Tag Archives: Fantasy

Paddington in Peru (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Back in Peru

Posted on February 23, 2025 by kaist455

“Paddington in Peru” is as amiable and pleasant as it can be despite being a bit underwhelming at times. Although you may be disappointed to see that it does not reach the sublime comic level of “Paddington 2” (2017), the … Continue reading →

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The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A fantasy of silence and whispers

Posted on January 31, 2025 by kaist455

Víctor Erice’s 1973 film “The Spirit of the Beehive”, which is currently being shown in South Korean theaters after his recent comeback work “Close Your Eyes” (2023) came in last year, has delicately sublime qualities to be admired and appreciated. … Continue reading →

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An Urban Allegory (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Rohrwacher, JR, a bit of Carax

Posted on December 23, 2024 by kaist455

It took some time for me to understand and appreciate the works of Alice Rohrwacher, who has been one of the most interesting filmmakers of our time since she made a feature film debut with “Heavenly Body” (2011). While I … Continue reading →

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The Fall (2006) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A glorious folly of striking images

Posted on December 22, 2024 by kaist455

Tarsem’s 2006 film “The Fall”, whose 4K remastered version will be released in South Korean theaters on Christmas, is a glorious folly of striking images to behold. Loosely based on the screenplay of the 1981 Bulgarian film “Yo Ho Ho”, … Continue reading →

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Flow (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A cat’s adventure

Posted on November 30, 2024 by kaist455

Animation feature film “Flow”, which was selected as the official submission of Latvia for Best International Film Oscar in this year, is a simple but enchanting fantasy tale which alternatively baffles and dazzles us. Without any dialogue at all, the … Continue reading →

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Moana 2 (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A middling second chapter not sailing that far

Posted on November 28, 2024 by kaist455

Disney animation film “Moana 2” is a middling second chapter compared to its promising predecessor, and that is a big disappointment for all of us. Sure, it looks as terrific as you can expect from any decent Disney animation these … Continue reading →

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Heavy Snow (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Between Two Girls

Posted on November 12, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean film “Heavy Snow” depends a lot on the presence of its two lead actresses. Whenever they are together on the screen, they click well with each other all the time in addition to ably filling their rather under-developed … Continue reading →

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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Still zany and rambunctious

Posted on September 5, 2024 by kaist455

Tim Burton’s new film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is as quintessential as you can expect from Burton. The story itself is more or less than a mere ground for many odd, quirky, and grotesque stuffs to be presented here and there, but … Continue reading →

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IF (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A mishmash of wonder and melodrama

Posted on August 31, 2024 by kaist455

As far as I can remember, imaginary friend was something quite alien and abstract to me during my childhood years. As a matter of fact, I came to learn a bit about imaginary friend via one episode of a Disney … Continue reading →

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I Saw the TV Glow (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Obsessed with an old TV show

Posted on August 13, 2024 by kaist455

Jane Schoenbrun’s second feature film “I Saw the TV Glow” is a disorienting but compelling piece of work to admire for mood and style. While it feels rather thin in terms of story and characters, it is at least filled … Continue reading →

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