Tag Archives: Crime

A Sun (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Ordinary People

Taiwanese film “A Sun”, which was selected as Taiwan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar in this year, is a sprawling family drama with many ups and downs throughout its slow but engaging narrative. Although some of its … Continue reading

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I’m Your Woman (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): She is on her own now – with a baby

“I’m Your Woman”, which was released on Amazon Prime a few weeks ago, is an interesting genre variation to be savored for a number of good reasons. The movie may not surprise you much on the whole as dryly and … Continue reading

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Antigone (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A provocative modern adaptation of one classic tragedy

Canadian film “Antigone”, which won the Toronto International Film Festival Award for Best Canadian Film in last year, was an interesting experience for me in more than one aspect. While I sometime felt frustrated with its young heroine’s inexorable stubbornness, … Continue reading

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Call (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Sorry, Right Number

South Korean film “Call”, which was initially supposed be to be released in South Korean theaters early in this year but eventually got released on Netflix two days ago, is an increasingly tense and chilling thriller film coupled with a … Continue reading

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The Life Ahead (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Sophia Loren still rules

Italian Netflix film “The Life Ahead” is a sentimental melodrama which is considerably elevated by the indelible screen presence of Sophia Loren, who is one of the legendary movie stars of the 20th Century. Even though the movie does not … Continue reading

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Charm City Kings (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A rough but electrifying coming-of-age drama set in Baltimore

It is hard not to be impressed by what is so vividly and palpably presented in “Charm City Kings”, a rough but electrifying mix of typical coming-of-age tale and gritty crime drama. While its story and characters are familiar to … Continue reading

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Cut Throat City (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Colorful but jumbled

“Cut Throat City” is a colorful but uneven crime drama which alternatively engaged and frustrated me. While it is mostly watchable thanks to its diverse array of cast members and a palpable sense of locations and people, it is frequently … Continue reading

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Time (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her time without her husband

Documentary film “Time”, which was released on Amazon Prime several days ago, gives us a somber but powerful presentation of the personal reflections from one seemingly ordinary but remarkably resilient American woman. As freely alternating between her past and present, … Continue reading

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American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Direct but superficial

I could not help but feel uncomfortable as watching Netflix documentary film “American Murder: The Family Next Door”, which was released on this Wednesday. The people behind the documentary want to present to us a close and direct glimpse into … Continue reading

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The Terrorizers (1986) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Coincidence followed by tension

Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang’s “The Terrorizers”, which is currently being in shown in South Korean theaters, is a haunting urban drama which is subtle and deceptive in its gradual accumulation of anxiety and tension around its main characters. Because I … Continue reading

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