Tag Archives: Terminal Illness

Frankie (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): One day of a dying actress and others around her

Posted on February 24, 2020 by

Ira Sachs’s new film “Frankie” leisurely strolls along with its main characters, and I enjoyed that. Although the overall result is rather mild and aimless at times, the movie steadily generates small intimate moments among its main characters, and it … Continue reading →

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The Farewell (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A bittersweet Chinese family story

Posted on December 6, 2019 by

As an Asian audience, I knowingly smiled as watching the heroine of “The Farewell” coming inside her dear grandmother’s residence full of their family members. When I was young, I and my family routinely visited the house of my mother’s … Continue reading →

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Diane (2018) ☆☆☆(3/4): As she takes care of others

Posted on May 11, 2019 by

“Diane”, which won three awards including the one for Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival in last year and was recently shown at the Jeonju International Film Festival in this week, is a little character drama about one … Continue reading →

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Paddleton (2019) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two close friends facing mortality

Posted on February 23, 2019 by

“Paddleton”, which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in last month and then released on Netflix on this Friday, is a little character drama about two close friends suddenly facing mortality and then trying to deal with it. … Continue reading →

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It’s Only the End of the World (2016) ☆☆(2/4): It’s only the end of his life….

Posted on January 26, 2017 by

The characters in “It’s Only the End of the World” talk a lot throughout the film, but their words signify nothing but sound and fury as they go through one miserable day together. Maybe that is its whole point, but … Continue reading →

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Freeheld (2015) ☆☆(2/4): A mediocre drama based on one real-life love story

Posted on July 2, 2016 by

If “Freeheld” had been made around 20 years ago, it would have looked a bit better and bolder as a movie willing to tell a story about sexual minority people and their equal rights. While its story is based one … Continue reading →

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Last Cab to Darwin (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An old cab driver’s last journey

Posted on June 6, 2016 by

Believe or not, the story of Australian film “Last Cab to Darwin” was really inspired by a real-life story associated with the first legalization of euthanasia in the world. In 1995, euthanasia was legalized in the Northern Territory of Australia, … Continue reading →

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Me and Earl and Dying Girl (2015) ☆☆(2/4): Sweet and quirky and pretentious

Posted on October 24, 2015 by

“Me and Earl and Dying Girl” is one of those superficially whimsical American independent films often shown at the Sundance Film Festival, and I constantly groaned and grumbled throughout its running time. Brandishing its deliberately quirky style and mood, the … Continue reading →

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My Mother (2015) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): This is where her mother is going to leave

Posted on August 23, 2015 by

It is always sad and painful to see your loved one going away from you forever, and Nanni Moretti’s new film “My Mother” calmly and sensitively depicts the emotional matters its heroine and her family members have to deal with after they … Continue reading →

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My Brilliant Life (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : An aging kid with young parents

Posted on September 6, 2014 by

 The young hero of “My Brilliant Life” is an ideal son any parents want to have. Ah-reum is a smart boy who has lots of interest in astronomy, and he also shows his potential as a writer. When we meet … Continue reading →

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