Category Archives: Movies

The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): “I had sex today…”

Posted on July 23, 2016 by kaist455

With vibrant personality and frank attitude, “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” gives us a close, intimate look into the bumpy sexual maturation period of its adolescent heroine who becomes aware of her biological/psychological changes more than before. Like many … Continue reading →

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

Emelie (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): They get a wrong babysitter…

Posted on July 19, 2016 by kaist455

There are a number of good things to be appreciated in “Emelie”, a creepy little thriller movie equipped with competent filmmaking skill and solid acting. While it is engaging to see how its first two acts steadily build up tension … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Eye in the Sky (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Dilemmas of modern drone warfare

Posted on July 17, 2016 by kaist455

Through its gripping drama revolving around one tricky military operation, “Eye in the Sky” presents thought-provoking dilemmas of modern drone warfare without easy answers. If the ends can justify the means, how far can they go for preventing the next … Continue reading →

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

Train to Busan (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): South Korean Zombie Express

Posted on July 16, 2016 by kaist455

South Korean film “Train to Busan” combines one of my least favorite movie subjects with one of my most favorite movie subjects: zombie and train. As you have already guessed, this is basically another typical zombie movie in which a … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Good Kill (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): His unbearable lightness of following orders

Posted on July 10, 2016 by kaist455

“Good Kill” wants to be a thought-provoking drama about the disturbing sides of modern warfare technology of our time, but it only keeps spinning its wheels with no sense of direction. While there are a number of darkly absurd scenes … Continue reading →

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

Finding Dory (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Another marine family adventure

Posted on July 9, 2016 by kaist455

As the screening of “Finding Dory” began during last evening, I could not help but become nostalgic about the time when I watched its predecessor “Finding Nemo” (2003), one of the best animation feature films from Pixar Animation Studios. Although … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Nice Guys (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Two ‘nice’ buddies in LA

Posted on July 9, 2016 by kaist455

Surprise is always a key factor in comedy, and “The Nice Guys” has enough surprises to bring out good chuckles from me. While it has several weak points which bothered me even during my viewing, it is witty and cheerful … Continue reading →

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

Francofonia (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A floating visual meditation on the Louvre

Posted on July 4, 2016 by kaist455

“Francofonia” is a floating visual meditation on one of the famous museums in Europe. Alternatively baffling and fascinating, it freely looks around not only the museum and its historical background but also many other things to be mused on by … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mountain Cry (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Amongst mountains

Posted on July 4, 2016 by kaist455

Immersing itself deep into its isolated rural background, Chinese film “Mountain Cry” looks at one human relationship between two different people. While its story is essentially a typical melodrama about love and redemption, the movie takes its time as patiently … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Freeheld (2015) ☆☆(2/4): A mediocre drama based on one real-life love story

Posted on July 2, 2016 by kaist455

If “Freeheld” had been made around 20 years ago, it would have looked a bit better and bolder as a movie willing to tell a story about sexual minority people and their equal rights. While its story is based one … Continue reading →

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