Author Archives: kaist455

Beyond the Lights (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A Star is Reborn

Posted on January 31, 2015 by kaist455

“Beyond the Lights” gave me two things to remember. First, while reminding me again of my serious lack of knowledge on pop songs, it enlightened me a bit on Nina Simone, an African American singer I was not so familiar … Continue reading →

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The Water Diviner (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : A father’s search for his fallen sons

Posted on January 29, 2015 by kaist455

  As a seasoned moviegoer, I usually ignore “Inspired by a true story/true stories” at the beginning of movies supposedly based on real-life incidents, and I am always ready to enjoy any fictional elements in them, but “The Water Diviners” … Continue reading →

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Love is Strange (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : More than longtime companions

Posted on January 28, 2015 by kaist455

  “Love is Strange” is a small intimate drama about two good people who have loved and lived with each other for almost 40 years and then suddenly have to deal with a trouble suddenly coming into their happy life. As … Continue reading →

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The Equalizer (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Washington and Fuqua back in action together

Posted on January 28, 2015 by kaist455

 Maybe because I have reviewed films more frequently than ever during this month, I have so far watched no less than 3 action movies which are notably similar to each other in several aspects. First, I watched “Taken 3” (2015) … Continue reading →

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Mr. Turner (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : That sublime beauty amidst his mundane life

Posted on January 27, 2015 by kaist455

 Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner” is an atypical biography drama about the life and career of a flawed but talented artist. Rather than focusing on the highlights of his career like average biography movies would, this somber film slowly lets us … Continue reading →

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Wild (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Hiking into the Wild

Posted on January 25, 2015 by kaist455

  As a tale of healing process and self-discovery, “Wild” looks plain and conventional from the very beginning, but it is entertaining to watch mainly because of several strong points which considerably enliven its conventions. Although there is nothing new … Continue reading →

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Ex Machina (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A Turing Test gone haywire

Posted on January 24, 2015 by kaist455

 How will we react to artificial intelligence if that becomes possible through technological advance? There have been many science fiction tales fascinated with that question which is alternatively intriguing and disturbing for good reasons, and “Ex Machina” gives us something … Continue reading →

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John Wick (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Yep, they touched a wrong guy

Posted on January 24, 2015 by kaist455

 While it is strewn with lots of dead or injured bodies, “John Wick” looks more like a stylish joke as I reflect more on its rather amusing aspects after watching it. You may laugh as one of laboratory colleagues did … Continue reading →

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Big Hero 6 (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Isn’t it huggable?

Posted on January 24, 2015 by kaist455

  While it lacks novelty because of those ubiquitous superhero blockbuster films during recent years, Disney animation feature film “Big Hero 6” has enough style and substance to distinguish itself from other superhero films. While it is basically a familiar … Continue reading →

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The Imitation Game (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A life of codes and secrets

Posted on January 22, 2015 by kaist455

  Alan Turing (1912-1954) was a brilliant mathematician who was also an early pioneer of computer science, and his enormous contribution to computer science is still influencing our world even at this point. His concept of automatic computing machine, called … Continue reading →

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