Tag Archives: Disaster

The Tunnel (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Almost buried inside the tunnel

Posted on August 11, 2016 by kaist455

There are some bitter laughs to have for its local audiences in South Korean disaster film “The Tunnel”. While you may think a number of moments of incompetence and ignorance in the movie are too absurd, I and other South … Continue reading →

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10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Three below the ground

Posted on April 11, 2016 by kaist455

As the opening sequence of “10 Cloverfield Lane” is unfolded, we know that something bad will happen sooner or later. Everything looks mundane on the surface as its young heroine leaves her place, but the ominous score on the soundtrack … Continue reading →

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The Wave (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A tsunami movie from Norway

Posted on March 15, 2016 by kaist455

Norwegian film “The Wave” sets its modest goal and then delivers its goodies as intended from the start. When it stacks up various stock genre materials during its first act, it is lean and efficient as skillfully building tension on … Continue reading →

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Everest (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Into Thin Air

Posted on September 29, 2015 by kaist455

Based on an infamous real-life disaster which happened on Mount Everest in May 1996, “Everest” attempts to tell a chilling story about how everything went horribly wrong during that grim, horrifying moment of fear and chaos. Yes, they did know … Continue reading →

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Jurassic World (2015) ☆☆1/2 (2.5/4): Dinosaurs are back again…..

Posted on June 14, 2015 by kaist455

Understandably lacking the awe and wonder of “Jurassic Park” (1993), “Jurassic World” is a well-made blockbuster ride with many dinosaurs to watch. While the advance of digital special effects during last 22 years makes the dinosaurs roaming on the screen … Continue reading →

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San Andreas (2015) ☆☆1/2 (2.5/4) : Earth trembles – but the Rock abides

Posted on June 6, 2015 by kaist455

Earth trembles, cities are destroyed, and various characters struggle to survive in front of a catastrophe about to swallow them all – and I have seen such sights like them many times before. This does not always mean a bad … Continue reading →

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Noah (2014) ☆☆(2/4) : The Deluge reimagined by Darren Aronofsky

Posted on March 21, 2014 by kaist455

 While trying to sort out how I felt about Darren Aronofsky’s ambitious new film “Noah”, I came across one article from the Hollywood Reporter. At the world premiere held in Mexico City on last Monday evening, Darren Aronofsky forthrightly warned … Continue reading →

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All Is Lost (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Our Man and the Sea

Posted on November 10, 2013 by kaist455

Nearly stripped of every expected convention, “All Is Lost” is so pure and simple that it does not look like an interesting movie at first. There is no back story or flashback for its lone hero, and its reticent aging … Continue reading →

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Gravity (2013) ☆☆☆☆(4/4) : It’s really terrifying to be floated alone in the space

Posted on October 18, 2013 by kaist455

 One of the sweet memories during my trip to Chicago in 2010 was watching movies with my friend and mentor Roger Ebert during one sunny Thursday afternoon. We watched three movies together along with his lovely wife Chaz and his … Continue reading →

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The Flu (2013) ☆☆(2/4) : Its symptoms are depressing rather than alarming

Posted on August 14, 2013 by kaist455

 The symptoms shown at the beginning of South Korean action thriller film “The Flu” are depressing rather than alarming. The symptoms are 1) flat characterization full of bland or annoying characters we do not give a damn about, and 2) … Continue reading →

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