Tag Archives: Sports

Sprinter (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Desperate Sprinters

South Korean independent film “Sprinter” tells the parallel stories of three different sprinters competing for the national team selection for each own desperate reason. Although their individual stories may feel rather plain and generic, the movie juggles these three different … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dream (2023) ☆☆(2/4): A coach for a bunch of homeless soccer players

South Korean film “Dream” is definitely not for me. As a sports drama film, it is so generic that I was not surprised or moved enough in any possible way. As a tearjerker, it is so artificial that any of … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Rebound (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Rebounding from the bottom

South Korean film “Rebound” follows its conventional genre playbook fairly well while making some unexpected moves at times. As your average underdog sports drama incidentally inspired by a dramatic real-life story, it will not surprise you that much if you … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creed III (2023) ☆☆☆(3/4): Back in the ring with his past

“Creed III” is a solid sequel to be admired for several good reasons. While it does not go further than what has been established by not only its two predecessors but also many other boxing drama films including, yes, “Rocky” … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The First Slam Dunk (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A solid Japanese animation sports drama

I am usually open to anything, but I hesitated a bit in case of watching Japanese animation film “The First Slam Dunk”, which is based on Japanese manga series “Slam Dunk”. Although I am familiar with that popular Japanese manga … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday League (2020) ☆☆(2/4): A tedious league of their own

South Korean independent film “Sunday League” tries a lot, but it did not amuse or move me much on the whole. As a sports comedy drama, it may intrigue you a bit with its sport of choice, but it handles … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Hustle (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A low-key sports drama starring Adam Sandler (No Kidding)

As many of you know, Adam Sandler is actually a good actor who can be quite serious and compelling whenever he gets a chance for that. In Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch Drunk Love” (2002), he got the first opportunity for … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Crush (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): A likable high school queer comedy film

“Crush” reminds me of how things seem to have changed these days. As a mainstream American high school queer comedy film, it proudly and cheerfully depicts its main characters’ sexuality without any shame or hesitation, and I appreciate that a … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Novice (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Driven to compete all the way

“The Novice” is a little but undeniably intense character drama which will make you wince more than once for good reasons. As palpably and disturbingly conveying to us its very competitive heroine’s physical and psychological journey, the movie makes us … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments