Tag Archives: Sports

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

Posted on May 29, 2023 by kaist455

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 →

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

Posted on April 30, 2023 by kaist455

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 →

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

Posted on April 9, 2023 by kaist455

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 →

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

Posted on March 1, 2023 by kaist455

“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 →

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

Posted on January 25, 2023 by kaist455

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 →

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

Posted on January 9, 2023 by kaist455

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

Posted on October 15, 2022 by kaist455

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 →

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

Posted on June 13, 2022 by kaist455

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 →

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

Posted on May 3, 2022 by kaist455

“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 →

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

Posted on December 20, 2021 by kaist455

“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 →

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