Tag Archives: Coming-of-age drama

Parthenope (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Wandering Beauty 

Paolo Sorrentino’s 2024 film “Parthenope”, which belatedly came to South Korean theaters a few weeks ago, tries something different compared to many of his previous works, and that made me interested to some degree. As shown from “Il Divo” (2008) … Continue reading

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3670 (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A double minority

Good movies can be a vivid window to the lives of others different from us in one way or another, and South Korean independent film “3670” is one of such excellent examples. Closely and sensitively following the personal drama of … Continue reading

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The Final Semester (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Before he graduates

South Korean film “The Final Semester” follows a plain teenager boy about to enter what may define the rest of his life. Still not knowing well what he really wants for his life, he simply follows what he is expected … Continue reading

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The Friends (1994) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Three kids and an old man

Shinji Sômai’s 1994 film “The Friends”, whose 4K restoration version was released in South Korean theaters yesterday, is gentle, humorous, and poignant in its unadorned coming-of-tale to remember. Calmly and sensitively following its three little young heroes’ eventful summertime, the … Continue reading

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The Uniform (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A tale of two students

Taiwanese film “The Uniform” is a typical coming-of-age tale about two different female high school students who happen to share the same desk in their classroom right from their first year. As their accidental friendship goes through several ups and … Continue reading

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Queen of Katwe (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): An unlikely chess player in Uganda

Mira Nair’s 2016 film “Queen of Katwe”, which is currently available on Disney+ presents a remarkable story about one extraordinary female chess player in Uganda. She was born in a slum neighborhood of Kampala, Uganda, but she and several other … Continue reading

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Happyend (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): The defiance during their last high school year

Japanese film “Happyend” observes a group of high school kids showing some spirit and defiance during the last year at their school. While they try to go further for more fun and freedom day by day, they are also often … Continue reading

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All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): A stream of her memories

“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” requires you to take your time for reflecting more on its many individual moments to be savored and cherished. Yes, this is surely one of those “slow movies” demanding some patience from you, and … Continue reading

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White Bird (2023) ☆☆(2/4): A Holocaust tale to reform him

Marc Forster’s new film “White Bird” presents its well-intentioned tale in a way so rote and manipulative that I felt like shaking my head more than once during my viewing. As another typical Holocaust drama flick, it does not bring … Continue reading

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Good One (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Camping with her dad and his friend

“Good One” is one of those subtle character drama films where you need to focus more on mood and nuance with some patience. On the surface, nothing particularly dramatic happens among its three main characters, but the movie slowly and … Continue reading

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