Tag Archives: Sports

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

Posted on November 19, 2017 by kaist455

“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 →

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

Posted on September 24, 2017 by kaist455

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 →

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Queen of Walking (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Walk, Man-bok, Walk!

Posted on October 23, 2016 by kaist455

Have you heard of racewalking? I did not know anything about this rather obscure sport until I watched a little lovable South Korean film called “Queen of Walking”. Before writing this review, I checked Wikipedia, and I was surprised to … Continue reading →

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Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Let good times roll…

Posted on July 24, 2016 by kaist455

My first days as an undergraduate student of the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology were rather uneventful to say the least. While getting acquainted a bit with my two dormitory roommates, I just simply attended lectures and prepared … Continue reading →

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Creed (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Something Old, New, and Unexpected

Posted on January 13, 2016 by kaist455

“Creed” is an underdog movie true to the dogged spirit of its old senior in many ways. Faithfully following its senior’s footsteps with some bittersweet sense of nostalgia, the movie also brings a considerable amount of fresh energy into the … Continue reading →

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Red Army (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): The rise and fall of Soviet ice hockey

Posted on November 18, 2015 by kaist455

Simultaneously amusing and compelling, documentary film “Red Army” tells us a dramatic story about the rise and fall of Soviet ice hockey. Mainly through some of its best players, the documentary looks around their best and worst times during the Cold … Continue reading →

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