Monthly Archives: February 2015

The Skeleton Twins (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Estranged Twins’ reunion

Posted on February 10, 2015 by kaist455

While not flinching from the dark, gloomy side of its story, “The Skeleton Twin” works as an intimate and humorous story about the rocky relationship between two estranged siblings who respectively struggle with each own personal problems. As observing their … Continue reading →

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St. Vincent (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Murray as your average cranky old neighbor

Posted on February 9, 2015 by kaist455

As watching Bill Murray in “St. Vincent”, I thought about how Murray has steadily maintained his screen persona for more than 20 years. While he looks shabbier than usual here in this movie, he is still Bill Murray we have … Continue reading →

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Inherent Vice (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A Californian film noir shrouded in marijuana haze

Posted on February 9, 2015 by kaist455

At the end of my reserved review on Paul Thomas Anderson’s previous work “The Master” (2012), I asked, “What will be the next step for him?” I could not get the answer at that time, but now I’ve got it … Continue reading →

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The Humbling (2014) ☆☆1/2 (2.5/4): A ‘romance’ before his last act

Posted on February 8, 2015 by kaist455

Like King Lear, the aging hero of “The Humbling” is a character to be played with age and experience. He feels getting old and tired more than ever as he faces the last act of his remaining life, and he … Continue reading →

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Cheap Thrills (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : They will be ready for anything….

Posted on February 7, 2015 by kaist455

“Cheap Thrills” is a mean, vicious black comedy with recognizable human traits as its major driving factor. Some of the uncomfortable behaviors presented in the film are so cringe-inducing that we cannot help but roll our eyes with more horror … Continue reading →

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The Good Lie (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : From Sudan to America

Posted on February 3, 2015 by kaist455

“The Good Lie” approaches to its simple story with not only good intention but also honest attitude, and that is a good thing. While it is partially about the kindness of strangers, it is mainly about how its outsider characters … Continue reading →

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Open Windows (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A thriller unfolded within one laptop screen

Posted on February 3, 2015 by kaist455

 As a thriller literally unfolded within one laptop screen during most of its running time, “Open Windows” is more entertaining than expected. Its storytelling device is an apparent gimmick to say the least, but the movie uses it to full … Continue reading →

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Cake (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Broken Body, Broken Mind, and Cake

Posted on February 3, 2015 by kaist455

  There are good parts in “Cake” which almost make it look like a film worthwhile to watch, and then there are also bad parts which could have been discarded or modified without any serious problem. The movie wants to … Continue reading →

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The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4): Studio Ghibli in Twilight

Posted on February 2, 2015 by kaist455

As a gentle tribute to one great animation director who has been one of the key leading figure in Studio Ghibli, Japanese documentary “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness” has a bittersweet quality considering the uncertain future of Studio Ghibli … Continue reading →

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The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) ☆☆(2/4) : A sweet but mellow cuisine conflict

Posted on February 1, 2015 by kaist455

  “The Hundred-Foot Journey” is a sweet but mellow cuisine conflict which gets clumsily overcooked during its first half and then gets tediously undercooked during its second half. I like some ingredients of its main course, and it is surely … Continue reading →

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