Tag Archives: Real-life story

My Name Is KIM Bok-dong (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Her last defiant years

South Korean documentary film “My Name Is KIM Bok-dong” looks into the last defiant years of an old lady who tried hard along with her fellow survivors for getting an official apology from the Japanese government for more than 25 … Continue reading

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Ray & Liz (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): On his two lousy parents

“Ray & Liz” is a melancholic family drama which observes its human subjects and their squalid living environment with considerable emotional detachment. While this is surely not something you can casually watch on Sunday afternoon, it works to some degree … Continue reading

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Skin (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): His struggle to erase his racist identity

“Skin” is engaging whenever it focuses on its troubled hero’s inner struggle against his racist identity. Although I must point out that the movie is often hampered by its rather heavy-handed storytelling especially during its second half where it makes … Continue reading

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Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): His gradual new beginning

Gus Van Sant’s latest film “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot”, which is released as “Don’t Worry” here in South Korea, is a rather mild feel-good drama about alcoholism and disability. While surely giving us some darkly humorous … Continue reading

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Armstrong (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Respectable but redundant

Documentary film “Armstrong” tries to present the life and career of Neil Armstrong, the most prominent figure in the Apollo Space Program. While its attempt is admirable, sincere, and, considering the 50th anniversary of that monumental moment, timely, the documentary … Continue reading

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Che: Part Two (2008) ☆☆☆(3/4): Che at the wrong place and time

For some reason unknown to me, Steven Soderbergh’s “Che” was recently released in South Korea although it has been more than 10 years since the movie came out in 2008. I already saw it in 2010, but I was willing … Continue reading

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Che: Part One (2008) ☆☆☆(3/4): Che at the right place and time

Steven Soderbergh’s “Che”, which happened to be released in South Korea in last weekend, is probably his most ambitious work during last two decades. While it is often a bit too dry and austere for some of you, this still … Continue reading

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Ask Dr. Ruth (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): America’s most famous sex therapist

I like good documentary films about interesting human lives, and “Ask Dr. Ruth” is one of such cases. Here is a remarkable old German lady who moved to US after surviving the World War II and then became an unlikely … Continue reading

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Rocketman (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A typical but flamboyant biographical jukebox musical film

“Rocketman” is a typical but flamboyant biographical jukebox musical film based on the life and career of a man who has been one of the most successful musicians in our time. While it is often generic and predictable in terms … Continue reading

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Fighting with My Family (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A wrestler and her family

“Fighting with My Family” often made me cringe for good reasons, but I enjoyed its sweet funny moments nonetheless. As the story about a young female wrestler reaching for her dream of joining World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the movie gives … Continue reading

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