Tag Archives: Drama

An Elephant Sitting Still (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): One long, hopeless day

Posted on July 11, 2019 by kaist455

Chinese film “An Elephant Sitting Still”, which won the FIPRESCI Award when it was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival early in last year, is filled with the glum sense of despair and hopelessness throughout its nearly 4-hour running … Continue reading →

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The Heiresses (2018) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As she tentatively steps out of her hermetic life

Posted on January 2, 2019 by kaist455

“The Heiresses”, which was selected as Paraguay’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 2019 Academy Awards in last year, is a small but impressive drama about a plain middle-aged woman happening to struggle alone during the absence … Continue reading →

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The Tale (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): How differently she remembers

Posted on July 23, 2018 by kaist455

Memory can be deceptive at times, and HBO film “The Tale” explorers that tricky aspect through its heroine’s painful emotional journey into her past. As she comes to realize how unreliable her memories are, she comes to see more of … Continue reading →

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Hannah (2017) ☆☆(2/4): Drab, dreary, and hollow

Posted on July 22, 2018 by kaist455

It took some time for me to appreciate the distinctive presence of Charlotte Rampling. As far as I remember, I noticed her for the first time through her supporting turn in “Angel Heart” (1987), and then I came to see … Continue reading →

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Yi Yi (2000) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): As they live day by day

Posted on July 21, 2018 by kaist455

Edward Yang’s last film “Yi Yi”, which was recently released in South Korean movie theaters, is a calm, thoughtful meditation on life. Although it surely demands considerable patience from you considering its long running time (173 minutes) and leisurely narrative … Continue reading →

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Oh Lucy! (2017) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): When she falls for her English teacher

Posted on July 8, 2018 by kaist455

When I went to a local arthhouse movie theater for “Oh Lucy!”, I did not expect much, and the movie did not surprise me much. While the movie had some humor and pathos to engage me to some degree, I … Continue reading →

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Outside In (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): After his release

Posted on July 1, 2018 by kaist455

“Outside In”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a somber but intimate character drama revolving around one complex emotional circumstance. While its two main characters try to deal with this circumstance of theirs, the movie gives us a number … Continue reading →

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Lucky (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): So long, Mr. Stanton

Posted on May 7, 2018 by kaist455

Harry Dean Stanton, who died at the age of 91 in last September, was always interesting to watch throughout his long, illustrious acting career spanning six decades. Since I came to notice this veteran character actor for the first time … Continue reading →

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The Midwife (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A midwife and her father’s mistress

Posted on March 23, 2018 by kaist455

While it is basically a conventional drama, French film “The Midwife” is an enjoyable experience for several good reasons. Yes, its story is predictable at times, but its two contrasting main characters are vivid and engaging enough to hold our … Continue reading →

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Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) ☆☆(2/4): An insipid turkey by Gilroy and Washington

Posted on January 31, 2018 by kaist455

From time to time during Oscar season, we come across films quite disappointing despite talented people behind them, and “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” is one of such dismal examples. Although looking promising to some degrees at first, the movie eventually … Continue reading →

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