Tag Archives: Racism

LA 92 (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A raw, vivid, and riveting presentation of the 1992 LA riots

Posted on October 9, 2020 by

Documentary film “LA 92” is a raw, vivid, and riveting presentation of the 1992 LA riots. While entirely consisting of a series of various archival footage clips, the documentary delves deep into the social and historical background of this shocking … Continue reading →

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Mississippi Burning (1988) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Flawed but incendiary

Posted on August 20, 2020 by

One of my friends often mentions the last places he wants to visit in US, which are usually the ones reported on the media for infuriating cases of blatant racism. I felt same about Mississippi when I revisited Alan Parker’s … Continue reading →

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Skin (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): His struggle to erase his racist identity

Posted on July 29, 2019 by

“Skin” is engaging whenever it focuses on its troubled hero’s inner struggle against his racist identity. Although I must point out that the movie is often hampered by its rather heavy-handed storytelling especially during its second half where it makes … Continue reading →

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BlacKkKlansman (2018) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): Based on an unbelievably outrageous true story

Posted on November 18, 2018 by

Spike Lee’s latest film “BlacKkKlansman” intends to deliver an urgent social message, and it did its job well in a way both entertaining and galvanizing. While it tickles us a lot via a cheerfully outrageous mix of satire and police … Continue reading →

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Mudbound (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A tale of two families in Mississippi

Posted on November 20, 2017 by

Filled with so much of the sense of life and location, “Mudbound”, which is currently available on Netflix while getting a limited theatrical release in US, makes a vivid, powerful impression on us. Right from its very first scene, it … Continue reading →

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All the Way (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): All the way to the Civil Rights – and his re-election

Posted on June 7, 2016 by

It is always nice to see a good actor finally getting a career boost he deserves, and Bryan Cranston is one of such examples during last 10 years. While this veteran actor has steadily worked for more than 30 years, … Continue reading →

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Dear White People (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A witty college comedy on race and identity

Posted on May 2, 2015 by

“Dear White People” is a witty college comedy ready to talk openly about its rather sensitive social subject which, to be frank with you, I am not that familiar with. While there are a number of scenes I had to … Continue reading →

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Selma (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A March to Equality

Posted on February 11, 2015 by

Focusing on one of the monumental moments during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, “Selma” instantly takes us to that turbulent era viewed from Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists. While being a complex portrayal of its hero, … Continue reading →

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12 Years a Slave (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A harrowing look at the brutalities of slavery

Posted on January 12, 2014 by

 Based on a harrowing real-life story reflecting countless inhumane atrocities committed under the American slavery during the 19th century, “12 Years a Slave” honestly and bravely faces its dark historical subject, and it will give you an unforgettable experience which … Continue reading →

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The Help (2011) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A mild “Giseongpoom” about that turbulent time

Posted on November 5, 2011 by

“The Help” reminds me of the term I frequently use for description when I write movie reviews in Korean: “Giseongpoom”, which means “ready-made product” in English. I and other South Korean critics use that word if the movie we talk … Continue reading →

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