Tag Archives: Real-life story

Ted K (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): The detached observation of one disturbed figure

Posted on March 1, 2022 by kaist455

“Ted K” is a dry but intense film which will surely unnerve you for good reasons. As an austere character study based on the real-life story of one notorious bomber who is thankfully being incarcerated in a state penitentiary at … Continue reading →

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Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their complicated friendship

Posted on February 19, 2022 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali”, which was released in last September, examines the complicated friendship between two famous African American figures in the 1960s. Starting from their respective early years, the documentary shows us how … Continue reading →

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MLK/FBI (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A close look into the FBI surveillance on MLK

Posted on February 6, 2022 by kaist455

Documentary film “MLK/FBI” is often compelling in its calm but sobering presentation of what happened between one great American figure and a very powerful government agency quite willing to suppress him by any means necessary. While it will not probably … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 2, 2022 by kaist455

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

Posted on January 30, 2022 by kaist455

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

Posted on January 25, 2022 by kaist455

“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

Posted on January 24, 2022 by kaist455

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…

Posted on January 16, 2022 by kaist455

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

Posted on January 13, 2022 by kaist455

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

Posted on December 29, 2021 by kaist455

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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