Tag Archives: Crime

The Land of Morning Calm (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A fisherman’s insurance scam

Posted on November 29, 2024 by kaist455

You will not easily forget the old but tough hero of South Korean film “The Land of Morning Calm”, which won three awards including the Best Film Award at the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival a … Continue reading →

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Emilia Pérez (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A mixed musical film by Jacques Audiard

Posted on November 17, 2024 by kaist455

Jacques Audiard’s new film “Emilia Pérez”, which was recently selected as the French submission to Best International Film Oscar, is a mixed musical which sometimes works with striking emotional intensity. Although it does not wholly work as well as intended, … Continue reading →

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Woman of the Hour (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Appearing with a serial killer on TV

Posted on October 22, 2024 by kaist455

Anna Kendrick’s first feature film “Woman of the Hour”, which was released on Netflix on last Friday, chillingly examines sexism via an unbelievable story associated with one real-life serial killer in US during the late 1970s. Yes, as shown from … Continue reading →

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The Shadow Strays (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Extremely violent and incredibly excessive

Posted on October 21, 2024 by kaist455

Indonesian action thriller film “The Shadow Strays”, which was released on Netflix on last Thursday, is extremely violent and incredibly excessive. While it continues the trend of those bloody and violent Indonesian action flicks mainly represented by “The Raid: Redemption” … Continue reading →

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A Normal Family (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): They need to talk about their kids

Posted on October 19, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean film “A Normal Family” is a darkly tense drama about the two different couples facing a serious moral issue involved with their respective kids. As they become conflicted more over their shared matter, the movie coldly exposes more … Continue reading →

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Dirty Money (2024) ☆☆(2/4): A clumsy genre product

Posted on October 19, 2024 by kaist455

I do not mind watching movies about unlikable characters, but South Korean thriller film “Dirty Money” did not engage me at all. The movie is not only utterly contrived but also quite mediocre in terms of story and characters, and … Continue reading →

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Suzhou River (2000) ☆☆☆(3/4): A gritty and bitter urban tale of romantic obsession

Posted on October 13, 2024 by kaist455

Chinese film “Suzhou River”, whose 4k restoration version was somehow released in South Korean theaters a few days ago, is a gritty and bitter urban tale of romantic obsession. Like many of other contemporary Chinese arthouse films, the movie requires … Continue reading →

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Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Joker in Love – and Repentance

Posted on October 2, 2024 by kaist455

Todd Phillips’ new film “Joker: Folie à Deux” is something bound to happen after all the controversies caused by his previous film “Joker” (2019). Like Martin Scorsese made a sort of apology in “The King of Comedy” (1982) after “Taxi … Continue reading →

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Wolfs (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Two fixers stuck with each other

Posted on October 1, 2024 by kaist455

“Wolfs”, which was released on Apple TV+ in a few days ago, works best whenever it simply focuses on whatever is exchanged between its two charismatic star actors. Having actually worked together more once in several notable films, they constantly … Continue reading →

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Band of Outsiders (1964) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): When Godard was really cool

Posted on September 29, 2024 by kaist455

Jean-Luc Godard was at the height of his artistic creativity when he was young and bold in the 1960s. After making a huge milestone spot in the cinema history with his great film “Breathless” (1960), he gave us a number … Continue reading →

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