Tag Archives: Real-life story

Funan (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A poignant animation film about the Cambodian genocide

Posted on November 10, 2020 by kaist455

Denis Do’s animation feature film “Funan” tells us a dark but ultimately poignant tale of human cruelty and resilience. Loosely inspired by Do’s family history associated with the Khmer Rouge revolution in Cambodia during the late 1970s, the movie often … Continue reading →

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Slay the Dragon (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): American citizens against gerrymandering

Posted on October 31, 2020 by kaist455

I remember well when I heard about gerrymandering for the first time. On one day in 1991, I was going through the third year of my elementary school education, and I and other students of my class were studying elementary … Continue reading →

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Endless Poetry (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The wild second chapter of Jodorowsky’s life

Posted on October 30, 2020 by kaist455

“Endless Poetry”, which is supposedly the second part of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s film autobiography, is as wild, bold, and weird as you can expect from his work. Like his previous film “The Dance of Reality” (2013), the movie freely mixes his … Continue reading →

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The Glorias (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Viewed through her four different selves

Posted on October 15, 2020 by kaist455

Julie Taymor’s new film “The Glorias” explores the life and career of Gloria Steinem, one of the famous figures in the American feminist movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Although the overall result occasionally feels sketchy and overlong … Continue reading →

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John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A courteous tribute to John Lewis

Posted on October 9, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “John Lewis: Good Trouble” is a courteous tribute to US congressman John Lewis, who sadly died shortly after the documentary was released in US three months ago. Although he faced lots of obstacles even during his later years, … Continue reading →

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Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As he lives dying

Posted on October 6, 2020 by kaist455

Netflix documentary “Dick Johnson Is Dead”, which won the US Documentary Special Jury Award when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival early in this year, is a funny, sad, and touching personal tribute to remember. While clearly recognizing … Continue reading →

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Feels Good Man (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A cartoon character gone out of control

Posted on September 21, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “Feels Good Man”, which won the US Documentary Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker, presents the cautionary tale of a sincere artistic creation gone out of control. When its creator introduced it to the world outside, it was … Continue reading →

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AKA Jane Roe (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): The last words from Jane Roe

Posted on September 20, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “AKA Jane Roe” listens to a woman who was at the center of a women’s issue which is still very sensitive in the American society even at present. Through her and several people associated with in one way … Continue reading →

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Critical Thinking (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): Predictable but exemplary

Posted on September 7, 2020 by kaist455

“Critical Thinking” is another inspirational sports drama film based on a real-life story, but it distinguishes itself to some degrees compared to other similar films out there. While it is rather predictable and contrived at times, it still holds our … Continue reading →

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Rising Phoenix (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): They are indeed superheroes

Posted on August 30, 2020 by kaist455

Netflix documentary film “Rising Phoenix” is an uplifting examination of the Paralympic Games and a number of various participants. Rather than merely living with their disabilities, these and many other disabled athletes push themselves really hard at the Paralympic Games … Continue reading →

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