Category Archives: Movies

Beyond the Hills (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A devastating clash between two values

Posted on December 21, 2012 by kaist455

 Loosely based on a shocking real-life incident, Romanian film “Beyond the Hills” presents us a slow but compelling drama about two young women entangled in a simple but difficult circumstance caused by two conflicting values. While not taking sides with … Continue reading →

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Wreck-It Ralph (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : He wants to be a good guy this time

Posted on December 19, 2012 by kaist455

 Disney’s new digital animation film “Wreck-It Ralph” reaches to my nostalgia with a handful of video games I played during my childhood and adolescent years. I had little interest on playing video games unlike my schoolmates, but I was drawn … Continue reading →

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Les Misérables (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A musical with all substance and no style

Posted on December 19, 2012 by kaist455

“Les Misérables” is a curious musical film with all substance and no style. Inside its epic story, there lies the emotional power to grip you and then sweep you to the finale as the movie struggles through its 2 1/2 … Continue reading →

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : It’s a long, long start….

Posted on December 14, 2012 by kaist455

In 2000, I read J.R.R. Tolkein’s “The Lord of the Rings” for the first time after hearing the news about Peter Jackson’s ambitious plan for making that epic trilogy into three films. Although the translated version I read was not … Continue reading →

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Margin Call (2011) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A group of people facing a big financial disaster

Posted on December 13, 2012 by kaist455

“Margin Call” can be categorized as disaster movie. The people in the film have overlooked the risk which has existed from the very beginning, and now they face a grim disaster on the horizon which is soon going to engulf … Continue reading →

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Dredd 3D (2012) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : A judge’s rough day with a psychic rookie

Posted on December 9, 2012 by kaist455

 Here is a good news; “Dredd 3D” is better and more enjoyable than that forgettable 1995 film based on the same British comic book by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. While we have seen its dystopian world countless times before … Continue reading →

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Amour (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Scenes from their dying marriage

Posted on December 7, 2012 by kaist455

 Our life is bound to be sad and depressing because of aging and subsequent death, and Michael Haneke’s new movie “Amour” shows that undeniable truth to us through an unsentimental but deeply harrowing observation of an aging couple who begin … Continue reading →

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A Royal Affair (2012) ☆☆☆(3/4) : An affair behind the throne

Posted on December 7, 2012 by kaist455

As a historical drama about a dangerous liaison and surrounding intrigues at the royal court, “A Royal Affair” nicely fulfills its genre requirements. It looks gorgeous as much as it is required for our eyes, and it also has an … Continue reading →

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Footnote (2011) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A glory only for his father

Posted on December 6, 2012 by kaist455

 Fathers are usually proud of their sons’ achievements, but that is not the case with the orthodox scholar patriarch of the Israeli film “Footnote.” His son’s success adds another layer of envy and resentment to a lifelong grudge, and he … Continue reading →

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Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Once there was a Hushpuppy…

Posted on December 2, 2012 by kaist455

 How nice it is to encounter a little but special fantasy tale like “Beasts of the Southern Wild”. Like any excellent fantasy tales, this small film is based on the strong sense of reality filled with bountiful details to be … Continue reading →

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