Category Archives: Movies

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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The Danish Girl (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Which girl, you mean?

Posted on January 15, 2016 by kaist455

Unlike most of us who are fine with our sexual identity, some people are not comfortable with their body, and many of them are willing to go outside our conventional definition of sexuality. Regardless of whether we approve of this … Continue reading →

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Creed (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Something Old, New, and Unexpected

Posted on January 13, 2016 by kaist455

“Creed” is an underdog movie true to the dogged spirit of its old senior in many ways. Faithfully following its senior’s footsteps with some bittersweet sense of nostalgia, the movie also brings a considerable amount of fresh energy into the … Continue reading →

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The Hateful Eight (2015) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): A snowy and bloody deathtrap a la Tarantino

Posted on January 11, 2016 by kaist455

 Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” is a violent, bloody piece of work drenched in stylish excess and vicious black humor. This aspect will not surprise you if you are familiar with many of Tarantino’s sensational works, but this eighth film … Continue reading →

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Room (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Inside and outside their small room

Posted on January 10, 2016 by kaist455

Beginning with one very grim human condition, “Room” takes us into a small isolated world of its two main characters who have depended only on each other for years. While we are horrified by the darkness of their terrible circumstance, … Continue reading →

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The Good Dinosaur (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : My Boy Spot

Posted on January 9, 2016 by kaist455

While it is a slick animated feature film on the technical level, “The Good Dinosaur” is not wholly satisfying in terms of story and characters, and that is a surprise considering that it is made by none other than Pixar … Continue reading →

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Spotlight (2015) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): All the Church’s Men

Posted on January 8, 2016 by kaist455

It is always interesting to watch professionals doing their best together. “Spotlight” gives us such an experience like that, and this top-notch journalism drama is calm, concise, comprehensive, and straightforward just like any good investigative article you read from newspapers. … Continue reading →

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Brooklyn (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A young immigrant between two different worlds

Posted on January 6, 2016 by kaist455

“Brooklyn” is a simple but touching film with lots of heart and mind. This is basically a classic coming-of-age drama with an innocent touch of fairy tale, but it is told so well through exemplary storytelling, commendable period mood, and … Continue reading →

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