Tag Archives: Sports

Fighter (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): You will cheer for this boxer girl

Posted on March 21, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Fighter” is atypical in its seemingly conventional sports drama. When it starts the story along with its struggling underdog heroine full of pluck and determination, it looks rather predictable on the surface, but then it deliberately … Continue reading →

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Russian Penguins (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): A risky sports business in Russia

Posted on August 9, 2020 by kaist455

Documentary film “Russian Penguins” is as absurd as its very title suggests. Although I really have no idea on how much of the testaments from the interviewees in the documentary is actually true, the documentary is still engaging as cheerfully … Continue reading →

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Baseball Girl (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): You will definitely root for her

Posted on June 21, 2020 by kaist455

I love it when I come to root for a movie character a lot more than expected, and South Korean film “Baseball Girl” is one of such wonderful examples. Like a number of certain unforgettable movie heroines I encountered during … Continue reading →

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The Phenom (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A baseball pitcher with issues

Posted on September 9, 2019 by kaist455

“The Phenom” is a somber and restrained sports drama which focuses more on psychological elements than physical ones. Mainly revolving around one talented but troubled rookie baseball player, the movie calmly and tentatively examines his longtime emotional issues, and we … Continue reading →

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Creed II (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Fathers and sons with issue

Posted on February 22, 2019 by kaist455

“Creed II” is a safe sequel mostly making predictable moves inside its genre conventions. Although it is understandably less refreshing and surprising compared to what was magnificently achieved in its 2015 predecessor, the movie is still fairly entertaining mainly thanks … Continue reading →

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Paterno (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): His rapid fall from grace

Posted on July 22, 2018 by kaist455

Joe Paterno’s rapid fall from grace during his final year can be regarded as a cautionary tale about how one’s achievements of lifetime can be so quickly tarnished and ruined by a single scandal. He dedicated himself to his profession … Continue reading →

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Early Man (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): A minor work from Aardman Animations

Posted on May 26, 2018 by kaist455

“Early Man”, the latest animation film from Aardman Animations, is enjoyable but surprisingly slight in many aspects. While I liked some of its good moments, I somehow came to be rather distant to its story and characters instead of fully … Continue reading →

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A Skin So Soft (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Of muscle and masculinity

Posted on May 6, 2018 by kaist455

Going to the Jeonju International Film Festival has been a sort of ritual for me. After I watched Ramin Bahrani’s “Goodbye Solo” (2008) there, I have made a regular visit to the festival during last 8 years, and I was … Continue reading →

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Dangal (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two wrestler girls pushed by their father

Posted on May 2, 2018 by kaist455

Indian film “Dangal”, which is belatedly released here in South Korea during last weekend, is a conventional sports drama which turns out to be better than I thought. Although there are numerous clichéd moments here and there in the film, … Continue reading →

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First Match (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): Wrestling for her father

Posted on April 6, 2018 by kaist455

“First Match”, which is currently available on Netflix, initially draws our attention through its supposedly unconventional promise. Here is a young girl who has struggled a lot in her tough environment, and it is often poignant to observe how she … Continue reading →

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