Category Archives: Movies

BIFF 2023: Interview with Nam Dong-chul

Posted on October 17, 2023 by philipbrasor

As preparation for my coverage of the 28th Busan International Film Festival, which took place Oct. 4-13, I talked via Zoom to the interim festival director, Nam Dong-chul, who is also the chief programmer for the festival. Nam sort of … Continue reading →

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Review: Aalto

Posted on October 16, 2023 by philipbrasor

Though Alvar Aalto is considered not only one of the greatest architects of the 20th century but a central figure of the modernist movement, many people outside of Scandinavia are probably unfamiliar with his name. This probably has less to … Continue reading →

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Review: R.M.N.

Posted on October 15, 2023 by philipbrasor

In his previous movies, Cristian Mungiu has interrogated Romanian society by focusing on specific aspects. In 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days it was the health care system via a woman seeking an abortion. In Graduation it was official … Continue reading →

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Busan International Film Festival 2023

Posted on October 12, 2023 by philipbrasor

Due to computer troubles I didn’t post my usual diary while I attended the Busan International Film Festival, which ends today. It was a fairly low-key year, and as usual there were a number of movies I wanted to see … Continue reading →

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Review: Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

Posted on October 12, 2023 by philipbrasor

Though I sort of consider the movies in the Mission: Impossible series comedies, this Guy Ritchie frivolity is more serious about taking the piss since it comes across as a straight sendup of the current species of international espionage blockbuster. … Continue reading →

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Review: Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World

Posted on October 6, 2023 by philipbrasor

Whether because it took place in Canada or was overshadowed by the PR spectacle of Woodstock, which took place a little more than a month before, this ostensible rock and roll revival show has mostly been shunted aside in the … Continue reading →

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Review: Theater Camp

Posted on October 5, 2023 by philipbrasor

It was wise of directors Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman to hire mostly unknown actors for their mockumentary about a summer camp for “theater brats” in the Adirondacks. Except for Amy Sedaris, who plays the founder of the camp but … Continue reading →

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Review: The Equalizer 3

Posted on October 4, 2023 by philipbrasor

Though the latest John Wick installment included way too much plot for its own good, it still stuck to the tenet that has made it an enduring series: Everything serves the violent set pieces, which are long, abundant, and varied. … Continue reading →

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Review: My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock

Posted on September 29, 2023 by philipbrasor

Fake spoiler alert: At the beginning of this documentary, a title card informs us that the narration is taken from actual recordings of Alfred Hitchcock, but at the end of the movie we learn it was a comedian (Alistair McGowan) … Continue reading →

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Review: Hunt

Posted on September 28, 2023 by philipbrasor

Actor Lee Jung-jae exploits his rep as a second-wind Korean superstar as well as a bona fide global household name for Squid Game with a directoral debut that would be a challenge for even the most seasoned filmmaker. This espionage … Continue reading →

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