Monthly Archives: March 2015

Black Sea (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Cornered and pressured below the sea

“Black Sea” intends to be as good as any other good movies about submarine crew being cornered and pressured below the sea. While there are a number of noticeable contrived or illogical aspects in the story, the tension and suspense … Continue reading

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The Dance of Reality (2013) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4) : Jodorowsky’s gentle but glorious comeback

If you want something new, odd, and strange, Alejandro Jodorowsky is your movie director who will show something you will never forget for the rest of your life. With the bizarre and unforgettable mix of symbolism and mysticism shown in … Continue reading

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Run All Night (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A long night’s running into day

Around two weeks ago, I came across the advertisement of “Run All Night” when I went to a neighbourhood movie theater with my brother, and I could not help but be sarcastic about that action movie in question. Not long … Continue reading

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Cinderella (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A straightforward fairy tale with charm and pluck

“Cinderella”, another adaptation of a famous fairy tale known well to most of us, takes a straightforward approach to its original story, and that is sort of refreshing to me after many revisional versions of fairy tales I encountered at … Continue reading

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Socialphobia (2014) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4) : A Death on the Social Network

 South Korean film “Socialphobia” is a very disturbing mystery film for our advancing era of online communication. Thanks to the rapid development of communication technology, we have more freedom to exchange and express our thoughts and feelings with many other … Continue reading

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Force Majeure (2014) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4) : Trouble in family vacation

Swedish film “Force Majeure”, which is probably the funniest and smartest film I have seen during this month, handles its intimate but edgy drama with wits and elegance to savor and admire. Like many good stories, it presents fully established … Continue reading

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Leviathan (2014) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4) : A moody, fatalistic social drama from Russia

Reticent and foreboding right from during its first scene, Russian film “Leviathan”, which was recently Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film early in this year, is shrouded in a moody, fatalistic aura of ill fortune. Even when things seem to … Continue reading

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Sunshine on Lieth (2013) ☆☆☆ (3/4) : Love, music, and Edinburgh

Although it has usual weaknesses as a musical film mainly depending on individual moments of music and choreography more than plot and characters, “Sunshine on Lieth” is not without charm and energy to entertain us. Its plot revolving around several … Continue reading

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The Well-Digger’s Daughter (2011) ☆☆☆ (3/4) : A relaxed rural tale in Provence

French film “The Well-Digger’s Daughter” gives us a likable case of how good storytelling can engage, surprise, and touch us. While its main characters may be broad and simple, they are presented as people filled with life and personality, and … Continue reading

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The Salvation (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Western Revenge

“The Salvation” looks and feels like an authentic American western film, and you will probably be surprised to know that it was actually made by a Danish director in South Africa. Drive by its terse storytelling coupled with harsh, remorseless … Continue reading

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