August 25, 2018 by kaist455

Documentary film “Whitney” gives us a close look at the life and career of Whitney Houston, a famous singer who has been remembered for not only her meteoric rise but also the following downward spiral of which she could never … Continue reading →

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6 Balloons (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A problematic day with her addict brother

Posted on April 9, 2018 by kaist455

Movies about addiction are usually uncomfortable to watch, and “6 Balloons”, which is currently available on Netflix, is no exception. As closely observing its heroine’s problematic relationship with her addict brother, the movie gives us several unflinching moments which will … Continue reading →

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Krisha (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An unwanted guest in one Thanksgiving family dinner

Posted on December 24, 2016 by kaist455

The opening shot of “Krisha” caught me off guard during my first viewing. At the beginning, ominous music is played on the soundtrack, and then there comes the close-up shot of an old woman who clearly looks disturbed and devastated. … Continue reading →

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Amy (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A painful look into Winehouse’s downward spiral

Posted on November 7, 2015 by kaist455

Amy Winehouse’s tragically short life is a cautionary show business tale to say the least. She was young and talented with undeniable star quality, and she was lucky enough to be elevated to stardom within a few years, but, sadly, … Continue reading →

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