Tag Archives: Prison

Clemency (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A calm, sobering drama on death penalty

Posted on June 14, 2020 by kaist455

“Clemency”, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival early in 2019 but was unfortunately overlooked shortly after its limited theatrical release in US around the end of the same year, will shake you hard for good … Continue reading →

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The Mustang (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The Prisoner and a wild horse

Posted on July 1, 2019 by kaist455

The story and characters of “The Mustang” are familiar to the bone. Here is a violent, troubled man who has been struggling with his guilt and anger, and the movie simply observes he gradually goes through a process of rehabilitation … Continue reading →

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A Resistance (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): The Story of Yu Gwan-sun

Posted on March 1, 2019 by kaist455

South Korean film “A Resistance” is a respectful period drama movie about Yu Gwan-sun, one of the most prominent activists in the March 1st Movement against Imperial Japanese colonial rule of Korea in 1919. Considering that Yu has been one … Continue reading →

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A Prayer Before Dawn (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): A brutal prison drama to strike you hard

Posted on October 1, 2018 by kaist455

“A Prayer Before Dawn”, which is currently available on Netflix, is a brutal prison drama packed with grim but striking moments you cannot easily forget. This is surely a tough stuff, but the movie is compelling and electrifying thanks to … Continue reading →

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Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Inexorable descent into sheer brutality

Posted on June 10, 2018 by kaist455

While delivering a fair share of remorseless violence to shock you, “Brawl in Cell Block 99” patiently takes its time before delivering that, and I sort of appreciate its slow but inexorable descent into sheer brutality. While some of those … Continue reading →

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A Prophet (2009) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): A criminal education in prison

Posted on February 11, 2018 by kaist455

It is always fascinating to see a smart character rising up from the bottom step by step, and French film “A Prophet” is one of such cases. Here is a plain young man thrown into a grim, violent closed world … Continue reading →

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Paddington 2 (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A cuddlier sequel with more charm and warmth

Posted on February 9, 2018 by kaist455

“Paddington 2” is so genuinely cute, sincere, and charming that it is virtually impossible for me to say anything negative about it. This may sound like a complaint to you, but, folks, I am not complaining at all, and I … Continue reading →

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13th (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): From Slavery to Mass Incarceration

Posted on November 27, 2016 by kaist455

At the beginning, Netflix documentary film “13th” presents an alarming piece of statistical data. While the population of US is merely 5% of the entire human population in the world, 20% of the prisoners in the world are incarcerated in … Continue reading →

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Hunger (2008) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A striking debut work by Steve McQueen

Posted on March 28, 2016 by kaist455

On one day in 2009 June, I happened to get a chance to watch Steve McQueen’s debut work “Hunger”, and it was one of the most memorable movie experiences during that year. The movie struck me hard with its uncompromising … Continue reading →

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Starred Up (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : He finally meets his match – his dad

Posted on August 28, 2014 by kaist455

 While it is a mix of familiar elements to be expected from its main subjects, “Starred Up” is a compelling mix to watch none the less. Mainly through its violent young antihero with issues, it transfers us into a harsh, … Continue reading →

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