Tag Archives: Sports

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

Posted on June 21, 2020 by

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 →

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

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

Posted on September 9, 2019 by

“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 →

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

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

Posted on February 22, 2019 by

“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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 22, 2018 by

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 →

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

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

Posted on May 26, 2018 by

“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 →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on May 6, 2018 by

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 →

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

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

Posted on May 2, 2018 by

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 →

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

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

Posted on April 6, 2018 by

“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 →

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

Battle of the Sexes (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): Feminism Vs. Sexism

Posted on November 19, 2017 by

“Battle of the Sexes” is a mild but entertaining comedy drama which closely looks at an amusing sports event between two contrasting real-life figures. Although it sometimes feels a bit unfocused, the movie works as an engaging tale while supported … Continue reading →

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

Icarus (2017) ☆☆☆(3/4): The biggest doping scandal in sports history

Posted on September 24, 2017 by

Bryan Fogel’s documentary film “Icarus” begins with one story and then goes into the other story. While the former is mildly fascinating, the latter is more compelling in comparison, and the documentary wisely lets the latter take the center, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment