Tag Archives: Real-life story

The Pregnant Tree and the Goblin (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A haunting invocation between documentary and fiction

It is not so easy to categorize South Korean documentary film “The Pregnant Tree and the Goblin”, which was finally released in South Korean theaters in last week despite having its local premiere in 2019. At first, it simply seems … Continue reading

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Sewing Sisters (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): When they were young and defiant laborers

South Korean documentary “Sewing Sisters” illuminates real-life stories which deserve to be told more and more as the hidden parts of the South Korean labor union history. As simply listening to the seemingly ordinary heroines of these real-life tales, the … Continue reading

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The Last Vermeer (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Better to be a forger than a traitor

“The Last Vermeer” is a modest period drama film which becomes compelling whenever its untrustworthy but undeniably fascinating real-life figure enters the screen. Here is an unabashedly opportunistic dude who cleverly duped many others including the Nazis during the World … Continue reading

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The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The Eyes of Jessica Chastain

It goes without saying that Jessica Chastain is one of the most interesting actresses working in Hollywood during last 10 years. Since she suddenly drew our attention via a string of stellar supporting turns from “The Help” (2011), “Take Shelter” … Continue reading

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The Tender Bar (2021) ☆☆(2/4): So he grew up to be a writer…

George Clooney’s new film “The Tender Bar”, which was released on Amazon Prime early in this month, often bored me without leaving much impression on the whole. It is supposed to be a warm, tender, and intimate coming-of-age drama, but … Continue reading

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House of Gucci (2021) ☆☆(2/4): A brand to kill for

Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci”, which is another new film from Scott in last year after “The Last Duel” (2021), is neither classy nor pulpy to my disappointment. While it is too superficial to be a serious drama about ambition … Continue reading

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The Forever Prisoner (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): It was torture indeed

HBO documentary “The Forever Prisoner” is often sobering and chilling in its calm but blistering presentation on what the US government allowed to happen in the name of War on Terror. While it did not surprise or shock you much … Continue reading

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Being the Ricardos (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their one challenging week

Aaron Sorkin’s latest film “Being the Ricardos”, which was released on Amazon Prime in last week, works best whenever the characters pull and push each other in their verbal interactions. While it cannot possibly recreate the larger-than-life charm and presence … Continue reading

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The First Wave (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their first several months with COVID-19

Matthew Heineman’s new documentary film “The First Wave”, which was recently included in the shortlist for Best Documentary Oscar, looks at a number of New York City hospital workers and patients who struggled a lot during the first several months … Continue reading

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My Salinger Year (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Before she becomes a writer

While it is not exactly one of my No.1 favourite books, I understand well why J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” has been a beloved classic novel for many young people out there since it came out in 1951. … Continue reading

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