Tag Archives: Friendship

Lilo & Stitch (2002) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Her alien pet

Posted on May 19, 2025 by kaist455

I somehow missed a chance to watch Disney animation feature film “Lilo & Stitch” when it came out in 2002, and now I deeply regret that after finally watching it at last night. While it looks rather modest in terms … Continue reading →

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Starlet (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4): Between two very different people

Posted on March 5, 2025 by kaist455

Sean Baker’s 2012 film “Starlet”, which happens to be available in South Korea via a local streaming service, is about the unlikely relationship between two very different people. Although their first encounters are rather awkward to say the least, they … Continue reading →

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Nickel Boys (2024) ☆☆☆1/2: A singular African American film to admire

Posted on February 26, 2025 by kaist455

My late mentor/friend Roger Ebert said that the movies are like a machine that generates empathy, and that is quite true in case of RaMell Ross’ latest work “Nickel Boys”, which was recently Oscar-nominated for Best Picture. Quite closely sticking … 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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Memoir of a Snail (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A melancholic but funny animation film

Posted on December 1, 2024 by kaist455

Australian animation feature film “Memoirs of a Snail” is deeply melancholic but also undeniably humorous and touching. While often being quite sad and moody just like its heroine throughout the story, the film also shows a lot of wit, style, … Continue reading →

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Wicked (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): When they were friends…

Posted on November 21, 2024 by kaist455

“Wicked”, which is actually based on the first half of the popular Broadway musical of the same name, is as colorful and spirited as expected. While this is your average bloated musical film, it is thankfully buoyed by the good … Continue reading →

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Look Back (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Two young collaborators

Posted on November 16, 2024 by kaist455

Japanese animation film “Look Back”, which has been enjoying a considerable success in South Korean theaters since it was released two months ago, is a small but poignant coming-of-age drama about the friendship between two young and talented collaborators. Although … Continue reading →

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The Room Next Door (2024) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Being next to her dying friend

Posted on October 25, 2024 by kaist455

Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature film “The Room Next Door”, which recently won the Golden Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival, is somber but elegantly compelling to work to be cherished. While it is an inherently elegiac melodrama … Continue reading →

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Love in the Big City (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two Roommates in the city

Posted on October 4, 2024 by kaist455

South Korean film “Love in the Big City” looks and feels typical at first. Yes, the unlikely friendship between a gay man and a heterosexual woman is not exactly an unconventional story material these days, but the movie has its … Continue reading →

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Will & Harper (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): On the road with his transgender friend

Posted on September 30, 2024 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Will & Harper”, which was released on last Friday, follows a little road journey of one famous American comedian and his transgender friend. Simply focusing the frank and earnest interactions between them, the documentary gives us a … Continue reading →

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