Maybe overrated, not exactly, but maybe; everyone liked it, but it didn’t quite hit for me. (Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026 at 11:30 PM)
Another cool American movie that I really enjoyed, but this one went a bit overboard. The main issue is that just as the protagonist is dealing with one disaster or crisis, another one immediately hits. This pattern repeats too many times throughout the film. I usually like this kind of movie, but it reached a point where I felt compelled to complain. (Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026 at 9:30 PM)
One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson has a way of making the smallest gestures feel iconic, and in One Battle After Another, it’s DiCaprio’s ‘Tio Whistle.’ Watching him navigate that world to get to his daughter felt less like a movie set and more like a real slice of California life.
The biggest shock, though? Sean Penn. I had no idea he was even in this, and he wasn’t just a cameo—he was ‘more than still around.’ He brought this intense, weathered energy that perfectly balanced Leo’s performance. It’s easily one of the most surprising pairings of 2025 (Reviewed onJan 10, 2026)
Highest 2 Lowest - My Pick, Moview of the Year
I haven’t seen a truly American film like this in a while. Denzel Washington delivered an outstanding performance, and the director’s work was equally impressive.
You can tell this is an American film. Very nice.
Harbin . 하얼빈
Review 1: At first, I felt the movie was a bit slow—maybe I was just tired. But overall, it’s a pretty solid film. However, it made me long for more movies like Assassination (암살, 2015) and Age of Shadows (밀정, 2016).
Review 2: When I watched the intense and brutal combat scene at the beginning, where Hyun Bin’s character, Ahn Jung-geun, a resistance fighter, is stabbing and killing in a chaotic struggle, it strangely reminded me of a scene from The Revenant (2015). Specifically, the moment when Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Hugh Glass, is attacked by a grizzly bear while scouting alone. Both scenes share that raw, desperate intensity.
Firefighter . 소방관
Review 1: After watching Firefighters, I found myself reflecting on what truly makes a good movie. I can imagine that many viewers might not connect with this type of film, especially American audiences, but it performed well at the Korean box office. When you become emotionally invested in a film, it’s hard to judge it by conventional standards. This movie feels deeply “Korean” in its storytelling, filled with raw emotion. It’s the kind of film that resists over-analysis—sometimes, it’s just best to experience it as it is.
White Bird
coming
All Time Favorite
Passion of the Christ Waking Ned Devine Sound of Music Christmas in August Memories of Murder The Mission Peller the Conqueror Braveheart Chariots of Fire Dunkirk Little Women (2020) Inception Schindler’s List Nebraska (Maybe) Parasite Forrest Gump Jason Bourne Dead Poets Society
More
Noteworthy
Killers of the Flower Moon American Fiction The Host (Bong Junho) Interstellar Mr. Turner Slumdog Millionaire Argo Sting E.T Remains of the Day Eat Drink Man Woman The Revenant American Sniper The Imitation Game Life of Pie The King’s Speech Field of Dreams The Room with a View The Color Purple Out of Africa Amadeus The Deer Hunter Rocky Love Story Godfather Driving Ms Daisy
Foreign, Indie & Artsy
Tous Les Martins Du Monde Manon of the Spring Sideways Babel
New York Stories Hannah and Her Sisters After Hours (A Beautiful Mind) Red Lantern Ran
Overrated
Everything Everywhere All at Once (highly overrated) Shakespeare in Love Old Boy The Shawshank Redemption (sorry, despite its acclaim and status as a favorite among many viewers) Titanic (I enjoyed watching) Oppenheimer Contact The Last Temptation of Christ La La Land Hail, Caesar (very overrated; it’s an understatement. I want my money back.)
2025
Highest 2 Lowest – My Pick for Movie of the Year
I haven’t seen a truly American film like this in a while. Denzel Washington delivered an outstanding performance, and the director’s work was equally impressive.
You can tell this is an American film. Very nice.
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
2024
Twisters
The Beekeeper
White Bird
Cabrini
2023
* American Fiction Movie of 2023
“American Fiction” cleverly combines humor, social critique, and complex character development to create a film that is not only entertaining but also deeply thought-provoking. It challenges us to think about the narratives we consume and the often overlooked voices. Watching it feels like a shared journey that encourages empathy and understanding in a world that desperately needs both. It’s a film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the importance of authenticity in every voice.
Sound of Freedom
Killers of the Flower Moon
Mission: Impossible – Dead
Oppenheimer – overated
2022
Top Gun: Maverick
Everything Everywhere All at Once – overrated
2021
Squid Game
As someone who actually played similar games as a child, watching “Squid Game” was a nostalgic yet intense experience. The way it reimagines those childhood games in such a high-stakes context made me reflect on the innocence of play and how easily it can turn into something darker.
2020
Minari
2019
Parasite Little Women
2018
Green Book
2017
Dunkirk
La La Land
Arrival
Christian
Cabrini (2024)
Chariots of Fire
The Ten Commandments Ben-Hur
Many more…
Family
Sound of Music
Princess Bride (1987)
Many more…
Korean
Christmas in August
Until I watched Christmas in August, I had little interest in Korean cinema. However, this film sparked my curiosity and appreciation for the genre back in the late 90s.
Memories of Murder
The Host Ode to My Father The Admiral: Roaring Currents Parasite Seopyeonje Age of Shadows The Berlin File Shriri Join Security Area The Great Battle
Many more….
Filmmakers
Korean
Joon-ho Bong Kwon-taek Im
more
American
Martin Scorsese Steven Spielberg Christopher Nolan Woody Allen