Monthly Archives: January 2014

Dirty Wars (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : An expanding picture of War on Terror

Posted on January 26, 2014 by kaist455

What is told in Oscar-nominated documentary “Dirty Wars” is not so surprising or shocking to you if you have paid attention to how far the US government has gone during its War on Terror since 9/11, but what it shows … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Documentary, Terror, War | 1 Comment

The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4): Their life can be a nice bluegrass song

Posted on January 25, 2014 by kaist455

Although I am not so familiar with country songs or its cousin bluegrass songs, I enjoyed the soundtrack of “The Broken Circle Breakdown”, and I am listening to it while writing this review. Starting with its main song “Will the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Husband and Wife, Musician, Parents, Tattoo artist | Leave a comment

Short Term 12 (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful

Posted on January 24, 2014 by kaist455

My late friend Roger Ebert once said that movies are the most powerful aid to empathy of all the arts, and “Short Term 12”, one of the small gems of 2013, is a model example of that. As hanging … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Abuse, Foster care | 1 Comment

Museum Hours (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Of the Museum and the City

Posted on January 23, 2014 by kaist455

I still remember well my exciting two weeks in Chicago in 2010, and many of my sweet memories are involved with its streets, buildings, people, and museums. While going here and there around the Loop and other areas of … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Museum | Leave a comment

Life Itself (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : You certainly lived it fully, Roger

Posted on January 22, 2014 by kaist455

As one of the most influential film critics of our time, late Roger Ebert surely had an interesting life to be told, and Steve James’ documentary “Life Itself”, which is based on his memoir published in late 2011, is as … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Critic, Documentary, Movie | 3 Comments

The Attack (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : She suddenly looks different to him

Posted on January 19, 2014 by kaist455

With its thought-provoking subject, “The Attack” hits its hero hard while giving no easy answer to his devastated personal circumstance or the political situation surrounding him and his world. After his life is suddenly turned upside down by a … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Doctor, Husband and Wife, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Deadpan Vampires in Artistic Ennui

Posted on January 19, 2014 by kaist455

Eternity is a dreadfully boring concept, but Jim Jarmusch’s new film “Only Lovers Left Alive” tickled me with the languid ennui of its vampire characters, and it is definitely a lot more entertaining than those tedious Twilight movies. The life … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Musician, Vampire, Writer | 1 Comment

August: Osage County (2013) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : An average chocolate box movie

Posted on January 18, 2014 by kaist455

I have several personal terms/nicknames defining certain types of movies, and one of them is ‘chocolate box movie’. In my definition, chocolate box film is usually packed with a bunch of good actors who respectively have each own scene to … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Family, Funeral, Mother and daughter, Sisters | Leave a comment

Frozen (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A familiar recipe with sparkling icing

Posted on January 17, 2014 by kaist455

Disney animation film “Frozen” is made with usual ingredients which can be expected from Disney animations based on fairy tales, and they have done it well while doing some different things within its conventions. Like other spunky princesses in recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Animation, Fantasy, Sisters, snow | Leave a comment

12 Years a Slave (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A harrowing look at the brutalities of slavery

Posted on January 12, 2014 by kaist455

Based on a harrowing real-life story reflecting countless inhumane atrocities committed under the American slavery during the 19th century, “12 Years a Slave” honestly and bravely faces its dark historical subject, and it will give you an unforgettable experience which … Continue reading →