Tag Archives: Crime

Our Kind of Traitor (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A middling adaptation of John le Carré novel

Posted on August 6, 2018 by kaist455

“Our Kind of Traitor”, which is based on the novel of the same name by John le Carré, engaged me to some degrees but then eventually disappointed me. Although this is a fairly watchable espionage thriller film with some good … Continue reading →

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Shoplifters (2018) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): As they live as a family

Posted on July 28, 2018 by kaist455

Gentle and sensitive in its thoughtful storytelling, Japanese film “Shoplifters” is another masterful work from Hirokazu Kore-eda, one of the most humane filmmakers in our time. Calmly observing its main characters’ shabby but happy daily life, the movie generates numerous … Continue reading →

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Ocean’s 8 (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A fun with ladies going for a big heist

Posted on June 14, 2018 by kaist455

“Ocean’s 8”, which is a female spin-off of Steven Soderbergh’s the Ocean’s trilogy, delights and entertains us with its own charm and class. Yes, this is your typical heist movie just like its male predecessors, but it engages us via … Continue reading →

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Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Inexorable descent into sheer brutality

Posted on June 10, 2018 by kaist455

While delivering a fair share of remorseless violence to shock you, “Brawl in Cell Block 99” patiently takes its time before delivering that, and I sort of appreciate its slow but inexorable descent into sheer brutality. While some of those … Continue reading →

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Detroit (2017) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Visceral but unfocused

Posted on May 6, 2018 by kaist455

Kathryn Bigelow’s latest film “Detroit” is a visceral but unfocused work which made me feel rather ambivalent about it after my viewing. While it is as vivid and tense as required during many of its key moments, it does not … Continue reading →

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You Were Never Really Here (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Brutal and feverish

Posted on April 10, 2018 by kaist455

Often brutal and feverish, Lynne Ramsay’s new film “You Were Never Really Here” grabs our attention right from the very beginning with its vivid, striking mix of unnerving character study and grim noir thriller. Firmly sticking itself to its deeply … Continue reading →

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Logan Lucky (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Can they be lucky?

Posted on March 13, 2018 by kaist455

Steven Soderbergh’s new film “Logan Lucky” is entertaining for its slick efficiency and laid-back fun. While cheerfully bouncing from one amusing moment to another along with colorful silliness, it works as a smart, lively heist flick which turns out to … Continue reading →

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The Polka King (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A goofy American tale of greed and delusion

Posted on February 25, 2018 by kaist455

Based on a fascinating real-life criminal case, “The Polka King”, which is currently available on Netflix, tells us a goofy American tale of greed and delusion. Here is a nice guy who simply wanted to achieve his success as trying … Continue reading →

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A Prophet (2009) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A criminal education in prison

Posted on February 11, 2018 by kaist455

It is always fascinating to see a smart character rising up from the bottom step by step, and French film “A Prophet” is one of such cases. Here is a plain young man thrown into a grim, violent closed world … Continue reading →

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Good Time (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Desperate hours

Posted on January 4, 2018 by kaist455

What a witless and hapless guy the hero of “Good Time” is. He thinks he can handle his messy situation, but things keep going wrong for him, and he only comes to find himself mired in more panic and desperation. … Continue reading →

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