Tag Archives: Real-life story

I am More (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Meet More

Posted on June 24, 2022 by kaist455

I like documentaries presenting people different from me with care and empathy, and South Korean documentary film “I am More” is one of such cases. While its transgender heroine surely draws our attention right from the beginning due to her … Continue reading →

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Please Make Me Look Pretty (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her lovely caricatures

Posted on June 24, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Please Make Me Look Pretty” looks into the plain but lovely artistry of one young disabled woman who simply loves to draw. While her numerous drawings are its main attraction, the documentary also presents a frank … Continue reading →

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The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Before his big match

Posted on June 11, 2022 by kaist455

Finnish film “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki”, which was belatedly released in South Korean theaters on this Thursday, is a modest drama film revolving around one real-life professional boxer who attempted on the World Boxing Association … Continue reading →

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Sister J (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): As he and others endure for more than 10 years

Posted on June 11, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean documentary film “Sister J” gives a dry but sensitive glimpse into the longtime struggle of one ordinary man who fought along with his colleagues for more than 10 years. As shown in the documentary, they really tried hard … Continue reading →

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American Underdog (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A standard underdog story – and that is all

Posted on June 7, 2022 by kaist455

“American Underdog” is a standard underdog story which neither overachieves nor underachieves. While I appreciate its earnest handling of story and characters to some degree, the movie does not have enough life or personality to distinguish itself from those countless … Continue reading →

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Becoming Cousteau (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Meet Jacques Cousteau

Posted on May 23, 2022 by kaist455

Documentary film “Becoming Cousteau”, which is currently available on Disney+ here in South Korea, looks into the life and career of Jacques Cousteau, a famous French marine explorer who brought considerable innovation into marine exploration in addition to making those … Continue reading →

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The Survivor (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A boxer who survived

Posted on May 17, 2022 by kaist455

Barry Levinson’s new film “The Survivor”, which was released on HBO Max a few weeks ago, patiently and thoughtfully presents the guilt and trauma of one Holocaust survivor. While never sentimental or exploitative in its stark depiction of the evil … Continue reading →

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Operation Mincemeat (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): One fantastic deception operation

Posted on May 14, 2022 by kaist455

“Operation Mincemeat”, which was released on Netflix in US while released in theaters in case of South Korea a few days ago, is a standard World War II drama movie which does its job a bit better than expected. Although … Continue reading →

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Firebird (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Their forbidden romance during that grim period

Posted on May 2, 2022 by kaist455

“Firebird” is an old-fashioned tale of two gay lovers limited and suffocated by the grim oppression of their society. While it does not bring anything particular new to its genre territory unlike many notable predecessors such as “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), … Continue reading →

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Return to Space (2022) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): It’s awesome to return to space, but…

Posted on April 8, 2022 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Return to Space”, which was released yesterday, is engaging whenever it focuses on those numerous technicians and engineers working together for the common goal set by their wealthy but controversial employer. Yes, it is certainly awesome to … Continue reading →

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