Author Archives: kaist455

When Marnie Was There (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): The last Ghibli animation, probably

Posted on January 29, 2016 by kaist455

Watching Japanese animated feature film “When Marnie Was There” is a bittersweet experience because this may be the last work from Studio Ghibli, which has been in a ‘temporary’ hiatus period since “When Marnie Was There” was released in Japan … Continue reading →

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45 Years (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Sobering ruminations on their long relationship

Posted on January 28, 2016 by kaist455

They have known and lived with each other for many years, but now they start to feel anxious and uncertain about their relationship after a sudden news comes in from the old past. As its aging couple begin to ruminate … Continue reading →

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The Measure of a Man (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A man’s quiet economic struggle

Posted on January 28, 2016 by kaist455

Calmly looking into its plain working class hero’s quiet economic struggle, French social drama film “The Measure of a Man” shares his desperation and frustration with us during the first half and then throws some hard moral questions during the … Continue reading →

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Zero Motivation (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): Israeli female solders stuck in office job

Posted on January 26, 2016 by kaist455

Through the droll observation on a bunch of female soldiers who have to cope with their drab, suffocating daily life at the base, Israeli comedy film “Zero Motivation” delights us with unexpected moments of amusement and laugh. I did not … Continue reading →

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Goosebumps (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): You know what is going to scare you…

Posted on January 23, 2016 by kaist455

Around this Monday, I finished reading “Joyland”, one of Stephen King’s recent novels. While its story revolves around a dark murder mystery involved with one plain but special amusement park in North Carolina, I enjoyed its vivid, affectionate description of … Continue reading →

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Steve Jobs (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Jobs viewed through a three-act backstage drama

Posted on January 22, 2016 by kaist455

Through its fictional narrative structure, “Steve Jobs” attempts to give us a complex portrayal of one fascinating real-life figure whose grand, ambitious visions have influenced our modern world – or our modern electronic industry and market at least. Although its … Continue reading →

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The Big Short (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Big Bets against the market

Posted on January 20, 2016 by kaist455

Cheerfully bouncing around a number of traders who perceived an imminent financial disaster in advance, “The Big Short” gives us an absurd, biting account of how everything was virtually destined to be collapsed before the financial crisis of 2007-08 finally … Continue reading →

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The Revenant (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Grim, Grisly, and Grueling

Posted on January 18, 2016 by kaist455

Grim, grisly, and grueling, “The Revenant” is determined to overpower you with its cold, stark beauty of vast wilderness as well as its gray, gloomy depiction of extreme human conditions. This brooding western tale of survival and revenge is a … Continue reading →

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Trumbo (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : A passable biopic about one legendary Hollywood writer

Posted on January 16, 2016 by kaist455

As a biography film about one legendary Hollywood figure, “Trumbo” looks trivial compared to his larger-than-life status. Here is a man who steadily fought against the injustices inflicted upon himself and his ill-fated colleagues for years while never bending his … Continue reading →

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Joy (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A messy rags to riches tale supported by Jennifer Lawrence

Posted on January 16, 2016 by kaist455

When I was going through another miserable day of my graduate course during the early 2010s, it happened to be my turn to clean the floor of my laboratory, and I used a newly bought mop for the first time. … Continue reading →

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