Tag Archives: Crime

The Godfather (1972) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A masterpiece you can’t possibly refuse

Posted on October 5, 2025 by kaist455

Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film “The Godfather”, which happened to be re-released in selected South Korean theaters several weeks ago, is a masterpiece you cannot possibly refuse. As compellingly illustrating the transfer of a criminal power from one generation to … Continue reading →

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A Working Man (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Statham on John Wick mode – no surprise here

Posted on October 3, 2025 by kaist455

David Ayer’s latest movie “A Working Man” is a run-of-the-mill action flick which will not surprise you a lot if you are a seasoned moviegoer like me. As a sort of cross between “Taken” (2008) and “John Wick” (2014), it … Continue reading →

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The Limey (1999) ☆☆☆(3/4): A personal issue of one old Cockney dude

Posted on August 19, 2025 by kaist455

Steven Soderbergh’s 1999 film “The Limey” is a modest but slick genre flick about a little violent quest of one old British dude quite determined to find out what really happened to his dear daughter. While this is basically your … Continue reading →

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Night Always Comes (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Desperate hours

Posted on August 17, 2025 by kaist455

Netflix film “Night Always Comes”, which was released a few days ago, is a relentlessly bleak mix between character drama and noir thriller, which is mainly driven by the sheer human desperation of its flawed heroine. You may not like … Continue reading →

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High and Low (1963) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A top-notch police procedural from Kurosawa

Posted on August 12, 2025 by kaist455

On the surface, Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film “High and Low” simply follows one kidnapping case from the beginning to the end. While the overall result works as a dry but undeniably compelling police procedural, the movie also gives us some … Continue reading →

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When This Summer is Over (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A bad influence

Posted on July 27, 2025 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “When This Summer is Over” is often disturbing for good reasons. Phlegmatically following how its plain young hero tumbles down into a number of crimes and misdemeanors thanks to his new “friends”, the movie gives us … Continue reading →

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The Balconettes (2024) ☆☆(2/4): An uneven and messy female genre mix

Posted on July 19, 2025 by kaist455

Noémie Merlant’s second feature film “The Balconettes” is uneven at best and messy at worst. The movie tries really hard to balance itself among comedy, drama, thriller, and horror, but the overall result is often too jarring and incoherent to … Continue reading →

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Swallowtail Butterfly (1996) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Yentown stories

Posted on July 19, 2025 by kaist455

Shunji Iwai’s 1996 film “Swallowtail Butterfly”, which happens to be re-released in South Korean theaters in this week, alternatively frustrated and fascinated me. While I admired its style and ambition, I could not care that much due to its broad … Continue reading →

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Thelma & Louise (1991) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Two friends on the run

Posted on July 12, 2025 by kaist455

Ridley Scott’s 1991 film “Thelma & Louise”, which happens to be released in South Korean theaters in this week, remains fresh and vibrant besides being one of the best female drama films from the 1990s. While it looks like a … Continue reading →

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Crash (2004) ☆☆☆(3/4): Crashes among racial stereotypes in LA

Posted on July 1, 2025 by kaist455

I must confess that I had a rather complicated history with Paul Haggis’ 2004 film “Crash”. When it won several Oscars including the one for Best Picture right before getting released in South Korean theaters in early 2006, I was … Continue reading →

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