Author Archives: kaist455

The Wave (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A tsunami movie from Norway

Posted on March 15, 2016 by kaist455

Norwegian film “The Wave” sets its modest goal and then delivers its goodies as intended from the start. When it stacks up various stock genre materials during its first act, it is lean and efficient as skillfully building tension on … Continue reading →

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The 33 (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Trapped 700 meters underground for 69 days

Posted on March 14, 2016 by kaist455

Based on a dramatic real-life story which drew lots of public attention around the world in 2010, “The 33” attempts to give us a close, vivid look into that extremely risky period. As many of you remember, 33 miners of the … Continue reading →

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Snow Paths (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A confused alcoholic at Catholic sanatorium

Posted on March 13, 2016 by kaist455

South Korean film “Snow Paths” is seemingly simple at first. A man struggling with his personal problems comes to a quiet place, and then he meets someone who brings some bright change into his troubled state. While this is a … Continue reading →

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Knight of Cups (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A Terrence Malick film floated in fragments

Posted on March 11, 2016 by kaist455

Terrence Malick’s new film “Knight of Cups” is visually stunning and profoundly disorienting. We get lots of beautiful, mesmerizing moments as it is floated here and there along its visual stream-of-consciousness. We get fragmented glimpses into its detached, disillusioned hero … Continue reading →

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Bone Tomahawk (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Gritty and Gruesome

Posted on March 6, 2016 by kaist455

“Bone Tomahawk” is a freakish mix of two pulpy genres. On one side, it is a gritty modern western film packed with colorful goodies to be enjoyed along its ride. On the other side, it is a gruesome horror flick … Continue reading →

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Z for Zachariah (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : A triangle in the post-apocalyptic world

Posted on March 6, 2016 by kaist455

I do not mind ambiguity, but the ambiguous nature of “Z for Zachariah” frustrates me instead of intriguing me. As a sort of post-apocalyptic chamber drama, the movie focuses on the psychological tension being developed among three characters who may … Continue reading →

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Twinsters (2015) ☆☆☆ (3/4): Twin sisters’ reunion after 25 years

Posted on March 5, 2016 by kaist455

Documentary film “Twinsters” starts its story with one unbelievable encounter which can happen only in our digital era. Two young women suddenly came to learn of each other’s presence through online communication, and they were naturally surprised by their uncanny … Continue reading →

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Spirits’ Homecoming (2015) ☆1/2(1.5/4): These women deserve better than this

Posted on March 1, 2016 by kaist455

I am angry about South Korean film “Spirits’ Homecoming” for two reasons. I was angered as thinking about those many women forced into sex slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II. I was infuriated about how … Continue reading →

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Son of Saul (2015) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): The Holocaust viewed from inside

Posted on February 28, 2016 by kaist455

Unflinchingly grim and despairing but undeniably powerful and astonishing, Hungarian film “Son of Saul” will haunt you for a long time after its last shot. While never feeling artsy or exploitative at all, this extraordinary film firmly stays around the … Continue reading →

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My prediction on the 88th Annual Academy Awards

Posted on February 27, 2016 by kaist455

Again, we are near the end of the latest Oscar season. I and many others initially thought that “Spotlight” (2015) was the definite front runner, but then things became more uncertain and interesting than last year. Although Alejandro González Iñárritu … Continue reading →

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