Tag Archives: High School

Luce (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): They need to talk about their adopted son…

Posted on November 7, 2019 by kaist455

“Luce” is supposed to be a complex and compelling drama on race and identity, but it somehow left me with considerable dissatisfaction. While raising several interesting questions to reflect on, the movie often feels contrived and heavy-handed in terms of … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Adoption, High School, Parents | Leave a comment

Blinded by the Light (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): When he discovers Bruce Springsteen

Posted on October 29, 2019 by kaist455

“Blinded by the Light” is a familiar but enjoyable feel-good movie driven by a number of songs from Bruce Springsteen. I must confess that I do not know much about the music of Springsteen besides his haunting Oscar-winning song for … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Adolescence, Coming-of-age drama, Family, Father and son, Friendship, High School, Music, Real-life story, Romance | 1 Comment

Being 17 (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A tricky matter of their young hearts

Posted on August 18, 2019 by kaist455

French film “Being 17” is an intimate adolescent drama revolving around a difficult situation between its two young heroes struggling with a tricky matter of their young hearts. Calmly presenting the dynamic interactions between them, the movie gradually engages us … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Adolescence, Coming-of-age drama, High School, Homosexuality, Mother and Son | Leave a comment

Share (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): After that night

Posted on August 4, 2019 by kaist455

HBO TV movie “Share”, which was bought by HBO shortly after it was shown at Sundance Film Festival early in this year, is a restrained but undeniably harrowing drama about one adolescent girl whose normal life is suddenly turned upside … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged High School, sexual abuse, Teenager | Leave a comment

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Spider-Man goes to Europe

Posted on July 3, 2019 by kaist455

“Spider-Man: Far From Home”, the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) flick coming out after “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), is mildly disappointing without enough excitement or imagination to engage us. Although it is fairly enjoyable in its mostly lightweight tone just like … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged action, High School, SF, Superhero | Leave a comment

Booksmart (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Their wild night before graduation

Posted on June 30, 2019 by kaist455

My high school life was pretty uneventful on the whole. While bullied and ridiculed for my odd personality from time to time, all I cared about was books, movies, and, above all, grades, and having a fun was the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Adolescence, Comedy, Coming-of-age drama, Friendship, High School | 1 Comment

Second Life (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): As she is running from herself

Posted on May 19, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Second Life” is a sad, melancholic story about one young girl desperately running from herself via her constant lies. Although its heroine is not particularly likable to say the least, the movie observes her dishonest behaviors … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged High School, South Korean Film, Teenager | Leave a comment

Another Child (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Two mothers, Two daughters

Posted on April 12, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “Another Child” surprised me. Although it begins with a rather soapy promise, the movie engaged and interested me more than expected as showing considerable humor, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness in its deft handling of story and characters, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Comedy, Family, High School, South Korean Film | 1 Comment

After My Death (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Whose fault was it?

Posted on September 21, 2018 by kaist455

I winced at times while watching South Korean film “After My Death”, a stark, melancholic drama about the anger, frustration, and grievance revolving around one devastating incident. Although this is not a pleasant experience at all, the movie is alternatively … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Disappearance, High School, South Korean Film | 2 Comments

Love, Simon (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Conventional but Notable

Posted on September 2, 2018 by kaist455

“Love, Simon” reminds me again of how things have been changed a lot for queer films these days. After the considerable success of “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), LGBTQ characters have become more common in American films during recent years, and now … Continue reading →