Author Archives: kaist455

All the Way (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): All the way to the Civil Rights – and his re-election

It is always nice to see a good actor finally getting a career boost he deserves, and Bryan Cranston is one of such examples during last 10 years. While this veteran actor has steadily worked for more than 30 years, … Continue reading →

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Last Cab to Darwin (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An old cab driver’s last journey

Believe or not, the story of Australian film “Last Cab to Darwin” was really inspired by a real-life story associated with the first legalization of euthanasia in the world. In 1995, euthanasia was legalized in the Northern Territory of Australia, … Continue reading →

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Irrational Man (2015) ☆☆(2/4): He thinks – she thinks

There are many far worse things out there, but watching “Irrational Man” is the blandest experience I have ever had from Woody Allen film since “Cassandra’s Dream” (2007). Although there are a few moments where we can get glimpses of … Continue reading →

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Mountains May Depart (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Past, Present, and Future

The first part of Jia Zhangke’s new movie “Mountains May Depart” may be the longest prologue I have ever seen during recent years. The title of the movie appears on the screen only after the end of this part, and … Continue reading →

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The Handmaiden (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Pretty, Kinky, and Naughty

South Korean film “The Handmaiden” is a droll, morbid exercise in sensuality and perversity. Besides being a sumptuous erotic melodrama which tantalizes and enthralls our eyes with its ornate moods and details, this is also a delightfully twisted thriller which … Continue reading →

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Sing Street (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : First Music – and First Love

“Sing Street” is a small but sweet musical movie with lots of charm and energy. While its musical period background is not that familiar to me, I was amused and entertained by its superlative soundtrack consisting of old and new … Continue reading →

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Mon roi (2015) ☆☆(2/4): And then she was miserably stuck with this king jerk…

During my viewing of French film “Mon roi”, I felt a constant urge to ask several questions to its unlucky miserable heroine throughout its two-hour running time. Madame, how can you possibly put up with this prick? Can‘t you just … Continue reading →

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X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) ☆☆1/2(2/5/4): Bigger and messier, so to speak

“X-Men: Apocalypse” attempts to juggle many things too hard. First, we have another bunch of new mutant characters with each own superpower to wield across the screen, and the first half of the movie is busy with introducing them one … Continue reading →

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Concussion (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): An inconvenient medical truth

Around late 2011, I read a series of disturbing articles from New York Times. The articles were about a young professional hockey player named Derek Boogaard, and that was the first time I heard about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). While … Continue reading →

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A Walk in the Woods (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A very late self-discovery journey

During my mildly enjoyable viewing of “A Walk in the Woods”, I got familiar impressions. I have seen other movies which did a better job of handling similar subjects than this passable one. I also have seen other cases where … Continue reading →

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