Tag Archives: Real-life figure

Stop Making Sense (1984) ☆☆☆☆(4/4): It still rocks

Posted on August 16, 2025 by kaist455

Jonathan Demme’s 1984 concert film “Stop Making Sense”, whose recent 4K restoration version was released in South Korean theaters a few days ago, is quite an electrifying experience to say the least. While more than 40 years have passed since … Continue reading →

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An Officer and a Spy (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A solid historical drama by a problematic filmmaker

Posted on August 13, 2025 by kaist455

I must confess that it has been more than 10 years since the last time I watched and then reviewed a Roman Polanski film. At that time, I watched “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) for writing an essay to be posted on … Continue reading →

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Saturday Night (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A very typically crowded backstage tale

Posted on July 22, 2025 by kaist455

I do not know that much about its main subject, but I can tell you at least that Jason Reitman’s latest film “Saturday Night”, which is currently available on Netflix in South Korea, is a very typically crowded backstage tale. … Continue reading →

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Apocalypse in the Tropics (2024) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): The ongoing crisis of Brazilian democracy

Posted on July 21, 2025 by kaist455

Watching Netflix documentary film “Apocalypse in the Tropics” is one of the most alarming experiences I have ever had during this year. To be frank with you, I and many other people in South Korea recently went through a political … Continue reading →

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The Lady in the Van (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): His eccentric homeless neighbor

Posted on July 17, 2025 by kaist455

Maggie Smith, who sadly died in last year, was always a pleasure to watch for many years. Yes, she has been mainly known for her supporting performances in those Harry Potter movies and the acclaimed British TV series “Downton Abbey”, … Continue reading →

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Temple Grandin (2010) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Different, Not Less

Posted on July 15, 2025 by kaist455

I have a personal soft spot for Mick Jackson’s 2010 HBO TV movie “Temple Grandin”, a deeply empathic drama about the remarkable life and career of Dr. Temple Grandin. Despite being on the autistic spectrum, Dr. Grandin became a respectable … Continue reading →

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You Don’t Know Jack (2010) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): He cared a lot

Posted on July 15, 2025 by kaist455

Barry Levinson’s 2010 HBO TV movie “You Don’t Know Jack” observes the legal troubles of Jack Kevorkian (1928 ~ 2011), an American pathologist who became quite controversial as a prominent euthanasia proponent during the 1990s. As sticking to its somber … Continue reading →

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Sally (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her personal sacrifice for being a trailblazer

Posted on June 29, 2025 by kaist455

Documentary film “Sally”, which is currently available on Disney+, presents the complex life story of Sally Ride, who was one of the most famous female trailblazers in US during the 20th century. She really tried hard to become a notable … Continue reading →

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Kneecap (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Meet Irish rappers

Posted on June 28, 2025 by kaist455

“Kneecap”, which was selected as the Irish entry to Best International Film Oscar in last year, is a typical rapper movie with some local flavor. While it has a substantial amount of irreverent wit and bouncy energy to hold our … Continue reading →

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Queen of Katwe (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): An unlikely chess player in Uganda

Posted on June 24, 2025 by kaist455

Mira Nair’s 2016 film “Queen of Katwe”, which is currently available on Disney+ presents a remarkable story about one extraordinary female chess player in Uganda. She was born in a slum neighborhood of Kampala, Uganda, but she and several other … Continue reading →

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