Behind The Curtain

Concise Reviews for Movie Addicts Who Don't Have Time to Waste

Genre: Drama

Recent Reviews

Still of Song Kang-ho, Lee Young-ae, and Lee Byung-hun in ‘Joint Security Area’ (2000)

Joint Security Area (2000)

A Korean tale of tragedy that illuminates how much the citizens of these two nations have in common

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Still of Seo Yea-ji and Park Hae-soo in ‘By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture’ (2019)

By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture (2019)

Can smooth-talking Park Hae-soo stay one step ahead of the bad guys, or will physics catch up with him?

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Still of Cho Jin-woong and Lee Je-hoon in ‘An Ethics Lesson’ (2013)

An Ethics Lesson (2013)

You may feel guilty watching this whacky dark comedy, which is a tad bloody and perverse; but also oddly fun

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Still of Aiden Quinn and Tom Berenger in ‘At Play in the Fields of the Lord’ (1991)

At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)

Tom Berenger and Aidan Quinn in a heart-wrenching tale that again shows good intentions are not enough

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Still of John Savage and David Morse in ‘Inside Moves’ (1980)

Inside Moves (1980)

John Savage and David Morse in a buddy movie that skirts the line between sentimentality and melodrama

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Still of Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson in ‘Persona’ (1960)

Persona (1966)

Despite enthralling performances by Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson, this classic is only for cinema aficionados

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Still of Navid Mohammadzadeh and Taraneh Alidoosti in Leila’s Brothers (2022)

Leila’s Brothers (2022)

In this searing portrait of a modern-day Iranian family in crisis, victims are many and answers are few

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Still of Renato Salvatori and Alain Delon in ‘Rocco and His Brothers’ (1960)

Rocco and His Brothers (1960)

This hard-to-watch drama illuminates the harsh choices facing poor families in post-war Italy

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Still Of Gladiator Ii 2024

Gladiator II (2024)

Laughable CGI undercuts the impact, but Denzel Washington saves Gladiator II (though not Rome)

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Still of Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix make this tale of betrayal and revenge a memorable spectacle

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Still of Jade Quon and Ben Kingsley in ‘Jules’ (2023)

Jules (2023)

This quirky tale of three elders helping an endearing alien has something to say about life’s regrets and growing older

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Still of Kim Kang-woo and Seo Ye-ji in ‘Recalled’ (2021)

Recalled (2021)

Can you figure out Seo Ye-ji’s terrifying premonitions before she can?

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Recent Quick Takes

Transfusion (2023)

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Sam Worthington is mired in a plodding plot that wants to be actioner and think piece and winds up being neither

Sand Storm (2016)

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It's not a war story – only it is, of sorts – about modern Arab women's struggle against millennia-old traditions

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

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Estranged, dysfunctional twins Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig somehow manage to make suicide mirthful

Black or White (2014)

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A hard-edged, thought-provoking drama of a widowed father fighting for custody of his biracial daughter

Young Ones (2014)

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In a water-parched future, a refreshingly original and complex story of greed, betrayal, and family loyalty

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

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A do-gooder lawyer who works from the back of his car begins to realize his case isn't exactly open-and-shut

Albert Nobbs (2011)

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A refreshingly unique tale, splendidly acted, that still leaves you unaffected and a bit adrift at the end

Casino Jack (2010)

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This romp based on the downfall of sleazy D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff almost has you rooting for the bad guys

The Angels’ Share (2012)

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A feel-good comedy that strains a little too much to be cute and cuddly