Tag Archives: Parents

A Sun (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Ordinary People

Posted on December 31, 2020 by kaist455

Taiwanese film “A Sun”, which was selected as Taiwan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar in this year, is a sprawling family drama with many ups and downs throughout its slow but engaging narrative. Although some of its … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Ray & Liz (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): On his two lousy parents

Posted on August 4, 2019 by kaist455

“Ray & Liz” is a melancholic family drama which observes its human subjects and their squalid living environment with considerable emotional detachment. While this is surely not something you can casually watch on Sunday afternoon, it works to some degree … Continue reading →

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Birthday (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Remembering their son

Posted on April 4, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “Birthday” is an earnest melodrama about the personal grief and sadness surrounding the sinking of MV Sewol on April 16th, 2014. While it is certainly well-intentioned and tactfully handles its subject with some restraint and respect, there … Continue reading →

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Foxtrot (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An absurd war drama dancing around pathos and humor

Posted on September 16, 2018 by kaist455

Right after the end of the first act of Israeli film “Foxtrot”, I completely caught off guard by a sudden shift in its mood and narrative. I will not go into details here for avoiding spoilers, but I can tell … Continue reading →

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Boyhood (2014) ☆☆☆☆(4/4) : Along the stream of time

Posted on October 25, 2014 by kaist455

 As preparing for the last steps of my graduate course at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in these days, I sometimes feel a bit wistful about my long years at KAIST. The day when I entered the … Continue reading →

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Neighbors (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Young Parents Vs. Fraternity Boys

Posted on July 3, 2014 by kaist455

 Although hampered by its weak story and shaky characterization, “Neighbors” tries many gross or outrageous things to maintain its comic momentum, and I must duly report that the movie did a fairly nice job of inducing me and the other … Continue reading →

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The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their life can be a nice bluegrass song

Posted on January 25, 2014 by kaist455

 Although I am not so familiar with country songs or its cousin bluegrass songs, I enjoyed the soundtrack of “The Broken Circle Breakdown”, and I am listening to it while writing this review. Starting with its main song “Will the … Continue reading →

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Carnage (2011) ☆☆☆(3/4) : An afternoon meeting without manner

Posted on July 21, 2012 by kaist455

Solely focusing on one situation and four characters stuck in it, “Carnage” shows us their unpleasant sides through its vicious farce centered on one small incident. The characters in the film think or believe that they are sophisticated people with … Continue reading →

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