Tag Archives: Real-life figure

Denial (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): History on Trial

As far as I can see from “Denial”, David Irving is a vile piece of work. He is a bullying propagandist who has no qualms about humiliating and discrediting others through lies and falsification, and any decent person cannot help … Continue reading →

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Chocolat (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A pair of different clowns

Inspired by the career of two real-life clowns who were famous around the early 20th century, French film “Chocolat” is an old-fashioned show business melodrama which is a little too rote and predictable at times. It often works whenever it … Continue reading →

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Hacksaw Ridge (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): A pacifistic medic struggling in a brutal war movie

“Hacksaw Ridge” is rather interesting for its ironic contradiction. While evoking those sincere old-fashioned Hollywood war films such as Howard Hawks’ “Sergeant York” (1941) on one side, the movie is also far more brutal and sanguinary than them on the … Continue reading →

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Lion (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A long way to his hometown

Based on one remarkable real-life story, “Lion” tries to tug at our heartstrings, and it succeeds with several powerful moments during its first half. Although it stumbles a bit during the second half which is more conventional in comparison, the … Continue reading →

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Jackie (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Who is Jackie?

Calmly examining the formation of that lasting public image of Jacqueline Kennedy, “Jackie” works as a compelling observation on a woman who happened to be in the middle of one of the darkest historical moments in the 20th American history. … Continue reading →

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Snowden (2016) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The Snowden Files

As a story about one famous real-life whistleblower, Oliver Stone’s new film “Snowden” often feels redundant despite some fascinating parts. While its subjects are certainly relevant especially at this point, the movie does not have many things to surprise or … Continue reading →

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Hidden Figures (2016) ☆☆☆(3/4): Three black female figures in NASA

Based on the remarkable professional careers of three real-life figures who worked in NASA in the early 1960s, “Hidden Figures” confidently moves forward along with its three main characters. While never overlooking how things were hard and difficult for them and … Continue reading →

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De Palma (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): From the master of macabre

Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow’s documentary film “De Palma” is as informative and entertaining as you can expect from the illustrious career of Brian De Palma, who surely deserves to be called “the Master of the Macabre” for many of … Continue reading →

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Loving (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): On their quiet love and struggle

I admire the simple but profound storytelling of “Loving”. At first, the movie looks conventional on the surface, but then it slowly reveals itself as an intimate and sensitive portrayal of one plain relationship between two ordinary good people who … Continue reading →

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Southside with You (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): One day of Barack and Michelle in Chicago

“Southside with You” is a small, humble drama about one day experienced by two people who would become one of the most famous couples in the world. I had no idea on how much the movie is close to what … Continue reading →

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