Tag Archives: Boxer

The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Before his big match

Finnish film “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki”, which was belatedly released in South Korean theaters on this Thursday, is a modest drama film revolving around one real-life professional boxer who attempted on the World Boxing Association … Continue reading

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The Survivor (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A boxer who survived

Barry Levinson’s new film “The Survivor”, which was released on HBO Max a few weeks ago, patiently and thoughtfully presents the guilt and trauma of one Holocaust survivor. While never sentimental or exploitative in its stark depiction of the evil … Continue reading

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Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their complicated friendship

Netflix documentary film “Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali”, which was released in last September, examines the complicated friendship between two famous African American figures in the 1960s. Starting from their respective early years, the documentary shows us how … Continue reading

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Jungleland (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two brothers and a girl on the road

“Jungleland” is a simple but engaging story revolving around the relationship of two very different brothers. Right from its first few minutes, you can easily discern where their story is heading, and the story will not surprise you much, but … Continue reading

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Calm with Horses (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A fatalistic Irish crime drama about one ex-boxer

“Calm with Horses”, which was released in US as “The Shadow of Violence”, is a fatalistic crime drama which virtually announces its ill-fated hero’s doom to us right from the beginning. No matter how much he tries, he is bound … Continue reading

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My Punch-drunk Boxer (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Pansori boxer

The promotional poster of South Korean film “My Punch-drunk Boxer”, whose original title is “Pansori Boxer”, looked pretty odd and silly to me when I came across it a few months ago. After all, the juxtaposition of boxing and a … Continue reading

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Southpaw (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A predictable sports melodrama galvanized by Gyllenhaal

To be frank with you, “Southpaw” brings nothing new to its genre as dutifully following many familiar conventions of its genre. First, we have a tough boxer riddled with personal demons, and we already know he must confront them sooner … Continue reading

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