Tag Archives: Romance

The Little Mermaid (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Redundant but watchable anyway

“The Little Mermaid”, the latest case of the ongoing intellectual property regurgitation by Disney, is redundant at worst but watchable at best. I am not still sure whether this live-action version of the 1989 Disney animation film is really necessary … Continue reading

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Rye Lane (2023) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): This eventful day of theirs

Raine Allen-Miller’s debut feature film “Rye Lane”, which is currently available on Disney+ in South Korea, is simply delightful from the beginning to the end. Yes, this is basically your typical “Boy-Meets-Girl” story on the surface, but the movie distinguishes … Continue reading

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The Layover (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their one accidental night in Busan

South Korean independent film “The Layover” gives us three different two-handers unfolded within a limited background at one accidental night. Although it is rather plain and simple in terms of story and character, the movie is engaging mainly thanks to … Continue reading

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Soulmate (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two best friends

South Korean film “Soulmate”, which is a remake version of the 2016 Chinese film of the same name, revolves around the dynamic friendship between two very different girls. While mostly faithful to the Chinese original version, the movie distinguishes itself … Continue reading

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Suzume (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): Love and earthquake

Makoto Shinkai’s latest animation film “Suzume” is visually gorgeous enough to compensate for its typical mix of fantasy, adventure, and romance. Although I often felt rather distant to the story and characters due to several weak aspects, the film has … Continue reading

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Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little romantic scheme against his list

“Mr. Malcolm’s List” is a witty and charming variation of Jane Austen novels with some modern touches a la recent Netflix TV series “Bridgerton”. While often reminiscent of Austen’s several novels including, yes, “Pride and Prejudice”, the movie has a … Continue reading

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Empire of Light (2022) ☆☆(2/4): Sincere but muddled

Sam Mendes’s new film “Empire of Light” is rather indecisive and muddled in its sincere love letter to movie theaters. On one hand, it attempts to emphasize the wonder of cinema, but nothing much sticks on the wall even though … Continue reading

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Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): An intimate female drama by Martin Scorsese (No kidding)

“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” occupies a curiously odd spot in Martin Scorsese’s legendary filmmaking career. While sandwiched right between “Mean Streets” (1973) and “Taxi Driver” (1976), this little film is quite different from either of his two gritty urban … Continue reading

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Fragrance of the First Flower (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Still attracted to each other

Taiwanese film “Fragrance of the First Flower” is a familiar but engaging melodrama about two women who still cannot help but attracted to each other despite several years of separation between them. As alternating between their past and present, the … Continue reading

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Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): She simply wants him…

Netflix film “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”, which was released early in this month, is more sensitive and thoughtful than you might expect. Based on that famous classic novel of the same name by D. H. Lawrence, the movie surely provides enough … Continue reading

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