Tag Archives: Spy

She Walks in Darkness (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Operating in risky murkiness

Spanish Netflix film “She Walks in Darkness”, which was released in last Friday, is often compelling whenever it focuses on the quiet but intense inner tension surrounding its heroine. While she is willing to put herself into more risk and … Continue reading

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

Shiri (1999) ☆☆(2/4): A seriously dated South Korean blockbuster

I wonder how I would have responded to the 1999 South Korean film “Shiri” if I had watched it 26 years ago. I did not feel any particular need to watch it mainly because I was unfortunately exposed to its … Continue reading

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

Alphaville (1965) ☆☆☆(3/4): A literally distant SF noir from Godard

It is ironic that Jean-Luc Godard’s 1965 film “Alpaville”, whose 4K remastered version is being shown in South Korea at this point, is quite dry, distant, and abstract to the end without much feeling to sense. While the story itself … Continue reading

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

Black Bag (2025) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Between marriage and espionage

Steven Soderbergh’s new film “Black Bag” is a slick and efficient genre piece to be savored for many good reasons. Although it may feel a bit too murky for you as you try to discern its rather twisty plot, the … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A middling WWII action flick

Guy Ritchie’s latest film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is a middling copy of many similar World War II actions flicks ranging from “The Dirty Dozen” (1967) to “Inglourious Basterds” (2009). While it surely attempts to have some fun as … Continue reading

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

Lust, Caution (2007) ☆☆☆(3/4): A spy caught between lust and caution

Ang Lee’s 2007 film “Lust, Caution”, which is currently being shown again in selected South Korean theaters, is a slow but sensual period drama which works best whenever it focuses on the guarded psychology of the two very different main … Continue reading

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

Hunt (2022) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A tense but convoluted spy hunt movie  

South Korean film “Hunt” tries really hard, but I observed it from the distance even while admiring a number of good moments in the movie. It wants to be not only a serious spy drama movie but also an intense … Continue reading

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

No Time to Die (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Craig carries it to the end

“No Time to Die”, the 25th film of the James Bond series, sadly does not surprise or thrill me much. While there are a number of impressive action sequences which surely deserve to be watched via big screen, the movie … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Wife of a Spy (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A dry but compelling historical drama by Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s latest film “The Wife of a Spy”, which won the Silver Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival in last year, is a dry but compelling historical drama set in Japan during the World War II. While … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Spies in Disguise (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Your average spy action comedy animation film

“Spies in Disguise” is your average spy action comedy animation film, and that is all. Although it is occasionally amusing as diligently throwing gags and jokes, the film does not feel particularly fresh while doing lots of predictable things inside … Continue reading

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