Tag Archives: Documentary

The Green Prince (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A most wanted informer

Posted on April 18, 2015 by kaist455

The real-life story told in documentary “The Green Prince” is as dramatic as any thrilling spy movies. Here is a man working against almost everything which had defined his social/political background, and it is interesting to hear his remarkable story … Continue reading →

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

Citizenfour (2014) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4) : A close, gripping look into one big expose

Posted on February 25, 2015 by kaist455

 Thanks to the rapid development of communication and information technologies, we can freely exchange or share information and opinions with many other people around the world, but then there are also dark possibilities in this technological advance. Through its close … Continue reading →

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

Finding Vivian Maier (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4): A nanny who was also a photographer

Posted on February 20, 2015 by kaist455

The photos shown in Oscar-nominated documentary “Finding Vivian Maier” are something to watch and appreciate for the mood and feelings they evoke. Mostly shot in black and white, they vividly capture the places and people of bygone eras, and then … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Jodorowsky’s Dune (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : It could have been awesome, maybe

Posted on February 15, 2015 by kaist455

 One of my fond memories involved with an arthouse movie theater near my KAIST campus, which is gone now, is involved with a double feature showing of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s “El Topo” (1970) and “The Holy Mountain” (1973). The promotional leaflet … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4): Studio Ghibli in Twilight

Posted on February 2, 2015 by kaist455

As a gentle tribute to one great animation director who has been one of the key leading figure in Studio Ghibli, Japanese documentary “The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness” has a bittersweet quality considering the uncertain future of Studio Ghibli … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Love, Don’t Cross That River (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): The last chapter of their long life

Posted on December 26, 2014 by kaist455

  South Korean documentary “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” is about the last chapter of a long relationship which lasted for more than 70 years. Although the movie does not give much background information about its aging couple, its … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Missing Picture (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Memories of a genocide

Posted on August 30, 2014 by kaist455

 The documentary film “The Missing Picture” attempts an unconventional approach for its grim historical subject. Mainly through its simple but delicate presentation of clay figurine dioramas, it conveys to us the personal memories of pain and horror from one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Tim’s Vermeer (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Recreating a Vermeer

Posted on August 9, 2014 by kaist455

 Whenever the camera looks closely at Johannes Vermeer’s paintings in fascinating documentary “Tim’s Vermeer”, you cannot help but marvel at their vivid colors and details – and their verisimilitude which almost approaches to the level of modern photography. This Dutch … Continue reading →

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

Narco Cultura (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Bloody culture of drug, violence, and ballad

Posted on May 8, 2014 by kaist455

 One of the memorable scenes in the American TV series “Breaking Bad” was a music video opening scene for one of its episodes. While three musicians, who are the members of Los Cuates de Sinaloa, perform a cheerful Spanish ballad, … Continue reading →

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

The Unknown Known (2013) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : What can be known from Mr. Rumsfeld?

Posted on May 7, 2014 by kaist455

“There are known knowns; there are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns; that is to say, there are things that we now know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | 1 Comment