Tag Archives: Murder

Strong Island (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Remembering his brother – and how he was killed

Calmly examining one case of senseless killing and the resulting anger and grief, documentary film “Strong Island”, which is currently available on Netflix, makes its intention very clear to us right from the beginning. It wants us to see how … Continue reading

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Wind River (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A bleak, chilly procedural on the wilds of Wyoming

While often quite stark in its gloomy tone, “Wind River” is a compelling procedural which gradually grabs our attention via its vivid atmosphere and deft storytelling. As it slowly builds up its story and characters, we become absorbed into its … Continue reading

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Nocturnal Animals (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Deliberate nastiness

“Nocturnal Animals” makes it very clear from the beginning that it will not be a pleasant experience at all. As reflected by the bold, striking opening sequence which shows an intentionally tasteless art exhibition featuring naked overweight women, this is … Continue reading

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

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

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Irrational Man (2015) ☆☆(2/4): He thinks – she thinks

There are many far worse things out there, but watching “Irrational Man” is the blandest experience I have ever had from Woody Allen film since “Cassandra’s Dream” (2007). Although there are a few moments where we can get glimpses of … Continue reading

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Cartel Land (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): The drug war viewed through vigilantes

“Cartel Land”, which was recently Oscar-nominated for Best Documentary Feature Film, is sobering and disturbing to say the least. If you are already familiar with its subject through other movies and documentary films such as “Narco Cultra” (2013) and “Sicario” … Continue reading

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

 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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Black Mass (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): An Unholy Alliance in Boston Underworld

“Black Mass” is a chilly crime drama which is also weirdly disjointed at times. While it feels uttermost solemn and serious as a dark, insidious crime tale revolving around one of the notorious real-life criminal figures in Boston, it is … Continue reading

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Macbeth (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Full of grim sound and fury

Justin Kurzel’s “Macbeth” is a relentlessly dark and brutal adaptation of that ‘Scottish Play’ by William Shakespeare, and that is a right storytelling approach for its grim savage tale of corruption and madness, which is “told by an idiot, full … Continue reading

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Sicario (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4) : On dangerous border

At first, the heroine of “Sicario” does not exactly know what kind of situation she gets involved into, and neither do we, though the movie gives us a little more information. As she comes to know more about what is … Continue reading

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