Author Archives: kaist455

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) ☆1/2(1.5/4) : The Unbearable Loudness of Being

Posted on June 26, 2014 by kaist455

 “Transformer: Age of Extinction” should be re-titled as “Transformers: The Unbearable Loudness of Being”. The movie relentlessly pummels us with tons of big explosions and loud noises on the screen during its burdensome 165-minute, and you may be at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Double (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : An unremarkable life intruded by the double

Posted on June 18, 2014 by kaist455

 Three weeks ago, I watched Denis Villeneuve’s “Enemy”(2013), an odd movie about a man shocked and then disturbed by the discovery of someone who looks exactly like him. And now I have watched “The Double”, whose story also deals with … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A bloody filmmaking to die for

Posted on June 15, 2014 by kaist455

 I could not enjoy well the first part of Japanese black comedy film “Why Don’t You Play in Hell?” because nearly all of its characters are too hysterical or delusional or idiotic in each own way. They frequently look and … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Predictability Not Guaranteed

Posted on June 14, 2014 by kaist455

 First, let me talk a bit about my personal movie term “coin toss movie”. While it does not specify any particular genre, I sometimes use this term whenever I come across a certain type of film whose plot mostly depends … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Gyeongju (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : One long day in an old South Korean city

Posted on June 13, 2014 by kaist455

  If you want me to recommend any other South Korean cites besides Seoul to visit for sightseeing, Gyeongju is one of several good places coming to my mind instantly. As a city which was once the capital of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Congress (2013) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Anything is possible – but nothing sticks much

Posted on June 12, 2014 by kaist455

 “The Congress” is an offbeat juxtaposition of two different stories which do not work together well in one film. One is a sly satire on Hollywood business which also has a thought-provoking premise involved with the rapid development of current … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Albert Nobbs (2011) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Can she possibly be happy?

Posted on June 10, 2014 by kaist455

 The titular character of “Albert Nobbs” is a very, very unhappy human being under miserable condition. The lonely, isolated life of this character is so devoid of any joy or happiness that she still does not know what to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Edge of Tomorrow (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A smart SF action film rolling its time loop

Posted on June 8, 2014 by kaist455

  “Edge of Tomorrow” is a loud, explosive SF action film which is also smart, witty, and exhilarating inside its gritty, metallic armor. Sure, most of its components are familiar stuffs which will take you back to many other films, … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Oculus (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A family matter with one sinister mirror

Posted on June 6, 2014 by kaist455

 “Oculus” did a fairly good job of building the sense of dread around one sinister object which turns out to a lot more dangerous and diabolical than we expected. While there are a few moments for shocks, the movie disturbs … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Maleficent (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : She had a reason to be a fairy in black

Posted on June 1, 2014 by kaist455

 Fairy tales in movies have been going through an interesting revisionist trend during recent years. “Enchanted”(2007) was an enjoyable clash between Disney fairy tale world and our real world, and its major delight came from how it deconstructed and then … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment