Tag Archives: Real-life figure

Million Dollar Arm (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : Another outsourcing from India

 “Million Dollar Arm” is a mild sports movie with a little dose of good will and local flavor. You can easily guess what you are going to get if you are aware of that this is your average Disney family … Continue reading

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Big Eyes (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Behind those big eyes

 What is the standard of good art? Or is there really such a standard like that? Mostly shying away from these interesting questions evoked by its fascinating real-life story, Tim Burton’s new film “Big Eyes” takes a rather plain, earnest … Continue reading

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Mr. Turner (2014) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : That sublime beauty amidst his mundane life

 Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner” is an atypical biography drama about the life and career of a flawed but talented artist. Rather than focusing on the highlights of his career like average biography movies would, this somber film slowly lets us … Continue reading

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Wild (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Hiking into the Wild

  As a tale of healing process and self-discovery, “Wild” looks plain and conventional from the very beginning, but it is entertaining to watch mainly because of several strong points which considerably enliven its conventions. Although there is nothing new … Continue reading

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American Sniper (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : A Sniper’s Story

  As a war film, “American Sniper” is gritty and thought-provoking as steadily maintaining its unadorned and respectful attitude to its subject. While it is uncomfortable to watch at times due to its hero’s narrow viewpoint, the story feels direct … Continue reading

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Foxcatcher (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Bound for Hollow Glory

 Always maintaining its reticent attitude with the sense of doom, “Foxcatcher” is quietly examines its stranger-than-fiction story which can be interpreted as a morbid American tragedy of ambition and madness. It demands us considerable patience at times mainly because of … Continue reading

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Unbroken (2014) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4) : An old-fashioned biopic for Oscar season

  It goes without saying that Louis Zamperini, the hero of “Unbroken”, had an interesting life worthwhile to be told. While he initially drew lots of attention as a young promising Olympic distant runner through his athletic talent, he served … Continue reading

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Belle (2013) ☆☆☆(3/4) : An extraordinary story of one different British lady

 Looking at the evil of slavery through an interesting viewpoint to notice, “Belle” tells us an engaging drama based on the life of a real-life figure who grew up under an extraordinary circumstance. While she was kindly accepted into the … Continue reading

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Jersey Boys (2014) ☆☆(2/4) : A jukebox musical lacking spark and energy

 As the film adaptation of a popular Tony Award-winning Broadway musical with the same name, “Jersey Boys” is a muted experience seriously lacking spark and energy. As a jukebox musical movie, it surely serves us with many recognizable songs from … Continue reading

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The Theory of Everything (2014) ☆☆☆(3/4): The Theory of Love, so to speak.

Needless to say, the life of Dr. Stephen Hawking is an inspiring story to tell. When he was about to begin his promising academic career, he was diagnosed to have Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and it was assumed that he … Continue reading

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