Tag Archives: Murder

Heart Blackened (2017) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Flawed but not without entertainment

Posted on November 4, 2017 by kaist455

South Korean film “Heart Blackened” starts as a typical courtroom mystery tale but then later becomes something more serious than expected. As its plot often trudges around a number of predictable narrative turns, I frequently felt impatient during my viewing, … Continue reading →

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1922 (2017) ☆☆(2/4): The year when he killed his wife

Posted on October 29, 2017 by kaist455

Since the considerable success of “Carrie” (1976), many of Stephen King’s novels and short stories were adapted into movies during last 41 years, but 2017 is quite an interesting year because we have no less than four feature films based … Continue reading →

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

Posted on September 25, 2017 by kaist455

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

Posted on September 17, 2017 by kaist455

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

Posted on January 14, 2017 by kaist455

“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

Posted on July 9, 2016 by kaist455

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

Posted on June 5, 2016 by kaist455

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

Posted on February 15, 2016 by kaist455

“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

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

Posted on December 12, 2015 by kaist455

“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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