Tag Archives: Real-life incident

The 33 (2015) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Trapped 700 meters underground for 69 days

Based on a dramatic real-life story which drew lots of public attention around the world in 2010, “The 33” attempts to give us a close, vivid look into that extremely risky period. As many of you remember, 33 miners of the … Continue reading

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Best of Enemies (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : Buckley Vs. Vidal

Focusing on the tense, dynamic progress of the infamous TV debates between two antagonizing American intellectuals, documentary film “Best of Enemies” observes their turbulent era which ironically mirrors the current sociopolitical status of the American society at present. Through their … Continue reading

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Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): That turbulent winter

Oscar-nominated documentary film “Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom” presents a close look into the Euromaidan protest in Ukraine, which was ignited in 2013 November and then blazed for 93 days until President Viktor Yanukovych left the country in … 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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Bridge of Spies (2015) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4) : The Lawyer Who Came into the Cold

Steven Spielberg’s new film “Bridge of Spies” is a compelling Cold War story deftly balancing itself between several different factors just like its no-nonsense lawyer hero who came into the Cold. Although it can be said that the movie is … Continue reading

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The Walk (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4): Between two towers

Focusing on one amazing real-life incident which did happen around the top of the Twin Towers of World Trade Center, “The Walk” tries to take you to that very moment of danger and wonder to behold, and it accomplishes its … Continue reading

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Everest (2015) ☆☆☆(3/4) : Into Thin Air

Based on an infamous real-life disaster which happened on Mount Everest in May 1996, “Everest” attempts to tell a chilling story about how everything went horribly wrong during that grim, horrifying moment of fear and chaos. Yes, they did know … Continue reading

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Citizenfour (2014) ☆☆☆1/2 (3.5/4) : A close, gripping look into one big expose

 Thanks to the rapid development of communication and information technologies, we can freely exchange or share information and opinions with many other people around the world, but then there are also dark possibilities in this technological advance. Through its close … Continue reading

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