In this blog post, we’ll explore how Ghost in the Shell foreshadows the fundamental anxieties of human identity, technological dominance, and future civilizations through mega-networks and cyborg societies. What is SF? SF literally means Science Fiction, or science fiction, and a science fiction movie is a movie with a science fiction theme. In terms of “fantasy,” science fiction is...
“When Romance Meets Destiny” asks what a “good relationship” is through the extremes of two men
In this blog post, we’ll examine the film’s contrast between timid mania and free-spirited mania to see what it means to have a good relationship and what it means to change, and analyze the narrative around the questions these two characters leave us with. Introduction I’ve always liked and enjoyed the romantic comedy genre. Not only is it fun to discover cinematic...
In 「Chronicle」, are superpowers salvation or an inevitable path to ruin?
This blog post analyzes the film 「Chronicle」 to examine the moments when superpowers become salvation for teenagers, while simultaneously revealing the inevitable structure that inevitably leads them toward ruin. Chronicle: Fantasy Blooming from Oppression Despite being produced on a low budget, the film “Chronicle” achieved significant box office success in the US. Unlike other superhero...
How does 「Turtles Swim Faster Than Expected」 subvert the concept of reality?
This blog post examines how 「Turtles Swim Faster Than Expected」 uses fantastical elements to subvert the ordinary and the concept of reality, making them feel unfamiliar, through an analysis of the film’s narrative and characters. Fantasy as a Genre The English word “fantasy” originates from the Greek “phantasia.” Phantasia signifies the revelation of the previously unseen, or in...
When will Korean cinema, which is catching up to Hollywood, develop its own unique romance?
This blog post examines what Korean cinema is missing in order to move beyond imitating Hollywood and develop its own unique romance, by placing “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Wolf Boy” side by side. The Brothers “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Wolf Boy,” Conceived by the Mother of Romance Following Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands,” a hairy-handed scissor-wielding character appeared...
Why does snow fall, and why does Grandmother’s story begin with “Edward Scissorhands”?
This blog post examines “Edward Scissorhands,” which opens with a conversation between grandmother and granddaughter, from the perspective of origin myths. It analyzes how the natural phenomenon of snow is imbued with meanings of love and memory. Introduction “Edward Scissorhands” is a truly rich film. It contains so many layers. Contrary to the impression we often recall, “Edward...
Is ‘Mars Attacks!’ a science fiction film, or is it satire closer to black comedy?
This blog post examines how Tim Burton’s ‘Mars Attacks!’ employs black comedy satire and subverts American heroism hidden beneath the surface of an SF blockbuster. The Sci-Fi Film ‘Mars Attacks!’ ‘Mars Attacks!’ superficially possesses the trappings of a sci-fi film. It depicts an alien invasion of Earth and humanity’s resistance against it, fitting the mold of a typical...
How does ‘Legally Blonde’ subvert the romantic comedy formula?
This blog post analyzes how 「Legally Blonde」 subverts the love-centered romantic comedy formula and expands into a narrative of growth and self-fulfillment through its characters, plot, and style. What is a romantic comedy? A comprehensive definition of romantic comedy dramas Personally, I love the romantic comedy genre the most. In fact, I naturally enjoy watching it because I have many...
What questions does 「Stories We Tell」 raise beyond the portrait of a mother?
This blog post calmly follows how the documentary film 「Stories We Tell」 questions memory, truth, and the ethics of documentation beyond the life of one mother, examining the fundamental questions the film poses. 「Stories We Tell」 Synopsis The film opens with director Sarah Polley gathering her family and acquaintances, asking each to share their own story about her late mother. Diane...
Why does ‘Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse’ make us reexamine society through the act of gathering?
This blog post explores how the act of gathering, as depicted in Agnès Varda’s documentary ‘Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse’, prompts us to reconsider the relationship between individual lives, society, art, and ethics. “I’m filming people who collect discarded things to survive. Like writing a diary, I record them and record myself.” In the past, commoners would often bend over to...