Tag Archives: Real-life figure

Trumbo (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : A passable biopic about one legendary Hollywood writer

As a biography film about one legendary Hollywood figure, “Trumbo” looks trivial compared to his larger-than-life status. Here is a man who steadily fought against the injustices inflicted upon himself and his ill-fated colleagues for years while never bending his … Continue reading →

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Joy (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): A messy rags to riches tale supported by Jennifer Lawrence

When I was going through another miserable day of my graduate course during the early 2010s, it happened to be my turn to clean the floor of my laboratory, and I used a newly bought mop for the first time. … Continue reading →

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The Danish Girl (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Which girl, you mean?

Unlike most of us who are fine with our sexual identity, some people are not comfortable with their body, and many of them are willing to go outside our conventional definition of sexuality. Regardless of whether we approve of this … Continue reading →

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Spotlight (2015) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4): All the Church’s Men

It is always interesting to watch professionals doing their best together. “Spotlight” gives us such an experience like that, and this top-notch journalism drama is calm, concise, comprehensive, and straightforward just like any good investigative article you read from newspapers. … Continue reading →

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The End of the Tour (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4) : An Interview between two Davids

First, I have to admit in advance that I am not very familiar with two real-life authors whose meeting inspired “The End of the Tour”. Although his second novel “Infinite Jest” was cited by Times as one of the 100 … 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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In the Heart of the Sea (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A story that inspired “Moby Dick”

 When I came across Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” for the first time, what I read was a criminally abridged version for elementary school kids. I did not know that at that time, but I enjoyed reading it anyway, and then … Continue reading →

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Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): He knew where he was going

Alex Gibney’s new documentary “Steve Jobs: the Man in the Machine” is both baffled and fascinated with many contradictions inside Steve Jobs, and so are we. While he will surely be remembered as one of the giants in the history … Continue reading →

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Listen to Me Marlon (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Brando on Brando

Marlon Brando lived a curious life to amuse and baffle us. While this legendary Hollywood actor gave us a number of great performances to behold and admire, he often seemed to be drifted away with no particular interest in acting, … Continue reading →

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Amy (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : A painful look into Winehouse’s downward spiral

Amy Winehouse’s tragically short life is a cautionary show business tale to say the least. She was young and talented with undeniable star quality, and she was lucky enough to be elevated to stardom within a few years, but, sadly, … Continue reading →

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