Tag Archives: Romance

In the Mood for Love (2000) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): That sublime restraint in their romance

Posted on January 3, 2021 by kaist455

It is always more interesting to observe lovers desperately held in restraint and hesitation, and Wong Kar-wai’s 2000 film “In the Mood for Love”, whose recent 4K restoration version happened to be re-released in South Korea a few days ago, … Continue reading →

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Sylvie’s Love (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A little old-fashioned romance set in Harlem

Posted on December 30, 2020 by kaist455

“Sylvie’s Love”, which was released on Amazon Prime in last week, is a little old-fashioned romance tale which is more charming and engaging than you may think. Mainly set in New York City during the 1950-60s, the movie presents your … Continue reading →

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Undine (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An uneven misfire by Christian Petzold

Posted on December 25, 2020 by kaist455

Christian Petzold’s “Undine” alternatively frustrated and fascinated me when I watched it at a local theater during this afternoon. While I enjoyed its odd mix of romance and fantasy to some degree, I was also distracted by how its rather … Continue reading →

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Summer of 85 (2020) ☆☆(2/4): That tedious summer….

Posted on December 25, 2020 by kaist455

François Ozon’s latest film “Summer of 85” is utterly disappointing to say the least. As a coming-of-age queer drama, it is so bland and lackadaisical that, if you have admired and enjoyed some of Ozon’s works like I have, you … Continue reading →

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Ammonite (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A somber Victorian lesbian romance on the beach

Posted on December 8, 2020 by kaist455

Francis Lee’s new film “Ammonite” is a somber fictional romance drama between two different real-life figures in the 19th Victorian era. While it is a bit too dry, slow, and detached at times, the movie subtly and sensitively depicts the … Continue reading →

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The Incredible Jessica James (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Thoroughly sassy Jessica

Posted on December 7, 2020 by kaist455

Netflix film “The Incredible Jessica James”, which I belatedly watched it along with other Netflix film “The 40-Year-Old Version” (2020), is funny and charming for the lively and endearing comic persona of its lead actress. Yes, this is surely another … Continue reading →

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And Then We Danced (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A passionate queer dance drama set in Georgia

Posted on November 29, 2020 by kaist455

Georgian drama film “And Then We Danced” presents a familiar tale of art, passion, and love via its specific cultural subject to observe and appreciate. As calmly observing its hero’s emotional/artistic journey, the movie lets us understand more of his … Continue reading →

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Chemical Hearts (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): His new partner at his school newspaper

Posted on August 23, 2020 by kaist455

“Chemical Hearts”, which was recently released on Amazon Prime, looks plain and predictable at first but then comes to engage us more than expected. Yes, this is another case of troubled adolescent romance, but it distinguishes itself a bit via … Continue reading →

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Yankinku Dragon (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Nowhere but here in Japan

Posted on August 15, 2020 by kaist455

Japanese film “Yankinku Drangon” is a corny but heartfelt drama mainly revolving around one colorful Korean Japanese family. While you can instantly discern that it tries to pull our heartstrings as hard as it can, the movie has a big … Continue reading →

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Vertigo (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A woman on the edge

Posted on August 15, 2020 by kaist455

South Korean film “Vertigo” is a quietly harrowing melodrama about one woman on the edge. While this is not a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece, it is worthwhile to watch as a painful reflection on what many South Korean … Continue reading →

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