Tag Archives: World War II

Lee (2023) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): What she recorded with her camera

Posted on September 28, 2025 by kaist455

Lee Miller was surely a remarkable woman to remember. Despite sexism and many other obstacles in front of her, this exceptional American woman willingly pursued her professional passion during the World War II, and her numerous photographs shot during that … Continue reading →

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Army of Shadows (1969) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A gloomy World War II resistance drama

Posted on July 5, 2025 by kaist455

Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1969 film “Army of Shadows”, which was released in South Korean theaters on this Wednesday, is a cold and gloomy World War II drama about the perilous struggles of a bunch of French Resistance members in the middle … Continue reading →

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Saving Private Ryan (1998) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Just for one private

Posted on June 26, 2025 by kaist455

Steven Spielberg’s 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan”, which happens to be re-released in South Korean on this Wednesday, definitely earns its own place in the pantheon of war movies via its stupefyingly stunning opening battle sequence, but it is much … Continue reading →

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Life Is Beautiful (1997) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As a clown as well as a father

Posted on June 15, 2025 by kaist455

I cannot help but marvel at what is so cheerfully, masterfully, and touchingly done in Roberto Benigni’s 1997 Oscar-winning film “Life Is Beautiful”, which was re-released in South Korean theaters early in this month. This is a very special film … Continue reading →

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

Posted on March 21, 2025 by kaist455

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 →

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White Bird (2023) ☆☆(2/4): A Holocaust tale to reform him

Posted on March 16, 2025 by kaist455

Marc Forster’s new film “White Bird” presents its well-intentioned tale in a way so rote and manipulative that I felt like shaking my head more than once during my viewing. As another typical Holocaust drama flick, it does not bring … Continue reading →

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The Six Triple Eight (2024) ☆☆(2/4): These ladies deserve better than this…

Posted on February 10, 2025 by kaist455

The most interesting moment in Tyler Perry’s new film “The Six Triple Eight”, which was released on Netflix a few months ago, is its epilogue part, which briefly shows a series of interviews and archival records. Yes, there were really … Continue reading →

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

Posted on January 5, 2025 by kaist455

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 →

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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) ☆☆☆(3/4): A clash of styles

Posted on December 22, 2024 by kaist455

Nagisa Ōshima’s 1983 film “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”, whose 4k restoration version was recently released in South Korean theaters several weeks ago, is a fascinatingly odd war film which attempts to present two very different human relationships at the center … Continue reading →

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Blitz (2024) ☆☆☆(3/4): A boy and his mother under the Blitz

Posted on November 26, 2024 by kaist455

Steve McQueen’s latest film “Blitz”, which is currently available on Apple TV+, tries to bring some new and interesting elements into its familiar genre territory. Although it does not always work, the movie often distinguishes itself with a number of … Continue reading →

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